Other XC90 Problem: Cannot fold down rear seat (2011 model)

[mr ngt]

I have purchased a 2011 XC90 and cannot fold down the drivers side (off side) rear seat (3rd row). The passenger side (near side) folds down fine.

I am aware there was an issue with earlier models with the black tab which slides along the track breaking, but mine are fine and they click into place when the base of the seat is pushed right back (observed by removing the cover).

If I use a screw driver and pull back the metal lever on the left side of the seat (middle), I can feel the seat gives a little, whilst there is no movement on the off side. This leads me to believe the right hand side lever may be faulty. When I compare the outer mechanism of both seats, it appears to turn back in a different order, as it were.

Has anyone experienced this and is it an easy fix? The car came with a warranty, but I would rather solve it myself if possible. For what it's worth, the pictures in Autotrader showed the seat folded down, so it's a relatively recent issue.

Many thanks if anyone can help.

[OriginalTDave]

Originally Posted by mr ngt

I have purchased a 2011 XC90 and cannot fold down the drivers side (off side) rear seat (3rd row). The passenger side (near side) folds down fine.

I am aware there was an issue with earlier models with the black tab which slides along the track breaking, but mine are fine and they click into place when the base of the seat is pushed right back (observed by removing the cover).

If I use a screw driver and pull back the metal lever on the left side of the seat (middle), I can feel the seat gives a little, whilst there is no movement on the off side. This leads me to believe the right hand side lever may be faulty. When I compare the outer mechanism of both seats, it appears to turn back in a different order, as it were.

Has anyone experienced this and is it an easy fix? The car came with a warranty, but I would rather solve it myself if possible. For what it's worth, the pictures in Autotrader showed the seat folded down, so it's a relatively recent issue.

Many thanks if anyone can help.

Hi I had exactly the same on our 2012MY. The 3rd row seats went into position but the 3rd row drivers side seat would not fold back.. The release tab would not release the seat. In the end I used screw drivers at the locking points to try and force back the release tab a little more and with a bit more grunt on the seat it folded back, but it was a real PIA and took about 30 mins to do this. I have not raised the seat since, as I just could not find an exact reason why it would not release and its a pig to get at.. Sorry this is not much help, but by the sound of it it looks like there were some cars that did not have these seats set up correctly when new, as our cars 3rd row seats looks like they had never been raised before.

[mr ngt]

The solution: WD40!