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 2001 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 03V281000 (seats). The contact stated that her son noticed that the front driver's seat was hard to recline up and down. The vehicle was taken three times to shaker's family Ford Lincoln (831 straits turnpike, watertown, ct 06795) for the recall. On the first dealer visit, the mechanic was unable to remove the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat. On the second visit, the dealer was able to remove the upper bolt and installed a new bolt however, the contact believed that the dealer damaged the seat in the process of installing the new bolt. The contact stated that the seat no longer reclined and needed the middle row seats to keep it upright. On the third visit, the contact was informed that the seat needed to be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal with force and the passenger seat independently folded forward and then backwards. The seat would no longer hold its upright position and had to be propped up by folding down the rear seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the weld on the back of the seat had fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V281000 (seats). The approximate failure mileage was 66,500. Updated 04/04/16 a bolt was replaced in the seat back. Updated 04/05/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving, the front driver side seat belt would suddenly unlock. In addition, the driver side and passenger side front seats would move forward when making a sudden stop and the passenger side door and hatch door would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 166,694.
The seats do not have a seperate head rest that is adjustable according to size. Accordingly, a person of average height sitting in either the driver or passenger seat is to far from the top of the seat to get adequate protection in an accident. Given today's safety standards, I expect more from a 2001 limited edition automobile. My husband was involved in a car accident and the majority of his injuries could have been mitigated if these seats were designed properly.
My 4 door Explorer is equipped with recliner high back seats. About a 2 months ago I was driving and the seat on the front left hand (driver side) it recline with out warning until is came in contacted with the second row seat cushion. I went to a Ford dealer ship and was informed that there was no recall for such problem. I have send and made calls and send letters to Ford, but they have fail to answer any of my letters.
The consumer received a recall on the bolt under the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the problem was repaired. Three months later the popping noise started again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that the bolt was fine but that the lever failed. The manufacturer was notified but the refused any assistance because the lever was not part of the recall.
While traveling 45-50 MPH the driver seat collapsed backwards without any indication. Dealer was contacted and repaired seat. Two months later the seat collapsed again. The pin on the driver's seat where the seat back attached to the pivot with the seat bottom had snapped twice which caused it to collapsed backwards 6-8 inches.
When vehicle was involved in a frontal crash at a speed of approximately 70 MPH seat back latch mechanism for second row of seats failed, allowing seat to move forward. Dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Seat does not release to let back passengers out of truck. This problem is the second set of seat problems. I owned an Explorer sport in 2000 and had the same problem with the seat. Ford is aware of the problem and is not dealing with the issue. I have small children who ride in the rear of the truck and if some thing happens to me up front, they are trapped in the back of the truck and unable to get out. Seems to be a seat mechanism problem which they refuse to address. This is actually a life/safety issue and I feel this needs to be addressed. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
When stopping, the passenger seat track releases the lock and the seat "slings" forward with or without anyone in it. It has sent my step-daughter into the dash as the seat slide foward. The seat belt did not stop it since the entire seat was moving. This seems to be a daily occurrence.
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 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the seats of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-281 (recliner, Aug 5, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.