NHTSA Complaint #10082231 — 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO

IN JUNE OF 2003, I PURCHASED A 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO, THAT WAS A TRADE-IN AT RUDDELL AUTO MALL, IN PORT ANGELES, WA. THIS ELDORADO WAS GIVEN A SERVICE CHECK, BUT ONE FRONT SEAT (DRIVERS SIDE) WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, I ASKED THAT IT BE FIXED BEFORE I TOOK POSSESSION, OF IT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS WORKING, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT. DURING THE PAST TEN OR SO MONTHS, THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED TO RECLINE, AND UPON TRYING TO RAISE DRIVERS SEAT BACK TO A SAFE UPRIGHT POSITION, IT FAILS TO DO SO. NOW BOTH SEATS ARE NOT WORKING, EACH HAVING MANUAL RECLINE LEVERS (BROKEN), AND SIX-WAY ELECTRIC ADJUSTMENT THAT WORK ON BOTH FRONT SEATS. IS THIS A COMMON DEFECT, FOR THE '92 ELDORADO MANUAL RECLINE SEATS? THE DEALER COSTS FOR TOTAL SEAT REPLACEMENT, IS TOO HIGH, DEALER COST FOR EACH SEAT-BACK RECLINE HINGE (TWO IN EACH SEAT) IS $148.00 +TAX AND LABOR. WHICH IS ALSO TOO HIGH, FOR A RETIRED 60 YEAR OLD, DISABLED VETERAN, LIVING ON LIMITED INCOME. *JB