Driver Side Power Seat Failure
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Driver Side Power Seat Failure
One of the adjustment functions on my driver side power seat stopped working. I could hear and feel the motor turning, however, the seat would not adjust. After further troubleshooting I found the motor drive line adjustment gears had sheared. Ford decided to make these gears out of cheap plastic and that's what failed and of course this would happen 3 months after my warranty expired (mustang has just 10K miles). I have looked online and can't find just the replacement gears, has anybody found a place to purchase these from? Ford sells the assembly for $450+, however, I just need the gears. Only other option would be to check the local salvage yards.
Thanks for any help you can provide
Thanks for any help you can provide
#3
Currently a Corvette Owner!
I had this on my 2011 GT Premium ('Premium'...that's funny). It's the up-down-bottom-rear-cushion function that fails. On my car, the driver-side failed at 10k, covered under warranty. Then the passenger-side failed at 20k, but passed 3 years, so not covered. I have the extended warranty (I got this for free from Ford for so many little niggles on my new car). But the extended warranty only specifies "power seat motor". As you mentioned, it's actually the GEARS, and not the MOTOR. Meanwhile the entire assembly comes as one big part, so Ford really has screwed its customers in this regard. After raising much hell, my dealer's GM got my passenger side replaced for $200 out of my pocket (the entire repair is $900). The use of cheap materials, and lack of a proper TSB to help customers, is really disappointing. Thanks for nothing FoMoCo. Perhaps you can contact your dealer's GM for help? I wish you luck.
#5
Legacy TMS Member
Yea I would start searching the bone yards. http://car-part.com/
#6
Member
Thread Starter
I had this on my 2011 GT Premium ('Premium'...that's funny). It's the up-down-bottom-rear-cushion function that fails. On my car, the driver-side failed at 10k, covered under warranty. Then the passenger-side failed at 20k, but passed 3 years, so not covered. I have the extended warranty (I got this for free from Ford for so many little niggles on my new car). But the extended warranty only specifies "power seat motor". As you mentioned, it's actually the GEARS, and not the MOTOR. Meanwhile the entire assembly comes as one big part, so Ford really has screwed its customers in this regard. After raising much hell, my dealer's GM got my passenger side replaced for $200 out of my pocket (the entire repair is $900). The use of cheap materials, and lack of a proper TSB to help customers, is really disappointing. Thanks for nothing FoMoCo. Perhaps you can contact your dealer's GM for help? I wish you luck.
#7
Bullitt Member
Here is a thought for someone with access to a cnc machine. Have the gears made out of aluminum and sell replacements. I am sure some of the parts places like LMR and AM would carry them as it seems to be a common failure.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
I was thinking about the same thing, especially if the replacement assembly cost $450 and there's no telling how long it will last.
#9
I don't know about everyone else here but I'm really disappointed with the fact that Ford has gone pretty cheap on a lot of their parts and processes while at the same time still charging some pretty hefty price tags for these cars. Cheap plastic gears on the power seats. Unpainted rear axle that rusts over. Hood corrosion issues. Cheap leaking pinion seals. AC's that fail with regularity. Who knows what else. It makes it very difficult for me to say that I want to buy another Ford after this because I don't want to spend this kind of money for a vehicle that is laden with corner cutting, especially for this kind of money. If I had laid down 30 plus grand for a GT premium and the power seats didn't make it past 10K because of cheap plastic gears I'd be pissed. But heck my AC totally died at 37K so basically, . . . . yeah, I won't be back to this company. I guess I'll shell out the money for a 4 Runner instead. lol
#10
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
Join Date: September 16, 2009
Location: Clinton Tennessee
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My up and down an the drivers side went out and replaced under warranty a few years ago. Now, my passenger side won't hardly move the seat forward and back . I would have thought the problem with the 2011's would be fixed by 2013 . Sad to see we can't buy repair parts
#11
Legacy TMS Member
Replacing a seat track assembly isn't hard to do, and the part can be obtained online much cheaper than $450+
If you've been a regular customer with a local dealership, talk to the manager and ask for after-warranty assistance.
