Diagsheet

2015 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Seat belt or seat problems

  • 52owner reports
  • 65,000median miles
  • $797median quote
  • 4involved a crash

Newest report Jan 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

52 of the 1,773 complaints on this car describe seat belt.

Tick what matches of 52 reports

19
10
3
1
9

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (14 reports) and the seat frame or track (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the seat belts covers the 2015 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the seat belts on the Explorer

PE03-020opened May 21, 2003
Seats · model years 1998 to 2001

Front seat back recliner attachment. Closed sep 5, 2003, led to recall 03V-281.

NHTSA summary
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.
EA02-011opened Jul 2, 2002
Seat Belts · model years 1995

Safety belt assembly failure. Closed may 21, 2003.

NHTSA summary
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02-007opened Jan 23, 2002
Seat Belts · model years 1995

Safety belt assembly. Closed jul 2, 2002.

NHTSA summary
EA01-008opened Feb 26, 2001
Seat Belts · model years 1999 to 2000

Seat belt webbing. Closed apr 25, 2002.

NHTSA summary
ODI OPENED PE00-044INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE00-044opened Nov 3, 2000
Seat Belts · model years 2000

Seat belt webbing. Closed feb 26, 2001.

NHTSA summary
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE92-084opened Oct 23, 1992
Seats · model years 1990 to 1991

Front seat track failure. Closed feb 26, 1993.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

What owners paid

9 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $1,000.

$500$797$1,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 34,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.

616
717
218
719
420
421
222
723
624
625
126

What owners wrote

“Both of the inflatable seat belts in the back seat fail to latch. Have been checked for debris.”

Filed Dec 10, 2025

“Parking lights are illuminated and not head lamps for daytime running lights. Was sold by Ford Certified Dealership. Also has no interior lighting for security. BCM replaced, and still has same issue, along with the 3rd row seats not functioning, interior overhead lights not functioning, trailer socket not functioning.”

Filed Oct 14, 2025

“The left rear seat belt buckle/receptacle broke in early 2023. Ford told me the part is on backorder. Every time I have checked with Ford, they continue to say the part is on backorder. I can't use the vehicle as intended while Ford refuses to supply the safety parts necessary.”

Filed Mar 5, 2024 · 145,547 miles

“Hello I went to the dealership many times. Every time I go for the recalls. They saying that the parts not available. I’m not sure what’s going on. They keep telling me try with us in a month. This is unprofessional and unacceptable. The recall for the suspension and the passenger door panel. By the way I tried 2 different dealership. On in eat Rutherford.NJ. And on I. Hackensack,NJ. Please advice.”

Filed Jan 24, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 4 of 52 reports involved a crash and 17 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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