Power Seat Motor

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a power seat motor on the driver or passenger seat, including seat removal, motor access, and electrical reconnection.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power seat motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification - verify which motor (fore/aft, recline, or height)
• Plastic trim clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal using 10mm socket and wait minimum 3 minutes
3. Move seat to full rearward position for access to front mounting bolts
4. Take photos of electrical connector routing before disconnection

Procedure

1. 1

   Access front seat mounting bolts
   With the seat in full rearward position, locate the two front seat mounting bolts on the seat tracks. These are 12mm bolts accessible from the sides of the seat rails. Remove both front mounting bolts.
2. 2

   Access rear seat mounting bolts
   Move the seat to full forward position (manually if power is disconnected). Locate the two rear seat mounting bolts on the seat tracks. Remove both rear mounting bolts using 12mm socket.
3. 3

   Disconnect electrical connectors
   Tilt the seat backward carefully. Locate all electrical connectors under the seat including power seat motor(s), seat heater (if equipped), and occupancy sensor. Press the release tabs and disconnect all connectors. Note the routing and positions for reassembly.
   ⚠The yellow connector is the airbag/occupancy sensor - handle with care and do not pull on wires
4. 4

   Remove seat from vehicle
   With an assistant or using proper lifting technique, lift the seat assembly straight up and out of the vehicle. Place on a clean protected work surface with seat bottom facing up. Be careful not to damage door sills or B-pillar trim during removal.
   ⚠Seat weighs approximately 50-60 lbs - use proper lifting technique
5. 5

   Remove seat bottom cover
   With seat inverted, locate the plastic cover or shield on the underside of the seat. Remove the retaining screws (typically T30 Torx or Phillips) securing the cover. Carefully pry off any plastic clips if present. Remove the cover to expose the seat motor assemblies and mechanism.
6. 6

   Identify failed motor
   Locate the specific motor that requires replacement. The Tucson typically has separate motors for: fore/aft movement (horizontal slider), height adjustment (front and/or rear), and recline function. The motor will be mounted to the seat frame with 2-3 bolts and have a cable drive or gear mechanism attached. Verify which motor has failed.
   ℹ️Take a clear photo of motor orientation and cable routing before removal
7. 7

   Disconnect motor electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector on the motor being replaced. Press the locking tab and disconnect the connector from the motor. Check connector pins for corrosion or damage.
8. 8

   Remove motor mounting bolts
   Using 10mm socket, remove the motor mounting bolts (typically 2-3 bolts). Support the motor as you remove the last bolt. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
9. 9

   Detach motor from drive mechanism
   Carefully separate the motor from its drive cable or gear mechanism. Some motors use a cable that must be unwound or unclipped. Others use a direct gear drive that slides off. Do not force - ensure any retaining clips are released first. Keep the drive cable or gears in their current position.
   ⚠Drive cables are under slight tension and can snap back - control carefully during removal
10. 10

    Install new motor
    Position the new motor and engage it with the drive cable or gear mechanism in the same orientation as the original. Ensure the cable is properly seated in the motor's drive pulley or the gears are fully meshed. Align motor mounting holes with the seat frame.
11. 11

    Secure motor mounting bolts
    Install the motor mounting bolts and torque to specification using a torque wrench. Ensure the motor is properly aligned and seated against the mounting surface before final torquing.
12. 12

    Reconnect motor electrical connector
    Connect the electrical connector to the new motor, ensuring it clicks into place fully. Gently tug to verify the connection is secure.
13. 13

    Reinstall seat bottom cover
    Position the seat bottom cover back in place, ensuring no wires are pinched. Install all retaining screws and torque to specification. Press any plastic clips back into position until they snap securely.
14. 14

    Reinstall seat in vehicle
    With assistance, carefully lower the seat assembly back into the vehicle, aligning the seat track rails with the floor mounting points. Ensure all electrical connectors route properly and are not pinched.
15. 15

    Install seat mounting bolts
    Install all four seat mounting bolts (two front, two rear) and torque to specification. Verify the seat is solidly mounted with no movement before proceeding.
16. 16

    Reconnect electrical connectors
    Reconnect all electrical connectors under the seat in the proper locations as documented in photos. Ensure all connectors click securely into place. Route wires away from seat tracks and moving components.
17. 17

    Reconnect battery and test
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque to specification. Turn the ignition to ON position (engine off) and test all seat functions including fore/aft movement, recline, and height adjustment to verify proper operation of the new motor.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all seat mounting bolts are torqued to 27.0 Nm (20.0 lb-ft) - critical for safety
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Check that seat occupancy sensor light (if equipped) on dash operates normally
4. Verify no wiring is pinched between seat tracks or moving parts

Verification

• Test all power seat functions in both directions to confirm proper operation
• Verify seat moves smoothly without binding or unusual noise
• Check that seat position memory functions work correctly (if equipped)
• Confirm no warning lights appear on the instrument cluster
• Test seat multiple times through full range of motion before driving

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle