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NHTSA Campaign 03V281000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

Consequence

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD EXPLORER 1998 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER 1999 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER 2000 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER 2001 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2001 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2002 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 2001 1,552,880
FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 2002 1,552,880
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 1998 1,552,880
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 1999 1,552,880
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2000 1,552,880
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2001 1,552,880

Source: NHTSA Campaign 03V281000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.