A recliner heart includes a housing member, a locking plate and a pawl. The housing member includes a plate surface having a first recess and a second recess. The locking plate includes a surface having teeth formed thereon. The pawl is movable in the first recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the teeth of the locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of the locking plate. The pawl includes a boss slidably received in the second recess. A first lateral side of the boss abuts against a sidewall of the second recess upon an impact event.