Broken seatbacks

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MDavis0424

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Has anyone else had problems with the seat backs breaking? In the past month the plastic backs to both of the front seats have fallen off. They just snap into place with plastic hooks, the hooks have sheared off both seats. I haven't even had anyone in the back seat, the only thing I can think of is heat, with a black interior the thermometer has been reading 120+ most days after work.
 
My passenger seat's plastic backing is "loose", but it was like that when I purchased the vehicle. The two clips at the top are still intact. However, you can still pull it out a good 3-4 inches.

I think it is just a design flaw/cutting corners. Should have been entirely leather. Not sure how I could reattach... hot glue gun around the edges? :)
 
You mean like this:

100_1232.jpg
Happened to both my front seats last summer. There is a TSB on this issue and it is due to "high ambient heat" according to the bulletin. Luckily both of mine were replaced under warranty. I hear they are over $100 a piece. Definitely a poor design.

100_1232.jpg
 
Yeah, my 2004 had the driver seat back replaced under warranty last year. Now my passenger seat back is broken and out of warranty. I think the part is $100. What a pos design.

If the seat back is broken, your seat cooler may not work since the seat needs to be sealed so the air goes thru the seat cushions.

I plan to use some steel wire as reinforcement and epoxy the two "hooks" at the top of the seat. I hope that works. But again a pos design. A car of this supposed class should not have things like this break routinely.

Jim Henderson
 
n8bachelor said:
You mean like this:
Click to expand...

Yeah, like that.

So what does the TSB say, did they come out with an improved attachment or are they just hoping to replace with the same crappy part and hope it doesn't break again until the warranty is up?
 
Jim Henderson said:
Yeah, my 2004 had the driver seat back replaced under warranty last year. Now my passenger seat back is broken and out of warranty. I think the part is $100. What a pos design.

If the seat back is broken, your seat cooler may not work since the seat needs to be sealed so the air goes thru the seat cushions.

I plan to use some steel wire as reinforcement and epoxy the two "hooks" at the top of the seat. I hope that works. But again a pos design. A car of this supposed class should not have things like this break routinely.

Jim Henderson
Click to expand...

If there's a TSB, I would think you should still be able to get the dealer to cover replacement. Agree that this is not the kind of problem you should have in a Lincoln ever, let alone one that's only three years old.
 
If there's a TSB, I would think you should still be able to get the dealer to cover replacement. Agree that this is not the kind of problem you should have in a Lincoln ever, let alone one that's only three years old.
Click to expand...

I dont believe that is how it works. There are TSB's on LOTS of thing on the LS. I have seen a site that lists lots of customer complaints and the associated TSB's but wants you to pay for the actual verbage in the TSB.

So what does the TSB say, did they come out with an improved attachment or are they just hoping to replace with the same crappy part and hope it doesn't break again until the warranty is up?
Click to expand...

IIRC the TSB just indicated the cause (high ambient heat) of the failure and the proceedure to replace the seatback (with the same crappy piece).

These kinds of things should not be happening on a Lincoln. My next luxury car will be Lexus or BMW..... unless that MKR comes out soon. :D
 
A TSB doesn't automatically extend warranty coverage, but if it's a common problem you can usually get it covered if you bitch loud enough.
 
TSB data for: 2003 and 2004 LINCOLN LS

Bulletin Number: 17541
Sequence Number: 10008112
Date: 20040201
Component Name: 220000 SEATS
Make: LINCOLN

Model: LS
Year: 2004
Summary:
FRONT SEATBACK TRIM PANEL J-HOOK FAILURE IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.

Replaced driver side in 2005 and passenger 2006 on my 2004 all under warranty.
 
Wow, thats BS....I hope that does not happen to mine. Texas heat can be brutal.
 
Well it happened to my 2003, and it was in the middle of the winter on my passenger seat, so i don't think it has much to do with the heat factor, i think someone grabbed onto it on New Years when trying to get out, damn Hooters girls...
 
This happened to me awhile back Easy fix drill a hole where the remaining clip is and use some zip ties and pull it tight works great took 5 minutes
 
I just came up with a easy fix to the broken seat back problem, i'll post pics soon on what i did
 
I had the same thing happen with my car, I just took held the seatback up with a knee to where it should be and then dabbed a drop or two of superglue on each corner. Held it there for a few minutes and she's been fine ever since. Might give that a shot?
 
i had that problem with my 2000 and i just used some epoxy and metal hooks to hold. it worked real well (the seat didnt break even when some woman ran a red light and destroyed the car.) i cant believe they didnt fix the problem in the gen 2's.
 
i did the same idea, epoxy and some hooks, but i still have them off so i'll take some pics so everyone can understand what we're talking about:)
 
It's not a problem or design flaw. Most seat backs are of the same design and has been used for decades. How else is the seat to be manufactured? A one piece seat would never work. I'll grant a supplier problem with the clips (like the early window regulators), but the design is fine. You want leather all around? Just add $5K+ to the cost of the car. After 154xxx miles and almost 8 years of So Cal weather (it can get really hot) my 2000 seat backs are just fine.
 
not a flaw in the design but a flaw in the craftsmanship of the final product. I have never had this problem with another car I have owned. This is also the first one that I have owned the hooks at the top like these do. Just another cut corner in my opinion.
 
My passenger side seat back just broke like that this weekend...where can i find a replacement....i tried gluing clips back but that didnt help. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
 
Seatback on my 06 broke off as well...

Any suggestions on a decent vendor for these?
 
I bought my '01 and both seatbacks were completely broken off like that. When I have time I'm going to to bolt the seatback back on. Because i'm not spending $100 to buy new ones with the same cheap ass clips.
 
L brackets and epoxy worked like a charm on mine
 
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