my rear seat is stuck in the upright position!

14GMCSLTSIERRA · December 13, 2016

So my 2014 Sierra's rear 60/40 split bench seat is having troubles. The 60% portion is stuck upright. I can not fold it down! The 40% side works great up, down, ect. no trouble. I don't understand it...has anyone here had any issues with their seat like this? Anyone know the fix? Thank you in advance for any and all help you can offer me!

Andy Seibel · December 13, 2016

seems too obvious, but I have to ask- is there anything stuck under/ behind the seat?

does it move at all? just a little bit? not even a tiny bit?

14GMCSLTSIERRA · December 13, 2016

Doesn't seem to be anything stuck in or around anywhere...first thing I checked for, of course. It will move ever so slightly...

GMCustomerService · December 20, 2016

Hi 14GMCSLTSIERRA,

We apologize for this seat concern! If you’re still having trouble, we’d be happy to bring this to the dealership's attention. Feel free to send us a private message, and we would be happy to communicate this concern their way.

Happy Holidays,

Anthony

GM Customer Care

Andrew Threadgill · January 8, 2017

I am having the same issue on the 40% side. WTH!

14GMCSLTSIERRA · January 9, 2017

I am sorry I didn't reply back to this sooner. I was able to fix it myself. There is a metal locking stop / cam that holds the seat in position. Just look at the opposite side while moving it up/down and you will notice the metal piece that i am talking about by the hinge. You need to use a flat blade screw driver and move the tab to lower the seat. and use a graphite lube or grease to lubricate the metal tab and work the seat up and down to get it working again...worked for me...sorry I can not take a picture of what I'm talking about. I hope this helps you!!

parshal · January 4, 2019

I apologize for resurrecting an old thread but this is the only one I could find that relates in any way to my problem.

The 60% seat would not stay in the upright position. It would start to drop back down on it's own. Using the last post here as a guide I found the "tab" wasn't staying in the latch cutout. I ended up using a dremel to remove some metal in the cutout until it worked. Of course, you don't need to remove much. I did that and then it wouldn't come back down. It was locked solid.

It works better for sure but not like the other side nor like my 2009. I'm curious if anyone else since this thread started has had my issue where the seat wouldn't stay up and what you did to fix it.

ShadTree · January 4, 2020

I've had 3 Silverados (2011, 2013 and 2016) and all have had problems with the rear seats. The cam system for the rear seats stinks. GM would have been better off putting a release button or a pull cord to release the seat from the folded position. The 2016 has been worse than the earlier models. I have had more problems with the 2016 than the other '11 and '13 put together. 2016 has Chevy Shake and 70 MPH and higher which really stinks when on Interstates and Turnpikes. Transmission/Rear End clunks often with no known reason and randomly. Ford or Dodge are starting to look better option all the time.

nlarrieu · April 6, 2020

I am reaching out to see if anyone has had any luck with this when lubricating the tab/cam didn't work.

The 40% seat has been stuck up for almost 1 year in my 2016 Silverado. I have tried to lubricate it several times with both graphite grease and white lithium grease, neither worked.

Finally pulled my whole seat out this past weekend to ensure there was nothing unseen that was catching it or jamming it; nothing I could see was the issue. The dealership has quoted me ~400 to repair, there is no way I can pay that for something like this. As it is now I keep a flat blade screw driver in the door and manually operate the cam each time I need to let the seat down. Really disappointed with the quality of this truck and with GM's overall care for their customers.

UPDATE 4/19/20 I finally "fixed" the issue

After being so frustrated with this I "fixed" it by grabbing the seat cushion on the seat that was stuck and violently wiggling it back and forth until it essentially broke free and started working I am sure that what happened is that a micro amount of metal was sheared off the cam until the angles finally worked again. Again this is the "fix" I was reduced to unless I was willing to shell out ~400. At least I dont have to carry a flat blade screw driver around with me everywhere now to let up and down my seat.

Edited April 19, 2020 by nlarrieu
Note edit to add picture

LOUIS BRIAND · April 14, 2020

THE question is were is the release for back seat cant find it the seat that you sit on its up want to put it down-cant find release

2011 gmc sierra is it under the seat on the side WERE ??? REPLY---THANK'S [email protected]

LOUIS BRIAND · April 14, 2020

I have same problem cant find release is it on the side on bottom were ? REPLY -THANKS

lerbud · April 14, 2020

See if this helps:

Ssbn632 · June 10, 2021

Just had this issue with my 2014.

wiggled the locking cam with screwdriver tip, gave it a shot of WD and it now functions. There is some galling and metal flaking between the cam and the latch. I’m pretty certain this will happen again. Going to put a small dab of grease in the contact point.

Gary MacDonald · July 21, 2021

My 2017 Sierra would not release to fold down. Released it using a screwdriver and greased the catch. Stuck again. Gave it a real good yank, seat released and now works like a charm. Just get a little aggressive with it.