2024+ Tacoma - Rear Seat Operations (Folding & Raising)

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Tacoma Rear Seats: Fold, Raise & Configure​

Need to fold your seats for cargo or adjust cushion height? Here's how.

(Reference: Owner's Manual, pg. 155-159)

The procedures below cover everything from basic seatback folding to managing head restraints. Whether you need maximum cargo space or a different seating configuration, you'll find clear steps for each operation.

Official Safety Precautions​

Before you start any seat operation, know these safety points:

Stop completely. Don't fold seatbacks or raise cushions while driving. Vehicle must be on level ground with parking brake set and shift lever in P (automatic) or N (manual).

Keep hands clear. Your hands can get caught when folding seatbacks or adjusting restraints. Work carefully and deliberately.

Adjust front seats first. Move your front seats forward before folding rear seatbacks. This gives you access to the lock release mechanism and prevents the front seats from interfering with the fold.

Don't sit on folded seatbacks while driving. Once the seat is folded, it's not a seating surface. Keep the vehicle secured and no passengers on folded seats.

Secure seat belts. Tuck rear seat belt buckles away before operating rear seats. You don't want them getting pinched or caught in moving parts.

Folding Down the Rear Seatbacks​

Prerequisites & Preparation​

Before you fold anything, do these setup steps in order:

1. Move the front seats forward - Pull the seat forward lever or use power controls. This is essential: you need access to the seatback lock release and want to prevent the front seat from blocking the fold.
   
2. Tuck the rear seat belt buckles and center belt - Place buckles against the seat, away from the work area. Keep them organized so they don't get damaged.
   
3. Use the seat belt hangers - Hang the belts to keep them organized during the fold operation.
   
4. Lower the center head restraint - Press the lock release button and push the center seat headrest all the way down. Do this BEFORE folding the seatback. You need clearance for the backrest to fold completely.
   
5. Fold the outer head restraints - On each outer seat: press the lock release button, lift up while pressing, then fold forward. This clears the way for the seatback to fold smoothly.

Procedure: Folding Down Individual Seatbacks​

1. Locate the lock release strap - This is at the top of the seatback, accessible from behind the seat. Look for a red or contrasting color strap.
   
2. Pull the strap and fold - Hold the seatback at the top with one hand. With the other, pull the lock release strap. Let the seatback fold forward toward the dashboard. Fold it all the way down. Partial folds put stress on the hinges.
   
3. Make sure it's seated - Once folded, the seatback should rest flat and secure on the cushion below. Push down to ensure it's stable and doesn't rock.
   
4. Verify the lock - Push the folded seatback gently back and forth. You should hear a click when the lock engages. The seatback should NOT move when you apply moderate pressure. This is the most important step. A properly locked seat is a safe seat.

Good to know: You can fold one, two, or all three rear seatbacks. Each one operates independently.

Procedure: Returning Seatbacks to Upright Position​

1. Lift the seatback up - Position yourself to access the folded seatback from above or behind. Grab the top or side edges and lift firmly. Keep lifting until you feel resistance, then continue until the seatback reaches full vertical. The seatback must lock in the upright position. Don't stop short.
   
2. Check that it's locked - Push the seat gently back and forth (front to back). It shouldn't rock or shift. If the seat isn't fully locked, you'll see a red marking on the lock release strap. Make sure that red mark is NOT visible. Once it disappears, the locking mechanism has fully engaged.
   
3. Check the belts - Make sure seat belts aren't twisted or caught in the seatback. Rear seat belt buckles should be positioned properly and hang naturally without being compressed or kinked.
   
4. Restore head restraints - Put the outer seat headrests back to vertical position. For the center seat, pull the head restraint up to normal driving height. Adjust so headrests are positioned behind the center of your head for proper support.

Safety note: Don't let anyone sit on the rear center seat if the rear right seat is folded. The center seat belt buckle is then concealed under the folded seat and can't be used.

Raising the Bottom Cushions​

Cushion operations are separate from seatback operations. You can raise or lower cushions regardless of whether the seatbacks are up or down.

Procedure: Raising Bottom Cushions​

1. Move front seats forward - Same as seatback operations. You'll have easier access to the strap buttons and eliminate front seat interference.
   
2. Tuck rear seat belt buckles - Keep them safely out of the cushion area.
   
3. Use seat belt hangers - Same as before. Keep everything organized.
   
4. Find the strap button - This is a small button or attachment point on the seatback surface at the bottom. You'll have one per cushion.
   
5. Lift the cushion - Grab the front edge or sides of the bottom cushion and lift upward. The cushion will angle backward slightly as it rises.
   
6. Secure the strap button - Once lifted, bring the strap button from the seatback forward and secure it to a designated location on the backrest. This strap keeps the cushion in its elevated position while driving. You can raise one, two, or all three cushions independently.

Verify: The raised cushion shouldn't shift or drop when you press down moderately.

Procedure: Returning Bottom Cushions to Original Position​

1. Release the strap button - Reach the strap button at the seatback and press or pull the release mechanism. The strap will disengage from its securing location.
   