They have quarterly budgets from Ford that they can use for the customers they like, and regular customers are liked a lot more than the ones that only go to see them for recalls or warranty work.
If you've been a regular customer with a local dealership, talk to the manager and ask for after-warranty assistance.
They have quarterly budgets from Ford that they can use for the customers they like, and regular customers are liked a lot more than the ones that only go to see them for recalls or warranty work.
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Replacing a seat track assembly isn't hard to do, and the part can be obtained online much cheaper than $450+
If you've been a regular customer with a local dealership, talk to the manager and ask for after-warranty assistance.
They have quarterly budgets from Ford that they can use for the customers they like, and regular customers are liked a lot more than the ones that only go to see them for recalls or warranty work.
If you've been a regular customer with a local dealership, talk to the manager and ask for after-warranty assistance.
They have quarterly budgets from Ford that they can use for the customers they like, and regular customers are liked a lot more than the ones that only go to see them for recalls or warranty work.
#13
Currently a Corvette Owner!
+1 ... I'm 165lbs, and my son is only 60lbs. Seats rarely adjusted, if at all. No real reason for these items to fail with such low mileage and minimal use. So disappointing.
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Just got off the phone with Ford Customer Service Relations and was told that because the vehicle was outside of the warranty period (23 March 2016) that there's nothing they can do. I'm a little disappointed in Ford...but it's a business. I was told that there were not enough failures reported in order for it to be a TSB. I reconfirmed with the parts department that the price is $475, which includes the complete assembly that mounts under the seat. I really don't mind shelling out the money for it, however, the service department couldn't confirm if it was a newer/modified assembly. If the assembly was modified with upgraded/stronger gears I would purchase it.
Thinking about changing the seats out to aftermarket, any thoughts?
Thinking about changing the seats out to aftermarket, any thoughts?
#16
Mach 1 Member
Could you purchase the manual seat frame instead of the power? I am not sure if they are interchangeable? But at least you wouldn't have to worry about the gears breaking...
#17
Super Boss Lawman Member
I've been led to believe this part number is related to fixing the power seat, but have yet been able to find a picture of the part or even a good description. It was mentioned in my thread on this same issue. https://themustangsource.com/forums/...-issue-541570/
Part number: ER3Z-78617D66-A
Description: KIT FIXING PARTS - yeah, that says a lot.
Part number: ER3Z-78617D66-A
Description: KIT FIXING PARTS - yeah, that says a lot.
#19
Legacy TMS Member
Further, they put the plastic in there *to do this very thing*, aka break. It is, in effect, a mechanical fuse, meant to 'blow' if things get overly hot/strained. A metal set of gears as you describe, to fix the gears breaking, would then allow other things to break/bind instead. That would ruin your day when the glass breaks because the metal gears didn't give on the stop. There's no way the plastic gears let this happen. Same with your seat.
"But good news, everyone!" - Professor Farnsworth.
I've been led to believe this part number is related to fixing the power seat, but have yet been able to find a picture of the part or even a good description. It was mentioned in my thread on this same issue. https://themustangsource.com/forums/...-issue-541570/
Part number: ER3Z-78617D66-A
Description: KIT FIXING PARTS - yeah, that says a lot.
Part number: ER3Z-78617D66-A
Description: KIT FIXING PARTS - yeah, that says a lot.
If this picture is what that part number refers to, it's exactly the thing needed to fix OP's issue... well at least the gear. Can't speak for the worm drive, but a broken power track outta a junk yard of just about any Ford of the same era can be scavenged for a new worm gear... And that worm gear ain't that bad... I'd be saying: Go get it, OP, and have fun swappin' the gears out!
Or, alternatively, get a new seat track setup, and swap it out. Then take the broke one and fix it, storing it away for the next swap. (I happen to have already acquired mine a while back for when my current one quits, so this is where I'd be headed.)
The track itself is four bolts on the seat, a couple of connectors, and so easy a Geico Commercial Guy can do it.
Hope any of that helps!
Last edited by houtex; 7/2/16 at 12:02 PM.