Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Interior & seats reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
70
Latest Feb 15, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 1,450 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11
What this page shows
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 70 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming interior
The 25 most recent of 70, in the owner's own words
WHILE DRIVING IN "D" IN FIRST TO SECOND IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM SHIFTING BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING AND WILL REV HIGH RPMS AND SOMETIMES DO ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING WHEN DRYING TO MOVE FORWARD UNLESS I DE ACCELERATE AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGINE THEN FINALLY IT WILL CATCH AND GO IN TO 2ND AND PROCEED TO 3RD AND THEN 4TH AND THEN 5TH ,4TH AND 5TH WHEN ACCELERATING SOUNDS VERY ROUGH WHEN ACCELERATING LIKE IT'S TRYING TO HARD TO DRIVE, LATELY IT JUST THE OTHER DAY I HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT TO GO IN TO D TO 1ST 2ND 3RD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WAS NOT WANTING TO CATCH HAD T OK TRY 3-6 TIMES DE ACCELERATING AND ACCELERATING TO TRY TO GET IT TO GO FINALT IT CAUGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT SO I STOPPED AT THE PARTS STORE HAD THEM DO A SCAN AND THE ONLY CODE THAT CAME UP WAS P1701 THEY LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAID SOMETHING TO DO WITH TROUBLE IN REVERSE WITCH IN REVERSE HAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL SO I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT IT AND ALSO A LITTLE SCARED TO DRIVE IT WHEN THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND IF IT WON'T ENGAGE IN TO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING WHEN IN D THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ALSO THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK WAS TOLD IT WAS VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR SO I REPLACED IT STILL HAD ISSUE SO I REPLACED THE ODOMETER SPIRAL GEAR HOPEFULLY IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM ALSO THE BACK SEAT DOUBLE SIDE WOULD NOT GO DOWN FIXED IT AFTER PULLING IT APART AND DRILLING ANOTHER HOLE INTO THE SPRING LOADED CIRCLE THAT HAS A TENCHENER ON IT FIXED THAT ....AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEATS JUST STOPPED MOVING ABOUT HALF WAY SO IT'S VERY HARD FOR ME TO REACH THE PEDAL AND THE AUTOMATIC SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK EATHER ONE AND THE ALL FUSES ARE GOOD THEAS ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES THAT HAVE ME CONCERNED SINCE IT'S ALL I HAVE SO ANYTHING OR ANYWHERE I CAN TAKE IT OR DO TO IT PLEASE CONTACT ME SO IT CAN GET FIXED ASAP FOR THE SHIFTING ISSUE. TY
NHTSA ID
11309404
Incident
Feb 8, 2020
Mileage
180,770 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Sep 5, 2012
NOTICED THAT THE RECLINER HANDLE WAS BENT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO RECLINE THE SEAT THE HANDLE BROKE OFF AT THE RIVET POINT. COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THE PART CAN ONLY BE BOUGHT FROM FORD AND THE COST IS $100. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR A LATER YEAR EXPLORER. DEALER SAID THE NEW PART IS MORE HEAVY DUTY AND MADE TO REPLACE THE STOCK VERSION THAT WAS LIGHT DUTY. NO RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THEY HAVE STOPPED MAKING THE PART. *TR
NHTSA ID
10473996
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
139,161 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Sep 26, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RECEIVER DOES NOT CLASP SEAT BELT. WE ARE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP TO REPLACE THE RECEIVER AT $100 FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. A SEAT BELT RECEIVER SHOULD BE BUILT TO LAST NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED IN THE RECLINE POSITION ON 8/24/2011, FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THE RECLINE MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK, AND THE SEAT DOES NOT STAY UPRIGHT. THESE TWO ITEMS ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10427520
Incident
Sep 26, 2011
Mileage
222,000 mi
Interior & seatsExterior lightingOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Nov 24, 2010
MY WIFE AND I ARE SCARED TO DRIVE OUR 96 EXPLORER ONCE WE LEARNED OF ALL THE RECALLS ( REAR SIDE GLASS, BAD SUSPENSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, HEADLIGHTS.) JUST TO NAME A FEW I KNOW OF. *TR
NHTSA ID
10367349
Incident
Nov 22, 2010
Interior & seatsOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 30, 2008
