Driver's seat leather flaking off. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chevyderek72 · 05-23-2017, 04:30 PM

So just over 3 weeks ago I was cleaning my car and applying some Adam's Polishes leather conditioner and noticed something going on with my driver's seat. At first I thought it was dirty but realized that right around where my left love handle would be the leather is wrinkled. In the wrinkling the leather is flaking apart and shows a different color which is how I noticed.

Not a big deal I figured I would go to a local Chevy dealer and get it replaced. Vehicle is a 2014 2LT purchased 10/2014. Vehicle was purchased new with 700 miles on it in the Phoenix, AZ area. Vehicle now has just over 30k miles on it. All other leather his in perfect condition and never had a problem. But this one small section is flaking apart.

Took it to the dealer in northern AZ where I now live and they brought the vehicle back immediately stating they might not be able to help me. Mind you I've been to this dealer before for my work vehicle and it was frustrating to say the least. He comes back a while later stating that it is not under warrant and considered wear and tear. They're clearly very busy/understaffed and he tells me that he isn't pushing me away but he needs some time to look for a TSB to fix it. I ask him how long I should expect and he says a few days.

A week later I still haven't received a response so I drive in. Same service guy see's me and says he will be with me in a minute. A good 15-20 minutes later after going to speak to the service manager he comes out and gives me their paper stating it's wear and tear. He tells me that he can't help me and to call the GM customer service number to ask for help. He also admitted he forgot about me and didn't do anything in that week but did it all when I got there. He tried to tell me to go back to the original dealer to see if they'll eat the cost.

I call the GM number two weeks ago and the guy says he will get back with me after contacting the dealer. I'm not super happy because the dealer pushed me away from the beginning and now they're going to be the determining factor. I get a call a few days later from another GM rep stating they took over the case.

Two weeks after contacting GM the rep calls me back and says that they can't cover the 500 dollar bill because it's wear and tear. She stated that since the dealership said it's from getting in and out it's considered wear and I'm stuck with the bill. I asked for a manager and they'll call me in a day or two.

My wife used to live in Las Vegas and I would make the trip from Phoenix as much as possible. So a lot of my miles are on the highway.

I'm completely shocked this wouldn't be covered under the 3 year/36k mile bumper to bumper warranty. Whenever I try to clarify because it doesn't make any sense to me all I get is the usual "it's wear and tear". Has anybody run into this before or provide me with any advice?

HyperV117 · 05-23-2017, 05:20 PM

Mine's doing that too. I've been treating it with some Meguiars leather conditioner. It doesn't seem to be the best quality leather.

splashlog48 · 05-23-2017, 07:35 PM

It's Definitely wear and tear !!

chuckie669 · 05-23-2017, 07:47 PM

Sorry bud, looks like wear to me as well. I'd be more pissed about the service than the problem at this point

1bad1/le · 05-23-2017, 08:08 PM

Dealer warrantys manufacture defects . That right there is wear and tear.

Avenging Orange · 05-23-2017, 11:24 PM

Thats why I have a generic AutoZone seat cover on drivers seat.

KaBoom1701 · 05-23-2017, 11:43 PM

But it's a dry heat......

You live in AZ....it's hot out there.

Just buy a new seat and move on.

chevyderek72 · 05-24-2017, 10:35 PM

To me it just doesn't make sense that a car is to last at least 100k miles per power train warranty but the seats can't take a 185 pound guy getting in and out for a third of that.

You guys are right I'm just going to have to deal with it or replace it on my own. Oh well I guess, more disappointed with GM in general than anything. Definitely not going to get the "upgraded" yet delicate leather next time.

Thanks for the input guys.

ron123 · 05-25-2017, 08:55 AM

My seat RIPPED near that same location OP shows.
In my case, it was due to the seat heater on High weakening the material; heater element runs right under this area also.
Documented in this thread and replaced under warranty:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480946
It is not that difficult as a DIY (if have done this type work before), the tricky part is getting out all the hog rings. One-piece OEM seat back material costs about $250 new.
Cover slips on and plastic channels snap in along perimeter with many hog rings in center area as documented in thread above, also has zipper on back perimeter.

