I am looking to get some feedback on what course to take in escalating my warranty claim to have my overly worn leather seat replaced. I left my 2009 MDX (24,000 miles) with the dealer to have the district rep evaluate my leather for a warranty replacement. Leather is worn and looks like it is 10 years old rather than 18 months old. District rep stated that the leather was "classified as normal characteristic of the leather". If this is normal, I am really worried about how it will look in another year. I traded a 2007 GL 450 and that leather (Not MB Tex) looked pristine when I traded it. I have contacted Acura and been assigned a case number. My discussions with the Acura caseworker have been more along the lines of a goodwill replacement. This is my first Acura so maybe that will be a factor. Anyone else have to deal with this?

 

I had the drivers seat cushion replaced in an 05 TL at about 3 yrs. It may have been a little further along than even yours as the leather (camel) had cracked open slightly in two spots. The dealer replaced it no questions asked but the TL was my third Acura.......our new '10 MDX is our fourth.

 

Welcome to Acura leather. I had our driver's side lower cushion on our 2006 replaced at 42,000 miles (under warranty). I detailed cars as a side-job through college and know how to care for my seats (I prefer Lexol).

As my sig shows, I've had a 2003 Acura TL-S, 2006 MDX, and a 2008 TSX. The 2003 leather was almost perfect when I sold it at 65,000 miles. The 2006 leather creased immediately and looked terrible after 20,000 miles...same with our 2008 TSX leather. It seems Acura switched leather around 2004 or so - the new leather is thicker, more German BMW than previous Japanese Lexus.

Well I prefer the previous Lexus-like leather as the current hides they're using are too prone to creasing and eventual cracking

Have any pics of the leather so we can see?

 

Here is a thread from another post I made in a different forum. There are a few photos. Quite a few people have said "that's just normal wear". Sounds like a spineless response to me. If my TV broke after 18 months and I was told that's normal, I'd be upset. Shouldn't leather be tougher than this? Poor showing in my opinion. (maybe I'm venting).

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-2007...t-refused.html

 

Email Acura of America. explain that you left mercedes to get into an acura and your leather NEVER looked like this in my MB. Let them know how youre having trouble with this specific dealer and tell them that you are having buyers remorse to the point that you'll never purchase an acura product nor will your friends or family whome have commented on how the leather looked in such a short period of time. It works everytime for me. Just keep it prolific and not to abrasive. Good luck.

 

I took a look at the pics. Objectively when I look at the pics, for an Acura they actually look pretty good after 24,000 miles. I'm not sure what you mean by those not agreeing with you as "spineless", but I must say I've seen far worse. Maybe you're venting and frustrated, or maybe the camera is not quite capturing the extent of the creasing.

What I can say is that an MDX is not a GL450. Acura's leather is one of its weak-points. I would say that MB's recent quality woes are a weak-point as well. So with no car being perfect, pick your poison.

I have to say that contacting Acura of America and stomping your feet until someone listens is an option, but sometimes you gotta weigh which fights are worth fighting. When our leather was replaced, I simply mentioned it to the service advisor and he replaced it...but it was in terrible condition...in my experience, if warranted, Acura is usually pretty generous with repairs/replacing items.

Just my Good luck with whatever outcome you choosh.

PS: I highly recommend Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner for Acura seats. Applying a little TLC to the seats helps with the creasing.

 

That looks like normal wear to me from the pics... (doesn't look bad)

 

Seems like there are some fairly thin skinned people out there. I happen to feel that when you pay more for a car than our grandparents paid for their first house, you should get quality in all aspects of the vehicle. I do like the overall quality of my MDX and I enjoy it for my daily driver. I sipmly feel that something as significant as the leather seats is too important to just let pass. Resale value is important to all of us and shoddy looking leather will absoultely bring down the value of the vehicle. I posted this same topic in three different forums and the responses were things like "I have the same problem", "My other cars still look way better" or "That looks normal to me".

It does not appear to be an isolated occurance. I tend to be proactive and protect my investment. I do take very good care of the leather and I have always done quarterly cleaning and conditioning with Lexol. Keep in mind that this car is only 18 months old and just turned 24,000 miles.

If you feel OK with overly worn looking seats, then good for you. I just don't share your contentment.

 

I think you're missing the point - those of us with abnormally creased leather have had our replaced (such as myself) - many of us don't feel yours is abnormally creased. 3 boards and Acura seem to back up that sentiment.

If you feel it is, go for it...I'd drop the thick-skinned crusader routine and fight for what you feel is right...let us know how it goes...

