Inadvertent reclining power bench seat

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Centurion vehicles. Closed 31 July 2000.

Investigation
PE00013
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
23 February 2000
Closed
31 July 2000

What NHTSA investigated

Centurion converts production vans into small recreational vehicles, with power operated rear seats that recline into a bed for sleeping.The bed, when fully reclined, is about the size of a standard double bed mattress.The reclining process can be activated by one or more switches located in the vehicle.The switch or switches are always operable, even when the vehicle's ignition switch is in the off and locked position.When the button switch is activated, separate parts of the bench seats move to form the flat bed. This seat moving process takes about 8 to 10 seconds.It is alleged that a four year old child was trapped under a seat and died.

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
CenturionCOBRA1992

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.