| David Ming |
Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I've posted anything here, unfortunately this message is not positive. I have an 03' Pilot with 40,000 miles and my leather on my second row seats is cracking. Has anyone else had a problem with cracking leather? What should I do, do you think Honda will replace the leather in good faith? I would post a picture but I don't have a digital camera, Sorry.
Thanks,
David |
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| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by David Ming
Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I've posted anything here, unfortunately this message is not positive. I have an 03' Pilot with 40,000 miles and my leather on my second row seats is cracking. Has anyone else had a problem with cracking leather? What should I do, do you think Honda will replace the leather in good faith? I would post a picture but I don't have a digital camera, Sorry.
Thanks,
David
Can't hurt to try for a good will replacement. |
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| wwong |
| I've got cracks in the leather on the driver's seat. When I had the oil changed a couple of week ago, I asked the dealer about it. Since I had 50,000 miles on my '03 Pilot, they would not touch it since it is out of warranty. You might try Lexol leather conditioner, but it will only prevent further damage and cracks. |
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| David Ming |
Thanks for your responses guys. I'll have my oil changed in a couple days and I'll bring it to their attention. WWONG, do you have a picture of the leather damage that you can post? My damage is not too bad yet but I'm sure it will get worse over time.
Thanks,
David |
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| donx |
| My Pilot was bought 2.5 months ago, it has been in the show room before I bought it, so lots of people have sit in the seats already, and I noticed that the driver seat is very dry and not smooth at all and I had to treat them regularly to prevent further damage. Hopefully they will be OK in the long term if I treat them at least once a month. |
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| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by donx
My Pilot was bought 2.5 months ago, it has been in the show room before I bought it, so lots of people have sit in the seats already, and I noticed that the driver seat is very dry and not smooth at all and I had to treat them regularly to prevent further damage. Hopefully they will be OK in the long term if I treat them at least once a month.
If it is not OK, then just bring it before the warranty expires. |
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| wwong |
| Here's a pict of the cracked and worn leather on the driver's side front seat. |
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| donx |
quote:
Originally posted by wwong
Here's a pict of the cracked and worn leather on the driver's side front seat.
Wow, can't imagine for a guy like you who maintains the interior of Pilot so carefully can have such a cracked seat like this. It is obviously Honda's fault. :3: |
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| David Ming |
Well, spoke to the My Honda Service Department and asked if it were possible that Honda would grant a good faith repair. The answer, "Well Honda is real strict on their 3yr 36k warranty, its not going to happen".
That sucks, I guess I'll check another dealer just to verify. |
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| jl_ss |
quote:
Originally posted by David Ming
Well, spoke to the My Honda Service Department and asked if it were possible that Honda would grant a good faith repair. The answer, "Well Honda is real strict on their 3yr 36k warranty, its not going to happen".
That sucks, I guess I'll check another dealer just to verify.
Just ask for an appointment with the area Honda Rep. WHen you talk to him/her, make it real clear it will affect your decision to remain a Honda customer. |
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| evaneri65 |
quote:
Originally posted by wwong
Here's a pict of the cracked and worn leather on the driver's side front seat.
mine got replaced under warranty ! |
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| donx |
| here is the image of driver seat of my 2.5 month old Pilot, there were already wrinkles when I got it new, since it was in the dealer's showroom and lots of people already sit on it. |
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| donx |
| one more photo, I hope the seats will be OK in the long term if I treat them regularly. |
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| Johnlui |
Hi Donx & David Ming
My Pilot was also 2.5 months old same model & same colour that Donx had.
Mine was out from factory, only my wife and me and the delivery guy from Hamilton drove to Niagara Falls.
My Pilot leather driver seat wrincled exactly like Donx's picture.
Knowing Honda leather is not great (Honda cutting corner as I learning from this forum) but also due to my wife & me were short, therefore we get out from the Pilot, we usually slide down from the driver's seat made leather wrincles like Donx's Picture. Therefore I install the side steps DYI by myself.
