Invertalon

I noticed the other day my drivers seat has broken. It functions all seem fine and whatnot, but there are two wires poking through the rear fabric of the seat. Something broke internally and is now tearing up the fabric.

It seems when you apply pressure in the seat, these wires push out on the fabric. Not sure if they have a purpose other than keeping the rear of the seat fabric looking "tensioned" if that makes sense, or has some other purpose.

Either way, this kind of sucks. Not sure what to do. Anybody have an idea what it would cost for a new seat if I did replace the whole thing?

Again, it functions just fine and everything... But I just have these two or three sharp wires (about the thickness of a metal coat hanger) coming out of the back of my seat with tears in the fabric.

No clue how this happened... The metal appears to have sheared and broken from whatever it was attached to.

Any ideas?

pauli20000

This has just happen to my XB2 also. The wire actually cut my son. I pulled the wire out as far as I could and then cut it, very hard to cut. Still have hole in fabric. weird problem.

pauli20000

xseveredveganx

Mine did the same, as well.

sp2

same thing for me too

id like clazzio seat covers but be afraid it just ruin them by going through

Invertalon

Well, kind of glad it is not just me... Although VERY lame!

I was going to get cutters and just cut the wire as far as I could.

So weird...

I wonder what is failing in the seat to cause this.

xseveredveganx

If you still have a warranty, take the car in and see what they say. I'm curious.

Invertalon

Sadly no... At 70K... Quite a bit out of warranty.

xseveredveganx

Not even something extended? Where are our 'Toyota techwhatever Moderators'? Curious if there's a TSB.

Invertalon

Nope! Just the standard ole' warranty.

I emailed my dealer to see what they say and I will also have my brother dig around at his work (works at a Toyota dealership) to see if they have seen other cases of this and what it is.

flyingemu05

i wonder if it will rip through my "leather" seats over time too.

xbscion

How about a picture! I haven't found that problem yet, but maybe I'm not looking in the right place. Scion just emailed me and would like to know about the problems with my xB . This should be interesting!

Invertalon

I don't have pictures (I will get some tomorrow) but you can't miss it. Just look at the back of your seat. If you don't have sharp, bulging wires coming out of it, your OK.

Invertalon

I emailed Scion Corp. about this issue and they emailed me back the other day asking I follow up with them. They took some further details from me via phone and in a nutshell was basically told since I am out of warranty not much they can do. However, for the small chance they *may* do something, I would need to take it to a dealer to let them confirm the issue and why it may have happened. Only then can they see if any further assistance can be done.

So I would have to pay $50 or whatever the diagnostic fee is just to have them say its broken and wires are coming out from the back of the seat... Lame!

I did mention this thread to them and the other people with the same issue.

So I recommend sending an email to them if this had happened to you. Maybe with enough interest they will do further research into it and possibly (although rare and doubtful) do a recall on the seat. They logged my issue with HQ or whatever they do so it is on record.

Just wanted to update everyone though.

JIMXB

It may be helpful for all to list in this blog the Scion Corp e-mail address that you are using for complaints. Thanks

Invertalon

http://www.scion.com/contact/

I went there and sent an email.

RichBinAZ

If you want to get any type of recall action, you need to file a complaint here
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/
Scion is listed under Toyota

Is the wire like a coat hanger wire? If so, that is likely a spring and the seat frame is failing

Invertalon

Yep... Appears to be the seat frame. Found a schematic and there are 6 or so horizontal "wires" in the back of the seat. Two must have broken.

Looks like a replacement seat is around $1500.

I reported it on that link you supplied above. Also re-contacted Scion with my open case to see if I do get a dealer to look at it one minute and confirm the issue, if they will do anything.

I have a feeling not though... Just the other month they covered my out of warranty $1300 airbag harness replacement. Doubt I will get lucky yet again!

journeyforce

Depending how "loyal" you have been to them(taking car in for required paid services etc) they may fix it for free or split the cost. What year is your XB? I know the seat was changed somewhat for the 2011-2012 models(no attached arm rest)


Good luck

Invertalon

Scion basically told me nothing they could do. It is a 2008 xB BTW...

I contacted the dealer and to replace the spring assembly in the seat would cost $937.00 or something of the sort. So no thanks...

I will just be gentle with the seat so it does not get worse and keep a lookout for a salvage seat somewhere.

azylstra

I would try to find a good upholstery shop. Dealerships actually don't do seat repairs themselves, they take your car to a local upholstery shop and sublet the labor. I would go into the parts dept. and ask the guy there what upholstery shop the dealer uses. That would give you a starting point of where to go and how much. It might save you a lot of money.