Seats: front assembly: recliner (Ford and Mercury)
Vehicle recall 10V-161. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 20, 2010.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 20, 2010. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Seats: front assembly: recliner.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 33,256 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Ford Fusionand 2010, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Milanand 2010, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Mountaineerand 2010, before the model years listed here
- Ford Explorerand 2010, before the model years listed here
- Ford Explorer Sport Tracand 2010, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.