Seat Latch: Description and Operation

WARNING: THE INERTIA FRONT SEAT BACKREST LATCH ASSEMBLY IS FACTORY-INSTALLED IN ITS CORRECT LOCATION. CUSTOMER OR DEALER MAINTENANCE IS NOT REQUIRED. CORRECT FRONT SEAT BACKREST LATCH FUNCTION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS REQUIRES THAT THE SEAT BACKREST BE IN ITS FULL REARWARD NORMAL POSITION AND AGAINST THE REARWARD STOPS IN THE FRONT SEAT BACKREST LATCH ASSEMBLY. THEREFORE, THE AREA BEHIND THE SEAT MUST BE KEPT CLEAR AT ALL TIMES TO ALLOW FULL REARWARD TRAVEL OF THE SEAT BACKREST. IN ADDITION, REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SHOULD NOT LEAN ON THE FRONT SEAT BACKREST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE FORWARD FORCE ON THE SEAT BACKREST FROM THE REAR PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION MAY PREVENT CORRECT OPERATION OF THE INERTIA FRONT SEAT BACKREST LATCH MECHANISM.

NOTE: The front seat backrest latch must be installed as new if any component is non-functional or damaged.

^ The inertia front seat backrest latch remains unlocked with normal usage, and locks only during vehicle deceleration (emergency stopping or upon impact) or on steep downhill grades.
^ A manual (override) release handle is provided only to help unlock the front seat backrest latch in the event of front seat backrest latch lockup.

The only authorized repair of the front seat backrest latch includes:
^ tightening of the retaining screws to the correct specification
^ installing a new front seat backrest latch
^ removal of any foreign material, such as tie straps, pieces of foam and trim