2008 FORD TAURUS X Seats Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS COULD NOT BE FOLDED DOWN IN ORDER TO LET THE THIRD ROW OCCUPANTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HINES FORD (12610 FORD DR, FISHERS, IN) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED SIMILAR INCIDENT REPORTED ON THE INTERNET.*JB

LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BACK(2/3RDS BENCH) WILL NOT RELEASE. THE RESULT OF THIS IS LOSS OF ABILITY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM 3RD ROW SEATING. CAN ONLY EXIT FROM THE SMALLER 1/3RD BENCH SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF REDUCED ABILITY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE OR TO BE RESCUED FROM 3RD ROW SEATING AREA.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTBOARD SEAT PIVOT (5F9Z*7460593*BA) FAILED CAUSING THE 2ND ROW SEAT FOLD DOWN/RELEASE TO BE INOPERABLE. THE PART WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 22 SEP 2010. ON 19 MAY 2011 THE SEAT AGAIN BECAME INOPERABLE AND WAS REPAIRED. METHOD OF REPAIR WAS NOT LISTED ON THE SERVICE ORDER. ON 10 DEC 2013 THE SEAT PIVOT FAILED AGAIN. I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN SO THE SEAT MECHANISM HAS NOT BE ABUSED. THE FOLD DOWN FEATURE OF THE SEAT TO INCREASE THE FLAT CARGO SPACE HAS PROBABLY ONLY BEEN USED SIX TIMES SINCE THE 22 SEP 2010 REPAIR. THE THIRD ROW SEATS ARE USED INFREQUENTLY. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART NUMBER REVEALED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM (ALSO ON THE DRIVERS SIDE). MY CONCERN IS THAT PASSENGERS IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT MIGHT BECOME TRAPPED DURING AN ACCIDENT IF THE RIGHT FOLD DOWN...