Maybe if it's getting worse next year I will go to Honda warranty, whose knows different dealer differrent policy & responsibility for warranty, I will keep posted to you by then, and everybody keep posting here please....
Donx, could you please tell me what type of treat you said you treat the leather once every month ? where & how much is cost?
Thanks for your reply in advance Donx |
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| donx |
quote:
Originally posted by Johnlui
Hi Donx & David Ming
My Pilot was also 2.5 months old same model & same colour that Donx had.
Mine was out from factory, only my wife and me and the delivery guy from Hamilton drove to Niagara Falls.
My Pilot leather driver seat wrincled exactly like Donx's picture.
Knowing Honda leather is not great (Honda cutting corner as I learning from this forum) but also due to my wife & me were short, therefore we get out from the Pilot, we usually slide down from the driver's seat made leather wrincles like Donx's Picture. Therefore I install the side steps DYI by myself.
Maybe if it's getting worse next year I will go to Honda warranty, whose knows different dealer differrent policy & responsibility for warranty, I will keep posted to you by then, and everybody keep posting here please....
Donx, could you please tell me what type of treat you said you treat the leather once every month ? where & how much is cost?
Thanks for your reply in advance Donx
I just bought a bottle of leather treatment liquid spray (sorry, I forgot the brand name) from CT, costs about 10 bucks, spray on the leather seats, and wipe them clean with soft cloth. I think the leather is just like our skin, and need oil or moiture to keep them in good shape. When I was shopping, the instruction from some brands are even recommending treat them every 2 weeks!
btw, you living in Niagara Falls, I lived in that area for a couple of years 10 years ago. Mind coming to Toronto and join our Piloteer Meet? ;) |
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| Johnlui |
Thanks Donx, I will buy the leather treatment from CT means Canadian Tires.
I will make some time for Piloter meeting in near Future thanks. |
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| pilotjoe |
Johnlui,
Try this product.
http://www.autogeek.net/lexsprayleat1.html
Get both. The cleaner and the conditioner.
I've tried them on both my Pilots and I'm satisfied with the results.
I just hope its readily available in your area.
Even my local Home Depot carries it.:) |
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| mike688 |
| Hi guys, i got an 04 pilot and i got my front 2 seat leather covers replace by the dealer under-warranty. After a few weeks they come back looking the same way there were before they were replaced. There must be a permanent way of fixing this sag isn't there. |
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| donx |
quote:
Originally posted by mike688
Hi guys, i got an 04 pilot and i got my front 2 seat leather covers replace by the dealer under-warranty. After a few weeks they come back looking the same way there were before they were replaced. There must be a permanent way of fixing this sag isn't there.
Hi Mike, is your leather seat also dry and cracking? I thought it is only sagging. |
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| mike688 |
| Hi, Don my leather seats where just saggy no cracks at all. |
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| icodeit |
The second set of photo's from Donx don't look to me like cracking. It just looks like normal wear of the leather (strech marks).
This is normal, my jacket's, sofa, and car and motor bike seat all that the same type of markings. Come to think of it my mountain bike seat might have them as well.
The first set of photo's is more distrubing, these definatly seem to show flacking of the leather, not good.
Makes me wonder if I should have gone with the cloth, cause the cloth in my 99 CR-V is still in amazing shape. |
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| binrocha |
| i have an '04 & been treating/cleaning the leather with blue corral brand leather cleaner & conditioner (two separate treatment, not combination) about every 3 months, since new, so far its been trouble free (knock on wood) as far as cracking, i noticed that after treatment, the leather seems to bounce back to its original condition (less wrinkles, sagging disappears, seat area seems tighter), so i guess i've been lucky so far... (keeping fingers crossed) |
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| xlragtop |
I have a `05 Pilot with less than 2000 miles, and the front seats (bottom only) look stretched(rippled ).The longest anyone has sat in these seats at one time is about an hour .My wife drives it daily to work ,about 30 minutes total time.She weighs less than 140lbs.I bought a Chrysler T&C with 42k on it and the seats looked like brand new. I noticed that the `06 pilots have much beefier looking seats.Does anybody have a `06 with leather seats that can let us know how they are wearing?I would also like to know if there has been any talk of a TSB or recall.I know this is not a so called luxury or so called very expensive vehicle,but come on !!! Leather seats stretching at less than 2k miles.