Most leather seats these days are leather on the seating/easily view-able surfaces only.
The leather material itself is very thin, with a cloth type backing. The outside surface seems to be covered with a coating of clear urethane like material that can wear/crack/flake off over time. Did some research on how leather seats are made and many do have a clear outer coating put on the leather by the factory that manufactures the cover. My opinion is that it is important not to use any cleaning or treating products that can break-down the protective layer - mostly I keep an eye on it for any signs of drying out and lightly wipe it down with a barely slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Here is a photo of the rip in my seat - and the thread above shows the warranty replacement:

Reichler · 05-25-2017, 09:36 AM

That's what happens with leather as it wears and ages on high contact areas that get rubbed a lot while entering and exiting a car. Nothing out of the normal there at all.

Junior · 05-25-2017, 11:26 AM

Never had a leather seat that didn't wear right there. Expecting the dealer to cover that is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.

sherob · 05-25-2017, 11:38 AM

I have a 10 year old Honda Ridgeline... heated leather seats... still look relatively new. Why? They didn't use cheap ass leather.

Reichler · 05-25-2017, 12:48 PM

I will add, the quality and content of the leather used in mid-grade/priced cars over the past decade has really declined. Hell, the only leather in a 5th gen is the seating surfaces of the front seats. Everything else is pleather.

My 2005 GTO has full leather everywhere whereas my 2013 Camaro only has the front seating surfaces in leather. Pathetic, but oh well.

Need to jump to higher priced performance cars and luxury cars before you'll get a decent leather anymore.

05-23-2017, 04:30 PM	#1
chevyderek72 Drives: 2014 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Posts: 11	Driver's seat leather flaking off. So just over 3 weeks ago I was cleaning my car and applying some Adam's Polishes leather conditioner and noticed something going on with my driver's seat. At first I thought it was dirty but realized that right around where my left love handle would be the leather is wrinkled. In the wrinkling the leather is flaking apart and shows a different color which is how I noticed. Not a big deal I figured I would go to a local Chevy dealer and get it replaced. Vehicle is a 2014 2LT purchased 10/2014. Vehicle was purchased new with 700 miles on it in the Phoenix, AZ area. Vehicle now has just over 30k miles on it. All other leather his in perfect condition and never had a problem. But this one small section is flaking apart. Took it to the dealer in northern AZ where I now live and they brought the vehicle back immediately stating they might not be able to help me. Mind you I've been to this dealer before for my work vehicle and it was frustrating to say the least. He comes back a while later stating that it is not under warrant and considered wear and tear. They're clearly very busy/understaffed and he tells me that he isn't pushing me away but he needs some time to look for a TSB to fix it. I ask him how long I should expect and he says a few days. A week later I still haven't received a response so I drive in. Same service guy see's me and says he will be with me in a minute. A good 15-20 minutes later after going to speak to the service manager he comes out and gives me their paper stating it's wear and tear. He tells me that he can't help me and to call the GM customer service number to ask for help. He also admitted he forgot about me and didn't do anything in that week but did it all when I got there. He tried to tell me to go back to the original dealer to see if they'll eat the cost. I call the GM number two weeks ago and the guy says he will get back with me after contacting the dealer. I'm not super happy because the dealer pushed me away from the beginning and now they're going to be the determining factor. I get a call a few days later from another GM rep stating they took over the case. Two weeks after contacting GM the rep calls me back and says that they can't cover the 500 dollar bill because it's wear and tear. She stated that since the dealership said it's from getting in and out it's considered wear and I'm stuck with the bill. I asked for a manager and they'll call me in a day or two. My wife used to live in Las Vegas and I would make the trip from Phoenix as much as possible. So a lot of my miles are on the highway. I'm completely shocked this wouldn't be covered under the 3 year/36k mile bumper to bumper warranty. Whenever I try to clarify because it doesn't make any sense to me all I get is the usual "it's wear and tear". Has anybody run into this before or provide me with any advice? Attached Images

