Rear seat in 2025 Range Rover Sport closed on my arm while returning to upright position, trapping me with no accessible manual release. Required assistance to be freed. Resulted in numbness and ongoing nerve/tendon pain. While parked in my driveway, I activated the electronic control to raise the left rear passenger seat from a folded position. As I reached in to remove an object (umbrella) to prevent obstruction, the seat closed on my right forearm and elbow, trapping my arm. I was unable to free myself. The seat would not move, and there was no accessible manual or emergency release within reach. The only release control was located near the rear liftgate, which I could not access while trapped. I called for help but could not be heard due to nearby landscaping equipment. A worker attempted to manually free the seat but was unsuccessful. I was ultimately freed when my husband activated the electronic release from the rear cargo area. Following the incident, my arm and fingers were numb. I continue to experience ongoing tendon and nerve pain in my forearm and elbow. Rear seat lacks an accessible emergency/manual release within reach of passenger area. Seat did not stop or reverse when encountering resistance, creating a risk of entrapment and serious injury.
NHTSA ODI 11726525