1998 Expolrer Broken Driver Seat recliner handle

[kjohnson05]

All - I received a recall notice for my Explorer, Recall #03S04 (Recliner Bolt for the drivers seat).
When I called Ford, I asked if this had anything to do with my recliner handle
which broke off in my Wifes hand (She's about 5 feet tall and weighs about 100 lbs soaking wet) Where not talking about WWF Female wrestlers here.
I was basically told "No". Called Ford and found out this is a common problem.
I was just wondering how common. Did anyone experience the same problem?
Thanks & Regards, Kenny...
PS: I race Fords & I like to think I know alot about them, but I know there are others out there to put me to shame!!!!!!

 

[Explorer#2]

I did, the handle just broke off in my hand one day, ment to get it fixed but i never did. It is not that big of a problem for me because i dont typically ride around with the seat reclined, and plus the back seat is always open , if you get what i am saying

 

[Paraphoe]

Mine snapped off too. It was poorly designed, IMO, in that when you get out of the seat, it often gets pressed down by your ass. Throughout the years, the action of it getting bent down, and then corrected when we saw it bent was enough to eventually break it off a few months ago. I haven't really given any thought to replacing it, because I figure the same problem will occur, and because I've never used it anyway.

 

[draft]

Mine broke too... I just paid ford to do it for $100.. there's a writeup somewhere on the net by TAS, but I'm strapped for time as it is, and I needed some other stuff done too. You can buy one new for around $50-60 from fordpartsnetwork.com

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Yeah mine busted off too, still got it in the back somewhere but couldn’t give a Rat’s about fixing it. Might sort it out when I go to sell it whenever that may be but until then I can live without it.

 

[Lazzman]

Mine broke off to it kept bending out from my ass sitting on it. Have not replaced it though 'cause I never used the recline feature

What a shabby piece of engineering.

 

[aldive]

Just today, I received a second notice from Ford to bring in the truck and have that bolt replaced.

It was recall number 03S04.

 

[1998xltX]

Mine has broken off too. From time to time it would get bent out of place and I would have to bend it back in place. One day it just broke off in my hand. These handles were poorly designed. I dont have any plans of getting it fix.