Abstract: An improved recliner for a seat assembly is shown of the type having a pawl engagable with a sector gear having a cam engagable with the pawl to hold the pawl in a locked position. The recliner provides a curved camming surface on the pawl having a substantially constant locking angle relative to the pawl to ensure that the friction force available between the cam and pawl is sufficient to prevent back driving of the recliner by forces applied to the seat back. In addition, the cam contacting surface is profiled to ensure a quick release of the recliner and the cam, once released from the pawl camming surface, contacts a release surface of the pawl to positively rotate the pawl from engagement with the sector gear. The cam is rotated by an operating lever coupled to the cam by a lost rotational motion coupling enabling the operating lever to have a fixed rest position relative to the seat cushion regardless of the rest locked position of the cam.