1996 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE KEYS ONLY WORK INFREQUENTLY. NEW KEYS FROM FORD DEALER CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR SAFETY, ANY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THEIR VEHICLE KEY WILL OPERATE RELIABLY. IF YOU FEEL THREATENED OR ARE BEING FOLLOWED AND NEEDED THE SECURITY OF ENTERING AND LOCKING YOUR VEHICLE BUT WERE UNABLE THIS COULD RESULT IN A PERSONAL SAFETY RISK INCLUDING DEATH. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE OR CORRECT IT. HAVING TO LEAVE A VEHICLE UNLOCKED SIMPLY TO ALLOW ENTRY IS UNACCEPTABLE. I MIGHT AS WELL PLACE A SIGN ON MY VEHICLE SAYING STEAL ME. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT A SOLUTION. NEW KEYS MAY WORK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SIMPLY STOP WORKING. THEY MAY EVEN WORK LATER, IT IS NOT A KEY PROBLEM BUT A VEHICLE DESIGN ISSUE. NONE OF THE KEYS OPERATE THE REAR HATCH, NONE OF THE KEYS OPERATE THE PASSENGER DOOR ANY LONGER EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO MECHANICAL ISSUE WITH EITHER. THE DRIVERS DOOR WORKS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME. THESE ARE NOT "CHIP KEYS", THERE IS NO SECURITY ISSUE IN THAT REGARD. THESE ARE SIMPLY STANDARD DEALER CUT KEYS. THERE IS NO DISTINGUISHABLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KEYS AND ALL HAVE WORKED AT TIMES. AGAIN, THE ISSUE IS THE VEHICLE DESIGN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10244016
Incident
Sep 27, 2008
Mileage
158,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 15, 2008
1 injury reported
DRIVERS SEATBACK FAILURE. THE DRIVERS SEAT IN OUR 1996 FORD EXPLORER COLLAPSED. THE UPPER PORTION OF OUR SEAT SUDDENLY FLEW BACKWARDS ONLY STOPPING WHEN IT STRUCK THE REAR SEAT. LUCKILY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE WAS HURLED BACKWARDS HER FEET FLYING UPWARDS AND STRIKING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. HER HANDS CAME OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE WAS LEFT PRONE STARING AT THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT CONCERN TO NHTSA SINCE ANY DRIVER EXPERIENCING SUCH A FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WOULD BE IN GRAVE DANGER. AFTER REMOVING THE SEAT AND RESEARCHING ISSUES WITH EXPLORER SEATS I FOUND THE 1998 EXPLORER RECALL THAT EXACTLY DESCRIBED OUR SEAT FAILURE. THE SAME EXACT BOLT IN THE 1998 RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF OUR SEAT COLLAPSE. I HAVE SAID BOLT ( BROKEN IN TWO PIECES)AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE NHTSA EXAMINING IT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BAD BOLTS OR IF THE SEAT DESIGN CAUSED THE BOLT TO FAIL. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE BOLT WITH A NEW BOLT AND STEEL SPACER (I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE REMEDY CALLED FOR IN THE 1998 RECALL) IF I HAD NOT REMOVED THE SEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS WOULD HAVE TAKEN UNDER 20 MINUTES AND THE PARTS CAN BE HAD FOR UNDER $2 . PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT DOESN'T YOUR WEB SEAT SAY THAT IF A SAFETY RELATED REPAIR IS NECESSARY THE MANUFACTURER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR SAID REPAIR. THIS REPAIR CLEARLY FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORY. I WOULD HOPE NHTSA SHARES MY CONCERN AND DOES A THROUGH INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU, GREG CAMPBELL *TR
NHTSA ID
10227921
Incident
May 2, 2008
Mileage
130,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 14, 2008
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE HEATER. HE WALKED TO HIS MAILBOX AND RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE CONSOLE. HE RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO DOUSE THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND UNDERNEATH CAUGHT FIRE AND HE BELIEVED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASHBOARD MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. HE DID NOT CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FIRE, BUT HE DID CONTACT HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08. *JB
NHTSA ID
10227789
Incident
Apr 4, 2008
Mileage
143,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE EITHER THE RECLINER BOLTS OR THE SEAT ASSEMBLY AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE RECLINER BOLTS, BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME MODEL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ID
10226480
Incident
May 2, 2007
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Oct 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK SUPPORT GATE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE GLASS. ALSO, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V137000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE:SUPPORT DEVICE) OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V070000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ID
10206344
Incident
Apr 12, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 6, 2005
