# 1997 DODGE DAKOTA — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
> NHTSA complaint `404143` · 2003-04-24 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 3
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** DAKOTA
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
- **Miles at failure:** 75,000
## Narrative
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP BOTH FRONT SEATS RANDOMLY FALL ALMOST FLAT, CAUSING SEVERAL NEAR REAR END COLLISIONS FROM LOSING CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL.  ON OCCASIONS THE DRIVER SEAT HAS FALLEN AND STRIKING OUR 2 YEAR OLD  IN THE FACE.  NOT ONLY DOES IT COLLAPSE FROM STOPS, AS DOES IT HAPPEN WHEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP, SPEED BUMPS, OR OTHER SMALL ROUGH PATCHES IN THE ROAD.  I HAVE FOUND NO WAY TO KEEP THEM UPRIGHT AND I FULLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE $700+ BILL TO REPLACE/REPAIR THESE SEATS.   *NLM
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*