Affected Component: SEATS

Date Published
MAR 18, 2013
NHTSA TSB #
10085143
TSB Document
Summary
THE 2013 MY OUTBACK HAS A REAR SEAT BACK PROTECTOR AVAILABLE AS AN ACCESSORY. THIS SEAT BACK PROTECTOR IS USED ALONG WITH A CARGO TRAY TO PROTECT THE BACK OF THE REAR SEATS WHEN CARGO IS LOADED INTO THE CARGO AREA WHEN THE REAR SEATS ARE FOLDED DOWN. WHEN THE REAR SEATS ARE FOLDED UP, THERE IS A NATURAL TENDENCY FOR THE SEAT BACK PROTECTORS TO SLIGHTLY PULL AWAY FOR THE REAR SEAT BACK. THIS IS A NATURAL CONDITION AND DOES NOT INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE REAR SEAT BACK PROTECTOR. IF THE SEAT BACK PROTECTOR BUCKLES OUTWARD FROM THE REAR SEAT BACK EXCESSIVELY, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE SEAT BACK PROTECTOR IS INSTALLED PROPERLY. A SEAT BACK PROTECTOR THAT IS INSTALLED TOO LOW ON THE REAR SEAT BACK WILL INTERFERE WITH A BRACKET IN BETWEEN THE CARGO AREA FLOOR AND THE REAR SEATS. THIS INTERFERENCE CAUSES THE SEAT BACK PROTECTOR TO BUCKLE WHEN THE SEATS ARE FOLDED UPRIGHT.