I noticed alot of talk about leather cracking on this board,the one thing that I have learned over the years is whatever you use to clean it ,make sure it is PH nuetral(check label).If it is not you will notice it yellowing in time.One other overlooked problem child around leather is AMONIATED glass cleaner.Some leathers will get permanent white spots from this.
Bobby |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by xlragtop
I have a `05 Pilot with less than 2000 miles, and the front seats (bottom only) look stretched(rippled ).The longest anyone has sat in these seats at one time is about an hour .My wife drives it daily to work ,about 30 minutes total time.She weighs less than 140lbs.I bought a Chrysler T&C with 42k on it and the seats looked like brand new. I noticed that the `06 pilots have much beefier looking seats.Does anybody have a `06 with leather seats that can let us know how they are wearing?I would also like to know if there has been any talk of a TSB or recall.I know this is not a so called luxury or so called very expensive vehicle,but come on !!! Leather seats stretching at less than 2k miles.
I noticed alot of talk about leather cracking on this board,the one thing that I have learned over the years is whatever you use to clean it ,make sure it is PH nuetral(check label).If it is not you will notice it yellowing in time.One other overlooked problem child around leather is AMONIATED glass cleaner.Some leathers will get permanent white spots from this.
Bobby
Yea a lot of talk here about problems with the leather seats. I have an 05 and use the McGuires conditioner on it. I have about 11K miles in a year, and mine still look new. I am a big guy also and get in and out of my Pilot a lot as I tend to take a lot of shorter commutes etc. my passenger seat gets a fair amount of use also and looks like its still in the plastic on delivery day. |
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| OnHonda11 |
| I FAITHFULLY conditioned my leather on my '03 and it cracked with 40,000 Kilometers on it. The seat cover was replaced under warranty but this IS something that is going to be a huge problem for the leather in the 03-05 Pilots. If you're going to keep the Pilot long term, I would look into having the covers in the front replaced with an aftermarket leather. I know before the Odyssey's were coming in leather, it was possible to get the whole van recovered in a good leather for somewhere around $1000 USD. |
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| CMasten |
| Ill have to post some pics of mine. My baseball guys beat the heck out of it and its holding up very well. Maybe its like front end vibration issue etc.. I had an Acura TL with the worst leather I ever had in it before this vehicle. Overall I am satisfied with the quality of leather in mine, but its only been a year,so time will tell, but that is more than I got out of my TL. |
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| CMasten |
| Driver seat after a year of abuse by a 240 lb guy... |
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| CMasten |
| back seats after 3 baseball players are in and out of them 3x a week all year long, not to mention everyone else that climbs in and out of this vehicle |
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| xlragtop |
CMASTEN,
My front seats look like yours,but mine have less than 2 months on them.My guess is that these seats are made from cheaper leather that will not support the stitching for heavier padding and being stretched tighter on the frame.Does anybody know what the warrenty covers on seats?I can`t imagine they will change them every 2k.I love this vehicle,but if I new the seats were of this quality,I would have had second thoughts about buying it.For me this is a heck of a place to have a quality issue,considering it is in use every time you drive the vehicle.I am going to talk with the dealer.What kind of response from dealers has everyone had. I will let you know what mine says.
Bobby |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by xlragtop
CMASTEN,
My front seats look like yours,but mine have less than 2 months on them.My guess is that these seats are made from cheaper leather that will not support the stitching for heavier padding and being stretched tighter on the frame.Does anybody know what the warrenty covers on seats?I can`t imagine they will change them every 2k.I love this vehicle,but if I new the seats were of this quality,I would have had second thoughts about buying it.For me this is a heck of a place to have a quality issue,considering it is in use every time you drive the vehicle.I am going to talk with the dealer.What kind of response from dealers has everyone had. I will let you know what mine says.
