Preliminary Evaluation · INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT · Opened 2000-02-23 · Closed 2000-07-31
Investigation
Action number
PE00013
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
2000-02-23
Close date
2000-07-31
Manufacturer
CENTURION VEHICLE INC
Affected makes
CENTURION
Affected components
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Affected model years
1992
Affected (make, year) variants
1
Summary
Centurion converts production vans into small recreational vehicles, with power operated rear seats that recline into a bed for sleeping.The bed, when fully reclined, is about the size of a standard double bed mattress.The reclining process can be activated by one or more switches located in the vehicle.The switch or switches are always operable, even when the vehicle's ignition switch is in the off and locked position.When the button switch is activated, separate parts of the bench seats move to form the flat bed. This seat moving process takes about 8 to 10 seconds.It is alleged that a four year old child was trapped under a seat and died.