Seat complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
1. Driver's power seat frame assembly failed for no apparent reason and without warning. 2. This failure results in the seat suddenly rocking forward or backward, especially under braking making it difficult to control the vehicle and rendering the vehicle inoperable. This is a serious safety concern. I understand that this part failure is not uncommon and understand that there is a factory technical service bulletin on this problem, TSB 23.033.01 3. Part #5080615ab, left side power seat adjuster was replaced under factory warranty on 12/17/04. This same part and part #5080614ab, right side power seat adjuster were replaced on 8/5/05 under a factory extended service contract. These parts failed again on 1/17/06 and are scheduled to replaced as soon as the new parts arrive at the dealer. Old parts are not available from prior repairs. …
Dt: in the drivers seat about 3 inches from the left edge of seat around waist high has a piece of plastic that sticks in the drivers back. It has worn out the foam rubber and the seat cover. Dealer says it will cost caller to fix it. Manufacturer will not do anything to help.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle hesitated and lost power without warning. It was maneuvered off the road and towed to the dealer, who determined the transmission needed to be replaced. Also, while driving various speeds, the driver seat moved. The dealer determined a bolt fractured and the track needed to be replaced.
Dt: 2001 Dodge Ram. The consumer stated that on front center folding seat the bolt sheared off and the seat collapsed. This started three days ago. The dealership stated there was nothing they could do. He ordered the bolt to fix it. Dodge stated warranty expired. This was the first time this happened.
Vehicle was at a stand still was was rear ended in which both driver's side and passenger's side seatback bolts broke, causing seat to fall backwards in the reclininng position, and causing injuries to both driver side and passenger side occupants. Please provide any further details.
The placement and size of the driver-side and passenger-side door window along with the position of the driver seat in the rear position limits visibility to the point of creating a hazard. Average-sized (and larger) drivers must lean forward while sitting in the seat to see out before pulling into traffic. A number of complaints and near-miss collisions due to reduced visibility have been reported to the safety office by maintenance workers assigned to subject vans. A preliminary investigation by safety officials has been completed; alleged conditions are founded. Request further investigation and coordination with consumer product safety commission. Please advise.
While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. Consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?t stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. …
Outside seat back bracket of driver seat failed in rear end collision resulting in driver being moved into back seat. Seat back bracket failed above the recliner ratchet adjsuter. Truck moving 5mph, rearended by vehicle approx at 30mph or faster (excessive speed, 283' skid marks, dry pavement, 96 Honda accord)
Related recalls (1)
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with power seat option. The driver's side front seat attaching riser welds were not correct.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side power front seat rise with a riser that was mig welded.
NHTSA investigations
Seat back failure
Odi has identified 30 incidents where it is alleged the seat back collapsed in a rear impact crash.these incidents are alleged to have contributed to 23 injuries and two deaths.the data presented to odi show that the seat back strength of the front seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (18), 2002 (9), 1995 (6), 1997 (6) and 1999 (5) model years. Seat complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram seat problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-076 (power adjust, Apr 8, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 86% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (21 mentions), followed by the mid/rear assembly (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.