NHTSA Complaint #10086921 — 1994 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSED IN THE SEAT SECTION. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE SEAT SUDDENLY FAILED AND DROPPED ABOUT 3-INCHES. THE SUPPORT SECTION OF THE SEAT FAILED. HOWEVER, THE LEATHER SEAT COVER HELD MY WEIGHT, BUT THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FAILED COMPLETELY. UNDER MANY CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT AND COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONSIDERED THE FAILURE TO BE OF A SAFETY NATURE AND WELL OUTSIDE OF THE DEFINITION OF NORMAL WEAR. I REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO MY LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER AND REQUESTED LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA BE ADVISED OF THIS UNUSUAL FAILURE. I PURCHASED TWO 1994 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY VEHICLES, NEW IN 1994. BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE NOW HAD THIS SAME FAILURE. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE FIELD OF SAFETY. MY PRIMARY FIELD IS AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS, BUT I HAVE DONE IN EXCESS OF FIFTY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS.*AK