Back seat design flaw - hatch mode damages seats

[daemoniscinxi]

When the back seats are put into "hatch" mode, there is a metal bar that the back rest rests on. As you can see in the first picture, it causes indentations just above the child car seat notch. *note: this is not from the car seat, i do not have a baby!*

When you lift the bottom part of the seat up, take off the head rest, you can see in the second picture the black metal bar. When the seat is folded all the way down it perfectly lines up with the damage on the back rest of the seat. You can see it is on both sides of the seat in the third picture, as the blue metal bar is causing the same problem.

I brought it into the dealer during my oil change and all they said was it was a "design flaw" and that they wouldn't do anything to fix it. They then accused me of putting too much weight on top of the seat when in hatch mode. I have used the hatch all of 3 times to carry snowboards, a xmas tree, and random junk.

I would like to get this fixed so it does not continue to get worse, but the dealership just blew me off. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8...d3a742870f.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8...f52265e42e.jpg
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[Elizabeth]

Throw a towel underthere when you lay the seat flat..
???
I have fabric and no dents.
Must be a leather issue. Probably the seat cushion is a little thicker in the leather version?

[Deftmetal]

That really sucks. The dealer almost deffinately won't do anything about it. Would cardboard, maybe a couple layers spread out the forces enough. Does the leather go back smooth? If not you could try to steam the wrinkle out.

[daemoniscinxi]

I could see this being a problem with only the leather seats. While the towel idea would work, I would like a bit more permanent of a solution.

[frinesi2]

Originally Posted by daemoniscinxi

I could see this being a problem with only the leather seats. While the towel idea would work, I would like a bit more permanent of a solution.

A more permanent solution? Okay . . . throw a towel over it every time? How is that difficult?

[Joeywhat]

You could always fabricate a plate to go under the existing seat brackets, thus raising the seats higher. You'll probably need longer bolts as well, and they will no longer fold flat as well.

Or, like a towel or something...

[revhigh]

Originally Posted by frinesi2

A more permanent solution? Okay . . . throw a towel over it every time? How is that difficult?

Yeah ... that's REAL convenient .... needing to carry around spare towels around so that your car works properly without causing damage to itself .... good solution ....


REV

[Kabigon]

Originally Posted by daemoniscinxi

I could see this being a problem with only the leather seats. While the towel idea would work, I would like a bit more permanent of a solution.

Unless Ford redesigns some parts and supplies them to your dealer, I wouldn't look to your dealer for a fix.

The reality is that you will probably have to improvise a solution.

[jdubhack]

Originally Posted by daemoniscinxi

I could see this being a problem with only the leather seats. While the towel idea would work, I would like a bit more permanent of a solution.

Forgive me...I'm not going to read through 25+ responses. I have not noticed this in my Ti. However, if that were the case with mine, this would be my solution.

I'd buy a swimming noodle. I'd cut 2 sections out of it, and slide it over the metal LATCH system. I'd keep them in the bottom of the hatch by the spare in one of the compartments.

[2012sel]

Originally Posted by Superd

+1 it is the latch that the lower seats clip into.

First time i flipped up the seats and saw the impressions made by those things i was pissed and feared for my leather seats life but i found a fix that has been working fine.

I use a 6" piece of foam pipe insulation to cover those things when i fold the seats all the way down. Keeps them from making a sharp impression. There is still a small indent created but it in no way looks harmfull to my seats and when not in use the pieces of pipe insulation sit fine under the seat right next to where i will need them.

Originally Posted by jdubhack

Forgive me...I'm not going to read through 25+ responses. I have not noticed this in my Ti. However, if that were the case with mine, this would be my solution.

I'd buy a swimming noodle. I'd cut 2 sections out of it, and slide it over the metal LATCH system. I'd keep them in the bottom of the hatch by the spare in one of the compartments.

Great suggestions.

I just tried it with swim noodles and they are a little too big for what I want to do. Which is leave them on there all the time.

I think I've got some pipe insulation which is similar to a swim noodles only smaller diameter. I want to tape a 3 or 4 inch section permanently to the bracket and see how that works.

Won't eliminate the issue but will certainly help.