2006 M45 Driver Seat leaning into center console

[m45ordie]

After battling with the dealer and infiniti consumer affairs to get my seat fixed, I ended up taking the seat out of the car and fixing it myself. The idea of replacing the entire under carriage of the seat at a cost of $1,200 wasn't appealing to me since I dropped $42,000 on the car itself. Taking the seat out was surprisingly easy, 4 bolts and unhook the wiring. It took a few minutes to diagnosis the problem itself but was made easier after breaking the seat down a bit by stripping off plastic surrounding the lower part of the seat. Turns out the seat bracket was welded with cheap material and therefore cannot hold up to my 195 lb frame. I took the seat to a local welder and got it fixed for a whopping $40. Afterwards, I filed a complaint with the NHTSA. It was very easy to do and only took a few minutes to file a complaint. I am hoping they recall this model year for obvious safety reasons and take responsibility for this known defect instead of playing the "your car is out of warranty card." I have pics of the repaired bracket but cannot figure out how to load them on this site using a mac. If you give me your email address I will fwd the pics. I would encourage you to submit a claim at nhtsa.gov b/c I read a lot of blogs about this issue before taking on the repair project myself. Luckily they didn't rope me for another $1,200.

[The Bodyguard]

Wow sucks they didn't fix it! But good thing you figured it out for cheap $$ plus Great job on filing the complaint! It has been a well documented problem on the 06-07 models. Seat track breaking....no problem on mine!

[ahoshmand]

I had the exact same issue for a couple months. Dealer was quoting $1200 for a whole new bracket, such bs. Took it to a car upholstery place and he did the new weld for $170. Guess this issue is more common than I thought. The guy who did it said he's done a bunch of G35s and a few Nissan Xterras with the same problem.

[SiMpLyMoDiFiEd]

i had this issue and I took it to the dealer and they replaced both driver and passenger seat rails lol no issues

[m45ordie]

File a report with nhtsa.gov

Easy enough to do. I love my car but do not have time for the BS.

[Stolzies]

I am having the exact same problem. Could you email me the pics at [email protected]?

Thanks!

[Stolzies]

After battling with the dealer and infiniti consumer affairs to get my seat fixed, I ended up taking the seat out of the car and fixing it myself. The idea of replacing the entire under carriage of the seat at a cost of $1,200 wasn't appealing to me since I dropped $42,000 on the car itself. Taking the seat out was surprisingly easy, 4 bolts and unhook the wiring. It took a few minutes to diagnosis the problem itself but was made easier after breaking the seat down a bit by stripping off plastic surrounding the lower part of the seat. Turns out the seat bracket was welded with cheap material and therefore cannot hold up to my 195 lb frame. I took the seat to a local welder and got it fixed for a whopping $40. Afterwards, I filed a complaint with the NHTSA. It was very easy to do and only took a few minutes to file a complaint. I am hoping they recall this model year for obvious safety reasons and take responsibility for this known defect instead of playing the "your car is out of warranty card." I have pics of the repaired bracket but cannot figure out how to load them on this site using a mac. If you give me your email address I will fwd the pics. I would encourage you to submit a claim at nhtsa.gov b/c I read a lot of blogs about this issue before taking on the repair project myself. Luckily they didn't rope me for another $1,200.

m45ordie- I am having the exact same problem. Would you be able to email me the pics at [email protected]

Thanks

[tfs1975]

I am also having this problem. This is my second M35. My first was an 06 and during that time the repair was covered under the dealer warranty. Since that car was totaled, I now have an 07 and my seat is starting to move when braking. I wonder how long till it finally brakes? I have posted a complaint with the NHTSA as well.

[Infinity_818]

I am also having this problem. This is my second M35. My first was an 06 and during that time the repair was covered under the dealer warranty. Since that car was totaled, I now have an 07 and my seat is starting to move when braking. I wonder how long till it finally brakes? I have posted a complaint with the NHTSA as well.

