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Service bulletin SSM 49196

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10180404
Published by NHTSA2020-10-06
Manufacturer's numberSSM 49196
Manufacturer's date2020-09-22
NHTSA componentSEATS

NHTSA's summary

Some 2020 Explorer vehicles may exhibit loose fitting side trim panels on the front row lower seat cushions and upper seat backs. This may cause the seat cover to appear to be cut improperly. The seat cover should not be replaced for this concern. Adjust the seat side trim panels for proper fit.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Seats

Vehicles listed
FORD EXPLORER2020

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
20263392026-07-14. Seats And Restraints
26V4510002026-07-14. SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
20261242026-03-17. Seats And Restraints
20253282025-06-13. Seats And Restraints
25V3930002025-06-13. SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
20250842025-02-14. Seats And Restraints
20V4970002020-08-21. AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS; SEATS; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
20194372019-08-29. Seats And Restraints
19V6330002019-08-28. SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 551002026-09-01. Service bulletin. For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and W715386-S424 if the clip is still partially attached. It is not necessary to replace the seat cover if only the J-clip is separating from the cover. Refer to PTS Home > Technical Assistance > Technical Support Videos > Section 501- Body and Paint > Seat J-Clips. For claiming, use causal parts from list below and labor operations 63100A and 63100A5. Causal Parts for claiming: Bronco/Bronco Sport/Escape/Explorer/Expedition/Navigator: 7862900 or 7862901 F-150/F-Super Duty: 1562900 or 1562901 Ranger/Maverick: 6062900 or 6062901
SSM 527762024-08-16. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily. Power or manual second row seats must be pushed forward manually during easy entry function since the assist spring will reduce but not eliminate manual effort. Refer to the Owner's Manua
SSM 517202023-06-22. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily. Power or manual second row seats must be pushed forward manually during easy entry function since the assist spring will reduce but not eliminate manual effort. Refer to the Owner's Manual > Seats > Rear Seats > Adjusting the Second Row Rear Seats for further details. If the seats do not easily push forward manually, it maybe due to tension in the seat track due to uneven assembly torque. To correct these conditions, unbolt the second row seat frame from the floor to relax tension. Start the bolts by hand, then tighten in the correct sequence and torque per Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10B.
SSM 508682022-06-29. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a second row folding seat that is inoperative or requires excessive effort to fold. This may be due to tension built up within the seat and seat track that leads to more force required to manually fold the seat. To correct the condition, the second row seat frame will need to be unbolted from the floor and tightened in the correct sequence. Additionally, the sliding tracks of the seat should be inspected for proper alignment when tightening the bolts. It is important to note that the bolts should be started by hand before tightening to the correct torque. This sequence is outlined in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-10. The WSM has been updated to reflect the updated bolt installation procedure.
SSM 508172022-06-01. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit inoperative third row power seat folding. This may be due to the software in the power fold seat module (SCMJ). To correct the condition, connect a battery charger and reprogram the SCMJ using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. After reprogramming the SCMJ, perform a manual re-learn procedure. With the engine running, tailgate open, and no objects in the third row seats, press and hold the both seat fold button for one minute until both seats completely fold and unfold. Refer to Owner's Manual for information. Verify that each seat operates correctly after the relearn procedure by pressing the left and then the right third row seat fold buttons. For claiming, use causal part 14F042 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 22-21002022-03-22. Service bulletin. This article supersedes TSB 21-2185 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator/Corsair vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement and/or clunk/thump noise on turns. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reinforce the cushion hook.
SSM 505022022-02-23. Service bulletin. Some 2017-2018 Focus/MKX/C-MAX, 2017-2019 MKC/Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ/Continental, 2017-2022 Mustang/Edge/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Escape/F-150/F-Super Duty, 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator, 2019-2022 Ranger/Nautilus, 2020-2022 Corsair/Aviator, and 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles may exhibit a noisy, incorrectly operating, and/or inoperative seat motor. This may be due to a damaged or inoperative seat track motor. A lower level service part has been released to correct noisy, incorrect operation/inoperative seat track motors.
TSB 21-21852021-08-02. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Corsair vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement and/or clunk/thump noise on turns. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reinforce the cushion hook.
SSM 499432021-08-02. Service bulletin. Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or before 04-Sep-2019 equipped with memory seats may exhibit the driver front seat moving forward during easy entry/exit operation when the vehicle is turned off. This may be due to the software in the driver front seat module (DSM). To correct the condition, replace the DSM and reprogram the DSM using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 14C708 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 494382021-02-04. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3rd row power seats may exhibit inoperative 3rd row power seat folding with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1231:54 and/or B1232:54 stored in the power fold seat module (SCMJ). This may be due to the software in the SCMJ. To correct the condition, connect a battery charger and reprogram the SCMJ using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. Then open the liftgate, and perform the SCMJ - Power Fold Seat Module (SCMJ) Learn Seat Procedure. For claiming, use causal part 14F042 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.