Ford Explorer, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac; Mercury Mountaineer (1998-2002): Seats
Recall 03V281000 · Aug 5, 2003 · Ford Motor Company
1,552,880
vehicles affected
1,552,880
vehicles affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 03V281000
- Date
- Aug 5, 2003
- Maker
- Ford Motor Company
- Units affected
- 1,552,880
- Kind
- Vehicles
- Component
- Seats > Front assembly > Recliner
- Model years
- 1998-2002
- Started by
- The safety regulator
- Hazard
- Crash risk
What is 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.
What can happen
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix
Recall repairs are free of charge.
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 covered
4 models, 12 model years in all
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | Explorer | 1998-2001 |
| Ford | Explorer Sport | 2001-2002 |
| Ford | Explorer Sport Trac | 2001-2002 |
| Mercury | Mountaineer | 1998-2001 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Which vehicles are in recall 03V281000?
4 models: Ford Explorer (1998-2001), Ford Explorer Sport (2001-2002), Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2001-2002) and 1 more, about 1.55 million vehicles in all.
What is the fix for recall 03V281000?
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.
What can happen?
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. A dealer can tell whether a single vehicle still needs the repair.