Premature Driver Seat Wear?

[1engineer]

I did indeed have a bag on the passenger seat, it must have been in the perfect position because I always set my bag there, some times my bag plus groceries and this was the first time it ever happened.

I wear normal blue jeans regularly, the material is pretty smooth not a "rough" jean, the deformation is like the crumple shown in the white 4runner but not early as bad at this point. I think the lift made the existing problem even worse in that case.

When I traded my SR5 in with 66K miles for the TE my seat looked similar to the one in the pictures, though not quite as bad.

The problem with trying to get warranty on something like this is it will be a judgement call the dealership will have to make. The warranty is bumper to bumper except wear items, and the seat is a wear item, so there will be no consistency to resolution. A guy in Kansas might get warranty and a guy in Florida will be told to pound sand just because it is a grey area.

I personally am not bothered by the creases that occur in the side of the seat as they are never seen except when opening and entering, and every one of my 30+ new vehicles of all makes and models over the years have done this to some extent including leather. Now, ripped fabric or worn threadbare would be cause for concern but to me I accept this as normal. I mean, 250 lbs sitting on something is going to cause compression, which will cause wrinkles eventually. Anyway, good luck!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

When I traded my SR5 in with 66K miles for the TE my seat looked similar to the one in the pictures, though not quite as bad.

The problem with trying to get warranty on something like this is it will be a judgement call the dealership will have to make. The warranty is bumper to bumper except wear items, and the seat is a wear item, so there will be no consistency to resolution. A guy in Kansas might get warranty and a guy in Florida will be told to pound sand just because it is a grey area.

I personally am not bothered by the creases that occur in the side of the seat as they are never seen except when opening and entering, and every one of my 30+ new vehicles of all makes and models over the years have done this to some extent including leather. Now, ripped fabric or worn threadbare would be cause for concern but to me I accept this as normal. I mean, 250 lbs sitting on something is going to cause compression, which will cause wrinkles eventually. Anyway, good luck!

The compression isn't my biggest concern but rather the stitching. That and the discoloration. My concern is also increased because of how quickly this is starting to happen. I think you are right, I think the dealership is the big variable. So hopefully I can get on their good side and just let them know my concern so if it continues at it's current rate it can be replaced before the warranty expires.

While I have never had this specific issue, I have had previous vehicles wear the outside upper bolster became severely worn. I need to talk to them at service about the lumbar support anyways. I know it's supposed to have been addressed by my model year but it feels "loose" thats the only way I can describe it. When pumped up it's fine, and when completely off it's fine, but if you just use a little it doesn't feel stable.

These concerns stated, I still love it, and none of this stuff is any sort of big deal.

 

[eddiebx]

The compression isn't my biggest concern but rather the stitching. That and the discoloration. My concern is also increased because of how quickly this is starting to happen. I think you are right, I think the dealership is the big variable. So hopefully I can get on their good side and just let them know my concern so if it continues at it's current rate it can be replaced before the warranty expires.

While I have never had this specific issue, I have had previous vehicles wear the outside upper bolster became severely worn. I need to talk to them at service about the lumbar support anyways. I know it's supposed to have been addressed by my model year but it feels "loose" thats the only way I can describe it. When pumped up it's fine, and when completely off it's fine, but if you just use a little it doesn't feel stable.

These concerns stated, I still love it, and none of this stuff is any sort of big deal.

I think you're approaching this situation the right way--by bringing it to their attention very early and keeping a record of it, in 3 years it won't seem like you're just trying to squeeze a new seat cover out of them before the warranty is over.

Hey you never know, maybe it's just the initial wear-in, since it's much easier to detect wear compared to a pristine seat cover. Let's hope for the best for now

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I think you're approaching this situation the right way--by bringing it to their attention very early and keeping a record of it, in 3 years it won't seem like you're just trying to squeeze a new seat cover out of them before the warranty is over.

