| Subject: | Driver seat anchor failure |
| Components covered: |
|
| Investigations Summary: | This investigation was opened on Nov. 18, 2008. It was closed on Jul. 2, 2009. This investigation concerns structural failure of the anchor/bracket on the left rear side of the driver's seat. The concern is that such failures may alter the driver's seated position so as to reduce effectiveness of the occupant protection system or potentially compromise vehicle control. Failure of the subject anchor bracket results from metal fatigue and causes rearward tilting of the driver's seat. These failures usually occur during driver ingress but may also occur while the vehicle is being operated. The safety related concerns during actual vehicle use were not validated by this investigation. While the number of complaints of this problem is relatively high, only three very minor, undocumented injuries were reported. The reported injuries occurred during driver ingress, not while the vehicle was in motion. Investigation disclosed that the apparent risk of compromise to vehicle control has not been demonstrated. Investigation also disclosed that the apparent risk of collapse of the driver's seat back has not been demonstrateda safety related defect trend was not identified and this investigation has been closed. |
| Vehicles Affected by this investigation: |
|
Defect investigation of rear suspension control arm failure
Defect investigation of steering column separation
Defect investigation of air bag inflator rupture