| Jaxsen |
| I have an '05 and noticed today that the seat has a crack in the leather on the side of the driver's seat. Its right at a wrinkle or crease. Anyone else had this problem? And was it warranty covered? |
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| rc620 |
quote:
And was it warranty covered?
It should be, but it's a coin toss whether or not it will be covered. There's no consistency in the way Honda honors their obligations. |
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| s6skuzy |
| will pull up a lot of discussion on this topic. We just took our 04 in and the dealer ended up replacing both seat covers because they couldn't get them to match. Dealer stated we were under the 3/36 war and still covered it. It was in multiple times for this fix, but the dealer ending up making it right. |
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| Jaxsen |
| Thanks for the info. It goes in Monday so I'll kepp you posted and my fingers crossed. |
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| s6skuzy |
| and they had a difficult time matching up the color. The drivers seat and back was replaced. The match was horrible and even the headrest didn't match. They ended up replacing the seat, back and headrest, but that didn't match the passenger side. So they replaced the passenger side covers and headrest also. After three times in, it was ok. Almost wished I left well enough alone, but it was to late for that. All in all, I'm satisfied but its doesn't fit like the original (close now after some wear). |
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| hkeiner |
I have a 2006 Pilot EXL with NAV. The material at the seam along the left side of the driver's backrest was starting to pull apart after about one year. I think that this is where the side airbag is. It looked like the failed material is man made (i.e., vinyl rather than leather) and the tension on the seam was more than the material could handle. We brought the Pilot to the dealer yesterday to have them take a look at it. They immediatly said that they would fix the seat by replacing the seat cover. They ordered a replacement cover, as they did not have one in stock. I was pleasantly surprised that they agreed to fix the problem under warranty without any hesitation.
Of course, I won't know that all is well (or better) until the seat cover is replaced. Further, I don't know if this will be a problem again in the future if the design of the seat cover is such that the vinyl will fail again. Previous to the Pilot, I had a 1993 Nissan Quest with ALL leather seats. The Quest had 180K miles on it and the leather was still holding up after all those years. I fear that the Pilot's NON-ALL leather seats won't last nearly that long. |
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| JoePilot05 |
| I have a Sage 05 with the exact same problem and had the seat bottom replaced yesterday under warranty. No hassle and is a perfect match. My Pilot has 35,780 miles. |
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| Jake1221 |
| Just curious, and not implying anything, but those with leather problems - did you clean and condition the seats regularly? |
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| ericsgr |
quote:
Originally posted by Jake1221
Just curious, and not implying anything, but those with leather problems - did you clean and condition the seats regularly?
That is a good question. Thanks to this site, I knew about the cracking/sagging leather thing before I even got my '05 and subsequently went out and got Lexol cleaner and conditioner and literally put it on day 1. And have used it religeously every three months. In between that, I have the Lexol wipes and use those too. I think you really need to condition the hell out of the seats and be diligent about it. My Pilot is 2 years old and my seats still look pretty damn good. Leather seats are a lot of work............but it is worth it.
Sorry to hear your seats are not holding up though. I hope the dealer does right by you. I think Honda is VERY aware of the "leather problem" by now. |
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| JoePilot05 |
| I use the Zaino leather treatment on my seats religiously and I too thought that I was keeping the problem in check. The seat bottom where your butt rests held up fine. The problem, as Jaxsen describes, is where the side of the seat cushion flexes when you sit on it. I hope yours does not crack but if it does you will see how ridiculously thin the coating of leather or vinyl (whatever it is) really is. It is paper thin coating over some sort of material. |
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| SD_GR |
quote:
Originally posted by ericsgr
That is a good question. Thanks to this site, I knew about the cracking/sagging leather thing before I even got my '05 and subsequently went out and got Lexol cleaner and conditioner and literally put it on day 1. And have used it religeously every three months. In between that, I have the Lexol wipes and use those too.
We have the gray leather and I too have the Lexol cleaner and conditioner. I'm glad to hear you like them.
Questions:
What colour is your interior?
What parts of the seats do you use the Lexol on? Are the backs, sides, and headrests in all 3 rows leather (I don't think so but I'm asking, I've searched and not gotten a description)?
If they are not leather, can I use the Lexol stuff on all the seat surfaces anyway (in other words, will the Lexol harm vinyl or pleather or whatever they're using)? |
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| ericsgr |
| Yep, I have gray too. I know the headrest, back of the seat etc. is not leather. It is just the seat and the seat back (IOW, the parts that touch your body) are leather. I use the Lexol on all of it though. It won't harm the vinyl at all. Don't forget your steering wheel is leather too. So I do that too. |
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| SD_GR |
quote:
Originally posted by ericsgr
Yep, I have gray too. I know the headrest, back of the seat etc. is not leather. It is just the seat and the seat back (IOW, the parts that touch your body) are leather. I use the Lexol on all of it though. It won't harm the vinyl at all. Don't forget your steering wheel is leather too. So I do that too.
Thanks, that's great to hear!
Say, while I'm asking... Do you ever notice a small movement in the driver's seat attributable to the electric seat rail? I asked the service person, who is quite competent IMO, and he said he could change the rail for me if I want but that he thinks it's normal. It's a slight occasional movement. Ever notice anything, accompanied by a tick?
My wife doesn't care, I'm overfed so that may be part of it, plus I'm compulsive and that could also be part of it (and I could always wait since it's only got 8K miles on it and warranty is at 36K for this stuff anyway) but I'm curious.
