Problem with Softex seat cover

Holy Cow...

So, I had the same problem. I had my car for roughly 7.5 months, a 2016 4Runner, when I noticed the bottom of the seat fell and the upholstery had come loose. I called the dealer bc I new it was under warranty. After "fixing" it when I left my car there ALL day, I went to pick it up only to see it exactly the way I dropped it off. Called the Service Manager the next day, who had me bring it back. He had their upholstery professional look at it and repair it after I left it ALL day again. That fix lasted about 6 days...and now both sides have come loose. I call the SM again who tells me that, since it has been there 2x already, he needs to have the TFS (Toyota Field Supervisor)...who only comes to town ONE DAY A MONTH...and since he has already been there that month, I had to wait until the next month. So, I drive around for a month with it dangling on both sides. TFS looks at it and says it has had unusual wear and therefore is not covered under the warranty. I have bought 4 SUVs from this dealer in 6 YEARS!!! My cars are immaculate and NEVER show any wear! The Runner is in BRAND NEW condition...not a mark anywhere inside or out! Then the SM tells me that he will, as a goodwill gesture and a onetime courtesy, have it repaired...BUT if I drive off the lot and it comes loose, I am up the creek...that they will never tend to the issue again! The CAR WAS 7.5 MONTHS OLD!!! I have filed with Corporate! Will keep you posted, but I will NEVER buy a TOYOTA again!
 
Had to take my 2014 in for a second fix for this issue. I know this would probably be an easy fix for me but I paid for the warranty so I'd might as well use it. My Toyota dealer acknowledged this is a bad design and they've seen quite a few like this. They claimed they added a piece this time that will positively keep the cover in place but honestly, I think they just used zip-ties since I found a huge bundle after I returned home. We shall see.
 
Had to take my 2014 in for a second fix for this issue. I know this would probably be an easy fix for me but I paid for the warranty so I'd might as well use it. My Toyota dealer acknowledged this is a bad design and they've seen quite a few like this. They claimed they added a piece this time that will positively keep the cover in place but honestly, I think they just used zip-ties since I found a huge bundle after I returned home. We shall see.

Zip ties have accomplished some amazing things in the history of man. If it keeps your seat fixed, I wouldn't knock them!
 
I noticed mine did that as well this weekend when cleaning the inside of my truck. Spent about ten minutes trying to resolve the issue, and meant to search on here to see if it was just me having the issue. I'll contact local dealership to see if they can resolve this.

Any Toyota Dealership can cover this under warranty? (Not necessarily the one I purchased the 4Runner from)
 
I noticed mine did that as well this weekend when cleaning the inside of my truck. Spent about ten minutes trying to resolve the issue, and meant to search on here to see if it was just me having the issue. I'll contact local dealership to see if they can resolve this.

Any Toyota Dealership can cover this under warranty? (Not necessarily the one I purchased the 4Runner from)

I had this issue and took mine to a different Toyota dealer than where it was purchased, and it was repaired under warranty (original warranty, not an extended warranty).
 
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Zip ties have accomplished some amazing things in the history of man. If it keeps your seat fixed, I wouldn't knock them!

Yeah, if the zipties hold, I'm all for it. I'm a believer in zipties. The top rack on my dishwasher was held together by about 50 zipties for a couple years now, just replaced the rack this morning.
 
So, I had the same problem. I had my car for roughly 7.5 months, a 2016 4Runner, when I noticed the bottom of the seat fell and the upholstery had come loose. I called the dealer bc I new it was under warranty. After "fixing" it when I left my car there ALL day, I went to pick it up only to see it exactly the way I dropped it off. Called the Service Manager the next day, who had me bring it back. He had their upholstery professional look at it and repair it after I left it ALL day again. That fix lasted about 6 days...and now both sides have come loose. I call the SM again who tells me that, since it has been there 2x already, he needs to have the TFS (Toyota Field Supervisor)...who only comes to town ONE DAY A MONTH...and since he has already been there that month, I had to wait until the next month. So, I drive around for a month with it dangling on both sides. TFS looks at it and says it has had unusual wear and therefore is not covered under the warranty. I have bought 4 SUVs from this dealer in 6 YEARS!!! My cars are immaculate and NEVER show any wear! The Runner is in BRAND NEW condition...not a mark anywhere inside or out! Then the SM tells me that he will, as a goodwill gesture and a onetime courtesy, have it repaired...BUT if I drive off the lot and it comes loose, I am up the creek...that they will never tend to the issue again! The CAR WAS 7.5 MONTHS OLD!!! I have filed with Corporate! Will keep you posted, but I will NEVER buy a TOYOTA again!

Which dealer in VA was this?
 
I've got this same thing going on in the rear-middle/passenger seat. I'll be taking it in this month. Did anyone ever get a TSB number or anything on this problem yet?
 