2. Lower the cushion carefully - Support the cushion with your other hand as you lower it. Don't just drop it. Lower gradually to avoid damage. Guide it down to its resting position on the vehicle floor.
   
3. Stow the strap - The strap typically tucks into a pouch or pocket on the cushion. Store it neatly to prevent tripping hazards or getting tangled in mechanical parts.
   
4. Final check - Make sure seat belts aren't twisted or caught in the seatback. Verify the cushion is securely resting in its original position. Don't let any seat belt buckles get pinched under the cushion.

Head Restraint Management​

Head restraints work in coordination with seatback operations. Getting them positioned right is part of safe seat management.

Center Seat Head Restraint​

• To Raise: Pull the head restraint straight up.
  
• To Lower: Push down while pressing the lock release button simultaneously.

Outer (Outboard) Seat Head Restraints​

• For normal driving: Lift the head restraint back to neutral position, then push down for proper head support.
  
• When seatback is folded: Lift the head restraint while pressing the lock release button, then fold it forward.

Adjustment Guidance​

• Height matters: Adjust head restraints so the center of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This gives proper neck support.
  
• Center seat positioning: Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when the seat is in use.

Community Tips​

Manage headrests carefully when folding
Before you raise the seatbacks back up, move the headrests to a designated location to prevent damage. If you keep your front seats positioned for taller passengers, remove headrests completely before raising the seatbacks. This prevents them from getting caught or damaged during the raising process.

Source: 4th Gen Tacoma Forum

Hybrid models work differently
Non-hybrid 4th Gen vehicles follow straightforward procedures. If you have a hybrid, there's an extra step: three retainer clips hold the bottom cushion portion down to the vertical trim. Use a skinny flathead screwdriver to lightly pry them up and pull them out. Once you've got the clips out, the cushion lifts up. When you're putting it back together, don't compress the inner portion until the clip is fully back inside the seat.

Source: 4GTaco.com

Reality check on rear seat space
Adult passengers will find the rear seats cramped. The seats are deep. Passenger knees can't bend at 90 degrees, which limits foot room and overall comfort. Most owners use rear seats for kids or cargo rather than adult passengers. The 4th Gen rear legroom is roughly the same as the 3rd Gen, so if you've owned a previous generation, you know the limitation.

Source: Tacoma3G.com

Front seat improvements in 4th Gen
The steering wheel position and orientation changed in the 4th Gen, which actually contributes to better overall seating posture compared to the 3rd Gen. Cloth seats (when equipped) are comfortable without the temperature extremes of leather. Heated and cooled seat options are available on higher trims if you need that extra comfort.

Source: TrailTacoma.com

What to Avoid​

Don't assume hybrid and non-hybrid work the same way
Hybrid models have retainer clips that non-hybrid models don't have. If you force the mechanism without knowing about the clips, you can damage the seat hardware. Before working on a hybrid's rear seats, look for those three retainer clips and plan accordingly.

Don't overload underseat storage
The under-seat storage area in 4th Gen is already limited. Overpacking causes seat locking mechanisms to stick or prevents seats from raising properly. Keep underseat storage moderate and avoid storing wet items. Make sure nothing interferes with the mechanical components.

Don't remove seats without proper prep
If you need to remove rear seats for maintenance or modification, factory bolts and lashing straps are critical to the job. Black lashing straps use figure-8 routing across the seat belt frame. This lets you reinstall them if needed.

Rear Seat Configuration Options​

Your 2024+ vehicle has three main rear seat configurations:

Normal Seating: All seatbacks UP, cushions DOWN. Use this for regular passenger seating, kids, or small adults. You get maximum headroom. Setup: Already set (it's the default). Note: Adults face limited leg room on longer trips.

Maximum Cargo Mode: Both seatbacks FOLDED, cushions DOWN. Use this when you need maximum cargo space, long items like lumber or equipment, or full truck bed extension. Setup time: 2-3 minutes. Requirements: Move front seats forward, tuck seat belts, lower/fold head restraints, verify red marking after locking.

Elevated Seating: Both seatbacks UP, cushions RAISED. Use this for elevated sitting position, better sight lines, or different comfort configuration. Setup time: 1-2 minutes per cushion. Requirements: Can be done independently. Each cushion raises separately. For hybrid models: remove retainer clips first.

Source Attribution​

Owner's Manual Pages:

• Primary procedures: Pages 155-157
• Return procedures and verification: Page 156
• Bottom cushion operations: Page 157
• Head restraint adjustments: Page 159

Community Sources:

• 4GTaco.com - 4th Gen Tacoma Forum
• Tacoma3G.com - Tacoma Community
• TacomaWorld.com - Major Tacoma Forum
• TrailTacoma.com - Enthusiast Publication

Disclaimer:
This guide is derived from the official 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual with community insights. Always follow your owner's manual for warranty compliance. This is a reference guide. When in doubt about any procedure, check your manual or contact your Toyota dealer.

For the official manual, visit Toyota's owner portal or contact your local Toyota dealership.