Also, have you considered a gray dash cover? The ones our dealer has fit quite decently, though you have to cut out the center piece up top near the glass for the sensor, and they do cut glare and heat. |
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| ericsgr |
No, never noticed any movement in the seat. I don't think anyway.....
Does the bottom of it slide back or the upper part tip back? Might just as well have them check it. Something might not be tightened properly or attached properly. Not only annoying but could be dangerous.......you never know.
No, never thought about a dash cover. Is it fabric? How does it stay on the dash? |
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| SD_GR |
I've had them check the seat and although the customer service rep said there was nothing loose, the initial reason I had the seat looked at -- a more pronounced back/forth motion -- disappeared. I spoke to the service person who drove it with me coming along for the ride, and he said there will be a slight movement but that's due to the electric seat rail. He offered to change it if I like, but since I could no longer feel anything back then, I left things as they were. I now notice a faint "click" and a slight movement but much less than before, and only sometimes.
I think if it gets worse I'll let them know and ask for a replacement rail, but otherwise I'll let it go at least until warranty is almost up, especially since my wife doesn't notice (and may think I'm a bit off...).
The dash cover is a carpet-like material that attaches to the dash via velcro stickers. One firm that makes them is DashMat, but there are others also. Figure less than $40 all said. I think the colour to match the gray interior is "smoke" but that depends on the particular brand. Ours is fine and was simple to place.
Thanks again! |
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| Jaxsen |
| I've noticed a slight movement in the seat also SD_GR. Its almost like the bolts are loose or something. When I accelerate I feel a very small amount of movement. But its hard to locate where its moving. I can't get it to move by pulling on any part. I will have it checked when they check the seat crack later this week. |
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| SD_GR |
I used Lexol for the first time over the weekend and found it really made a difference as far as getting the seats clean and supple. Amazing how much grime can accumulate. I'll continue using it. Is there a "too often" limit for Lexol or can I use it once a month or so without issue?
I am almost certain the movement I sometimes feel in my seat has to do with the electric fore/aft rail itself. It isn't easy to reproduce and does vary depending on the seat angle and seat position too. Not too worried at this point, particularly since my wife doesn't notice it and it's her Pilot etc. |
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| Nathan @ NBO |
| Make sure you smother that outside side of the seat, notorious place for cracks. Is using Lexol on the steering wheel recommended? Never put anything on my steering wheel but would think it might get slippery (hazard). |
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| ericsgr |
I use the Lexol at least once every two months.........sometimes more. I dont think using once a month would be a bad idea the way the seats in the Pilot seem to have trouble. I use it all the time and my seats are pretty soft and look great after two years.
I use it on the steering wheel too. It is a leather cover on the steering wheel of the EXLs. The steering wheel will not become slippery after using Lexol. Actually, right after using it it gets a little sticky feeling........but it goes away quickly. |
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| Jaxsen |
| Lexol sounds popular. Where can I pick some up? |
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| ericsgr |
| I get Lexol at a local pet supplies place...........might want to check there. It is used primarily on horse saddles. Hardware stores often carry it too. Or you can always get it online. You can often get good deals on ebay on it too. |
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| SD_GR |
quote:
Originally posted by ericsgr
I use the Lexol at least once every two months.........sometimes more. {SNIP} ...
I use it on the steering wheel too. It is a leather cover on the steering wheel of the EXLs.
OK great thanks. It's IMO important to note that the instructions on the back of the conditioner spray bottle differ from those on their website, as on the website they say to wait 30 minutes or so before toweling off the excess.
I use it on the steering wheel too, no problems at all. Nice product IMO. |
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| ericsgr |
| Here is a pic of my seats after two years of use. Some wrinkles here and there but all in all........not bad.........trust me......Lexol works!! :p |
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| ericsgr |
WOW!! I guess I jinxed myself by singing Lexol's praises and underestimating the crappiness of the Honda leather. This weekend, while on a long trip I noticed the leather on the side of the driver's seat (you actually have to crouch down to see it) on the left side of the seat has small cracks opening on a creased area.
Really upset about this as I said..........I have put Lexol on the seats RELIGEOUSLY since day 1.
So, by using Lexol I guess you lessen the chance of having problems with your leather seats but Honda's sh@#$tty leather will prevail in the end. :mad:
Really NOT happy about this. I guess I will see what the dealer says at my next oil change. I still have 1 year and 10,000 on the warranty. |
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| SD_GR |
| Is the affected area visible in your photo or is it lower than what's visible in your photo? |
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| ericsgr |
It looks exactly like prijo's problem on the vinyl portion of the seat in this thread (only mine is a bit smaller):
http://www.hondapilot.org/forums/sh...ht=drivers+seat
I am not sure what to do. If I take it to the dealer they are just going to recover the seat on the driver's side but it will probably just crack again. I am wondering what it would cost to take it to an upholstry shop and have them do the bolster on either side with real leather..........I think that would
hold up longer.
This is upsetting to me because as I said I have been religeous about putting conditioner on there and taking good care of them. I plan on driving the Pilot for a loooong looong time. At this rate the seats will NEVER hold up through the years :( . |
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| plchan |
| My honda has the gray leather. I am going to pick up few bottles of Lexol and going to do treatment. |
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| plchan |
Should I get both of them?
Lexol-pH Leather Cleaner
Lexol Leather Conditioner |
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| ericsgr |
Yeah, you should get the cleaner and conditioner. I am on the fence to tell you to not bother though. I have busted my behind putting it on the seats and look where it got me.
I am really starting to become very dismayed by the fit and finish of the Pilot. I work so hard to keep it looking great and it's to no avail :( |
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