401a interior - is this "normal"
6/24/13, 01:59 PM
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401a interior - is this "normal"
I have a 2013 GT premium with the 401a interior. After only about 800 miles the driver seat looks like this, and seems to be getting worse by the mile.
Is this "normal?" I'm not a big or heavy guy. Honestly, I have seen cars with 10's of thousands of miles with leather that looks better than this.
I love the car, but this ticks me off every time I open the driver's side door and see it.
If you think it's a defect, how would you approach getting it fixed?
Is this "normal?" I'm not a big or heavy guy. Honestly, I have seen cars with 10's of thousands of miles with leather that looks better than this.
I love the car, but this ticks me off every time I open the driver's side door and see it.
If you think it's a defect, how would you approach getting it fixed?
6/24/13, 02:20 PM
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I would contact your dealer. Theres no way to really fix that. Not that you would want to anyway. A visit to the dealer is free if its still under warranty. I would contact Ford Customer Service rep on here also.
6/24/13, 08:11 PM
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I haven't got these seats, so can't tell exactly where the crush is, but if appropriate: are you one of those guys who carries a 2" thick wallet in their back pocket?
6/25/13, 06:20 AM
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I have 48K on my 2011 with the leather, and my side bolsters do not look like that.
After about 130K on my 2004 F150, the sides began to show sagging like yours. I took it ti an auto apolstry shop. Within 45 minutes and 65 bucks later, they installed some new foam, and It was like new again.
If Ford will not do anything under warranty, consider having it repaired at a local auto apolstry shop.
After about 130K on my 2004 F150, the sides began to show sagging like yours. I took it ti an auto apolstry shop. Within 45 minutes and 65 bucks later, they installed some new foam, and It was like new again.
If Ford will not do anything under warranty, consider having it repaired at a local auto apolstry shop.
6/25/13, 07:45 AM
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Thanks guys. I made an appointment to have it checked out (along with some other squeaks and rattles). I'm gong to give Ford a chance to make all right, and will post their response (so you all can laugh, cry, or rejoice LOL).
I'm 170 lbs and don't keep a wallet or anything in my pockets while driving, so that shouldn't be the problem.
I'm 170 lbs and don't keep a wallet or anything in my pockets while driving, so that shouldn't be the problem.
6/25/13, 08:27 AM
#10
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Reach under the seat and make sure all of the bottom seat clips are secure. The one in the back can work its way loose.
You can also unlatch this clip and pull the leather tighter, then re-clip. This is a temporary cosmetic fix. Your foam is giving out. Logically, your leather will outlive your foam. You don't have to be a big guy to see what you see because the factoryfoam is cheap and flimsy.
I would advise anyone who does a cloth leather swap to replace the bottom foam as well.
You can also unlatch this clip and pull the leather tighter, then re-clip. This is a temporary cosmetic fix. Your foam is giving out. Logically, your leather will outlive your foam. You don't have to be a big guy to see what you see because the factoryfoam is cheap and flimsy.
I would advise anyone who does a cloth leather swap to replace the bottom foam as well.
6/25/13, 09:10 AM
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I agree with you bringing it in to your dealer as soon as possible. Also, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name and best daytime number so I can escalate this to your customer service manager.
Deysha
7/9/13, 06:14 PM
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OK, here it goes. I took the car in to the dealer last Friday. They told me the leather was relaxing and it was "normal," so I asked how could it possibly be normal when the other side of the seat which had exactly the same conditions and wear looks basically new (because it is - only ~900 miles)? Ditto with the passenger seat.
I asked what they would do if it was their car - they said they would probably be pissed. I also asked if they personally thought it was right - they said sorry, but that't what Ford's warranty department told them to say. When I said that that's not a reasonable or acceptable answer, and asked what I could do next, they suggested I call the regional service manager.
I would add at this point that everyone I dealt with at the dealership and at customer service was professional, courteous, and as helpful as they could be.
So I called the regional service manager and left a message. While waiting for a call back, I chatted with a few other customers and asked what they thought (the car was right there). Everyone said that the leather was clearly defective and that Ford should fix it.
The regional sales manager called me back later that day, said he would follow up with the dealership and see what he could do. Today, he called back and said if I brought the car back in that they would look into it further. I guess its back to the dealership...
I asked what they would do if it was their car - they said they would probably be pissed. I also asked if they personally thought it was right - they said sorry, but that't what Ford's warranty department told them to say. When I said that that's not a reasonable or acceptable answer, and asked what I could do next, they suggested I call the regional service manager.
I would add at this point that everyone I dealt with at the dealership and at customer service was professional, courteous, and as helpful as they could be.
So I called the regional service manager and left a message. While waiting for a call back, I chatted with a few other customers and asked what they thought (the car was right there). Everyone said that the leather was clearly defective and that Ford should fix it.
The regional sales manager called me back later that day, said he would follow up with the dealership and see what he could do. Today, he called back and said if I brought the car back in that they would look into it further. I guess its back to the dealership...
7/9/13, 07:02 PM
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While I was in the for seat, I also had them look into an intermittent, faint high pitch squeaking noise that's been going on for the past few weeks. It sounds like its coming from the rear passenger side wheel area. There does not seem to be any particular trigger - it happens at local and highway speeds, turning and going straight, with no relation to breaking, accelerating, or coasting.
I explained the issue in detail to both the service manager and technician. After a road test, the diagnosis was "the torsen differential may chatter/groan when turning sharply at low speeds." This makes no sense, since its has no relation to the actual symptoms.
The regional service manager said I could bring the car in for a closer look, but I wish they took a serious look when I was there the first time... If anyone has experienced this, or has an idea what this could be or if there is a relevant TSB please let me know.
I'm just happy that my MT-82 shifts smooth as butter once its warmed up. So smooth that some of my BMW driving friends prefer it to their Getrags!
I explained the issue in detail to both the service manager and technician. After a road test, the diagnosis was "the torsen differential may chatter/groan when turning sharply at low speeds." This makes no sense, since its has no relation to the actual symptoms.
The regional service manager said I could bring the car in for a closer look, but I wish they took a serious look when I was there the first time... If anyone has experienced this, or has an idea what this could be or if there is a relevant TSB please let me know.
I'm just happy that my MT-82 shifts smooth as butter once its warmed up. So smooth that some of my BMW driving friends prefer it to their Getrags!
7/10/13, 07:39 AM
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OK, here it goes. I took the car in to the dealer last Friday. They told me the leather was relaxing and it was "normal," so I asked how could it possibly be normal when the other side of the seat which had exactly the same conditions and wear looks basically new (because it is - only ~900 miles)? Ditto with the passenger seat....
Deysha
7/29/13, 12:47 PM
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Update: I took the car in again today, they took the seat apart, said there was nothing wrong with the foam, and denied the claim again... Since I wasn't going to give up, i went through the original request with the service manager. The pictures that Ford saw were from ~5 feet away, so Ford didn't think was a problem. All it took was a resubmission with close up shots. Now, a new seat is on order and will be installed soon!
