An interlock mechanism prevents erroneous operation of a vehicle rear seat. The vehicle seat has a seat back rotatably coupled to a seat cushion. The interlock mechanism includes a handle pivot link, a latch pivot link, and an interlock bracket rotatably coupled to a pivot pin. When the seat back is in an upright position, the interlock bracket releasably couples the handle pivot link to the latch pivot link such that rotation of the handle pivot link rotates the latch pivot link causing the cushion latches to be released. When the seat back is folded towards the seat cushion, the interlock bracket is moved to an interlock position decoupling the handle pivot link and the latch pivot link such that rotating the handle pivot link does not rotate the latch pivot link and does not release the cushion latches.