Bobby
totally agree with you, this is a years worth of wear and tear, but if yours are starting to show this at 2 months, I would be pushing the dealer. I am curious to see how they hold up in another year. I started to treat them with the McGuires leather conditioner right when I got them. I wonder if that really helped or if I just got lucky. |
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| Mysteefied |
I bought my Pilot in April 2005 and my leather seats look just like the picture you posted. I have not yet done anything to my seats, looks like I need to get right on it with some sort of conditioner. I actually bought some, but haven't found time to use it yet. I am in my car A LOT! I drive a lot and tote teens around constantly. about the only time I'm not in it is when I'm at work. Anyhow. now I'm really nervous about the seats. I've never used leather cleaner before, do you just spray it on and wipe it off?
Thanks |
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| OnHonda11 |
quote:
Originally posted by Mysteefied
I bought my Pilot in April 2005 and my leather seats look just like the picture you posted. I have not yet done anything to my seats, looks like I need to get right on it with some sort of conditioner. I actually bought some, but haven't found time to use it yet. I am in my car A LOT! I drive a lot and tote teens around constantly. about the only time I'm not in it is when I'm at work. Anyhow. now I'm really nervous about the seats. I've never used leather cleaner before, do you just spray it on and wipe it off?
Thanks
What I said earlier is that it didn't matter for my seats with conditioning them. The driver's seat (one and only used 95% of the time) was cracking and wearing. I think it's that the leather is so thin that it wears and cracks so prematurely! |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by Mysteefied
I bought my Pilot in April 2005 and my leather seats look just like the picture you posted. I have not yet done anything to my seats, looks like I need to get right on it with some sort of conditioner. I actually bought some, but haven't found time to use it yet. I am in my car A LOT! I drive a lot and tote teens around constantly. about the only time I'm not in it is when I'm at work. Anyhow. now I'm really nervous about the seats. I've never used leather cleaner before, do you just spray it on and wipe it off?
Thanks
I use the wipes as there is no mess, you just wipe it on and then toss the wipe away. Lexol is excellent, but I dont like the smell and it makes the leather sticky for car seats. I like the scent of the Meguiars leather treatment and it dries to a nice smooth finish in a few hours. I dont know if it makes a difference or not, I do it because it makes my seats softer and I like the scent.
I can say the leather in my wifes Ody is much thicker all around, I wonder if the perforated seats is having the biggest impact here with what folks are seeing with cracking etc. Either way, Honda should stand behind it.
http://www.autogeek.net/meggolclasri.html |
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| OnHonda11 |
quote:
Originally posted by CMasten
I use the wipes as there is no mess, you just wipe it on and then toss the wipe away. Lexol is excellent, but I dont like the smell and it makes the leather sticky for car seats. I like the scent of the Meguiars leather tratment and it dries to a nice smooth finish in a few hours. I dont know if it makes a difference or not, I do it because it makes my seats softer and I like the scent.
I can say the leather in my wifes Ody is much thicker all around, I wonder if the perforated seats is having the biggest impact here with what folks are seeing with cracking etc. Either way, Honda should stand behind it.
http://www.autogeek.net/meggolclasri.html
The seat "sag" is partially due to the perferated leather, the issues that seem to be at hand are the side panels which are NOT the perferated parts. Yes Honda should stand behind this however, they feel that covering owners until the end of the warranty period is their part in coverage. In reality, they won't cover you past the warranty on good will or they would have a mass problem as everyone's leather ages. Now that I've sold my '03 and have my '06 the leather is different but it is starting to see signs of the dreaded seat sag. Time will tell whether they have improved on the thickness of the leather or whether it too will have the problem of cracking/easily worn leather. |
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| Mysteefied |
| It sounds like due to my vast inexperience with leather and leather cleaners, I might be better off to start with the wipes. Thank you for your knowledge! |
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| ricam78 |
Maybe a dumb question especially for my first post on the boards, but I just purchased an certified 03 EX-L yesterday and I added the bumper to bumper 100K mile extended warranty on it and I currently have 45,800 miles on it and the leather isnt horrible, but its got a good amount of cracks on the front 2 seats. Do you think the dealer will replace these 2 under warranty and for those of you who had luck getting them replaced, what all did you present to the dealer when you treid to get them to replace them.
