Rear Seats: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Lincoln MKX and 2010 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Synchronize the seat recliners following the steps in the seat removal and installation procedure any time the seat is removed for service. The following actions may result in the loss of recliner synchronization that cannot be corrected and may cause the seat back to fail in a crash:

Dropping the seat
Sitting on the seat when removed
Applying any load to the seat when removed
Removing or loosening any recliner fasteners except for the safety belt buckle bolt

Install a new seat back frame assembly if the seat recliners cannot be synchronized. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury to the vehicle occupant(s) in a crash.

The rear seats are a 60/40 split folding/reclining backrest design. The recliner release handle will allow the backrest to recline as well as fold the backrest forward. When the backrest is folded forward, the front legs of the seat will fold down (kneel) creating a level load floor with the luggage area. The 60 percent seat has a fold down armrest with cup holders. The armrest latches to a striker in the backrest frame.

The rear seats can be equipped with the following systems:

Power fold down backrests
Heated seats

When the rear seats are removed from the vehicle, the inboard and outboard recliners must be synchronized before installing the seat back into the vehicle. If the recliners are not synchronized, carry out the synchronization steps in SEAT - REAR, 40 PERCENT or SEAT - REAR, 60 PERCENT . The recliners must not be moved from this synchronized position until all the seat-to-floor retainers are tightened to specification. Synchronizing the recliners may require the recliners to be released. Care must be used when working with the recliners as they are spring loaded and release with high force.

The 60 percent and 40 percent seat backrest frame assemblies include the backrest frame, anchor brackets and recliners (inboard and outboard). These parts must be serviced as an assembly. To prevent loss of recliner synchronization, recliner binding or backrest latch/release failure, the recliner bolts must never be loosened or removed, except for the safety belt buckle bolt. The backrest frame assemblies are assembled on a fixture not available for service.

The safety belt buckle bolt is the only bolt on either 40 or 60 percent seat recliner that may be removed for service. To service the safety belt buckle, refer to SAFETY BELT SYSTEM .