Utterly disappointed in toyota
 

-begin rant- My drivers seat is looking pretty sad in many of the areas where my body makes contact with it. Kind of faded and the nap of the fabric is worn looking. Kinda looking sad. I'm 5'7" and a little overweight at 47 years old, but I do not "stress" the seat. Anyway, I took it to the dealer I purchased it from, and the service writer agreed it looked pretty worn for a car with 31000 miles on it. It will be three years old on August 3rd, so I want to take advantage of the 3/36 warranty for the month I have left. Service writer says the service manager will need to look at it. He was hesitant at that point. So I ask if he can get the service manager to look. He agrees and walks away. He comes back with an awkward look on his face and says, "she says Toyota doesn't cover wear and tear." She didn't even look at it and made the determination. WTH? He tells me that I should call Toyota about it. Toyota tells me Toyota doesn't cover wear and tear, and that I will have to have the service manager make a determination on the seat. During my dealer visit The service writer told me they got burned a little while back on a $1700 interior upholstery claim, so she (service mgr) is considering that in her determination. I am not hard on my seat, I'm not sweaty or smelly, I keep my interior immaculate, and I don't go in for every rattle or other little stuff. It isn't like I am beating on toyota's warranty door every chance I get. Also, we all knew the interior was cheap, but damn!
I remember having the discussion with the sales person at purchase time about how the seats look like they will wear fast. She told me not to worry- "we will take care of you!" She was very knowledgeable about the car, and still sells there three years later. I figured she was pretty solid. Her response when I told her what was happening was, "time for leather!" I'm pissed! I would at least like the courtesy of the lazy service manager to get off her effing ass and look at my damned car before saying no. We are literally getting ready to buy my wife a car. We were considering a small list of smaller SUVs, including Toyota, but now I don't think so. Gonna probably buy a Mercedes GLA or GLC. Toyota can keep their highlander!!! -end rant-

So to be clear, your disappointed in your toyota dealer, not toyota vehicles. Also, seat wear is almost always going to be considered regular wear and tear unless there was some total failure like it won't lean forward anymore or another type of total breakage. Not saying that you expedited the said "wear and tear", but shit gets old and eventually shows it. They can't tell if you wear studded jeans or sweat like a pig, and they aren't going to accuse you of it. Im not surprised they aren't going to hold your hand on something like that either...

Seat covers or reupholstery are in your future?

Hi there, twag4 .......:)

That's a shame your seat is not wearing well.

Maybe if you could post a picture or two so we could compare the wear with our seats to see if it is unusual.

Meanwhile, you may consider making an appointment with the General Manager or owner of the dealership to see if they would make a good will exception.

As a backup plan, you might stop by an auto upholstery shop to get a repair estimate (then see if it bugs you that much).

I hope a frayed seat doesn't distract from your summer driving pleasure.


humfrz

The first two replies to OP are like a poster for douchey vs helpful responses


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14 hours a week. Almost 50k miles a year. Going on two years. In and out about 10 times a day. Covered in snow in winter and sweat in summer. Smoke, eat and drink in the car. Seat looks pristine and I haven't even considered cleaning it.

Cataracts?

They "snuck up" on me too. :)

And how many farts?

That is probably it. I over cared for it! :D

Okay, Twag.

Picture time! :thumbup:

Well, OK, but what about your back seat ........ ??..... :D


humfrz

Yes I am disappointed in Toyota! They actually told me to have the useless service manager, who I had just explained wouldn't even come see for herself. I literally wasted a half hour to be told no by someone who did not even look at the seat. The dealer is just a reflection of corporate policy in this case. They got burned once before, and now she cannot be bothered to even come take a look. And then Toyota's customer service wants me to go back to her to have her make a determination? Are you for real considering that a dealer problem? Even if I drug my ass in and out covered in sweat, that would be dirty, not worn the eff out. Even the service writer said it was unusual wear. And 2years and 11 months with 31000 miles is hardly old. I drive 20 miles round trip per day to work. I haven't gotten in and out enough times for this kind of wear. I had a 1996 Nissan pickup that I drove for 17 years straight, that had cloth seats that looks brand new the day I sold it. You have exceptionally low expectations for your money, huh? And also, I remember a Toyota in the 80s and 90s who backed their products unquestionably. They are suffering from General Motors disease. They believe they are too big to fail. They have a humongous facility they built in Mississippi that sits useless because of that attitude. Even General Motors will replace carpet and upholstery if it wears too quickly. Yes, to be clear, Toyota is disappointing. I will not be considering a Toyota product for my wife's new vehicle. She by the way drives a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder that has 195500 miles and the seats look really good. My less than 12000 miles a year little car has an ugly drivers seat due to wear (and stupid red wings). They covered it with a black t shirt. Yup, Toyota is disappointing. I will upgrade to leather in my future, but sooner rather than later. Wasn't planning on having to do it before the worthless warranty ran out though. If it wasn't this car (rear wheel drive lightweight fun mobile), I wouldn't even have considered the thing in the first place. Stupid scion didn't even offer us a better upholstery option. Now they are dead. Toyota really did their homework on that great idea huh? Toyota is disappointing!!!

The pictures I have tried to take just are not showing the fade as well as I had hoped. More than anything I just wanted to vent to a sympathetic audience, but apparently I'm a dumbass for thinking it strange that seat upholstery is worn out after less than three years and 31000 miles because I sit in it. I over estimated the good will of ft86club I guess. Thank you for your thoughtful post though humfrz, I always enjoy your and Tcoat's input. You guys are the real deal!

Uncountable

My what?