My seat do move backwards on hard braking which is a. small move and a clunking noise which annoys me, any of the members who have done the welding fix, can you please say what kind of shop does this job?

[DMDesign]

M45ordie, I'm having the same issue. please send photos. Thank you! [email protected]
(I too will file with NHTSA).

[atlM35]

Sounds like class action time. This is definitely a safety issue.
I have had that problem in my 2 previous Ms, one of which my cousin owns now.
Isn't there a way to start a poll on the forum to see how many people are experiencing this?

[DMDesign]

Sounds like class action time. This is definitely a safety issue.
I have had that problem in my 2 previous Ms, one of which my cousin owns now.
Isn't there a way to start a poll on the forum to see how many people are experiencing this?

How did you solve the problem?

[atlM35]

Sounds like class action time. This is definitely a safety issue.
I have had that problem in my 2 previous Ms, one of which my cousin owns now.
Isn't there a way to start a poll on the forum to see how many people are experiencing this?

How did you solve the problem?

Sold the cars...

[TXT]

I have the same issue in my 2006 M45. When braking, the seat moves forward a small bit, almost not noticeable. Almost feels like your slipping off the seat until you realize its the seat itself.

[Larz]

TXT:
I am just starting to notice that as well. It rarely happens, but at some short stops, it does. Barely detectable, but it moves forward a smidge. At 6'3" and 15 stone (210 pounds or 85 kg) I am probably 2x the weight of the average japanese car seat designer, but I'm certainly NOT a roley poley git either!

[Cabo]

Man I thought I was the only one. My seat is rubbing against the middle console its freaking annoying. I need get fix asap

[bluedevil30]

Have same problem (slight forward movement) on my 2009 M35x (90K+ miles). Mostly on hard brakes and downhill braking. I'm 6' 2" 225 lbs.

[drtydwy]

What a pain! Can you send me the pics as well. [email protected]

[Virgil2b]

I been having the same problem as well as a friend of mine. I know a welder so would you or anyone who have recieved the pic email it to me I would appreciate it. [email protected]

[KongzTT M45]

Anyone receive the pics?

I would like to see the repair area needed.

I have a welder and can weld.. but it is raining here and I would like to get an idea of where the part is commonly broken at.

I have a 2007 sport ..

I cant raise the back of the seat by the motor.. I can lift it by hand easily though because it is broke.

Thanks!
Please email me at Shawn300z (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Thank you!!

[KongzTT M45]

Better yet.. can someone just post the pic up?

[KongzTT M45]

Nevermind..

ended up fixing it today..

One side (inner side of rear bracket on mine was broke.. I welded and reinforced it and then welded and reinforced the other side as well.

I was going to make a "how to" but its pretty self explanatory after you remove the seat..

Its working perfectly now.. I can't believe people pay over 1k for another seat through Infiniti for a product that it will eventually happen to again. After reinforcing it. There is no way it would break again.

Took me about 1 hr start to finish and that included "cool down" time after welding .. letting the bracket cool so that I can replace the plastic ties and clips.

I'll get some pictures up shortly.

[lovemycarM35]

Ok so does it come off the tracks cause of the broken weld or is there an issue with the tracks aswell? and do you need to reset the air bag please we need a sticky Im not paying the dealer 1200 mine isn't broke yet but I want to be ready

[KongzTT M45]

if the back or front won't raise/lower.. its the weld that broke.

I will post pics later today..

No.. you dont need to reset airbag if you remove seat..

its easy.. pop the 4 plastic covers off the bolts that hold the seat down (4 bolts, 14mm bolts)..

unhook 3 electrical connectors at front of bottom of seat.. and cut a few zip ties.

lift it out and becareful not to damage the interior or door panel. The seat is about 60lbs.

.. i'll post some pics later and give a few tips.. Like I said.. I was going to make a "how-to".. (I am big on Twinturbo.net (300zx forum).. and I enjoy doing tutorials.. but this is self explanitory once you get the seat out and turn it upside down to insece what is broken.

Took me an hr tops.. that is with cleanup and everything.. probably less than that.. saved ~$1200 and now its fixed permanently and better than new.

[KongzTT M45]

Here are some pics..

Its pretty self explanatory once you get the seat removed. So I apologize this isn't a "step by step".. but i'm sure it'll help someone at least get started.

-Pop off 4 plastic bolt head covers from base of seat mounts. just use a screw driver and they will pop right off.
-Remove several of the electrical conduit zip ties that secure the wiring to under the seat.
-Unplug the 3, electrical connectors..

-Carefully lift the seat up and out.. turning/twisting it as needed to avoid hitting interior door panels or door sill etc. I lifted it by myself.. its about 70lbs (ish).

Here are some pics of me removing what I needed to remove (self explanatory parts).

I used a welding blanket to protect parts I did not want to get burned etc.. Just take your time.



bottom of seat..



Non broken side





Broken side




I removed the Shoulder button allen head cap screws using an M6 socket allen bit.





I removed both upper and lower ones from the whole seat... there are 4 of them total. Two up front of seat the smaller ones. You can probably get away with removing just the two rear bigger ones if that is all you are repairing. but I opted to do all of them and reinforce by using much heavier welds all the way around the pipe/bracket that breaks.

There are several small screws and clips that you need to remove. You will see which ones I am talking about.









Use a pry bar or large screw driver to remove the pipe/bracket away/around the side plates so you can repair the broken weld. Make sure you keep water near by and use a welding blanket to protect the areas you dont want burned!



Zip tie for coolant fan inlet must be cut and duct removed .. just replace it with another regular zip tie when you are re-assembling everything.





Broken factory weld. Clean surfaces off and re-weld the area heavily .. reinforcing with metal tabs or atleast weld all the way around the pipe/bracket so it is stronger than new.




I reinforced and re-welded all the sides to ensure it does not happen again in the future. Let it cool by using a damp/wet rag and let it sit on the pipe or just air dry if you have the time.


It took me about 1hr of my time. I used my Hobart 140 MIG welder. I saved ~$1200 instead of buying a new seat bracket. And at least now I know its stronger than how they are from the factory.

I usually enjoy making "how to" posts.. but this one was pretty simple once you got under the seat so there is no way to really do this one besides seeing in person. I am big on the 300zx forums (Twinturbo.net) and have several How to posts on there..

I'll surely be making more of these since I have recently purchased a 2007 M45 sport.

Here are some pics!







It has NAV and all the cool stuff.. Just got the windows tinted with 30% and windshield done in the clear UV protectant tint. I think my next mod will be Akebono brakes front and rear.

[scchuck]

my seat started leaning into the console as well. Has anyone heard if there was a class action suit on this and is there a recall on it? I have a M35x 2006. Just turned 100k miles. Any legal paperwork to help get this fixed by dealership for free would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

Steve of Iowa

[Artbaribe]

I have just had the same problem with seat tilt. Could you please send me the pictures.

[BlackCat81]

my seat started leaning into the console as well. Has anyone heard if there was a class action suit on this and is there a recall on it? I have a M35x 2006. Just turned 100k miles. Any legal paperwork to help get this fixed by dealership for free would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

Steve of Iowa

No, there is no recall. I don't mean to be the Debbie downer of the thread, but at what point do you (or anyone else in this thread) think you should be responsible for covering the cost of a repair on a 10 year old 100,000mi vehicle?

[Larz]

I agree, Blackcat.
Even Bentley do not warranty their cars for 10 years and they are $250-500k dollars new. Auto makers who DO provide long tears of warranty leave many items excluded. There is a dealer near me who boasts doubling the standard warranty to a total of 200,000 miles / 20 years ! Equally long, though, is the list of non-covered items. Now that we have a great DIY with pics to guide us through the "fix" and avoid the dealer price for a new seat, this thread will hopefully go back into into it's coffin.