Recently in Seat Back Failure and Collapse Category

April 23, 2010

Ford Recalls Vehicles for Seat Failures

Ford Motor Company is recalling 33,000 vehicles due to a seat defect. The seats can collapse rearward and seriously injure a person if it would occur during an accident.

Ford states the defect lies with the "gear plate teeth" which is located on the manual recliner mechanism. The defective part was manufactured "out of dimensional specification." This defect should cause the vehicle to fail the federal safety standard for seat strength.

Recalled Vehicles:
2010 Explorer
2010 Explorer Sport Trac
2010 Mercury Mountaineer
2010 Ford Fusion
2010 Mercury Milan

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Ford Is Recalling 33,000 Vehicles for Seat Problem

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September 3, 2009

Chrysler Agrees to Cover Liability

The Chrysler Group LLC has agreed to accept product liability claims on vehicles manufactured before June 10, 2009. As part of the bankruptcy deal struck with congress Chrysler Group did not have to accept liability for cars manufactured before the bankruptcy deal was approved.

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Stewart Eisenberg previously appeared on 6 ABC to discuss the ramifications the deal would have on injured consumers. That deal has changed and injured consumers will once again be able to fight the automaker for the compensation they deserve. If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed as a direct result of an auto defect in a vehicle please do not hesitate to contact our experienced crashworthiness attorneys to discuss your potential case.

Chrysler's Press Release:

Auburn Hills, Mich. - In a letter sent today to Members of Congress, Chrysler Group LLC announced that the company will accept product liability claims on vehicles manufactured by Chrysler LLC (now OldCarco LLC) before June 10, 2009, and involved in accidents on or after that date. On June 10, 2009, Chrysler Group purchased substantially all of the assets of Old Carco.

"We know a lot more about the viability of our business today than when we purchased Old Carco's assets in its bankruptcy proceedings several months ago," said John Bozzella, Senior Vice President, External Affairs & Public Policy, Chrysler Group LLC. "While Chrysler Group still faces challenges, we are confident that the future viability of the company will not be threatened if we accept these claims."

OldCarco filed for bankruptcy protection on April 30, 2009. Following many complex and lengthy hearings, the bankruptcy court approved the sale of substantially all of OldCarco's assets to a newly formed company, Chrysler Group LLC. As part of the bankruptcy court-approved purchase, Chrysler Group had agreed to assume liability only for cars sold by Chrysler Group. As a result of today's announcement, Chrysler Group's approach is consistent with that taken by General Motors as part of its bankruptcy process.

"We want our customers to feel comfortable and confident buying, driving and enjoying one of our vehicles," Bozzella said. "Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal safety standards and have excellent safety records."

August 24, 2009

Seat Back Failure and Collapse

pht20.jpgSeat back failure most commonly occurs during rear-end collisions. In a rear-end collision, the car is propelled forward, but the occupants are propelled backward. This applies abrupt pressure to the seat back, which commonly results in failure and severe injury, even in low-speed accidents.
Why seat back failure occurs

Seat backs are commonly designed by manufacturers to keep an occupant from propelling forward during a front-end collision. The overall purpose is to keep the occupant from being ejected or striking the vehicle interior. This safety design is not commonly applied to rear-end collisions, when the occupant is propelled backward.

Seat back failure occurs when seat backs, seat tracks and recliner mechanisms fail, causing the collapse of the seat. This is often attributed, to poor design and flimsy construction.

What injuries result from seat back failure and collapse?

Seat back failure results in serious and often fatal injuries. This often occurs when the occupant is ejected from the seat at the moment of collapse. During seat back failure, the occupant can easily slide out from under safety belts, rendering them useless.

The failure of a seat back results in serious spinal injuries and possible paraplegia and quadriplegia. This is due to the lack of spinal and neck support at the time of impact.

The collapse of the seat back also results in serious injury of the rear seat passengers. When the seat back and occupant collapses onto the rear seat passengers, serious crush injuries result. They often become trapped and are unable to escape the vehicle, causing potential fatalities in the event of fire.
Results of seat back failure

Seat back failure results in:


  • Loss of control of the vehicle

  • Reduction in seat belt and restraint system effectiveness

  • Occupant ejection

  • Serious injury to or death of the front and rear seat passengers

  • Reduction of occupants ability to escape the vehicle


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