Warranty item?

Bill

 

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I don't know. I have to take it in to get something else looked at and I will ask them. Likely they will say it is normal wear and tear on a 43K mileage used truck. The pictures they posted online didn't show this and I picked it up after dark so really didn't get a good luck at it until the next day. Found several issues with it - Didn't expect a CPO vehicle to have issues.

 

I've seen a number of Ridgelines for sale with this issue, tends to hurt resale value.

 

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I too noticed this issue on several Ridgelines that I looked at but none were this bad so it wasn't something I was concerned with. I think it is a combination of Honda using too soft foam for the bolster and a really heavy dude getting in and out over 43K miles.

I have owned a lot of cars and suvs over the years and none have shown this level of breakdown. In fact, a Corvette that I owed had a huge side bolster and it never collapsed - the leather wore and cracked from friction/rubbing but the bolster remained firm.

If I can stuff some more foam up in there to push it back out, it might look a lot better and pull most of the wrinkles out of the leather covering.

It is a truck after all so my goal isn't to get it super pristine but to keep it from getting worse.

 

If I can stuff some more foam up in there to push it back out, it might look a lot better and pull most of the wrinkles out of the leather covering.

It is a truck after all so my goal isn't to get it super pristine but to keep it from getting worse.

I don't think you have anything to lose! At worst you might end up with a lumpy bolster, but I think that might look better than a saggy/creased one.
Besides, if you end up with a lumpy bolster you can probably wear it down in a few years just like the original.

 

This is why I have running boards on my RL. If you can place your butt in the seat instead of sliding it across when you get in and out then it will prevent any of this from happening to begin with.

 

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I personally don't think the running boards are a good solution for every body size and condition. I am not that tall at 6' and 32" inseam but I can almost get in without hitting the side bolster. Running boards would make me have to fold myself in/out which doesn't do my bad back any good.

I had them on one of my two ML350 Mercedes' but they were more of hindrance because the seat was low enough that I could get in without an issue and if I used the running boards it put my head way above the roof and I had to bend over to get in. And then when I exited, the running board hit my shin. So, the only time I used them was to wash the roof. Put over 120K miles on 2 MLs and never had a side bolster issue with either of them. I am sure I hit/slid across the side bolster every time.

I did have them on both of my Yukons but I needed them to get in and out because the seat was so high and I got in/out without having to bend my back much.

 

I use my running boards to not slide across the seat which causes this damage. It works for me but if you are tall enough and conscious enough to lift and place your hind end without them Id say go for it. I would bet 80% of us are not.

 

I had an old truck that I bought well used, with saggy foam. I pulled off the upholstery and steamed the foam with a handheld clothes steamer - it helped re-puff the foam. It wasn't restored to like new, but it helped a lot. I added a little extra foam while I had the upholstery off.

 

That is repairable. You have to pull the cover off the seat and refoam the broken down area. You can use spray foam, to help mold to shape. Or maybe by a replacement seat foam if it is very bad. The leather cover will need to be steamed to be dewrinkled. You can also use filler and dye to refinish any cracks.

without too much effort you should be able to get it to look 95%.

 

Right, but that is what I want to avoid if I can get some foam stuffed in there like the video and at least get it to support the leather cover again.

As I noted in my initial post, I can buy a new seat cushion and leather cover from a Honda parts dealer but I don't want to go to that expense - yet.

 

I did this on my s2000. I completely restructured the bolster using spray foam. It works however it does not have the same durometer as the oem foam so it feels firmer. You may be able to avoid buying foam and a cover, but the repair involves pulling the seat cover off. No big deal at most you might need some hog rings.

 

I found some old pics. The foam was completely hollowed out on the bolster. Used a can of flexible great stuff.

Also, watching that video, I don't agree with that approach. If you are going to remove the seat you might as well pull the lower seat cover off so you can repair the the foam and cover correctly.

 

Have you tried fabric softener? It works for my clothes! Or maybe a seat cover? Then you won't see it.

 

Good morning - wondering if you tried this repair - how difficult to get the seat out? Any success thanks

 

No, no yet. I haven't had time. Hope to get to it in a few weeks.

