Poor Design of Coupe Seat Release Handle

How many of you coupe owners have experienced this problem? On my 2013 coupe the front seat backs tilt forward to allow for rear seat access. To allow the seat backs to tilt a release handle is placed on the side of the front seats near the headrest. When new the handles appeared to be stuck and wouldn't pull to release the seat. I called the dealer and was told to pull harder and if it breaks its on warranty. The result a broken handle (plastic) on the driver's seat and a very stiff and often stuck handle on the passenger seat. The dealer replaced the broken handle and examined and lubricated the handle linkage on both seats. The dealer's solution is to put firm thumb pressure on a forward spot on the handle release plastic flange framing the release handle and then with less resistance and the handle will work (this keeps the handle assembly from flexing – cheap plastic!) I was told that a new coupe that arrived the day mine was in for service has the same problem and there was an earlier customer complaint like mine. This is a problem that Land Rover needs to address and correct. Consider how many times your going to use this handle and how poorly and cheaply (plastic) its made, not appropriate for a car of this quality. Its just a matter of time before the plastic bends and the problems reoccurs.

I agree, it's a poor design. I do wonder whether the coupe is long for this world; it's not as popular as expected and LR haven't really addressed the access issue, it will remain a conversation item for as long as you have the car and it's slaughtered me at resale.

That said, I still prefer the coupe styling which is much closer to the concept compared to the slightly frumpy (IMHO) looks of the 5 door, an unavoidable compromise.

As my car is now fully run in and performing well, I think some diesel owners would be surprised at the turn of speed the Si4 engine can provide.

I had this problem with my Coupe (which went today) my stealer replaced the linkage and all was solved.

I do agree with Mark_n that the coupe looks better than the 5 door, with it's longer doors etc

Although I prefer the coupe the next one is 5 door as they seem easier to sell later.

At the Launch shows, this part stood out as the single worst part of the car, and was almost a deal breaker after I pulled it I thought what cheap quality! if the rest of the car is like this... Luckily the 5 Door doesn't have them!

Please see the attached JLR Technical Bulletin


  seat tilt problem.pdf (Size: 72.74 KB / Downloads: 71)

no problem over here
almost 2 years old.......
BUT
the slowly going forward of the frontseat is very anoying

No problems at all.
But have only had people in the back three times in 11 months. Yes I knew that the access to the rear is bad ( worse than the Monaro I had ), but it just looks so much better than the 5 door. 10 years with the Monaro and I only had to use the rear a few times, so we just had to order the 3 door.
Will say, it is only me, the wife and the dog , and he uses the rear door as access ( and the back seat are always down for him)

(06-12-2013 09:32am)speary Wrote:  Please see the attached JLR Technical Bulletin

Speary,
Thanks for the link to the repair. I'm keeping this for my records should the problem worsen. My dealer's repair, lubricating the linkage, helps but did not completely solve the problem. Pushing down on the plastic surround bezel at the right spot while lifting the lever works about 75% of the time. I'm will put up with this rather than allowing the dealer to replace the seat frame because of the uncertainties of problems resulting from this replacement.

I never had problems the the front seat back tilting mechanism on my coupe but several times after folding the rear bench it either would not lift back up (like it was locked in the down position) or if it came up easily sometimes the seat back would not engage fully on the lock in the upright position and needed me to get into the rear seat and firmly slam it onto the steel u bolt it engages on.

Also never had a problem with the tilt mechanism for the front seat. You just lift it slightly in a vertical position then pull out. Doubt there will ever be the perfect car, but mine's pretty close for me - I love my coupe!