Ford Explorer: Seats / Rear Seats

Adjusting the Second Row Rear Seats

WARNING: Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

WARNING: Do not recline the seatback too far as this can cause the occupant to slide under the seatbelt, resulting in serious injury in the event of a collision.

Adjusting the Seat Backrest

Lift the handle and adjust the seat backrest rearward or forward.

Folding the Seat Backrest Flat

Lift the handle and fold the seat backrest forward until it is flat.

Note: For bench seats, make sure you unbuckle the center seatbelt before folding the seat backrest.

Moving the Seat Backward and Forward (If Equipped)

Adjusting the Second Row Seats for Easy Entry

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle with a seat that is unlatched or in the folded position. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

WARNING: Do not place cargo or any objects behind the seat backrest before returning it to the original position. Pull on the seat backrest to make sure that it has fully latched after returning the seat backrest to its original position. An unlatched seat may become dangerous if you stop suddenly or have a crash.

WARNING: Do not adjust a seat or release a seat floor latch when the vehicle is moving. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death in a sudden stop or crash.

Note: You may have to move the front row seat forward to allow the second row seat to be fully folded.

Note: You can move the second row outermost seats forward to allow access to the third row seats.

This feature allows for easier entry and exit to and from the third row seat.

1. Lift the handle on top of the seat backrest. The seat backrest folds forward and engages the seat track.

   

2. Push the seat forward.
3. To return the seat to the seating position, push the seat backrest and move the track rearward. Make sure the seat backrest locks in the upright position.

Adjusting the Second Row Seats with Power Easy Entry (If Equipped)

WARNING: Do not fold a seat if it is occupied. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury.

The easy entry seat allows for easier entry and exit to and from the third row seat.

Press the button on top of the second row seat backrest to move the seat forward. This provides access to the third row.

Folding the Second Row Center Seat

Pull the strap to fold the seat backrest flat.

To return the seat to the upright position, rotate the seat backrest until it locks.

Adjusting the Second Row Outermost Seats

Lift the handle to move the seat forward or rearward.

Exiting the Third Row Seats

WARNING: Do not place cargo or any objects behind the seatback before returning it to the original position.

WARNING: Check under the seat cushion to make sure no cargo or objects are under the seat cushion before returning the seat cushion to its original position, and that the seat cushion locks into place. Failure to do so may prevent the seat from operating properly in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of serious injury.

WARNING: Do not adjust a seat or release a seat floor latch when the vehicle is moving. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death in a sudden stop or crash.

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle with a seat that is unlatched or in the folded position. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

1. Pull the strap on the back of the second row seat. This moves the seat forward.
2. To return the seat to the seating position, push the seat backrest and move the track rearward. Make sure the seat backrest locks in the upright position.

Folding the Third Row Manual Seat

1. Remove all objects from the seat.

   

2. Fold the head restraints by pulling the head restraint release strap.
3. From the rear of the vehicle, fold the seat backrest by pulling and holding the strap while pushing the seat backrest forward. Release the strap once the seat backrest starts rotating forward.

Note: Do not use the seat anchors as cargo tie downs.

Note: Make sure that the area under the seat is free of objects before stowing it.

Unfolding the Third Row Manual Seat

WARNING: Do not place cargo or any objects behind the seat backrest before returning it to the original position. Pull on the seat backrest to make sure that it has fully latched after returning the seat backrest to its original position. An unlatched seat may become dangerous if you stop suddenly or have a crash.

Note: Make sure that there are no objects such as books, purses or briefcases on the load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure to remove all objects from the top of the load floor prior to unstowing it may cause damage to the seat.

Note: Make sure the area under the load floor is free of objects before unstowing it.

1. To return the seat backrest to the upright position, pull the long strap until the seat backrest locks.
2. Pull the head restraints up to their normal positions.

Adjusting the Third Row Power Seats

Note: The power rear seat functions disable 10 minutes after you switch the ignition off. The transmission must be in park (P) and the liftgate must be open to operate the seats.

The control buttons are inside the liftgate area.

A - Press to fold the left-hand third row seat.

B - Press to fold and unfold both third row seats.

C - Press to fold the right-hand third row seat.

To return the third-row seat backrest to the original position, press the corresponding control again.

Note: If the seat does not completely fold or unfold, press and hold the seat button until the seat folds and unfolds twice.

If the power rear seat disables after 10 minutes, you can enable the seat by:

• Opening any door.
• Pressing the unlock button on the key fob.
• Pressing any keyless entry keypad button.
• Switching the ignition on.