As mentioned prior, the effect of a non-functional recline could be degree from the row behind.
If yours was the window seat, little impact as only that seat behind would be affected, not your own.
Had yours been the aisle seat, then the egress of the entire row behind is at stake, rending the town behind inoperative, in addition to the seats from your aisle seat towards the sidewall.
Different operators have differences in interpreting the impacts of the recline in these cases.
Be aware, cabin crew are (usually/sometimes) not aware of specific limitations imposed by the MEL (Master Equipment List) which lists any allowable defect items on board your aircraft. Engineers or pilots need to refer to this document to ascertain if and how the defect can be accepted prior to departure.
When faced with any equipment which is broken, please always advise cabin crew and ask them if they are aware of this, if not can they inform cabin supervisor (who usually has a bit more knowledge of contents of MEL) or in turn the pilots.
Let the pilots make the judgement call on whether to use the seat, row behind, etc, in accordance with the document available to them to refer to limitations in cabin furnishings.
In the inadvertent event something should happen during the flight they (the pilots) are ultimately responsible and thus will be held accountable should they in any subsequent investigation have been found to have failed to refer to this document and record the defect accordingly prior to departure or have it rectified depending on airline policy.
I would commend your actions for following this up with the airline involved.