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2008 - Seat recline won't lock -- Dealer won't fix

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Dave_not_my_real_name, Nov 17, 2009.

  1. Dave_not_my_real_name

    Dave_not_my_real_name Junior Member

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    I'm just wondering how many people are having this issue.

    My drivers seat manual recline mechanism doesn't consistently lock in position after you let go of the handle. Often I have to reach around and pull on the seat back to get it to "click" in. It's hard to feel the individual detents for each position which means it's hard to move the seat recline just one notch one way or the other and get it to lock in. Often, the recline will "click-in" sometime after you start driving the car. The passenger seat and the rest of the car works fine.

    Anybody else having this problem with either of their front seats?

    When I got around to taking the car into the dealer I bought it new from (St Charles Toyota, St Charles IL) they flat out refused to do a warranty repair. The excuses I got:

    -"You've just gotta hit it with your shoulder"

    -"Other Prius do the same thing... here, let me show you"

    -"The mechanic took the seat apart and there's nothing wrong" (the service advisor said the seat was apart on the phone but when I got there 15 minutes later the car was sitting in the parking lot all locked up even though I told him I was coming to look at it)

    -"I've had cars that do the same thing"

    -"There's nothing wrong... we're done here" (yes the official Toyota Warranty Representative from the region office really said that)
     
    #1 Dave_not_my_real_name, Nov 17, 2009
  2. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    My car does the same thing, If i recline and it doesn't line up right when i lean back on the seat it will click into position, it also does this for the foward and back on the seat too, some times it will click in when i stop at a light ten mins after i moved the seat. Both seats in my car do this alot of the time.
     
    #2 adamace1, Nov 17, 2009
  3. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    #3 Doc Willie, Nov 18, 2009
  4. dr_d12

    dr_d12 Member

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    Maybe you should take it apart yourself - you can see how the adjustor works (and you'll also see if its broken). It has a limited number of "valid" adjustment positions and it sounds like you have it between those positions.

    (Dave really is my name)
     
    #4 dr_d12, Nov 18, 2009
  5. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

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    Mine is the same way and I've had many cars that are also the same. It's a function of the design.
     
    #5 San_Carlos_Jeff, Nov 18, 2009
  6. Dave_not_my_real_name

    Dave_not_my_real_name Junior Member

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    I may very well have to repair the seat myself if my consumer complaint to the Illinois Attorney General doesn't help. The problem I think is the seat back frame is twisted. There seems to be a separate locking mechanism for the left and the right hinge of the seat back and they aren't lined up. The right side locks in but the left side doesn't always do so. It's like the left side is always between notches. It was like that when we got the car by the way. I shouldn't have been so lazy and got the car in right away but I had no idea the dealer was going to be such a jerk about it.

    Other than the HID headlight bulbs lasting less than a year and a half this has been my only warranty claim on the car. It's a great car. I only want cars with Hybrid Synergy Drive from now on!

    Thanks for your replies!
     
    #6 Dave_not_my_real_name, Nov 19, 2009
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    It is what is,.......Either modify it yourself, or live with it!!!

    P.S. You could'nt possibly use any smaller Font could you???
    Makes for a tough read!!!
     
    #7 KK6PD, Nov 19, 2009
  8. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    try calling aother dealers service department, and tell them if they can fix it for you, that you will bring you car to them for now on. Then if they some how can fix it i'm sure they will.
     
    #8 adamace1, Nov 19, 2009
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Seems pretty normal with the Prius seat, and I think it is common with Toyota manual adjust seats.

    I do hold the seatback with right arm and make sure adjuster handle seats into position. If I only pull up on the adjuster handle, push back or let it come forward and release, the handle may or may not seat into position.

    I don't mind it too much. I try to leave my driver seatback in the same position since it's a little tough to get it to the same spot after moving it. If I'm going to nap in the car, I go to the passenger seat.

    Hope that helps.
     
    #9 cycledrum, Nov 22, 2009
  10. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I think you only have a case if the seat adjuster will not fairly easily lock into position.

    I recommend this - Have a service advisor try to adjust your seatback on the spot. Immediately push the seatback back. If it moves, and is not locked in place, there is a problem.

    The thing that matter is if the seatback is locked in place or can it easily fail and fall backward.

    If you have to wiggle the seatback a little to get the adjuster handle to fall into the notch, I don't think you have much of a case there. Check with your owner's manual and see what it says there. It likely says 'make sure the adjuster handle is locked in place'. With that, Toyota has covered their you know what.

    Like I said if it is difficult to get it to lock into place, that is a case for repair or replacement.

    As for taking the seat apart, you'll never get Toyota service department to do that. They do not take seats apart. It is not trivial at all to take a seat apart either. They would sooner replace the seat than disassemble an adjuster mechanism to try to fix it. Seriously.

    Let us know if you can reasonably get the adjuster handle/seatback to lock into place or not.
     
    #10 cycledrum, Nov 22, 2009
  11. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I don't recommend most people take a seat apart at home.

    I give kudos to anyone who can even take the left side trim piece off without breaking the tab, ironically, near that adjuster handle (I couldn't have done it without the Toyota document. Trust me, it was not easy (it required a special L-shaped flat screwdriver, something most would not have at home, and that tab is totally hidden from view)).
     
    #11 cycledrum, Nov 22, 2009
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