5.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$180
Average Mileage:
76,000 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace button again (4 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. ford fixed it under warranty (1 reports)
  4. remove switch, disassemble, re-bend metal tab, re-assemble (1 reports)
  5. remove the fuse (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #10

Mar 042015

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

This just randomly stopped working one day. It was a bit of a colder day, so I turned the driver's side seat heater on. When I went to turn it off it wouldn't. It took me about 25-50 times of clicking the button over and over before it miraculously went off. Now it does that every time, so I totally avoid even using it. What an awful vehicles this has turned out to be.

- Christopher S., Tampa, FL, US

problem #9

Dec 132013

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Flexible

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,168 miles

Switch on seat would stick and had to hit it many times to get it to work. Once on it would stay on but it took many times to turn it off. Finally got it fixed

- polarissno, Redford, MI, US

problem #8

Dec 102011

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Driver's side heated seat would not turn off, did not respond to the button. Basically, we had to take the fuse out during the summer and put it back in during the winter.

- Michele A., Johns Creek, GA, US

problem #7

Dec 092011

Explorer AWD Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,608 miles

The heated seats either won't turn off or on. I had the driver seat always stay on and the passenger seat wouldn't turn on. I ended up just taking it apart as a last ditch effort to not spend the coin on two new switches at $70 plus each, and it works just fine for over a year! Take it apart, rebend the metal contact tab, then reassemble. That simple. It is a pain to get out though. Good Luck!

- sworsham, Davis, CA, US

problem #6

Feb 022011

Explorer Limited 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

Heated seats are super in the winter...not so great in the summer! Passenger seat has heated seats year-round...can't get the button to engage.

- hkwerb, Vancouver, WA, US

problem #5

Nov 242010

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Expensive part for a simple fix. poor design and quality

- drdu, Mattapoisett, MA, US

problem #4

Feb 192010

Explorer Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This is the second time the button has failed. The first 2 times I had it fixed was under the extended warranty by CarMax and it was on the off position. This time my warranty has expired and the unit is on all the time. This is getting bad now that we are entering the summer season.

- jstatrip, Santa Clarita, CA, US

problem #3

Jul 012007

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

This is one of many complaints, The driver seat heater suddenly stops working and it wasn't noticed til it got cold, but by that time it was out of warranty

- oliver_tulane, Locust Grove, GA, US

problem #2

Nov 012004

Explorer Limited V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Because we paid so much for this car, we take really good care of it. The heater broke during the winter month when it is used the most. A fuse blew out. The car was only 3 months old.

- buboos4perkins, Menifee, CA, US

problem #1

Sep 182007

(reported on)

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Heated seats haven't worked since 38k miles which was as one would expect out of warranty. Not willing to pay to have them fixed.

- David H., Grand Rapids, MI, US