I'm having this problem. Took my vehicle to the dealership this afternoon. After about 20 minutes, vehicle was returned 'good as new.' The techs apparently did the same 'fix' I've been doing; As soon as I had someone sit on the seat, the cover came undone again. I'll be bringing it back in for this issue at my 20k mi service. I bought the extended warranty, and will exercise it to the fullest.


2016 SR5P 4WD Super White
Bilstein 5100 @ .85
Nokian Rotiiva AT 265 70 17
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Had to take my 2014 in for a second fix for this issue. I know this would probably be an easy fix for me but I paid for the warranty so I'd might as well use it. My Toyota dealer acknowledged this is a bad design and they've seen quite a few like this. They claimed they added a piece this time that will positively keep the cover in place but honestly, I think they just used zip-ties since I found a huge bundle after I returned home. We shall see.

Zip ties have accomplished some amazing things in the history of man. If it keeps your seat fixed, I wouldn't knock them!

I had the same problem on my 2003. I took the seat out and used heavy duty zip ties to fix the problem. That lasted 3 years until I sold the 2003. I hope my 2015 TEP doesn't do the same, but I know I can fix it myself rather quickly if it does.
 
Nope. Got a 16 TRD and it looks like I had the problem since the truck was new its just i didn't notice it until 2,000 miles.

I have a 2016 Limited brand new. This issue appeared around 3000miles. Have had it to Beaverton Toyota in 4 times to fix the issue. They have reinstalled the original seat clips, they have even installed a new seat cover and it today, i noticed has come off again at 13000miles. It is the passenger side rear 60% seat. Very disappointing in this, as it was my first new car purchase and largest purchase. I have been dealing with Toyota Care for months on this... the last "fix" they said was to use zip ties. Yet this failed. So, i will call again tomorrow and see whats next. Very disappointing.

Has anyone else had the continuation of this issue?
 
This problem reared its ugly head again. 2nd row SofTex is flapping in the wind, for the umpteenth time.

Probability of successful repair by the dealer at this point has approached zero, even with assistance from Toyota factory reps. The incompetence is astounding. Or is it an incompetent design?

Will take to an auto interior place for evaluation.
 
Just chiming in to say that I've been reattaching the bottom of the rear seat since the car was new (last year).

Going in for my 20k service this week and I've put it on the dealer's radar. Hoping they'll be able to do the service and fix this in a prompt fashion!


I had the same issue. Dealer fixed it but it wasn't a trivial reattachment. They had to order in a new set of clips or something that weren't aligning
 
I found a different Toyota dealer with an interior specialist. Service advisor said they used metal clips instead of the plastic channel inside the lip of the SofTex cover. So far, so good after 4 days.

My recommendation, if you have this issue, would be to call around and find a dealer with an interior professional to reduce the number of recurring incidents.
 
I have a 15 TEP, was having the same problem with the rear passenger seat. I took the whole seat for closer inspection and found that the plastic clip was not properly cut in several places where it needs to be cut due to the metal frame. I just took a pair of heavy scissors and cut small segments of plastic where it was interfering with the metal. I then tucked it back in and it seems solid now. Wish i had taken pictures, but it really is a simple fix if you take the seat out. You wouldnt be able to do this with the seat in place in the truck due to the awkward angles.

I like this idea, or the zip ties. Thanks. We've had our 2016 Limited in 4 times to have this fixed. Thankfully we didn't make special trips to the dealer for it, just coincided with the free maintenance appointments. Frustrating though. It's a little thing, but annoying nonetheless.

They fixed it the first three times, then ordered an entire new seat bottom the fourth time. Every time it comes apart the same day or next day.
 
Just bought a 2015 sr5p and noticed a few days after the back seat hanging. I don't have a warranty I'll be trying to tuck the seat back myself
 
Remove the seat bottom, pull the bottom off to expose the rail and clips....I used Gorilla glue and some clamps to re-attach the plastic clips...let set for 12 hours and reassemble. The softex material has a fabric backing and the glue expands as it sets up and permeates the fabric backing. Mine has held for three years with 150lb+ teens climbing in and out of that seat


<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2a95jc7" target="_blank"><img src="http://i63.tinypic.com/2a95jc7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

So basically pull the big bulky bottom off by unscrewing and removing it, then with the exposed Clips do I attach them to the Rails with Gorilla glue then let them sit for 12 hours? then put the bulky bottom back on? Is there a point where you have to turn and tuck the Softex leather in to make it fit snug then put the bottom back on? (sorry about the massive photo)
 
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2a95jc7" target="_blank"><img src="http://i63.tinypic.com/2a95jc7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

So basically pull the big bulky bottom off by unscrewing and removing it, then with the exposed Clips do I attach them to the Rails with Gorilla glue then let them sit for 12 hours? then put the bulky bottom back on? Is there a point where you have to turn and tuck the Softex leather in to make it fit snug then put the bottom back on? (sorry about the massive photo)

Having this issue as well, going to give this a shot.
 

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