How to Remove the Rear Seat Backrest of a Passat?
3 Answers
The method to remove the rear seat backrest of a Passat is as follows: 1. Remove the three fixing screws at the bottom of the backrest; 2. After removing the screws, pull the backrest upwards with force. Taking the 2020 Passat as an example, it belongs to the mid-size car category, with body dimensions of length 4933mm, width 1836mm, height 1469mm, and a wheelbase of 2871mm, with a curb weight of 1470kg. The 2020 Passat features a front suspension of MacPherson independent suspension and a rear suspension of multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 150PS, a maximum power of 110kW, and a maximum torque of 250Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The first time I removed the backrest of a Passat's rear seat was when I overloaded the car and damaged the backrest, leaving me clueless at the time. Looking back now, the correct method is: First, turn off the engine and engage the handbrake to ensure safety. There's a small handle or clip hidden at the front under the rear seat cushion—gently lift the cushion to find it. Pull or pry the release mechanism, and the backrest will loosen. For older models, there might be hidden screws that require a small screwdriver to remove. The entire process should be done gently to avoid cracking plastic parts. After removal, I took the opportunity to clean the dust behind the seat to prevent odor buildup. Each disassembly teaches me to inspect these small components, fostering a habit of regular maintenance. Learning this trick means I'm never unprepared for emergencies again.
When working on car parts, safety is always paramount. I've seen a friend injure themselves while removing a seat back simply by overlooking details. Before removing the rear seat back of a Passat, ensure the car is parked and turned off—this is the first step. Lift the seat to locate the anchor points and proceed slowly to avoid scratching the interior. The seat back is usually secured by clips or small hooks, with release straps or buttons hidden along the edges—just a gentle pull will do. Don’t rush during the process to prevent clips from breaking and falling into the seat gaps. When reinstalling, make sure everything snaps back into place to avoid looseness that could affect driving. The whole process reminds me that while DIY is convenient, small mistakes can lead to big troubles, so prepare gloves and tools for protection.
