1999 Ford Explorer Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,348 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,348 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Drivers seat has started to recline. The latest recall replaces a couple of bolts but the dealer says that will not fix the problem. The seat leans extremely back making it hard to drive. I have to hang on to the steering wheel to keep myself upright. This has caused my wrist to become extremely painful now. I can barely hold more than 2 pounds before the hand lets go.”
NHTSA complaint #10037466, filed 2003-09, 34,000 miles“Every since I had my 1999 Ford Explorer worked on for the seat recliner recall I have had problems with my driver's seat moving like it was not properly secured. I finally was able to determine that the pin holding my drivers side seat to the rail that the side slides on, front to rear, had pulled out of the hole. This means that my seat was not secured to the vehicle. I have attempted to put the pin back into the seat rail but it will not stay in. The result is that the seat remains unsecured to the floor and will fall back if I lean back in it!”
NHTSA complaint #10175480, filed 2006-12, 103,340 miles“On july 13, 2003, I was driving my 1999 Explorer and the bolt holding the seatback up snapped and the seat flopped back. I had my family in the car. I spoke with Ford who told me to take the car to the dealer to look at the seat. Also, the car has a history of stalling while moving. It has happened on the highway several tmes and luckily has not LED to an accident. I have taken it to Ford several times to discuss the problem and I have been told there is nothing that can be done until the check engine light comes on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10026094, filed 2003-07, 22,000 miles“While traveling on highway was cut off by another vehicle requiring me to heavily brake and sharply swerve to avert collision. Became immediately aware that headrests of front seats provided absolutely no (repeat no) injury (e,g. Whiplash) protection. When sitting in front seats the headrests cannot under any circumstances be positioned close to the head of the occupant. This, in turn, provides the perfect opportunity for severe injury such as whiplash to occur. …”
NHTSA complaint #11109902, filed 2018-07, 120,000 miles“Manufacturer's recall 03504 concerning seat recliner bolt: this vehicle is a part of a recall, but the dealer refuses to repair the problem. The dealer found that the recliner mechanism is damaged and wants the consumer to pay for repairing the mechanism. Consumer feels that because the bolt breaking is the reason that the mechanism is damaged in the first place, and refuses to pay for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10050285, filed 2003-12, 68,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V281000Aug 5, 2003On 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…Covers: Ford Explorer 1998–2001, Mercury Mountaineer 1998–2001, Ford Explorer Sport 2001–2002 +1 more
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 17% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 17 | 4% |
| 2020 | 41 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 1% |
| 2016 | 32 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 0% |
| 2013 | 10 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 20 | 17% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 27 | 18% |
| 2007 | 24 | 12% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 0% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 30 | 1% |
| 2001 | 24 | 6% |
| 2000 | 39 | 4% |
| 1999 | 68 | 5% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 38 | 2% |
| 1996 | 29 | 2% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 20 | 2% |
| 1993 | 30 | 3% |
| 1992 | 20 | 3% |
| 1991 | 16 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Explorer
370 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
217 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
115 complaintsEngine cooling
100 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsSteering
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology