VehicleVerdict

2010 Ford Explorer seats problems

The 2010 Ford Explorer has 20 seats complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

20

Seats complaints

13%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Seats complaints by year

Explorer seats complaints by model year71 complaints1991: 16 complaints1992: 22 complaints1993: 30 complaints1994: 20 complaints1995: 20 complaints1996: 30 complaints1997: 40 complaints1998: 71 complaints1999: 69 complaints2000: 40 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 30 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 11 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 20 complaints2011: 7 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 10 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 16 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 16 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 36 complaints2021: 13 complaints2022: 4 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Explorer seats complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V161000SeatsApril 20, 2010 · 33,256 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

What owners report

“IF FORD EVER DECIDES TO RECALL THESE FORWARD LEANING HEADRESTS PLEASE PUT ME AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS. FOR MY SAFETY??? THEY HURT! THEY ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE NO MATTER HOW I ADJUST THE BACK OF MY SEAT. PLEASE FORD SEND OUT MORE COMFORTABLE HEADRESTS OR AT LEAST MAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · July 8, 2011

Common questions

How many seats complaints does the 2010 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2010 Ford Explorer seats — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Ford Explorer seats?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the seats: 10V161000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.