Driver seat backrest wiggles forward and backward - safety issue? How to fix?

EVANBERRETT

MEMBER
2006 MAZDA MPV
V6
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

Hi, I have a service question I'm hoping you can help me with. I have a 2006 Mazda MPV which my wife and I bought used. Our drivers seat reclining function works, but when you adjust it to recline back or forward, it will find a setting, but it wiggles slightly forwards and backwards once you rest your back on it. Basically it's not 100% secure in any reclining setting, moving about 1/2 inch to 1 inch when you rest your back on it. We were told the van passed safety inspections, but now that has been called into question, so we're hoping to get this fixed. Do you have any idea what might be wrong with the seat, and if so, do you know how much it would cost to fix?

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

The only thing I can think of if it wiggles the frame may be bent or cracked. But you would have to take to an auto upholstery guy to have him look at it and fix it if it can be. The previous owner may have been just short of a gorilla in size and jump in seat and cause this.

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Monday, March 31st, 2014 AT 9:31 AM

EVANBERRETT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. Is it something I could just take out the front seat and observe potentially?

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Monday, March 31st, 2014 AT 9:43 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Sure but you have to take all the covering off of it and a lot of people aren't able to do that. If you are going to take it out check all the wear points on it. Even where it moves forward and backward.

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Monday, March 31st, 2014 AT 1:40 PM