 

it doesn't look bad , for 18 months of use , it looks pretty good IMO

 

What's happening to your seats would annoy me a little, but in no way would I throw a shit fit. I am not sure what seats you had in your GL that showed no wear at all, but most MB's have the same problem that every other leather seat vehicle has, creasing.

Sounds like you're bored.

Should have bought a 2010 with the upgraded leather.

 

You make only assumptions, generalities and unsupported comments in your post.

Sounds like you're ignorant.

If you have something of value to add, I'd like to hear your opinion.

 

Your thread leads to that conclusion, sorry it bothers you.

Perhaps you should learn a lesson here. If everyone around me says I'm wrong, maybe I'm wrong.

 

Acura has agreed to replace the leather. I'm taking it in this week and should have it back the same day I'm told. Customer made happy. Guess I'm not wrong after all.

 

Glad to hear they made it right, Acura usually does in my experience. Yeah an occasional treatment with lexol helps keep it soft. BTW, my 08 with about 40k on it has a ton of cracks in the piping along the side of the drivers seat and just looks really loose, I'm not fat or anything either, and car is mostly highway driven.

 

I am running into the same problem with my 2009 mdx. how did you finally get acura to fix the problem as the dealer tells me it just basic wear and tear.

 

I'm amazed that Acura was willing to "fix" that.

 

Me too. The pics look normal for that white ivory stuff.
Maybe its a combo of thin skinned people with thin
skin leather and the wrong color. Maybe its your avatar attitude.
Anyway good luck with new replacement leather
and if its the white ivory stuff you will be in same boat again.

 

I took a closer look at OP's pics (from his link to MDXers.org thread) and if you zoom in on the second pic you can definitely see some color "flaking" off on the left side of the seat back- I'd want it fixed under warranty too.

 

And dudes ... when you call your auto seats leather ... understand that its not real cow or top hide unless you are paying like $200 K +. The pre 2010 MDX leather is differ than the '10 '11 models ...

Leather used in Automobiles

Automobile manufacturers have blurred the distinguishing lines on what exactly leather is. Premium leather is the top split of the hide. There are many so-called ‘leathers’ that are actually the bottom split (the fibrous part of the hide). In accordance with US government standards theses should be labeled as 'split leather', although they are being sold by many automobile manufacturers as ‘premium leather’. Some of these ‘split leathers’ are covered with a vinyl or urethane coating.

Leather is the most delicate and difficult to maintain of any vehicle surface. It ages and wears faster than surrounding materials which can depreciate the vehicle's re-sale value. Before using a leather care product, a detailer needs to know the material they are working on, and whether the product chosen is compatible with the material and will not damage it. Diagnosis is the key, not guess work. Before deciding on what products to use, you need to ascertain what type of leather finish you have and whether the pigmented leather has a polyurethane covering, or is uncoated, finished natural leather. This is critical, as the cleaning / maintenance varies for each type (although all types require a water-based product to maintain hydration - a suede type leather like Nubuck is the exception).

Automotive leather care is a subject surrounded with misinformation and myth. Products such as leather (Saddle) soaps, oil-based Conditioners, Neats-foot oil, and Hide Food still prevail as top sellers, albeit most are made for equestrian tack. These are very different leathers with drastically differing care requirements. The exact reason for this type of misapplication is unclear. It’s possible that there is an association with old world quality (i.e. European automobiles with leather upholstery and real burl wood interiors) with these types of products, despite the fact that the automotive industry has been using water-based polyurethane covered pigmented leather for many years.

 

, very thorough



but yeah i also know most of the time only the seating surfaces are "leather" while the back of the seat can be just vinyl

and another reason to add to my reason for hating leather at times, cold in the winter (without ass warmers, but even those take a few minutes to actually start working), and hot in the summer; let alone sliding around on it when you do any type of sprinted driving

 

I have the same problem in my MDX 2008, but in my case leather looks much worse(
Please, advise me, how you recieved a solution with Acura?
Because dealer refused me today.

 

Thin, light-colored leather will looked more worn than thin, dark-colored leather. Acura, for the most part, uses thin leather, as opposed to thicker leather some brands use that lasts forever. BTW, the pics the OP provided looks like normal wear and tear* to me, and I've had several dozen cars with leather seating areas. I am so old I had several cars with "all leather" seats as opposed to the current trend to only put leather in the seating areas.

*"Wear and tear is a form of depreciation which is assumed to occur even when an item is used competently and with care and proper maintenance."