# 1998 FORD EXPLORER — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `446305` · 2003-12-23 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** EXPLORER
- **Year:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** SEATS
- **Miles at failure:** 183,000
## Narrative
ON DECEMBER 17,2003 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RELEASE ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER BROKE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACK.  THE STEEL THAT ATTACHES THE POSITIONING LEVER TO THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE SEAT SHIRRED OFF IN A CLEAN BREAK AND CAME OFF IN MY HAND.  MY SEAT BECAME STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION WHILE I WAS IN THE SEAT FORCING ME INTO A FORWARD POSITION. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THIS POSITION TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY USED A LARGE VICE GRIP TYPE WRENCH TO RELEASE THE SEAT BACK INTO A POSITION SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR.  AT THIS TIME THE SEAT IS JAMMED IN A STATIC POSITION WHILE THE REMAINING PART OF THE STEEL IS STILL IN THE RECLINING GEAR.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*