NHTSA Complaint #11415270 — 2001 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS HARD TO RECLINE UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THREE TIMES TO SHAKER'S FAMILY FORD LINCOLN (831 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795) FOR THE RECALL. ON THE FIRST DEALER VISIT, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE UPPER BOLT AND INSTALLED A NEW BOLT HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER DAMAGED THE SEAT IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING THE NEW BOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER RECLINED AND NEEDED THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS TO KEEP IT UPRIGHT. ON THE THIRD VISIT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,800.