An inertia responsive latch mechanism for vehicle seats including an inertia latch member (22) pivotally mounted on a back frame member (18). The back frame member (18) is pivotally supported by the support frame (12). The inertia latch member (22) coacts in a first position with the support frame (12) for limiting forward pivoting movement of the back frame from an upright position only when the initial forward movement of the back frame (18) exceeds a predetermined acceleration. The assembly is characterized by the support frame including a lip (34) to automatically coact with the inertia latch member (22) in a second position in the forwardly folded position for automatically locking the back frame in the forwardly folded position. A lever (36) is included to remove the inertia latch element from the second coacting position to allow the back frame member (18)to return to the upright seating position.