Thanks for any replies.
Rich |
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| OnHonda11 |
quote:
Originally posted by ricam78
Maybe a dumb question especially for my first post on the boards, but I just purchased an certified 03 EX-L yesterday and I added the bumper to bumper 100K mile extended warranty on it and I currently have 45,800 miles on it and the leather isnt horrible, but its got a good amount of cracks on the front 2 seats. Do you think the dealer will replace these 2 under warranty and for those of you who had luck getting them replaced, what all did you present to the dealer when you treid to get them to replace them.
Thanks for any replies.
Rich
I'd say that you have to check what covers the extra bumper to bumper warranty. Secondly, I'd go back to them right away to complain about the cracks in the leather and that you want the seat covers replaced as these WILL deteriorate very quickly once they start to crack. IMHO the dealer should replace these no questions asked just as if you noticed a paint problem within the first month of owning your new truck.
Being that this was your first post on the board, I'll say welcome, congrats and of course....:needpics: show us all a picture of your baby! |
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| ricam78 |
quote:
[i]Being that this was your first post on the board, I'll say welcome, congrats and of course....:needpics: show us all a picture of your baby! [/B]
Well my worry is that I bought it used that way you know so I knew it was cracked already when I purchased it. I called another local dealer and they said to let them look at it and they will replace it no problem if it is bad enough so that is good.
And as far as the Pilot being my baby, lets just say its the wifes baby since it is her primary car since we have our first little one on the way and the previous car she had (a civic) wasnt too family oriented.
These 3 pics were taken this morning and it was a little dewey still, but I will get some better pics after this wknd when we wash it.
Rich
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_2.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_3.jpg |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by ricam78
Well my worry is that I bought it used that way you know so I knew it was cracked already when I purchased it. I called another local dealer and they said to let them look at it and they will replace it no problem if it is bad enough so that is good.
And as far as the Pilot being my baby, lets just say its the wifes baby since it is her primary car since we have our first little one on the way and the previous car she had (a civic) wasnt too family oriented.
These 3 pics were taken this morning and it was a little dewey still, but I will get some better pics after this wknd when we wash it.
Rich
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_2.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/richardcaminita/pilot_3.jpg
That looks to be in awesome shape Rich! Congrats to you and the wife. She will really love this vehicle. |
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| A6Pilot |
Rich,
Are you from New Orleans, or nearby?
Looks like your neighborhood survived Katrina pretty well. I'll bet those trees were movin' pretty well.
Best of luck to all of the residents in Katrina's path.
Nice ride! |
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| ricam78 |
quote:
Originally posted by A6Pilot
Rich,
Are you from New Orleans, or nearby?
Looks like your neighborhood survived Katrina pretty well. I'll bet those trees were movin' pretty well.
Best of luck to all of the residents in Katrina's path.
Nice ride!
Im actually across the lake from New Orleans (30 miles), but we got it bad mostly trees though since there is a lot more of them where I live compared to around New Orleans.
This is what I came back to when I snuck in 2 days after the storm.
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| OnHonda11 |
quote:
Originally posted by ricam78
Im actually across the lake from New Orleans (30 miles), but we got it bad mostly trees though since there is a lot more of them where I live compared to around New Orleans.
This is what I came back to when I snuck in 2 days after the storm.
That looks great considering.....:eek: I trust it wasn't too bad to remove the tree and fix the damage eventually. The hard part would be waiting for the rest of New Orlean's to catch up and the shortage of supplies etc. |
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| timchen |
tree can fall down without any storm.
My roomate's car was smashed by a tree branch. And then wasn't even windy. I guess it just decided to fall |
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| ricam78 |
quote:
Originally posted by timchen
tree can fall down without any storm.