DT: THE DRIVER'S SEATS BROKE FROM THE METAL PART BY WHERE ONE ADJUSTS SEAT FORWARD AND BACKWARD. WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE BOLT THAT HOLDS SEAT IN PLACE BROKE. A MECHANIC THAT INSTALLS THE SEATS IN THE FORD EXPLORER COME LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER OF HAPPENED. WAS INJECTED INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND THEN GOT OUT. THEN HUSBAND GOT IN AND MOVED VEHICLE , INJECTED HIM FORWARD . ALSO, IT BLEW ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUSES , BOUGHT NEW FUSES AND NOW IT WORKS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10124285
Incident
Jun 3, 2005
Mileage
135,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 28, 2005
2 injuries reported
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY, TRAPPING THE DRIVER AND CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. PRESSING THE 'UNLOCK' BUTTON DOES NOTHING. SO FAR, THE FORD DEALER WANTS AROUND $400 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. *JB
NHTSA ID
10115953
Incident
Mar 27, 2005
Mileage
79,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 3, 2005
1996 FORD EXPLORER ,OPENED LIFTGATE AND SUPPORT SHOCK POPPED OFF OF BRACKET THE BALL ON BRACKET BROKE OFF,NOW TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANGER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL,BUT HE SAID THERE WASNT,BUT HE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS DO THE SAME THING,NOW LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS OPENING THE GATE,NOT WHEN I WAS UNDER THE GATE,WHICH MADE ME THINK THAT THIS COULD A VERY POTENTAL INJURIE,OR EVEN A LIFE THREATING HAZZARD IF IT WAS A SMALL PERSON LIKE A CHILD,IF THIS GATE LETS LOOSE WHEN SOMEONE IS UNDER IT.THIS GATE IS VERY HEAVY AND SLAMS VERY HARD WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF BOTH SHOCKS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10105625
Incident
Dec 5, 2004
Mileage
117 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 29, 2004
REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ID
10094609
Incident
Sep 29, 2004
Mileage
167,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 24, 2004
Fire reported1 injury reported
MY FAMILY DROVE TO A STORE (6/21/04) AND LEFT OUR 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN THE PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR. WHEN WE RETURNED THE FRONT OF THE CAB WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. WE STARTED TRYING TO FIND WHAT SMELLED SO BAD, AND WHAT WAS SMOKING. MY HUSBAND REALIZED THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SEAT UP (ELECTRONIC) AND AFTER BURNING HIS FINGER HE WAS ABLE TO UNPLUG THE SIX WAY SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTOR. WHEN WE CALLED FORD THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING, BUT DID SAY THEY WOULD CHARGE US $72 TO DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS EVIDENT THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND HAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE SIDE OF IT. IF WE HAD NOT RETURNED TO OUR SUV WE WOULD NOW HAVE ASHES, AS THE ELECTRIC POWER IS A CONSTANT FEED. I CONTACTED FORD, IN MICHIGAN, WITH THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD ON 6/24/04 THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC IN ORDER FOR FORD TO EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THEY STATED I COULD CALL MY INSURANCE AND GO THAT ROUTE. I EXPLAINED I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AND THEY SAID IT WAS UP TO ME WHAT I DID. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. I STATED THAT IT WAS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY BUT FORD'S AND SHE RESPONDED YES. IN FRUSTRATION I HUNG UP AND BEGAN THIS COMPLAINT. IF SOMEONE WERE TO LEAVE HIS OR HER CHILD IN THE CAR AND THIS HAPPENS THE CHILD WILL BE SEVERELY INJURED. IF I HAD BEEN ALONE WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN TO UNPLUG THE SEAT MOTOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY HUSBAND STATED THAT THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE HE WAS SURPRISED THE SEAT HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE HAS SINCE TAKEN THE MOTOR OUT AND WILL REPLACE IT WHEN THE PART COMES IN. WE STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL MOTOR. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK
NHTSA ID
10078738
Incident
Jun 21, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 17, 2004
BOTHE REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE...SOMETIMES LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE DUE TO CHILD SAFETY LATCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA ID
10062473
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Mileage
25,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 17, 2004
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. DEALER FIXED IT AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $593.00. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2004, THE SEAT BROKE AGAIN. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB
NHTSA ID
10059504
Incident
Oct 8, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 25, 2004
WENT TO DRIVE CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT FLEW BACK AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN BOLT. *LA
NHTSA ID
10054865
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Mileage
70,900 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 8, 2004
A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK UPRIGHT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FULLY RECLINE BACKWARDS IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS SEAT BOLT HAS FAILED. THE ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS IN JULY, 1999 (NHTSA REPORT #708738). *LA
NHTSA ID
10052663
Incident
Jan 8, 2004
Mileage
60,210 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 12, 2003
RECALL 03V281000. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BOLT BROKE . *AK THE SEAT LAID ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK SEAT WITH THE BOLT BROKE. *PH *JB
NHTSA ID
10038551
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 7, 2003
I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST HAD IT'S FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY FAIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. I NOTICE THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE BUT IT WAS NOT FOR 1996 BUT 1998 - 01 YEAR EXPLORERS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER THAT MADE THE REPAIR AND THEM STATED THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 1996 AND 1998 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THEY POINTED ME BACK TO FORD. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIMITING THIS RECALL TO SAVE MONEY. THEY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE 1996 MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER YEAR MODELS AS EVIDENT BY THE PROBLEM MY VEHICLE JUST EXPERIENCED. THE RECALL NOTICE IS BELOW FOR REFERENCE. THANK YOU. . MAKE : FORD MODEL : EXPLORER YEAR : 1998 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V281000 RECALL DATE : AUG 04, 2003 COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1552880 *JB
NHTSA ID
10041403
Incident
Sep 19, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 28, 2003
DEFECT WITH FAULTY INTERIOR DOOR LATCH/RELEASE MECHANISM PREVENTS DOORS FROM BEING OPENED BY PASSENGERS.*MR *CB
NHTSA ID
10031493
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 4, 2003
SEATBACK IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) BROKE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. CAUSE IS A FRACTURED BOLT IN THE RECLINING SEATBACK LATCH.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10025423
Incident
Jun 30, 2003
Mileage
84,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 18, 2002
WHILE REMOVING CHILD FROM CAR SEAT ON SECOND ROW OF VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINES BACK ON TOP OF CONSUMER'S LEG . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. HOWEVER, HAS NO REMEDY FOR SEAT. *AK
NHTSA ID
8014201
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 13, 2001
1 injury reported
THE DEVICE CAUSED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO LOSE A PORTION OF HER RIGHT POINTER FINGER AND WE FEEL THIS COULD BE PREVENTED IF THAT PART WAS COVERED UP (AT THE VERY LEAST) IN THE MODELS IT EXISTS IN. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE REAR DOOR IS BEING OPENED AND THE FRONT DOOR IS ALREADY OPEN. MY DAUGHTER WAS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY OF THE FRONT DOOR AND APPARENTLY TOUCHED THIS ROLLER MECHINISM AS MY HUSBAND WAS OPENING THE REAR DOOR, IT BASCIALLY SUCKED HER FINGER IN AND CUT IT OFF (DUE TO THE PRESSURE - THE ROLLER USES THE CAR BODY TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN). WE HAVE CHECKED AND SOME VEHICLES HAVE THIS AND OTHER DO NOT AND SOME HAVE IT COVERED UP! IT WOULD ONLY BE APPLICABLE IN 4 DOOR VEHICLES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AS I KNOW IT IS SOMEWHAT CONFUSING. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT ANYONE ELSE FROM GOING THROUGH WHAT WE DID - MY DAUGHTER (2 YEARS OLD) HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SURGERY TO REMOVE MORE OF THE BONE/FINGER AND REPAIR THE TIP THE BEST IT COULD BE. SHE STILL HAS DISCOMFORT AT TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN 2 1/2 MONTHS SINCE THE ACCIDENT. WE HAVE CHECKED IT OUT AND SHE COULD HAVE FIT HER WHOLE HAND IN THERE WHICH WOULD OF BEEN EVEN MORE TRAGIC! I HOPE YOU WILL HELP US GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS PART IN MANY CARS. *AK
NHTSA ID
755626
Incident
Sep 30, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 28, 2001
WHILE DRIVING SEATBACK FELL BACKWARDS, AND CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. HAS CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *YH
NHTSA ID
897064
Incident
Jun 10, 2001
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own