However, I am thinking that since I have to go to all the trouble of taking the seat out of the truck to do this, I might as well go ahead and just replace the seat cushion. The foam will cost me $40 but a new seat cushion is only $80.

Since the leather cover is so soft, I am concerned that stuffing some foam up in there might not look very good. If Honda used a thicker/firmer leather, it might work better.

If I put a new tight cushion under the existing cover, most of the wrinkles will probably go away on their own - or with a little coaxing from a blow dryer and/or some steam.

 

Decided to go ahead and replace the cushion, the seat cover and the seat heater. Probably can salvage the cover but I hate to get the seat out and find that the wrinkles won't flatten or have other issues. The kink here is that the 2020 leather cover in wisteria light gray has been discontinued by Honda so I rolled the dice and ordered one for a 2021 in wisteria light gray. Won't know if it fits until I get the other one off and compare the two. The '21 uses the same cushion and seat heater and the seat frame is the same PN so I am rolling the dice that the fitment/attachment under the seat will be the same or close enough. I am sure that Honda has a new PN for that 2020 cover but no one that I talked to (at 3 different dealers) could tell me what the new PN is - The 2021 cover is almost $100 less than the 2020 which makes me wonder what I will be getting.

 

Just had mine repaired under warranty last week....huge crease through the middle of the driver's bottom seat cushion.

 

What did you say to them

 

Received the seat cover on Saturday and did the job yesterday. New leather cover for the bottom cushion, new bottom cushion, new seat heaters for bottom and back. Took a full day working by myself.

The only snag was the plastic trim pieces that fit along the bottom of the seat - they were a right PITA! Especially the semi-circular piece that fits inside the hinge at the bottom back. Wound up snapping several of the tabs on it but managed to salvage the piece (wasn't spending $130 on a small piece of decorative plastic).

There are still a few wrinkles in the side bolsters but they may work themselves out the first time it sits in the sun for a while; If not, I will use some hot wet towels. These wrinkles are mainly from how the cover was folded in the shipping box.

No issues with the air bag - just followed Honda's recommendation in the service manual to wait a few minutes after disconnecting the battery.

Was it worth it? For me it was since the seat is something that I look at every time I get in and out of the vehicle. $430 all in for everything except my labor. If it was a work truck or fishing/hunting/play truck I would have left it alone but it is my daily driver.

 

As a follow-up to my driver seat cover replacement, I decided to go ahead and replace the passenger seat cover as well. The previous owner had spilled something on it and it had a large dark stain that would not come out even with some harsh chemicals. It didn't affect the seat of course but it was unsightly and I just got tired of looking at it.

Like the driver's seat cover, I bought the OEM passenger seat cover online for about $260 shipped and got it about 10 days later. I already had hog rings, pliers, nippers and previous knowledge from doing the driver's seat.

Since I did the driver's seat back in March, I knew what I was in for so it wasn't too bad. Took me about 4 hours by myself and taking my time. I knew that the lower plastic trim pieces that run along the bottom of the seat would be a pain to remove so I decided to loosen them but leave them intact and I managed to replace and install the new cover with those pieces semi-attached and not break them. It was not easy getting the new cushion installed with those pieces in the way and I did have to fabricate a couple of special long hook tools but in the end I was successful. If anyone decides to try this, send me a PM and I will see if I can walk you through it.

Edit: I should add that the seat belt for the passenger seat has a retainer that is not on the driver's seat. There is a youtube video on how to remove the seat belt so that you can remove the seat. There is also a special tool that you can buy from Honda. The youtube video uses a couple of small allen wrenches which is not easy to do. Send me a PM if you decide to tackle this - there is a better way.

Those wrinkles that you see below should slowly go away once warmer weather arrives and the car sits in the sun for a few days. The driver's seat had wrinkles too but are gone now. I have seen some youtube videos where you can use a heat gun to remove them but I will just wait for warmer weather.

 

Figured I would update everyone on my issues with the factory seat. After trying to take care of the seat for the first 33k miles, it showed its age pretty quickly. It developed a wrinkle where the leather panels come together. I am not surprised, but disappointed. On the positive, my dealer offered to replace it under warranty. On the negative it took about 4 months to get the parts in and replace the panel. I expect the new one will look like the original when the truck has about 66k miles on it. Here are some before and afters….

and the new cover.