What NHTSA investigated
By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-DOOR, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-DOOR and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.
The recall that followed
Vehicles covered
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | EXPLORER | 1998–2001 |
| Ford | EXPLORER SPORT | 2001–2002 |
| Ford | EXPLORER SPORT TRAC | 2001–2002 |
| Mercury | MOUNTAINEER | 1998–2001 |
Source
From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.