Hey you never know, maybe it's just the initial wear-in, since it's much easier to detect wear compared to a pristine seat cover. Let's hope for the best for now

Yeah if this is the worse thing that happens, I will be doing extremely well.

It's certainly not as bad as my window motor going out on my 2001 Mustang on 9/11/01 while waiting in line to get gas... couldn't run the ac and it was HOT! Followed by the dealership ordering the passenger side motor which is different than the driver side motor and then waiting for a new one to be ordered.

 

[TOY2G]

I have a 2013 SR5 with clothe seats, and no running boards. I try very hard to step into the vehicle and lift myself up and on top of the driver seat but my leg still rubs on the side of the seat bottom. I have noticed that this section is starting to wear very fast in comparison to the rest of the seat.

Now I'm sure running boards would help, but I'm not sure if I want to buy them due to cost and I really like look of the SR5 without running boards. It's not a huge problem now, but I just hit 4k miles today and the seat is showing enough wear that I'm sure towards the end of the bumper to bumper warranty it's going to annoy me.

What are the chances that I can get the seat cover replaced under warranty? I feel like I was sold the vehicle in it's current state, and I shouldn't have to make changes to keep the seat bottom from wearing... It's strange because my wife had a 1997 Camry when I met her, and thos seats were both comfortable and tough as nails very thick seat cover material and strong stiches...

Same issue here, we just got a 2013 (about 5k miles)and the seat is (for lack of a better term) frayed a bit and show very noticeable creases. I will post pics this evening if i get a chance.

 

[Wade_660]

Mine is showing wear at 30k miles. Dealer says there in nothing that they can do about it as it is normal. I have an 08 silverado with 85k that shows no wear at all. Kinda ironic

 

[Jayhawk5G]

:gossip:

Mine is showing wear at 30k miles. Dealer says there in nothing that they can do about it as it is normal. I have an 08 silverado with 85k that shows no wear at all. Kinda ironic

I would try another dealership... these seats are wear items, but so is an engine and if you had a catostrophic failure at 30k they would be replacing the engine. I know that's a big example, but that's the whole point of the bumper to bumper... if something "wears" out prematurely be it a window motor, a radio, etc. it gets replaced.

I don't expect the seats to last forever, but when dropping over $30k on a vehicle I do expect them to last longer than this.

 

[phillyd2]

Mine was do to <cough> other circumstances just please don't tell Mama Toyota, but yes - they took care of it anyway. :hiding:

 

[look171]

Thanks, taking the day off and its on my agenda. I will report back tomorrow evening.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I've seen it before on a lot of new cars, and it will happen but not this early. I have a 2003 & it has a tiny hole on the drivers side seat, not sure what from because I bought it used, and put some seat covers on it. The seat covers aren't the correct style for the seats, so the seat covers are being squished toward the inside of the seat and it is wrinkling the sides, but it isn't a big deal because I plan to eventually buy some leather seats because they're easier to clean. I saw a 2013 Ford Fusion with the whole side of the seat ripped :jaw drop:

 

[look171]

Well, they laugh me out of there. told me its just simple wear and tear. There is no wear on the leather but the foam underneath is completely dead. Looks like I have to bite the bullet and replace it on my dime down the road.

Oh, they can't fine the clicking noise from the lumbar support now that's in the dealer. the tech told me, if they can't hear it, then they can't warranty it. Pisser.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Sorry to hear that. I think at this point it comes down to how much time you want to spend on the issue. If you time is worth more than just paying to fix the seat, than it might be the best choice.

I'm still going to have them document my concern at my first oil change. I'm loving everything else about my Toyota. Does Lexus use higher quality leather in the GX460?

 

[1engineer]

Sorry to hear that. I think at this point it comes down to how much time you want to spend on the issue. If you time is worth more than just paying to fix the seat, than it might be the best choice.

I'm still going to have them document my concern at my first oil change. I'm loving everything else about my Toyota. Does Lexus use higher quality leather in the GX460?

