Third Row Passenger Seat Will Not Fold Down Flat (Install Nylon Tie Strap to Seat Back Cushion Latch Cable)

Some customers may comment that the third row passenger seat will not fold down flat when using the release lever.

This condition has been found to occur primarily on vehicles built prior to October 6, 2006.

The seat back cushion latch cable may have too much slack in the cable, causing the inboard seat back cam to wedge inside the sector arm of the latch.

Remove the third row passenger seat assembly and install a nylon tie strap to the excessive slack in the seat back cushion latch cable using the procedure below:

1. Open the liftgate to access the rear of the vehicle.



2. Try to release the seat back by pushing on the seat back from the front and back while pulling on the release handle (1). If you're able to release the seat latch and fold the seat back down, then refer to step 12.
3. If you're unable to fold the seat back down, then unsnap the bottom J-Channel of the seat trim cover.



4. Lift up on the seat trim cover to gain access to the three push style retainers as shown in the above graphic.
5. Remove the three push trim retainers with a door trim tool or equivalent.



6. From the front of the seat assembly, pull upward and forward on the front seat foam cushion to gain access to the two TORX screws (1) holding the inboard plastic trim cover.
7. Remove the two 30 mm TORX head screws from the left side inboard plastic seat trim cover.
8. From the back of the seat assembly, gently pry the snaps open on the plastic seat trim cover apart with a screwdriver.

Important: The inboard plastic trim cover may not be removed at this point. Do Not place the screwdriver on the cable end. Use a flashlight to help see inside the trim cover to find the cam.




9. Place a screwdriver on the cam pin as shown in the graphic above.
10. Push forward on the cam pin to release the cam from the sector arm.
11. Pull the release handle to fold down the seat back.
12. Pull the center handle on the seat to release the seat latches from the floor.
13. Remove the seat assembly from the vehicle.
14. Place the seat assembly on a clean workbench.
15. Gain access to the seat back cushion latch cable. Refer to Rear Seat Back Cushion Latch Cable Replacement in SI.

Important:  Manually locking the rear position seat latches will allow the seat to be folded up and down during repair.




16. Pull out on the back cushion latch cable end fitting to expose the excessive length of cable (1).




Important: If a rubber washer is found on the cable, it must be removed.

17. Install a nylon tie strap (1) around the excessive cable length to take up slack in cable.

Important: The nylon tie strap is not to exceed 4 mm (0.16 in) in width and cut off excessive tie strap material.

18. Install the inboard plastic seat trim cover.
19. Install the two 30 mm TORX head screws for the inboard plastic trim cover and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

20. Install the three push pin retainers that secure the seat foam.
21. Install the seat trim cover J-Channel.
22. Install the seat cushion panels. Refer to Rear Seat Number 2 Cushion Panel Replacement (AS3).
23. Manually release the rear position seat latches.
24. Install the third row passenger seat back into the vehicle.
25. Slide the front outboard seat wheels into the track on the floor. Roll the seat forward and the front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seat upward slightly.
26. Lower the rear of the seat and push down on the seat to engage the rear floor latches.

Important: Push and pull on the seat assembly to make sure it is locked into place. The seat back cannot be raised or folded unless properly secured to the floor first.

27. Cycle the seat back to the fold down flat position four times to help wear in the cam and sector inside the latch assembly.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: