Model year record

2010 Ford Explorer

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 162 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V161000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component: Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 33,256
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-04-20
Owners notified: 2010-05-03

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train	27	81,000 mi
Seats	17	1,000 mi
Engine	14	80,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	14	7,600 mi
Electrical system	11	48,000 mi
Service brakes	10	92,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	9	57,710 mi
Unknown or other	8	88,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	6,900 mi
Wheels	5	27,000 mi
Air bags	4	60,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	4	224,283 mi
Steering	4	19,000 mi
Suspension	4	35,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	98,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	3	154 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	10 mi
Engine and engine cooling	2	300 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	2	48,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	10 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	14,000 mi
Exterior lighting	1	1,050 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	60,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	1	63,445 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	—
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	38,200 mi
Seat belts	1	—
Structure	1	6,900 mi
Traction control system	1	5,500 mi
Visibility	1	5,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	98,000 mi

The 2009 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2011 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.