Yes. Seats are not the same though so seat covers are not interchangeable.

Edit: They were not in the 460 I rode in a few days ago. Leather was nice though.

 

[TOY2G]

I have a 2013 SR5 with clothe seats, and no running boards. I try very hard to step into the vehicle and lift myself up and on top of the driver seat but my leg still rubs on the side of the seat bottom. I have noticed that this section is starting to wear very fast in comparison to the rest of the seat.

Now I'm sure running boards would help, but I'm not sure if I want to buy them due to cost and I really like look of the SR5 without running boards. It's not a huge problem now, but I just hit 4k miles today and the seat is showing enough wear that I'm sure towards the end of the bumper to bumper warranty it's going to annoy me.

What are the chances that I can get the seat cover replaced under warranty? I feel like I was sold the vehicle in it's current state, and I shouldn't have to make changes to keep the seat bottom from wearing... It's strange because my wife had a 1997 Camry when I met her, and thos seats were both comfortable and tough as nails very thick seat cover material and strong stiches...

here is a pic of my 2013 with about 5k on the clock. the seat looks worn, the threads look stretched, and the fabric look frayed. FYI my wife drives this not me, she is roughly 140lbs.

I don't think a 4 month old truck should look like this after 5k miles.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

here is a pic of my 2013 with about 5k on the clock. the seat looks worn, the threads look stretched, and the fabric look frayed. FYI my wife drives this not me, she is roughly 140lbs.

I don't think a 4 month old truck should look like this after 5k miles.

I 100% agree with you. That is exactly what mine is starting to look like, mine was purchased 9/12 and has 4,200 miles. The discoloration is roughly the same, as is the stretched stiching... the creases are not as bad. While your wife weighs much less she is probably shorter and so she may sit more on that section as she trys to get into the vehicle, I can negotiate over it but my leg still rubs.

I will just keep my fingers crossed that Toyota works with me on this. Like I have said previously, I love this truck but this is the most expensive vehicle we have ever purchased and I expect the quality of the seat to be better.

 

[eddiebx]

I hate you guys, I went out to look just now and sure enough I see the wear you're talking about. A little bit less noticeable than what [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] posted but still there. The strange thing is, it's the passenger seat and not mine.

But here's what confuses me...my wife is in the car 50% less than me, and we both step in and out using the slider. I don't think it's a weight issue either since she's much lighter than me. Maybe it's time for me to tell her to start sitting in the backseat This is on an approximately 6 month old 4runner with the fabric seats.

 

[1engineer]

I hate you guys, I went out to look just now and sure enough I see the wear you're talking about. A little bit less noticeable than what [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] posted but still there. The strange thing is, it's the passenger seat and not mine.

But here's what confuses me...my wife is in the car 50% less than me, and we both step in and out using the slider. I don't think it's a weight issue either since she's much lighter than me. Maybe it's time for me to tell her to start sitting in the backseat This is on an approximately 6 month old 4runner with the fabric seats.

Compression is the cause. If you go to the Toyota website and look at the interior pics from the side you can see the wrinkles on the driver's seat too!

 

[look171]

It isn't the leather, at least not too much on my seat but the foam underneath. The foam is dead and very, very soft unlike the other side of the seat. Once pressed, you can tell the difference for sure.

 

[ZO6_Vette]

Even if you repair it later on your own dime it will come right back unless you use some aftermarket or custom materials.

I have not inspected our SR5 yet but my 10 Corolla with 65K on it shows no wear on the seats. You would think that Toyota would use better quality material on a higher class vehicle.

Do the Trail seats fair any better?

 

[cbreze]

My Tacoma with 80k on the clock before I sold it to get the runner had pristine looking seats. My runner with just over 3k is starting to show as indicated by the pics in this thread. Not at all bad yet, but not going to be trending well probably.
Is this a fifth gen issue only? Or earlier models also. How about the leather seat package?