How to Remove the Rear Seats of the Elantra?
3 Answers
Method for removing the rear seats of the Elantra: 1. The rear seat cushion of the Elantra is secured by two clips and two screws. Locate the positions of the two screws. Use a 12mm socket tool to remove the screws. 2. The seat cushion is fixed to the floor with clips. After removing the two screws, lift it upwards firmly to detach it. 3. Wrap the seat cover properly and tuck the rear part of the cushion under the backrest. Make sure to pull out the seatbelt buckle and secure it properly on the cushion. 4. Once the rear part of the cushion is in place, press the cushion firmly to reattach the two clips. 5. Reinstall the two screws.
I've removed the rear seats of my Elantra myself to install a child seat and clean the carpets. First, locate the small hook or pull strap underneath the front edge of the seat – gently pulling it will release the latch. Then grip the front part of the seat and lift upwards firmly; it should pop up. Don't yank too hard as there might be hidden anchor points beneath the rear seats, so check carefully to avoid missing any. I once tried prying it open directly with a pry bar inserted into the gap, but this risks scratching the interior plastic trim – better to have a non-slip flathead screwdriver handy. The whole process takes about two minutes. Remember, the seats are quite heavy, so having two people lift them is safer. Once removed, you'll gain much more space for cleaning dust or loading bulky items, but be careful not to lose those small clips. If you frequently remove and reinstall the seats, take photos to document the clip positions to avoid mistakes during reassembly.
When I first started removing the rear seats of the Elantra, I was a bit nervous, afraid of breaking something. The first step is to check the user manual for the location, usually at the connection point between the seat and the frame. You can feel the raised part by touching underneath with your hand. Gently pull the small handle upward, and it will pop up and detach from the base. Don’t use too much force—plastic clips can break easily; I made that mistake once. The whole process is quite simple and doesn’t require any special tools. I tried using household pliers for assistance, but it wasn’t necessary. After removal, the seat can be set aside, freeing up the rear area for cleaning stubborn stains or placing items like scooters. A quick reminder: clear any small items from the rear seat before removal to avoid losing things like your phone. When reinstalling, align the seat with the slots and press down firmly until you hear a click, indicating it’s securely in place.
