NHTSA complaint: 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA — SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH THE MIDDLE ROW PASSENGER SEAT DETACHED, WHEN BRAKES WERE ENGAGED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE SEAT TO TILT FORCEFULLY IN A FORWARD POSITION STRIKING THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE NECK AND SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH CAUTION TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. 11/15/10 *CN THERE IS A LEVER THAT IS USE TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BACK, INCLUDING FOLDING FLAT. THERE IS A STRAP THAT CAN BE PULLED TO RELEASE THE SEAT ALLOWING THE ENTIRE SEAT TO TILT FORWARD IN ORDER TO BE REMOVED. THE PROBLEM IS, THE LEVER THAT ALLOWS THE SEAT BACK ADJUSTMENT CAN UNLOCK THE SEAT FROM THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE SET BACK IS TILTED FORWARD 15 OR 20 DEGREES. THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN A DEER WALKED INTO THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE SEAT BEHIND HER TILTED FORWARD AND THE HEADREST STRUCK HER IN THE HEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT TILT LEVER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DETACH THE SEAT FROM THE FLOOR. UPDATED 11/24/10
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation