On 09/11/2019, at approximately 6pm, we were traveling north on wv sr2 north approximately 2.5 to 3.0 miles north of the sr2 i-77 interchange. 2017 ford explorer was stopped, waiting on opposing traffic to clear, in order to make a left hand turn into the parking lot of church. vehicle was rear-ended by a dodge dakota pickup truck impacting slightly off center towards the driver side of the vehicle. there were 4 occupants of the explorer. the driver was a 39 year old male. the front passenger was a 36 year old female. in the second row were the other 2 passengers. on the drivers side was a 4 year old female, forward facing in a graco extend2fit car seat. the passenger side was occupied by a 7 year old male in an evenflo booster seat. all passengers were wearing appropriate restraining devices. all passengers were shaken up, with external injuries to both drivers side occupants. the proximate cause of the injuries was due to failure of the driver's seat. the seat base experienced a failure causing the seat back to fall back onto the 2nd row passenger, striking the passenger, and the headrest bent and partially detached. prior to the accident, the seat back was fully upright and the seat was resting upon the legs of the juvenile female after impact. she suffered contusions to her legs from the seat impacting her and she suffered a concussion and laceration (requiring 9 external sutures as well as some internal ones) above her right eye, caused by either the head of the driver or possibly the headrest. the driver of the vehicle suffered a laceration to the crown of his head requiring 9 staples to close. the driver and the juvenile female were transported to marietta memorial hospital in marietta oh where they received treatment and were released. responding to the scene was the waverly vfd as well as the wood county sheriff's office and st. joseph's ambulance service.
Vehicle was involved in a 2 vehicle accident. explorer was rear ended by a vehicle (dodge dakota pickup truck) traveling approximately 55 mph while explorer was at a stop, waiting to make a left hand turn. the impact was slightly off center to the driver side. the driver seat back collapsed backwards causing driver and rear passenger to collide resulting in lacerations and head injuries to both.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford explorer. the contact stated that the driver's seat was structurally unstable and made an abnormal noise when going in the left direction or when the vehicle made a sharp turn. the vehicle was taken to webber family motors (1389 wenner rd, detroit lakes, mn) where the driver's side seat was replaced, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was returned to the dealer where the bolts attached to the seat were tightened. the manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to nhtsa. the failure mileage was approximately 20,000. *tt
Back seat (middle row driver side) became unlatched and hit me in the back of the head while driving
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford explorer. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign numbers: 19v435000 (suspension) and 19v651000 (seats). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the vehicle was taken to rivertown ford (1680 whittlesey rd, columbus, ga 31904, (706) 653-7420) and the contact was informed that parts were not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue and did not assist. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect.
Extremely sharp metal tabs stick out nearly 1" from the inboard side of both driver and passenger seats. tabs are intended to hold plastic tabs on seat covers however both of mine were not installed properly or had come off in the 6 months we'd owned the vehicle. this tab cut my hand wide open and cut tendons while reaching for my keys that had dropped. surgery was required. a friend who owns a 2016 explorer confirmed these sharp tabs as well. this sharp metal tab is like a knife and i would like to see this problem corrected fleetwide (filing down the edges would be a very simple fix) to ensure others aren't maimed like i was. it's not unreasonable to see how someone could cut a wrist with a risk to life.