The "Cracked Seat Panel" MEGA Thread

You would think after all the panels they have replaced, they could figure out how to make one that doesn't break. I am on my 3rd driver seat panel and my 2nd passenger seat panel.

 

My thoughts are the panels are not flexible enough. They need to be made of a softer material to flex when exiting the vehicle. The problem would be that the switches would need to probably drop a slight bit for this to happen.

 

Knocking on wood. 1 year in my 24 SR5 original seat panels on both seats. Slide in and out like normal.

 

Dropped mine off this morning and the service person didn't hassle me. Admittedly I did come on a bit strong out of the gate expecting hassle: "I expect this to be covered under warranty since it's happened to thousands (who knows, made up the amount) of owners and there is even a TSB for it". think the tsb is 22-23's and mine is a 24 but whatever.

him: "if we have the part in stock we will get it done".

Either working under the "take care of the customer" or possibly just seen so many of them by now?
Will post back if they actually replace it. Anyhoo it's the Mega thread so it must go on...

 

Done and no hassle, replaced with the "updated part"... think that's giant air quotes but still, it's fixed for now.

 

I had mine replaced for the first time. I bought my truck used last year but have an 84 month B to B warranty.

The replacement panel installed, I believe will never crack. It is very rigid. Nothing like I recall the old one being. I can’t flex this one at all.

Anyone else have a more rigid panel installed?


Mike

 

Yes, I'm about to have my second more rigid panel replaced...it DID last longer than the 2 first iterations did, before breaking, though.

 

Mine just cracked yesterday, 2024 with 22k. Calling dealer this morning, hoping they fix it under warranty.

 

As long as you are under 36K miles there should be no problem.

 

Has anyone heard of this problem in 2025 MY?
You would think a couple would have been reported by now if still an issue.

 

I "updated" mine with a thru-bolt and a nut. Seems pretty solid now.

 

Do you have pictures? Thank you

 

No unfortunately. There is a small screw that is installed towards the front from underneath the seat. That is where mine broke. I took the other screw out.(accessible from the rear) Flip it down and drill a hole from the inside using the broken part as a guide. Put a suitable machine screw and nut on when you reinstall it. If you are OCD you can get a little cover for the screw head at Lowes or Home Depot in the hardware section.
I am short and slide across it every time I get out and so far it is holding up.

 

Junior from The Yota Channel just posted an instructional video on this specific issue:

 

That looks so easy, if mine ever cracks, will just get part and do myself.

 

Does anyone know of a company making an aftermarket seat panel that holds up longer? My 2022 is cracked and I just used some zip ties and a thin "bungee" chord to hold it in pace and be flexible. It looks ok and I can still access the seat controls at least

 

Cracked mine today 2025 TRD with 25K km on it .... taking it to the dealer tomorrow.



Dealer said: Yes its covered under warranty ... (silver lining after all)

 

Need to start thinking my egress posture.... many are saying use the darn grab handle & slider ... instead of sliding.

 

My last one looked exactly like yours. The first two weren't completely broken away this bad, just a couple of stress splits in the same area as this. I can kind'a see my first couple breaking from me being a fatboy. I've lost around 75lbs since then and the last 2 have been replaced with the "new and improved" panel that still breaks at 225lbs.

 

Guess I didn't take into account I am 6'1 Canadian at 240lbs .... thought I was buying a Truck & it would be a little more solid ?

 

That’s how mine broke, I put duct tape on the plastic to keep from ruining the seat until the dealer can get it in!

 

Like this?

https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-cracked-seat-panel-mega-thread.113252/page-16#post-3716189

 

Amazing how much your panel crack resembles the OP’s

And, why is this still happening in 2025s???

 

This is my simple mod to keep the seat panel from cracking. Mine always cracked in the same place as this one
I JB welded my crack
Then I found a 1x4 board I had lying around and sanded it to a curve.
I used double stick tape to affix it to seat frame under thigh bolster. Curved side towards center of seat





I reinstalled the panel. You can't see the board, once panel is installed. I've been purposefully sliding off the thigh bolster to get out of truck for two months and 2000 miles. I would think since the JB Weld is stiff and the seat panel flexes that it would have re-cracked. The crack hasn't returned. The thigh bolster does feel a little stiffer, more like my sport car seat. When I get back home in October, if the crack hasn't returned, I'll get a new panel.

 

According to a recent Tech Tip (T-TT-787-25) released by Toyota, if the panel keeps cracking in this area, it is due to improper installation.

 

This last time was the only time it was installed improperly. That's why it cracked the second time I sat on the seat. The previous 3 times it was installed correctly.

 

Just informing any others who come across this thread.

 

Doesn't seem like it can be installed wrong being such a simple piece. Obviously you can't show the full tech tip, but curious if you can describe what Toyota thinks is being done wrong?

 

There is a clip that is being forced above where it should be below, hence cause fatigue in the plastic.

 

The new replacement panel I received weeks ago is way more sturdy. I am being more conscious of exit strategies, but feel it may not be necessary. It is tucked into the seat more than before.