The "Cracked Seat Panel" MEGA Thread

While I admit its seems the likely culprit is shit manufacturing, I wonder if also the individual method of egress can be influencing the frequency at which we are seeing this issue. I am 6'4", 220, on my second Gen3, with running boards, and have not had the cracked panel.

 

I'm 6'4" 250. I don't care for running boards because they tend to get beat up on some of the trails I run. I've owned a 2008, 2015 and now a 2023 Tundras. I never had a cracked seat panel on my previous 2 Tundras. In fact, I never had a single failure of any interior part in those 2 trucks.

I was aware of this problem before purchasing my 2023, so I've made a conscious effort to not put my full weight on the edge of the seat. My legs are long enough to step in and out without sliding on and off the side of the seat. Didn't matter, my seat panel cracked anyway.

In the grand scheme, it's certainly a first world problem. But it's still annoying.

 

I got the upgraded part 2 weeks ago and it definitely feels stronger then the one that cracked .

 

Does this happen with the manual seats too?

 

yep...poors arent immune to this

 

I had my truck in today for the fuel line and tonneau recalls. I asked the service adviser as I was dropping off if they would warranty the seat and he said yes. They just put the 4th one in 2 years!

 

So, this suggests to me that the rumors that Toyota redesigned the panel to be more durable aren't true.

Can anyone confirm either way?

 

I can say the 3rd one lasted the longest and did seem much stronger, but it still broke. Lasted much longer than the previous 2, about 30,000 miles. We will see how this one does. If I can get another 30k out of it, maybe by then they will either get one that works or the aftermarket will supply an aluminum one.

Original = swapped out at 8k
Second= swapped out at 12k
Third= swapped out at 22kish
Fourth= swapped out at 53k

 

I'm 6'1 140lbs wet and mine cracked. It's just a crappy design. There needs to be a metal support behind the top of the panel. These damn trucks are made of plastic and fairy wings

 

I am EXTREMELY disappointed with Toyota. After waiting 6 weeks for my new panel for the drivers seat, it was finally installed today. When I picked it up I noticed a small white star (picture 1). Four hours later the seat made a huge CRACK and broke again. Toyota quality is JUNK!!!

 

That has to be very frustrating to say the least. I wonder if they forced it on during the install?

 

I had something similar happen on one of my four replacements.

 

That’s weird that it cracked in that spot. All the pics I’ve seen, and what happened to mine, is a crack on the top of the panel.
Perhaps they did reinforce the panel of top and now the stresses are concentrated in the area where yours cracked.

 

Mine cracked on a 2023 1794 about a year ago. Since then I've been getting in the truck by using my left hand to grab the A pillar grab handle, then swinging my body into the seat. Was awkward at first but now it's second nature. That way I don't put any, or hardly any, pressure on the outer left of the seat and hopefully won't crack the replacement panel. Plus since we have small cushions on the front seats (we find the OEM seats are a bit stiff on the butt) so landing on the seat vertically rather than a horizontal slide doesn't mess with the cushion.

I don't know if the new panels are stronger....maybe I should go back to the old way of getting in with the hope of testing the panel. If it breaks again then hopefully I'd get an even newer/stronger one. Who knows...

 

You paid $70K for the truck! You should be able to get into the rig any way you want without worrying about breaking it. Toyota should be ashamed that they haven’t solved this problem yet. It can’t be that hard…

 

This is true. At this point I'd say I'm 50/50....the old way of getting in was fine and what I've done for decades. The new way is fine too and I'm used to it now. But you're right, at $70k one ought to be able to get in from a hand stand if they want

 

Mine cracked today, I noticed the hairline and pushed it just a little to see what it was and bang, the thing cracked! Coincidentally my door panel creeks like crazy when I grab the handle so I had planned to take it in for this, now I have 2 poor quality interior items to hopefully not fight the dealer about!

I also just bought a new GX 550 for my wife from their Lexus dealer (same owner) so I really open this gets taken care of. The Lexus is built night and day to the tundra, the interior is solid as a rock. The tundra feels weak in a lot of spots. Shows the difference in manufacturing, the Lexus is built at the famed Japanese Lexus plant, tundra I think was built in Alabama!

 

Assembled in Texas

 

Mine cracked this week also. I never really payed attention until now but it’s not the way I get in but it’s the way I get out. I have automatic running boards and to get my foot on the board I have to put a lot of pressure right where it cracked, I’m 5’11 210 pounds. I really don’t see any way around this. They ordered a new one but I might just save for when i trade because unless they redesign the new one it’ll crack also.

 

I agree. I am on my third one on a 2023. Its how the door opening is in relation to your seat position If you are tall and sit with your seat back, you pretty much need to be a contortionist to get out without putting some weight on it. My buddy has one and he has had 2 crack and he weighs 165. So weight is not the issue. Besides, the competition does not have that issue.

 

So, it appears by the number of 2024 Gen 3s with this same problems that we can safely say Toyota has made no effort to redesign this part.

I've only cracked one at around 19.5K miles. The new one only has around 500 miles of butt time on it. If it cracks, I will attempt to reinforce the next one, first, then do the install myself.

I'm thinking a coating of structural epoxy on the inside of the panel where it typically cracks might make it more durable.

 

My first one cracked at about 14 months. The second one cracked the afternoon I picked it up. I'm on my third one and the Service Advisor said if it happens again, "it will be registered with Toyota", whatever that means. He seemed to imply they would do "something" different, but based on what I am reading, there is nothing they are doing! I guess I will file for a lemon law claim!

 

Just had mine replaced for the second time. Thankfully still under warranty (2022). Was a little annoyed at the dealership saying it was how I get in and out. Sorry not acceptable. We have an Acura ILX that is 2” off the ground and I practically have to fall into it and no issues. I’m 6’2 and 220lbs but this shouldn’t happen on a pickup. Not to mention the hundreds of trucks I’ve used on construction sites that don’t have cracked seat panels.

 

Mine cracked at ~ 22K Mi. I'm 6'2" 185. Truck has the OEM lift so the seat has to bear my full weight when i get in an out (though i have started using the a pillar handle more as @Paul Moll described).

Both the seat panel and fuel line parts are on backorder so will be awhile before it gets fixed, but the service manager was not surprised by it and gave no pushback on warranty coverage.

 

Just cracked my second one. This is beyond annoying.

 

I don't really see any way around cracking it. The issue is getting out. It's easy enough to pull yourself up and over getting in. But to not put pressure on it getting out requires a monumental effort.

 

OMFnG

I noticed the horizontal mark today on my seat panel. I thought at first, the seat panel crack syndrome. I pushed all around to try to make it flex or change in any way to prove that is what it was, and nothing. I chalked it up to a scratch. I was skimming through the board tonight, and thought... let's look at this thread to see what the fuss is all about. And on page 1, I saw it!


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

When I first noticed mine I thought it was just a scratch and like you, poked and prodded to convince myself. But that soon changed when the "scratch" grew longer and one day I heard a snap and it became obvious.

 

Has anyone had the passenger seat panel crack? My wife has a nasty habit of letting her butt slide across the see to get out rather than using the running board on my gen 2.5.