Split Folding Rear seats no longer locking

[T27driver]

My Avensis wagon T27 split folding rear seats giving me trouble. After folding the right side down and bringing it back up and attempting to secure/lock it in place it doesn’t stay locked in place. 
Any advice, please. 

[dannyboy413]

I know I might be stating the obvious, but I presume you have checked for anything 'getting in the way', like a seatbelt?

[Derek.w]

Is the locking mechanism returning or is it stuck open.

[T27driver]

Looks like the locking mechanism is it stuck open  

 

[Derek.w]

Thomas

Next step is it spring not returning mechanism or are you looking at a frosen / seized pin.

[T27driver]

Hmm, the other seat is also only intermittent locking, no good comparison.

However, nothing feels like there is a working spring mechanism at all. 🤔

Is there a spring on the top lever part?

 

[Bob D 53]

Hi all I have just had the bed same problem with my 2012 avensis and the problem is very simple, it's the return spring inside the latch. To sort it out is very easy, first remove the latch from the seat then replace the spring which cost about 50 pence at your local hardware shop. Then all you have to do is replace the latch the same way as you took it out. If you can't get a spring a new latch from Toyota is about £56.