Ford Explorer Sport

On certain vehicles, the manual recliner mechanisms may have a gear plate teeth out of dimensional specifications, which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement and create additional movement to the seat back.  Correction: Dealers will replace the front seat manual recliner mechanism(s).

On certain vehicles, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly.  As a result, the bolt may loosen and the cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak and loss of power to the drive wheels.  If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire under certain conditions.  Correction: Dealers will tighten the transmission cooler line attachment bolt.

On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire.  The failure mode appears to be different than that of Recall 2005028 (05S28).  This time, the concern is with long term durability performance issues causing the switch to fail.  Correction: Initially as an interim repair, owners will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.  As soon as replacement parts are available, owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness designed to eliminate the potential risk of fire.

On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame could fracture.  If this happens, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the 2nd row seat cushion.  The occupant could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event.  Correction:  Dealer will replace the driver's seat upper bolt.

On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Tract vehicles, the speed control cable strand cover could impact the conduit end fitting during speed control engagement.  Repeated instance of this may result in flaring the cover end causing a binding condition when speed control is disengaged.  Drivers may experience a high idle or a condition where it would appear speed control would not disengage.  Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.  Correction: Dealer will replace the speed control cable.