What Causes Jeep Wrangler Seat Won’t Recline? (Fix Now)

Many users define the process of reclining their seats of the Jeep Wrangler as tougher than in regular vehicles. Confusion often arises due to the different mechanisms used in different models. With some simple techniques, you may succeed in solving your Jeep Wrangler’s seat won’t recline issues.

Some easy solutions to fix the issues related to a Jeep Wrangler’s seat recliner can be checking the hinge for foreign elements and clearing them up, checking the state of the cable and getting a replacement if needed, and replacing the whole reclining piece.

Most of the issues concerning your Jeep’s recliners should be simple and can be taken care of easily in your garage. But, in case you fail to resolve them by yourself, you should take help from an automotive expert to make the best decision for your vehicle.

What Causes Jeep Wrangler Seat Won’t Recline Issue?

Troubles with the Jeep Wrangler’s seat reclining are not that uncommon. There are many users who reported facing issues with their seat recliners.

The most common one is getting the seat stuck in one place and being unable to move it forward or recline back. Some frequently occurring reasons behind these issues are:

Problem with the cloth belt
A broken lever
Faulty release mechanism
Foreign objects in the hinge
Damaged or loose cable

4 Easy Fix for Jeep Wrangler Seat Won’t Recline Problems

It can be quite frustrating if you try to fix your seat’s position while driving but fail to do so due to an issue with the recliner. Now that you know some of the common reasons behind this, it is time to take action. Some easy solutions for Jeep Wrangler seat won’t recline issues are stated below.

#1- Clear Off any Foreign Objects

Sometimes, small objects like a crushed bottle, bottle cap, wrapper, or ball can get stuck in the hinge. Usually, you won’t check for things like these until you face problems like your seat not reclining back.

It doesn’t take much work. You just need to move the seat all the way to the front so you can take a look at the back. If you find something, remove it and try to operate the lever to see if the seat reclines back now.

If it still doesn’t, there may be other issues. A good practice can be checking the hinge from time to time to avoid getting anything stuck there that can hamper the reclining mechanism.

#2- Replace the Damaged Cable

In a lot of Jeep Wranglers, there’s supposed to be a cable coming out of the crossbar that is connected to the lever. This cable travels all around the seat to make its way to the lever again and has things to do with the reclining mechanism of the seat.

Sometimes, the only problem is that the cable got loose or came off a bit which can be fixed easily. But, a crushed or damaged cable can be responsible for you being unable to recline the seat.

You may have to replace the damaged cable to get the reclining mechanism into action again. However, this may not be the only problem with your vehicle. So it might be best if you consult an automotive expert before you order the cable and replace it yourself.

Nonetheless, the cable can cost you anywhere between $20 and $25. If you can’t seem to understand how to do it yourself, better take it to the repair shop and get it done by an expert. In that case, the labor cost will be added to the cost.

#3- Get a New Handle

For some models, you may be able to get your hands on a new piece of recliner handle. You should opt for it if the only problem with the system is a broken handle. If there’s a problem with the mechanism, just replacing the handle might not solve the issue for you.

There’s a clip behind the handle. You have to press the clip to take the handle off. Then you can install the new handle by pushing the clip into place. Lastly, check if the handle works for the system.

Getting a new seat back handle can cost you anywhere between $30 and $40.

#4- Replace the Whole System

In some cases, you may have to replace the whole recliner system with a new one. Even though it is quite pricey, it may be the only way to solve the issue in these cases.

If the release mechanism fails completely, only a new recliner piece can solve the situation for you. For Jeep Wrangler models that use cloth belts, also known as the pull rope among many users as recliners, the same problem may occur.

Whatever the issue may be, if you can’t determine what’s causing it, you should always consider seeking help from a professional to assess the situation better. A reclining piece can cost you anywhere between $220 and $300.

FAQs

Since having trouble with the Jeep Wrangler’s seat recliner is quite common, people often ask questions regarding the issue. Some frequently asked questions by the users regarding the usage and problems faced while using the recliners are mentioned below.

How Do You Use the Reclining Mechanism in Jeep Wrangler?

First, detect the lever that controls the reclining mechanism. You can get it on the left rear part of the corresponding seat. Then you’ll have to pull the lever, adjust your seat to the preferred position, and finally unhand the lever.

Is it Safe for You to Reclining Jeep Wrangler Seats?

It is usually safe to do so given that you are wearing the safety belt. However, avoid moving it back so much that the belt can’t function right. First of all, it is quite risky. Also, reclining too much can cause back problems.

How to Keep Your Posture Right while Reclining Jeep Wrangler Seat?

It is fairly easy. Get into the most comfortable position to drive and fix the seat to that exact angle. This way, you can keep your posture right and won’t have to adjust anything while driving.

Can You Move your Jeep Wrangler’s Seat Horizontally?

You may get to move your Jeep Wrangler’s seat horizontally. In most models, there is a lever parallel to the seat that can control its horizontal positioning. You can use it to fix the seat according to your preferred position and lock it there.

Conclusion

Riding a Jeep Wrangler can be a very exciting experience. But as you cruise around on your Jeep or set for a day-long trip, it takes quite a toll on your Jeep’s health.

To guarantee that you get to ride your Jeep in its best state, you should make sure that all the features including the seat recliners are always functioning properly. Some preventive measures may spare you from serious problems in the future.

You should take your Jeep Wrangler for regular maintenance and clean the vehicle’s interior regularly. Also, don’t force a stuck lever that controls the reclining mechanism to avoid getting it broken.