The problem
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. 202, "head restraint." the recliner gear plate teeth May be out of dimension specification which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint May move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 10V-161 (10V161000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 10C11 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Seats › Front assembly › Recliner |
| Report date | April 20, 2010 |
| Owners notified | May 3, 2010 |
| Vehicles affected | 33,256 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seats
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 10V-161 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 33,256 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.