Cracked seats?

[chucker6]

The leather on the driver's seat of my 2000 3.2 TL has cracked in several places and the dealer is claiming that this is not covered by the warranty. I have never had this happen before, not even on my Triumphs and MG's at this age of service. Anyone know how I can best appeal this? Thanks! Chuck Medford, Oregon 2000 TL

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[AcuraTL]

Take a picture and show us. If it is due to wear and tear, the warranty does not cover for that. However, if it shows it was a defect, they will cover it under warranty.

[chucker6]

How is the best way to post these photos? Will the list accept jpg files?

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by chucker6
How is the best way to post these photos? Will the list accept jpg files?

go to imagestation.com and sign up for an account.

[chucker6]

Here is the link to photos of the seat back at Ofoto. Let me know if this link doesn't work, customer service at Ofoto swears it will. These cracks, apart from the piping on the seat bottom, are in low wear areas, which makes it all the more puzzling to me. As I work in hospital administration, it's not like I have tool belts on either!

I had a Volvo Turbo for 12 years and 144,000 miles in Alaska before it's leather seats started to show this kind of wear, and my '95 Ford SHO leather seats were like new when I sold it after 5 years and 40,000 miles, so I know that leather is normally durable. This looks like cheap leather to my biased eye!


Your perspective is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck
2000 3.2TL

[chucker6]

Oops, let's try that link again:

http://www.ofoto.com/ShareLandingSig...03.42160854703

[AcuraTL]

Originally posted by chucker6
Oops, let's try that link again:

http://www.ofoto.com/ShareLandingSig...03.42160854703

It requires people to sign up an account we can view all the photos. You can link the photos from there to here. Just do:

{IMG}and copy and past linke here{/IMG} Just replace the {} to []

[chucker6]

Hopefully this will work. The first picture is of the seat back, on the outer edge of the driver's seat, near the shoulder. The 2nd picture is of the lumbar (lower back) region of the seat back, also the driver's seat. What do you think?

Chuck


http://www.imagestation.com/album/ac...d%3D4290819387

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?i...ulation_page=Y

[AcuraTL]

You know what, my sister's Accord V6 had similar cracks, however, hers was on the side of the seat and even thought her car's warranty had expired, Honda sent a representative out and looked at it and agreed it was a defect and replaced it.

For your seat, unfortunately, it is within where you would sit and it probably falls into the category of (wear and tear). I've had my TL for 4 years now and my seat is still brand new. Do you put conditioner on your seats? If not, you should definitely think about it.

[chucker6]

I'll work my way up through the Acura ladder. No way is this normal wear and tear, unless Acura compares itself to a Yugo. I've never had this problem on any other car (or motorcycle) with leather seats at less than 10 years. FWIW, I do use Mother's leather cleaner and conditioner, and I have an office job, so the seat's don't get abused by dirt, rough clothing etc. The problem appears to be an extraordinarily thin (cheap?) leather surface.

Chuck
Medford, Oregon

[AcuraTL]

You might want to try another dealer and see if they are willing to send a Rep out from Acura to inspect it. Or better yet, you should bring your TL to a upholstery place and get their professional opinion as to why the leather was cracked. Good luck and keep us posted.

[BigRi]

My RL is cracked and torn at the side edge of the drivers seat. This is not due to sitting in the seat but rather getting in and out of the car. It doesn't matter how hard I try, I always rub against this area when entering the car. Since this is obviously a design problem, do you think Acura should be responsible for it?

[AcuraTL]

How is it a design problem and why do you think Acura should be responsible for it? If alot of the RL leather seats are getting torn at the same spot, then yes, I can see why Acura should be responsible. However, if only a handful are getting this defect, I highly doublt Acura will cover it, especially due to wear and tear.

[BigRi]

It is nearly impossible to get into the car without rubbing this spot, I am not a large person, I am 5'8" and about 170 lbs., however, I have to work my body around this area of the seat to get in every time. Seams like a design problem to me, did Acura not concider the amount of space needed between the steering wheel and this section of the seat? Or was my car designed to drive itself, because in that case, I should maybe sit in the passenger seat, no wear there. I condition my leather every month, use a sunshade every time I park and keep great car of my interior. As it was said earlier, I have seen other vehicles twice the age of my car with leather that has no rips or tears in it. I love Acura, but I feel that they fell short in this area.

[AcuraTL]

Why don't you take a picture of the area you are talking about and show us?