GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Seat Operation Sedan

Folding the Seatbacks

The rear seatbacks can be folded down to increase cargo space.

To fold down the seatbacks:

    Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.


    Object Number: 1618412  Size: B3
  1. Remove the safety belt strap from the safety belt guide by pulling it through the slot.
  2. Push the head restraints all the way down.
  3. Unlatch the center safety belt by pressing the red button on the buckle.

  4. Object Number: 1927848  Size: B3
  5. Detach the center safety belt from the mini buckle by inserting the ignition key into the slot in the mini buckle, pressing the release button, and allowing the belt to retract.

  6. Object Number: 1251690  Size: B3
  7. Pull up the release knob located on top of either of the rear seatbacks.
  8. Fold the rear seatback forward and down.

To return the seatback to the upright position:

  1. Hook the safety belts into the safety belt guide.
  2. Lift the seatback up and push it to its original position.
  3. Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

  4. Push down and rearward firmly on the top of the seatbacks until it latches securely in the fully upright position.
  5. To reattach the center seat safety belt to the mini buckle, pull it from the retractor.
  6. Push the latch plate at the end of the safety belt strap into the mini-buckle until the mechanism clicks. Make sure the strap is not twisted. The sliding latch plate will face the front of the vehicle.
  7. Caution: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

  8. Insert the safety belt strap back into the safety belt guide.

Rear Seat Operation Hatchback

Folding the Rear Seats

The rear seats can be folded to increase cargo space.

To fold the rear seats:

  1. Lower the head restraints completely.
  2. Unlatch the center safety belt by pressing the red button on the buckle.

  3. Object Number: 1927848  Size: B3
  4. Detach the center safety belt from the mini buckle by inserting the key into the slot in the mini buckle, pressing the release button, and allowing it to retract.

  5. Object Number: 1251690  Size: B3
  6. Pull up the release knob, located on the top of the seatbacks, and fold the seatbacks forward and down.
  7. Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.

  8. Move the safety belt buckles and safety belt in the center seating position out of the space between the seatbacks and the seat cushion so they are not in the way as the seat is being folded.

  9. Object Number: 1251700  Size: B3
  10. Firmly pull the release handles on the rear side of the seat cushion to unlock the seat cushion.
  11. Lift the seat cushion up and flip it forward.

  12. Object Number: 1251706  Size: B3
  13. Clip the hook to the front seat head restraint to keep the rear seat secure.

Unfolding the Seats

To return the rear seats to the normal seating position:

  1. Unclip the hook from the front seat head restraint.
  2. Position the buckles in back of the seat latches when moving the rear seats to the sitting position.
  3. Notice: Damage to the safety belt buckle or rear seat locking mechanism can occur if the safety belt and buckles are pinched under the rear seat cushion. Do not place the safety belt and buckles on the floor under the rear seat cushion when the rear seat is put back to the sitting position.

  4. Push the seat cushion down to its original position until it latches securely. Try to pull up on the seat to make sure it is locked in place.

  5. Object Number: 1618417  Size: B3
  6. Hook the safety belts in the outboard seating positions into the retaining clips.
  7. Caution: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

  8. Lift the seatbacks up and push them back to their original latched positions.
  9. Unhook the safety belts in the outboard seating positions from the retaining clips.
  10. Return the safety belt buckles and the center seat safety belt to their original position between the rear seatback and the seat cushion. Make sure the straps of the safety belt and buckles are not twisted.
  11. To reattach the center seat safety belt to the mini buckle, pull it from the retractor.
  12. Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

  13. Push down and rearward firmly on the top of the seatbacks until they latch securely in the fully upright position.