My roomate's car was smashed by a tree branch. And then wasn't even windy. I guess it just decided to fall
Look closely at that tree that went through my roof. If didnt fall, but it was a 3 foot wide pine that snapped in half from the wind 1/2 way up. I would have been happy if just some branches fell. Water also got 3 feet up but thankfully when the house was built they built it 8ft up so that you can work and park under it.
Rich |
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| array |
quote:
Originally posted by donx
one more photo, I hope the seats will be OK in the long term if I treat them regularly.
hi, i have 03 EXL and the leather on driver seat was cracked when i bought it. the leather was hard and sharp for a touch. i purchase a box with lanolin. i put it on surface for 3 times, and it looks more better. now i will treat seats every months.
the leather on your seats looks new, but i thing i ve heard honda has a HQ leather used in pilot, but i dont thing so. i had a g.cherokee and the leather there was in excellent condition without any treatment. i dont like leather and all plastic panels in pilot. otherway its good. |
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| donx |
quote:
Originally posted by array
hi, i have 03 EXL and the leather on driver seat was cracked when i bought it. the leather was hard and sharp for a touch. i purchase a box with lanolin. i put it on surface for 3 times, and it looks more better. now i will treat seats every months.
the leather on your seats looks new, but i thing i ve heard honda has a HQ leather used in pilot, but i dont thing so. i had a g.cherokee and the leather there was in excellent condition without any treatment. i dont like leather and all plastic panels in pilot. otherway its good.
I have been using car seat mat for my driver seat for 4 months, I also treat the seat once a month, and now the driver seat look much better, more flat (not as saggy as before). :2:
My Pilot has been great in all aspects, the only bad complain from me is its saggy and bad quality leather seats. Using car seat mat is the only option for me to pretect it. |
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| mike688 |
Hey, Donx
Neat trick right!! using the seat mats dont look nice but thats the only way i can think of to protect the leather. |
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| yyyktk1 |
Just had my seats replaced under warranty yesterday. 2004 Pilot EX-L RES. 26,800 miles
They replace the bottom second row and the top front row. You can tell the difference in quality. The new seats are more of a matte finish and not glossy like the original. They are a lot thicker material and should wear better. The only problem is they do not match exactly but I hope to have the rest of them replaced under warranty before it expires next Aug. |
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| wwong |
| Glad to hear that. Not many dealers would replace the leather under warranty. |
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| 2004 PILOT |
| I have a 2004 Pilot, and I just got home from Mawah Honda, NJ I was told the rep from Honda said I have normal wear and tear and the cover wont be replaced under warranty. The wear on my driver's seat is about the same as in wwong's pictures. The rep did take pictures and they would be forwarded to customer relations. BIG DEAL! I am getting the rear tail gate seal replaced as it has developed a tear from not sitting properly when the gate is closed. |
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| lv2bsilly |
Hi everyone, I own a 07 Pilot w/Res that I bought in mid January this year. I just discovered what appears to be a 1 1/2 inch cut in the 2nd row seat. It almost appears like someone cut it with a knife (which I doubt) but the cut doesnt go through to the cloth under the leather. It is also in an odd spot, almost where someones tricep would be if they were sitting back there.
Reading up on the forum about the cracks/tears .. it sounds like Honda will replace the leather covers or seats under warranty. Does anyone know this for sure? I surely dont think it should do that after 1 year!! |
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| stlchiefs |
While cleaning my new (to me) 2005 Pilot I noticed various areas with a lot more wear than you'd expect on 3 year old leather.
My thinking was confirmed when I prepared to sell my old car and cleaned my 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee leather. My 10+ year older Jeep had leather that was still 2x better than the leather in my "new" car.
This is definitely a negative for Honda, whom I had come to know through experience and research to be a quality brand.
Off topic and I know it has been discussed ad nauseum, but it is very surprising the Pilot doesn't have auto lights, another feature my 1994 Jeep had! |
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