Preliminary Evaluation · FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT · Opened 2003-05-21 · Closed 2003-09-05
Investigation
Action number
PE03020
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
2003-05-21
Close date
2003-09-05
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Affected makes
FORD; MERCURY
Affected components
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Affected model years
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Affected (make, year) variants
12
Summary
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 4, 2003, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V281) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2001 FORD EXPLORER / MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4-DOOR, MY 1998-2000 FORD EXPLORER 2-DOOR AND MY 2001-2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND SPORT TRAC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.A BOLT BETWEEN THE UPPER SEAT RECLINER ATTACHMENT AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME MAY FRACTURE.FORD WILL REPLACE THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT.BASED ON FORD'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.