Front "leather" seat falling apart. Warranty issue?

I can't recall the exact thread but several others members have posted about this issue and got it resolved through their dealership under warranty as far as I know. All I can recommend is to swing by your dealership. They shouldn't have an issue with replacing your seat from what I've heard on the forums.

 

It's going to be difficult to prove they're not user-inflicted damage considering how precise the cuts are. How do you explain the dirt underneath the large cut?

 

I think the dirt they are reffering to is shown below in this picture as if something was rubbed up against the seat, causing the cuts or tears. Either way, it's going to be up to the dealer I do believe.

 

Look at your photo again. There's a trail of dirt on the side under the largest tear.

Technically, the cuts/tears/whatever you want to call them are in the vinyl, not leather. The leather is found only on the seating surface. The rest is constructed of vinyl (and synthetic leather on the center console and doors).

 

If anything, just clean the dirt before you stop by the dealership so they don't question it. Good luck, and update us on any further developments!

 

I'd get to the dealer immediately as it isn't normal wear & tear. Good luck.

 

How does the vinyl feel on the edges of the splits and near the splits? It might be defective vinyl that is too brittle and failed from normal bending. Good vinyl would feel pretty soft and flexible on the edges of a tear, it it split from a defect in material it would feel stiffer and harder than normal vinyl.

 

I agree with this. If that area is brittle then you have a good case of getting it covered under warranty. If it's still soft like on the other side it's going to be beyond difficult to prove it's not an user-inflicted damage.

 

It's obviously not cuts. The edges are too ragged. This area is often the first to suffer damage as it gets flexed a lot as you get in and out, and usually just from use, not abuse. But it shouldn't happen for at least 10 years! It can be repaired for a reasonable cost. We'll see what the dealer says.

 

you all are making me nervous since my 2010 is past its 3 years. being one of the first to get one may not be all its cracked up to be since i dont get the advantage of the heads up on possible issues but... well, hold on a sec...

ok, back. i checked car thoroughly and have to say, "blame it on the weather" probably too much time sitting out in the hot sun. due to my "EVness" i have never parked my Prius in the garage or any covered parking. guessing yours maybe result of your record breaking hot weather (which btw covered ALL 49 states with WA being the ONLY exception) we did not enjoy (current temp is 57º @ 10:35 AM)

now, i did remove the car seat which does put a pretty deep indentation into the seat cushion, but it has no cracks or whatever. but since a car seat covers it, not prone to sun damage.

i guess we need to poll where these cars are, how much sun they get and do you ever leave your sun shade open on your sun roof (i do not ever since it only makes the car that much hotter)

now mine is the dark gray so maybe we should add color in case that is a factor

 

Glad to hear they stepped up.

 

weight is not a factor. the primary driver of my Prius weighs in the 240-250 range. moisture may be it. the Puget Sound Region definitely has plenty of that!

 

You don't have much to worry about as obvious factory defects frequently appear much earlier than the 3 year mark. There's a thread in which someone reported that the entire top of the leather steering wheel disintegrated before his eyes and this is a good example of an obvious factory defect. The Prius interior is already protected from UV damage as the factory glass is treated to have at least 89% UV cut rate. Your leather is subject to the same heat whether or not a car seat covers it so you'd see any damage from heat if there is a factory defect.