The "Cracked Seat Panel" MEGA Thread

Wow. After reading all these posts regarding the seat trim, I'm going to look into my state's lemon law. At least in Ohio a lemon is a new motor vehicle that has one or more problems, covered by the warranty, that substantially impair the use, value or safety of that vehicle. The problems must occur within the first year or first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Maybe your state has similar laws. Best part, if successful, you don't pay any attorney fees.

In my younger years, my practice started with lemon law and ventured full blown into product liability. I'm retiring this year but, I might finish off by breaking one off in Toyota if it does not address this problem for owners.

 

Good luck. As you know, all the legal teams are paid to extend the game not close a claim. Many are contract legals services so if you follow the comp flow, nothing about it supports satisfaction. NTSB issues or dealer license issues in a given state are about the only thing that will force them to move. Carvana getting shut down in a few states for not delivering titles is an example. On essentially a trim piece? That's a long road.
Many cars have had trim issues and the customer just had to live with it outside of warranty. A few that come to mine- Sticky switch gear on Ferraris, Maseratis, and Jaguars. Shrinking leather dashes on Ferraris. Broken center arm rests on Range Rovers to name a few. In all cases, the customer was told to pound sand 1 day or 1 mile out of warranty.

 

I'm going to get my truck fixed, warranty or out of warranty. It's what I do for a living....I can hold out as long as need be. Jurisdiction in my county is my workplace.

 

When you do get your new piece, I would seriously consider finding a way to increase its strength from the backside before putting it on.

 

JB Weld & popsicle sticks oughta do it!

 

While I agree the seat trim could be better, good luck thinking your going to Lemon Law a truck on a plastic seat trim cover that is purely cosmetic.

 

Logical

 

Well, It happened! Saw this the other day and took it to dealer. Replace but back ordered. Truck is 9 months old

 

I also had a non-functioning blind cross traffic center right rear; a ripped CV boot left; and a non-functioning right turn signal. I only had 75 miles on the truck. When the seat trim goes, and I hope it doesn't, I'll chalk it up to great engineering and QC by Toyota. Warranty covered the three issues. I'll get Toyota to pay for the seat trim when it happens.

 

Here's mine. Been this way for almost a year. Just realized it should be covered under warranty right after I ordered a replacement cover. Put a call in to the local dealer to see if they'll fix under warranty before I do anything with the part I ordered. If anyone is looking for the SR5 manual seat base part number, here it is...
71812-0C232-C0 Shield Front Seat Panel $71.35

 

I called made a claim, was notified within days the dealership was ordering the part

 

The Good Enough attitude of Toyota USA engineers. that whole lot of them needs to be fired!. my Japan made 4 runner ZERO issue, my 12 years old RAM no issue. Huge regrets should have bought another RAM

 

Same issue they ordered parts. Supposed to be in next week. Hopefully its an improvement.

 

2023 platinum purchased in April, 8k miles

Had the same thing happen this week, 3 white lines with a crack visible when you push in (thought it was dog fur at first).

Called the dealer to get in line to order the part. Truck has been to them for numerous other issues and we are on a first name basis at this point. They put in the order for the part to hopefully have in for my 10k service without me even having to bring the truck in. While this truck has been tough, the dealer has been amazing even though I bought the truck elsewhere out of state.

Dealer said they already did another one this week and toyota has an "updated" part with a small metal support beam in the middle which will hopefully be the final fix.

 

Add me to the growing list of those with a cracked panel. I thought mine was a fluke till I came across this thread.

 

My second replacement seat panel just came to the dealership. The recall to replace a plastic fuel tube that could cause a fire has no replacement available yet.

I have owned 1st year Toyota products before and had no issues. I have had more issues with this model than my six previous combined. They did not do their homework when they put this vehicle out.

 

The new Tundra Chief Engineer mentioned on this YouTube video that he has noticed "witness marks" on his driver side seat panel while discussing the cracked seat panel problem.

Exclusive Interview: New Toyota Tundra Chief Engineer and Sequoia Too - YouTube

 

Well just noticed my seat tris is cracked too. At first I thought it was a little scratch but sure enough it is splitting. 2024 TRD Pro 8700 miles.

 

Spotted my first “scratch” today at 2800 miles

 

Lol sorry 2023

 

Mines still holding up after 5k but I’m sure it’s jinxed now. Sidebar conversation: has anyone considered getting in normally and not flying in like a ufc fighter?

 

Has anyone actually compared their cracked panel to a replacement panel to see if Toyota has improved the part?

Matt

 

Add me to the list as well… 2023 with 11,972 miles.

 

Just wow ! ... wonder if this will continue with the 1500 limited edition saddleback seats ?

 

Seat panel ordered this morning. National back order - unknown ETA. Service Manager shared new redesigned panel. Too me at this point, not worth getting upset about this as long a Toyota recognizes the issue and comes up with a working solution.

 

Today I had a second one repaired at the dealership. The part was free, but I had to deliver the broken part. I did not want to risk of breaking it and let them do it for $99.

I have complained to Toyota--I don't know if that will be of any use.

Currently there is only one part number.

These are pictures of the damaged part. It is broken in two locations, only one break appeared on the outside.

 

I just had my second one replaced today. So 3rd panel on a 22’ with not quite 30k. Both of them under warranty. It’s not that big of a deal, although I hope they come out with a stronger one. I thought the second one was better but now that I have experienced it, it was the same. If they want to keep fixing it then I will let them.

 

It might work on yours. On mine all of the seat controls are on the side and they would be dangling.

 

In case people didn't see this. The Toyota guy says they are aware of it and they are working on a fix, it just takes time.