THE CAR SALESMAN WAS DEMONSTRATING HOW THE REAR SEAT BACKS FOLD DOWN. HE WAS ON ONE SIDE OF THE CAR, I ON THE OTHER. WE BOTH RETURNED THE SEAT BACKS TO THEIR UPRIGHT POSITIONS. HE RETURNED HIS SEAT BACK SLIGHTLY BEYOND VERTICAL. MY WIFE SAT IN THE SEAT, LEANED FORWARD, AND PULLED THE LEVER TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK TO ITS VERTICAL POSITION. THE SEAT BACK SPRUNG FORWARD. IT FORCEFULLY HIT MY WIFE'S BACK AND NECK, CAUSING HER TO NEARLY LOSE HER BREATH. IT HURT HER. THE SALESMAN THEN SAID SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEANING AGAINST THE BACK WHEN SHE PULLED THE LEVER TO KEEP IT FROM SPRINGING FORWARD. THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE SALESMAN AND HIS INSTRUCTIONS, IT IS WITH THE FORCE OF THE SEAT BACK SPRINGING FORWARD. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation