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 2010 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver side seat failed to re-adjust forward. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
The head rests on our 2010 Ford Explorer limited have such a severe forward pitch to them that they make it very uncomfortable to sit for any length of time. Dealer says nothing can be done. Prior to purchase we test drove numerous other competitive vehicles and did not experience this same issue. After 11 months of ownership and almost 14,000 miles it is becoming a safety issue for us. I am seriously considering removing the head rests and driving without them. I have tried other work arounds, reclining the seats to make the head rest angle more acceptable, but this defeats the safety of the seat belt system. I've also tried raising the head rest to it's maximum extension, but that defeats the value of the head rest. What Ford needs to do is replace the 2010 head rests with one from an earlier model. NHTSA should force Ford to recall these head rests as hazardous.
The active head restraint system in the 2010 Ford Explorer pushes my head forward when I sit straight in the seat. I cannot find a comfortable position where the "active restraint" is not actively pushing my head forward. I understand the necessity of minimizing space between the head and restraint when in a rear-end collision, but car manufacturers have overcompensated, causing severe neck pain for those who sit straight in their seats. This is a problem not only because it's uncomfortable and potentially causes neck pain but also because drivers have no other safe option. The options are: 1) remove the head restraint, 2) turn the head restraint backwards, or 3) bend the bars so the restraint is not angled forward as dramatically. Please offer a solution to this problem. Otherwise, the restraint guidelines will create more safety issues than they were meant to remedy.
I have a 2010 Ford Explorer. The front passenger seat headrests are pitched excessively forward causing extreme head and neck discomfort. The only way to alleviate this stress is to recline the seat to the point where your head doesn't contact the headrest. This puts stress on your neck muscles causing stiffness and headaches. This is a defective design that must be corrected. When I brought the vehicle in for servicing at 4000 miles I informed the service manager who told me he gets lots of complaints about the head restraint and there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps Ford can proactively cite a replacement headrest from one of its other models. I am now taking muscle relaxants every night to relieve the stress on my neck.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The headrest on the driver and passenger extends outward which forces the passenger and drivers head forward. The contact has experienced discomfort while driving even when he attempted to rest his shoulders against the back of the seat. The vehicle was purchased seven days ago without him test driving it. The dealer advised the contact that they were unable to make any repairs since all of 2010 Ford explorers were designed with that type of headrest. The dealer recommended that the contact rotate the headrest; however, the driver stated that the headrest would not serve it?s purpose. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the head rest on the drivers side caused him extreme back pain and discomfort. He stated that it was a safety issue. The dealer was contacted and agreed with the concern and was trying to find a replacement for the head rest. The manufacturer was contacted and was also looking for a resolution. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 4,400. Updated 3/11/11 updated 04/29/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the front driver and passenger side headrests would protrude into the rear of the occupants' head at a steep angle. He was unable to adjust the headrests where they were not uncomfortable and protruding into the rear of his head. The dealer was unable to provide a repair to correct the design failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 154 and the current mileage was 3,232.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the design of the driver and front passenger seat head restraints pushed the occupants head forward in an uncomfortable position. She turned the head restraints around in order to assume a comfortable position while traveling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 45,000.
I rented a 2010 Ford Explorer yesterday (1-sept-2010) while my car was being repaired--I immediately noticed that the front headrests are designed so they lean forward way too far, hitting the back of my head and preventing me from sitting in a comfortable driving position. Totally ridiculous! Glad I only will have it for a day or two; I would never buy such a vehicle, it hurts my back and neck.
The headrests for the driver and front passenger seats in the Ford Explorer 2010 protrude into the back of the head at an extremely uncomfortable angle. I get headaches all the time if they are left in. The headrest angle is not adjustable. This is an agency fleet vehicle. I can't afford to risk a possible safety hazard by driving without the headrests in place.
Related recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and Mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 through February 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 30, 2010. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2010 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the seats of the 2010 Ford Explorer, 17% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Explorer seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-161 (recliner, Apr 20, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Explorer seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 86% before 25,000 miles.
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.