The "Cracked Seat Panel" MEGA Thread

This reminds me of the Ford dealership I used to go to when I owned my '13 F150. Back defroster glass malfunctioned *THREE* times.

They told me - get this - that "The *defroster* is under warranty...but it's permanently mounted to the back glass, which is *NOT* under warranty."

I'm a pretty mellow guy and a Christian. I say this because even considering those two things...it took everything I had in me to restrain myself from saying "You cannot be f****** serious." LOL

Anyways...it took me about 12 minutes and my cell phone to discover the actual issue.

I told the guy "Put an H behind the part # you're using."

He does..."Oh, teehee, I was using the part number for the UNHEATED back glass. It's covered! "

 

same happened to me. this is usually a sign that your seat panel will eventually crack. after hearing that noise for a month, it stopped later. then a few more months I found a crack. for some reason the clips that hold the panel have too much tension and will eventually give. call Toyota Brand Engagement Center and they will tell you how to handle a warranty claim with your dealer if this happens. always ask for a email stating you talked to them about this warranty claim and have them send it to you and the service manager of your dealership.

Toyota Brand Engagement Center
Call 1-800-331-4331

 

I have an issue with my driver's side seat that is a bit different, but worthy of disclosing here. After picking up my TRD Pro last week, I drove 35 miles to home. Upon getting out of the vehicle, I heard a ripping sound and immediately thought of the issues stated here by others. When looking, however, instead of finding a seat panel issue, I have a problem with the seat itself. There is an indentation larger than a golf ball in the seat, and also another spot where the seat fabric is creased. I immediately sent photos to the dealer and they will be ordering/replacing the seat cushion. I'm just hoping this isn't something that's going to appear on other seats as well once I have passengers.

 

Definitely frustrating. I’m having the same issue. Waiting on that recall notice…

 

It’s a design flaw that I hope Toyota fixes

 

…more like we HOPE there is a recall notice.

chances are it gets fixed and incorporated into regular production and the folks with issues either get a free fix (dealer dependent) or pay out of pocket and leaves with a bad taste in their mouths.

 

I have this and Toyota of Greer in Greer, SC said it was not covered under warranty. The service tech said they would talk to the Manager, but I waited right next to the desk for the entire appointment and they never left their service desk or called the Manager. Pretty ridiculous, so I’m reach out to Toyota directly.

 

I doubt you will see a recall for this...it is not safety related. At best there will be a TSB on the fix and covered under warranty. You will have to have the problem to get the fix. A recall means they fix or replace something inside or outside warranty whether failed or not because it is a safety issue.

 

I traded up a 22 Limited TRD OR Dec 22 build for a 23 TRD Pro. The 22 seat panel was flimsy and had developed a noticeable line from it flexing. Brought this to Dealers attention and of course told non issue.

The 23 TRD Pro panel is a different story. At least twice as thick. Makes you think Toyota redesigned the panel from what I'm seeing.

Would be interesting to go to the dealer and look at a 23 on the lot and then ask the service department why the 23 seat panel is designed so much better? Put them in a box so they can't talk there way out of the difference and defective 22 panel.

 

And...our 2023 1794 build Nov 11 has a metal bracket (behind of course) on the front side of that plastic piece. Not like the pictures I've seen of broken ones. I agree that it's likely fixed. Just don't know the build when that started.

 

Sept 2022 1794 build here, plastic piece under the driver seat looks pretty thick and sturdy

 

I guess the ‘good news’ is Toyota is listening/responding (though not publicly and not to admit guilt or culpability).

The bad news is those of us who have or are likely to experience the problem (earlier builds) will either be lucky to have a responsible dealer to help us get it replaced at no charge or we will be unlucky and left out in the cold.

 

Recalls for non safety issues happen all the time.

 

I think it’s about to happen smh.

 

Yikes, I have a 2023. with manual adjust. truck is 2 weeks old. and notice getting out the panel "makes" the cracking sound. looks like soon it will happen to me

 

If it were me, bring it to the dealer and have it documenteded. Get a copy of that and see what they feel the fix is.

 

Do you have pictures of what the panel looks like, especially how it's attached to the seat? Just curious how it compares to the power seat version.

 

sorry for delay here is Pic
Above looks like SirSwish32 getting cracks already on a manual Seat

 

Not to derail the thread but is that red leather piping on your seat custom to the XP package or did you do something like Katskinz ?

 

Here is a 2023 1794 seat. Notice the metal bracket going from the seat frame to the front of the plastic side piece. I guess that this is improved over the 2022's.

 

No problem! I actually got Katzkin leather installed.

 

Good to know. I’ve been watching for the issue in mine.

 

Mine was cracked to hell, but they replaced at no charge and the replacement is much more robust.

It would be worth to do some bitching to the dealer and see if they will fix it.

 

my truck is 4 weeks old with 411 miles, yesterday in the area described above I can see the stress the plastic (Very faint, but starting) is having. and cracking and popping sound returned every time I get out.
Im sure in 6 months it will be more noticeable. will 100% advise dealership at the first oil change. to keep as record

 

Update, escalaed my situation to Service Manager at my local dealer and they replaced seat panel side. I asked him if Toyota had re-engineered the side piece or if it was the same part and he said it was the same. Here was a view of how bad mine had gotten before it was replaced… it started the same way that The ones in the photo in this thread started.crack started at about 3k miles and was like this by 7k. Granted there was one specific time where I got out of the truck and it caught on my jeans and pulled it pretty good.

 

Well. Finally took my truck in on Tuesday for the hesitation TSB and had them look at the cracked seat panel while I was there. At first technician said it was just a scratch. Then I told him if he flex it you can see the crack, they verified it was cracked and submitted to Toyota to see if it was warranty. Got call back today and was told Toyota won’t warranty it and it’ll be $250 to replace. Part is about $130. Rest is labor. Guess I’ll just wait for a TSB or replace it myself for half price in few years when it get worst.

 

Anyone here know if the leather seats wrinkles are covered by warranty? I only have 8k miles and I hate how the leather is getting.

 

usually thats is solved by not sliding on the seat while getting in/out of the truck

 

I too, had the issue with the driver side plastic panel which resulted in the plastic brackets holding the part in place broke. Dealer is replacing the part however that doesn’t repair the problem. This should be recalled to replace with a more durable part. It’s simply made of poor quality and requires a permanent resolution and not a temporary fix. And more importantly when it happens again (and it will) will Toyota continue to replace each time even after the warranty? It’s faulty and needs to be recalled.

 

I got denied at the dealer last week for exactly this despite saying I have seen it from a significant number of owners - they said they are putting in an "FRP" with Toyota. I have no idea what that means but they said if they hear back they will let me know. Not holding my breath.