Recall 11V063 affects 1,658 2011 Ford Explorer vehicles for second-row seat recliner parts outside specification. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,658 2011 Explorer SUVs because certain second row 60% seats with manual recliners have parts made outside dimensional specifications. In a crash, the seat back can lack the required strength and increase injury risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The second row 60% seat in the 2011 Ford Explorer uses a manual recliner mechanism to hold the seatback at the angle selected by the passenger. That mechanism is part of the seating system covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, which sets strength and locking requirements for vehicle seats.
In the recalled Explorers, parts inside the manual recliner mechanism are out of dimensional specification. In plain terms, one or more pieces were made outside the intended size range. When those parts do not fit as designed, the seatback locking system does not meet the required seating-system standard. Ford's filing identifies the issue in Explorer vehicles built from July 15, 2010, through December 13, 2010.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or obvious seat movement to confirm whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,658 |
Not every 2011 Ford Explorer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the seat back can fail to provide the required strength, increasing injury risk for the person in that seat. Drive with care and confirm whether your VIN is included before arranging service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Check for the Ford owner notice mailed on February 15, 2011, and keep it with your vehicle records.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 11V063 when you ask about the free seat repair.
- Schedule the second-row seat repair that corrects the weak seat-back issue.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician repairs the second row 60% seat with the manual recliner mechanism, focusing on the seat components that are outside dimensional specification. The repair is meant to bring the seating system back into recall compliance. Parts and labor are covered by the recall once the dealer repair is available. Contact Ford's Customer Relationship Center if the dealer needs recall support.
Timeline
| February 2, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 15, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V063?
Recall 11V063 covers 1,658 2011 Ford Explorer vehicles with second-row 60% seats that have manual recliner mechanisms built out of dimensional specification. The seats fail FMVSS No. 207, and Ford dealers repair them for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 11V063. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the seat repair. Reference recall number 11V063 when you call, or contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Ford's recall remedy says dealers repair the affected second-row seats free of charge, and federal recall law requires covered safety recall repairs at no cost. The dealer repair applies through any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
In a crash, the affected second-row seat back can lack the required strength, increasing injury risk. The defect involves the manual recliner mechanism on the second-row 60% seat. Ford's remedy is a free dealer repair for the seats.
When did the Ford Explorer seat recall repair begin?
The safety recall repair began on February 15, 2011. Because that date has passed, owners can contact a franchised Ford dealer now, reference recall 11V063, and ask the service desk to confirm the seat repair for their VIN.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V063000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V063 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V063000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →