Matrix rear seat problem

Hello;
I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
Barry

On 21 Jun 2005 08:43:36 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hello;
>I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
>passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
>back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
>down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
>inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
>on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
>the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
>plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
>original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
> I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
>problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
>exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
>from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
>have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
>the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
>want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
>Barry[/color]

I would go back to the dealer and....help them 'want' to fix a problem
that was obviously in your Matrix before you took it home...


--

Scott in Florida

I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
Barry

Scott in Florida wrote:[color=blue]
> On 21 Jun 2005 08:43:36 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >Hello;
> >I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
> >passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
> >back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
> >down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
> >inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
> >on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
> >the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
> >plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
> >original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
> > I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
> >problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
> >exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
> >from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
> >have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
> >the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
> >want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
> >Barry[/color]
>
> I would go back to the dealer and....help them 'want' to fix a problem
> that was obviously in your Matrix before you took it home...
>
>
> --
>
> Scott in Florida[/color]

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 08:43:36 -0700, Barrywin wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hello;
> I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
> passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
> back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
> down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
> inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
> on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
> the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
> plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
> original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
> I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
> problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
> exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
> from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
> have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
> the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
> want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
> Barry[/color]


Did you say XRS? With a Manual Tranny? If so there is NO way to repair it,
and I would suggest just scrapping the car. Now, No Charge To You,
I will relieve you of this klunker and you can go get one with a seat the
works!

Hey, anything I can do to be of assistance! ;)

On 21 Jun 2005 15:40:16 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
>dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
>like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
>further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
>Barry[/color]

I just had a case with a new appliance in our kitchen.

Long story...but...

I ended up finding the CEO of GE's fax number and ripping off a one
page fax to him questioning their service...

We had a new microwave installed two days later.

I also got a call from the 'chairman''s office to make sure I was
happy.

The last time I bitched about service....I ended up in charge of world
wide service for a major corporation. This time I didn't offer to
fix it...LOL

[color=blue]
>
>Scott in Florida wrote:[color=green]
>> On 21 Jun 2005 08:43:36 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> >Hello;
>> >I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
>> >passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
>> >back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
>> >down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
>> >inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
>> >on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
>> >the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
>> >plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
>> >original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
>> > I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
>> >problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
>> >exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
>> >from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
>> >have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
>> >the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
>> >want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
>> >Barry[/color]
>>
>> I would go back to the dealer and....help them 'want' to fix a problem
>> that was obviously in your Matrix before you took it home...
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Scott in Florida[/color][/color]

--

Scott in Florida

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 22:56:59 GMT, hachiroku <hachiroku@Trueno.GTS>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 08:43:36 -0700, Barrywin wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hello;
>> I recently purchased a used 2003 Matrix XRS. When I folded down the
>> passenger side rear seat I noticed that the hard plastic "cover" on the
>> back of the seat (that extends the floor of the cargo area once folded
>> down) is bent/cracked on the lower inside corner. On further
>> inspection I determined that the edge of the plastic seat back hangs up
>> on a bracket between the seats when you try to push the seat back to
>> the upright position. This is what caused the bend/crack in the
>> plastic. I was able to remove the seat back and get it close to it's
>> original configuration with a heat gun, but the problem was not solved.
>> I do not know if the bracket position is off just enough to cause the
>> problem or if the tolerence is so tight that the slight bend that still
>> exists in the seat back (after my attempt at repair) will prevent it
>> from ever working correctly. Has anyone had a similar experience or
>> have some advice about this problem? Unfortunately I did not notice
>> the problem before I took the car home from the dealer, and now they
>> want nothing to do with the issue. Thanks for any help/advice.
>> Barry[/color]
>
>
>Did you say XRS? With a Manual Tranny? If so there is NO way to repair it,
>and I would suggest just scrapping the car. Now, No Charge To You,
>I will relieve you of this klunker and you can go get one with a seat the
>works!
>
>Hey, anything I can do to be of assistance! ;)[/color]

Nice try....LOL


--

Scott in Florida

"Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
news:u5ahb1hq32va3fqkfn6d1j7oqqa0n8uuae@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On 21 Jun 2005 15:40:16 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
>>dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
>>like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
>>further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
>>Barry[/color]
>
> I just had a case with a new appliance in our kitchen.
>
> Long story...but...
>
> I ended up finding the CEO of GE's fax number and ripping off a one
> page fax to him questioning their service...
>
> We had a new microwave installed two days later.
>
> I also got a call from the 'chairman''s office to make sure I was
> happy.
>
> The last time I bitched about service....I ended up in charge of world
> wide service for a major corporation. This time I didn't offer to
> fix it...LOL
>
>[/color]
Toyota solved it's problem with the fixed base operator that serviced their
company plane by buying the company - problem solved! If you need your G-V
serviced at Long Beach Airport, Airflite is the place!
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:23:52 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
>news:u5ahb1hq32va3fqkfn6d1j7oqqa0n8uuae@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On 21 Jun 2005 15:40:16 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
>>>dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
>>>like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
>>>further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
>>>Barry[/color]
>>
>> I just had a case with a new appliance in our kitchen.
>>
>> Long story...but...
>>
>> I ended up finding the CEO of GE's fax number and ripping off a one
>> page fax to him questioning their service...
>>
>> We had a new microwave installed two days later.
>>
>> I also got a call from the 'chairman''s office to make sure I was
>> happy.
>>
>> The last time I bitched about service....I ended up in charge of world
>> wide service for a major corporation. This time I didn't offer to
>> fix it...LOL
>>
>>[/color]
>Toyota solved it's problem with the fixed base operator that serviced their
>company plane by buying the company - problem solved! If you need your G-V
>serviced at Long Beach Airport, Airflite is the place![/color]

LOL...wouldn't it be neat to be able to do that?

.....I BOUGHT the company....lol


--

Scott in Florida

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:23:52 -0500, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
> news:u5ahb1hq32va3fqkfn6d1j7oqqa0n8uuae@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On 21 Jun 2005 15:40:16 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
>>>dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
>>>like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
>>>further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
>>>Barry[/color]
>>
>> I just had a case with a new appliance in our kitchen.
>>
>> Long story...but...
>>
>> I ended up finding the CEO of GE's fax number and ripping off a one
>> page fax to him questioning their service...
>>
>> We had a new microwave installed two days later.
>>
>> I also got a call from the 'chairman''s office to make sure I was
>> happy.
>>
>> The last time I bitched about service....I ended up in charge of world
>> wide service for a major corporation. This time I didn't offer to
>> fix it...LOL
>>
>>[/color]
> Toyota solved it's problem with the fixed base operator that serviced their
> company plane by buying the company - problem solved! If you need your G-V
> serviced at Long Beach Airport, Airflite is the place![/color]

Hey! I'll hop right down in my $50M G-V!!!!

I checked my Matrix for this issue. While there is a very close fit
between the plastic and the metal bracket, there is no problem with the
plastic hanging on mine. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps
the seat was over stressed one way or the other, bending the bracket,
warping the seat or deforming the plastic. Perhaps there was something
caught behind the seat when it was forced down or up at some point.

"hachiroku" <hachiroku@Trueno.GTS> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.06.23.00.03.16.451779@Trueno.GTS...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:23:52 -0500, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
>> news:u5ahb1hq32va3fqkfn6d1j7oqqa0n8uuae@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> On 21 Jun 2005 15:40:16 -0700, "Barrywin" <barrywin22@yahoo.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I agree Scott. I certainly intend to pursue the matter with the
>>>>dealer, and have already contacted Toyota to lodge a complaint. I'd
>>>>like to know if others have had similar problems so I can use this to
>>>>further my case with the dealer and Toyota.
>>>>Barry
>>>
>>> I just had a case with a new appliance in our kitchen.
>>>
>>> Long story...but...
>>>
>>> I ended up finding the CEO of GE's fax number and ripping off a one
>>> page fax to him questioning their service...
>>>
>>> We had a new microwave installed two days later.
>>>
>>> I also got a call from the 'chairman''s office to make sure I was
>>> happy.
>>>
>>> The last time I bitched about service....I ended up in charge of world
>>> wide service for a major corporation. This time I didn't offer to
>>> fix it...LOL
>>>
>>>[/color]
>> Toyota solved it's problem with the fixed base operator that serviced
>> their
>> company plane by buying the company - problem solved! If you need your
>> G-V
>> serviced at Long Beach Airport, Airflite is the place![/color]
>
> Hey! I'll hop right down in my $50M G-V!!!![/color]

Apparently, it is very expensive to keep a business jet in Japan so Toyota
keeps its fleet in Long beach. When an executive in Japan needs it, they
take it to Japan, pick him up, and take him to wherever he is going, then
bring it back.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Mark;
Thanks for the reply. I have since had a friend who owns an autobody
shop take a look at the seat. It appears to him that the holes in the
seatback were drilled slightly off of their intended location, causing
improper positioning of the seatback and hence causing the interference
with the bracket. I have an appointment with a rep from the dealership
today--I'll see what happens.

Mark wrote:[color=blue]
> I checked my Matrix for this issue. While there is a very close fit
> between the plastic and the metal bracket, there is no problem with the
> plastic hanging on mine. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps
> the seat was over stressed one way or the other, bending the bracket,
> warping the seat or deforming the plastic. Perhaps there was something
> caught behind the seat when it was forced down or up at some point.[/color]

That's really disturbing... you would think from this message board
that all Toyotas are perfect, I guess perfection comes in various
flavors ;-)