1998 Ford Explorer Sport Seats Problems

“I have had my driver's seat recliner mechanism repaired before, but the recliner driver's seat has broken again. Now the recliner driver's seat reclines totally, until it touches the back seat cushion. The dealership told me the part to repair the seat is no longer manufactured. I was told I could go to a salvage yard to look for the part. On researching the problem on the internet I came upon the recall notice for the exact problem I have had with this vehicle.”

“Ford issued a recall for a bolt replacement in the seat. Safety recall 03s04 refers. Beach Ford dealership has declined to conduct the repair due to time of the recall (5 years). The dealership stated that the bolt had already sheared and since the recall was so old they would not repair.”

“Drivers side seat recline lever broke off. The seat is unable to move forward, preventing access to the rear from the drivers side. The metal is too weak and at an awkward position. The dealer will not replace, even through this is an obvious faulty part as the replacement part is designed with a thicker metal.”

“Both seat release latches have broken off. Back of drivers seat will not release(tilt forward) to allow access to back seat. Passenger seat would not slide or tilt forward to allow access to rear seat passenger seat broke on 3/30/03. Passenger seat latch repaired (spot weld) drivers seat broke on..”

“1998 Ford Explorer Sport driver's seat back lever was always being bent down as driver would exit SUV, causing handle to jam against seat frame. Driver would straighten handle in order to change position of seat back from one driver to another. Upon pushing handle back up into original position, it snapped, breaking off at connection point, just above two rivets on cam of the seat back assembly. Seat was in the most forward up position (across drivers seat) while accessing space behind drivers seat, sport model is a 2-door. …”