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 1999 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While traveling on highway was cut off by another vehicle requiring me to heavily brake and sharply swerve to avert collision. Became immediately aware that headrests of front seats provided absolutely no (repeat no) injury (e,g. Whiplash) protection. When sitting in front seats the headrests cannot under any circumstances be positioned close to the head of the occupant. This, in turn, provides the perfect opportunity for severe injury such as "whiplash" to occur. Attempts to purchase safer replacement headrests from Ford and other automotive parts stores were unsuccessful as they were reportedly never manufactured.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the drivers side seat prematurely deteriorated and that there was an internal fracture causing the seat to be structurally unstable. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V281000 (seats). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Here is the complaint(s) sent to Ford motor co about my 1999 Explorer: I have had repeated problems with the driver seat breaking. It yields an unsafe condition and should be recalled. I am very dissatisfied with this repeated problem. I have lost the use of my car and money on several occasions. It is currently in for the same repair again. I have brought this to your attention in the past and have not received any help. Please respond to this in writing and let me know my options. Thanks for your attention to this matter. I then called then and then emailed them this follow up:I called the number you requested and spoke with jason and am dissatisfied with answer he gave me. He did say he would report my case to the engineering department. I would encourage you to do that as I believe the structure of your driver's seats are not properly designed and are unsafe. …
On July 13, 2003, I was driving my 1999 Explorer and the bolt holding the seatback up snapped and the seat flopped back. I had my family in the car. I spoke with Ford who told me to take the car to the dealer to look at the seat. Also, the car has a history of stalling while moving. It has happened on the highway several tmes and luckily has not LED to an accident. I have taken it to Ford several times to discuss the problem and I have been told there is nothing that can be done until the "check engine" light comes on. They apparently can not diagnose the problem until the car's computer senses a problem.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver's side high back seat collapsed backwards. The seat recliner mechanism was the cause of the failure. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and was able to resume driving in an upright position. The failure occurred without warning. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 03V281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired and is currently not being driven. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact observed the recliner bolt which secured the driver seat back was broken causing the seat to collapse in a backward position. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 03V281000 (component: seats: front assembly: recliner). The authorized dealer was notified and stated there was a prior recall remedy repair performed on the vehicle. The recall service repair failed to correct the safety defect. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
On my 1999 Ford Explorer, the drivers seat frame broke. Sometime prior to the 2003 recall for the bolt failure of the seat recliner assembly, the frame also failed causing the seat to recline partially even thou the setting is in the top position. The seat also moves back and forth when holding the back rest, and pushing on it. The recliner release is bent, and the plastic cover on the bottom of the seat is now broken also because the seat is so bad out of position. But the recall bolt was replaced at the dealer, however they would not repair the broken seat frame.
Every since I had my 1999 Ford Explorer worked on for the seat recliner recall I have had problems with my driver's seat moving like it was not properly secured. I finally was able to determine that the pin holding my drivers side seat to the rail that the side slides on, front to rear, had pulled out of the hole. This means that my seat was not secured to the vehicle. I have attempted to put the pin back into the seat rail but it will not stay in. The result is that the seat remains unsecured to the floor and will fall back if I lean back in it!
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer sport. The contact stated that the front driver side seat became detached from the mounting bracket of the base. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer where he would be liable for any repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 160,000. Updated 12/21/10 the consumer stated he fixed the seat at his expense. Updated 12/29/10
While backing out of a driveway at approximately 5 MPH a bolt in drivers seat unexpectedly broke and caused seatback to fall into second row of seats. As a result, driver's foot hit accelerator pedal, increasing speed of vehicle, and lost control. Vehicle traveled an estimated distance of 50-60 feet before crashing into a tree. Driver received minor head and shoulder injuries. Vehicle has not been examined by the dealership. Please provide any additional information / documentation. Note: part is available for inspection.
Related recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.
NHTSA investigations
Front seat back recliner attachment
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…
Seat complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 1,348 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Explorer seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-281 (recliner, Aug 5, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Explorer seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 8 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.