Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 1997 Ford Explorer was parked outside a local restaurant when I was alerted that the interior of my vehicle was on fire and that the fire department had been called. Black smoke was pouring out of the slightly opened windows when I approached the SUV and ultimately put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Closer examination indicated that the source of the fire came from under the drivers side seat. One of the firemen on the scene speculated that the motor that controls the power seat overheated and started the fire. My first call was to Ford motor company. Their response was that they would send me a letter in the mail. This letter came a week later and explained that although they would really like to assist me with my loss , there was not a recall on my vehicle, so they would not be able to assist me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that a vehicle crashed into the rear of his vehicle and the driver side seat belt failed to restrain. The contact received injuries to the shoulder and neck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the failure was located at the driver seat. The dealer advised that the seat was detached from the base and caused the seat belt buckle to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/01/11 updated 1/19/2012
While stopped at a traffic light,vehicle was rear ended by another SUV going approximately 60mph. The back support for the drivers seat apparently broke as a result of the impact and went to a fully reclined position,providing no support. As a result, my wife sustained neck and lower back injuries (herniated disks) among other injuries. Have any other problems been reported regarding the seat failing to hold up and provide proper support during a severe rear end collision?
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver and passenger seat bolts fractured and caused the seats to separate from the frame. The bolts were replaced several times; however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V281000 (seats). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage as 330,000.
The consumer noticed the driver side seat back reclined backwards after opening the driver's side door. Prior to this incident, the consumer had informed the dealership that the seat was loose and rocked. The dealer provided no assistance. Recall 03V281000 was issued for the high back seat, however, this vehicle was not included in recall due to the vehicle identification number.
Seat recliner levers break off. Back seat passenger(s) must climb over seat to enter or exit. If there was an emergency rear seat passengers would have difficulty exiting vehicle. The cheap metal part that fractured is attached to a $70.00 part that with labor would be $240.00 for both driver and passeenger repair. This is more than inconvenience.
Driver was rearended by smaller vehicle that was driving at high rate of speed, causing driver's seatback to fall back into a reclining position, resulting in loss of control. Vehicle was totaled.
Rear brakes are shot and the seat handle is broken. My dealer says that vehicle is not cover under my extended warranty. But, there is a TSB # 98-25-15 for the seat handle, and I can't believe that my brakes or rear rotors are warped. Already they did replacethe front ones and they should have done the rear at the same time but they did not. Now I am the one who has to suffer because of them. This should be a warranty item taht all there is to it. Hope I here from some one but I dought it.
While driving the engine cut completely off. Dealer replaced engine. Consumer states that after engine replacement, oil pump assembly failed and then oil was leaking again after that was replaced, dealer has agreed to replace consumer's explorere with a 1998 model. Rack and steering was replaced, due to lost fluid in front end. Seat bracket failed.
Consumer stated as he leaned back in the drivers seat, the back of the seat fell onto the rear seat, consumer was not able to get the seat back up by using the seat handle, vehicle was taken into the dealership and consumer was informed that the latch holding the seat back in place had let go and had to be replaced.
Seat complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the seats of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 1997 Ford Explorer, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.