A vehicle seat includes a torsion bar that biases a seat back toward a seat bottom about a pivot axis when in a loaded condition, thereby providing a return force when the seat back is in a reclined position. The torsion bar has a transverse portion that engages a stationary hook. The transverse portion of the torsion bar is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the seat pivot axis so that the torsion bar remains engaged with the stationary hook during twisting motion of the torsion bar that occurs with increased torsion bar loading.