05-23-2017, 05:20 PM	#2
HyperV117 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: CA Posts: 360	Mine's doing that too. I've been treating it with some Meguiars leather conditioner. It doesn't seem to be the best quality leather. __________________

05-23-2017, 11:24 PM	#6
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Thats why I have a generic AutoZone seat cover on drivers seat. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

05-23-2017, 11:43 PM	#7
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,631	But it's a dry heat...... You live in AZ....it's hot out there. Just buy a new seat and move on. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

05-25-2017, 08:55 AM	#9
ron123 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,053	My seat RIPPED near that same location OP shows. In my case, it was due to the seat heater on High weakening the material; heater element runs right under this area also. Documented in this thread and replaced under warranty: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480946 It is not that difficult as a DIY (if have done this type work before), the tricky part is getting out all the hog rings. One-piece OEM seat back material costs about $250 new. Cover slips on and plastic channels snap in along perimeter with many hog rings in center area as documented in thread above, also has zipper on back perimeter. Most leather seats these days are leather on the seating/easily view-able surfaces only. The leather material itself is very thin, with a cloth type backing. The outside surface seems to be covered with a coating of clear urethane like material that can wear/crack/flake off over time. Did some research on how leather seats are made and many do have a clear outer coating put on the leather by the factory that manufactures the cover. My opinion is that it is important not to use any cleaning or treating products that can break-down the protective layer - mostly I keep an eye on it for any signs of drying out and lightly wipe it down with a barely slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Here is a photo of the rip in my seat - and the thread above shows the warranty replacement: Attached Images __________________ 2014 2SS/RS, Z28 CAI and High Wing Spoiler, ZL1 5.1:1 Ratio Short-Throw Shifter, ZL1 Pedals, ZL1 splash guards, NPP Dual-mode quad tip exhaust, Z28 strut tower brace, Camaro LED Cup-holders with footwell Lighting option, Leather visors, and Leather E-brake boot. Chevy dealer sponsored 67 retro SS nose stripe package. Last edited by ron123; 05-25-2017 at 10:07 AM.

05-23-2017, 07:35 PM	#3
splashlog48 Drives: 2011 Green SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CleveBurbs Ohio Posts: 669	It's Definitely wear and tear !!

05-23-2017, 07:47 PM	#4
chuckie669 Drives: 2011 ss Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: E-TX Posts: 764	Sorry bud, looks like wear to me as well. I'd be more pissed about the service than the problem at this point

05-23-2017, 08:08 PM	#5
1bad1/le Ed Drives: 2015 camaro 1le 2ss Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Oxford ct Posts: 66	Dealer warrantys manufacture defects . That right there is wear and tear.

05-24-2017, 10:35 PM	#8
chevyderek72 Drives: 2014 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Posts: 11	To me it just doesn't make sense that a car is to last at least 100k miles per power train warranty but the seats can't take a 185 pound guy getting in and out for a third of that. You guys are right I'm just going to have to deal with it or replace it on my own. Oh well I guess, more disappointed with GM in general than anything. Definitely not going to get the "upgraded" yet delicate leather next time. Thanks for the input guys.

05-25-2017, 09:36 AM	#10
Reichler Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 303	That's what happens with leather as it wears and ages on high contact areas that get rubbed a lot while entering and exiting a car. Nothing out of the normal there at all.

05-25-2017, 11:26 AM	#11
Junior Drives: 2014 2SS/RS A6 AGM Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 526	Never had a leather seat that didn't wear right there. Expecting the dealer to cover that is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.

05-25-2017, 11:38 AM	#12
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	I have a 10 year old Honda Ridgeline... heated leather seats... still look relatively new. Why? They didn't use cheap ass leather. __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

05-25-2017, 12:48 PM	#13
Reichler Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 303	I will add, the quality and content of the leather used in mid-grade/priced cars over the past decade has really declined. Hell, the only leather in a 5th gen is the seating surfaces of the front seats. Everything else is pleather. My 2005 GTO has full leather everywhere whereas my 2013 Camaro only has the front seating surfaces in leather. Pathetic, but oh well. Need to jump to higher priced performance cars and luxury cars before you'll get a decent leather anymore.