[Resolved] Leather wrinkle on new truck - would you ask for repair?

[Billflangjr]

Note: ’25 Lariats had a leather option if you upgraded to the top 502a package. It was about $5,000 over the 501a package with the Active X. Standard Lariat seats were cloth. There was a bunch of other stuff that came with the 502a like heated rear seats…. I passed on the 502a and got the 501a package.

When you say Leather option , your referring to imitation leather? I have a 24 Tremor and there not real leather seats.

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[fmdog44]

What type of "leather' is used on most trucks? Is it 100% leather?

 

[BILDOZER]

What type of "leather' is used on most trucks? Is it 100% leather?

The new Active X is the same as the RV world "Ultra leather" B.S. Or old ford "Pleather" Plastic Leather BS... Same old spin on vinyl seats and I guarantee they are not anywhere near as good as real leather no matter what advertising double speak they use. Just my opinion, YMMV!

 

[Billflangjr]

What type of "leather' is used on most trucks? Is it 100% leather?

I'm going to say no. It's to thin to be leather , real leather is thicker . My 24 tremor has what they say is leather , But I know better. What they put in there is going to ware better than leather. But i don't know yet. Will see. Show me they are leather ! I wish they were.

 

[Eighthtry]

Plastic is much more susceptible to failure in temperature extremes. If you are garaged in Tampa you may be OK. If you want to keep that truck 15 years, there may be some problems. When cars were moving more to leather in the 70's and 80's the old stiffening and splitting of upholstery was substantially reduced. I bet that the dealer and first level up will turn you down.

"After all, it is a truck and, not only that, the best selling truck in America." Whatever that means to anyone these days.

Your risk is they try to fix it with a heat gun. It will not go to a real upholstery guy because no one in a dealership does upholstery, and they will not outsource it. IF replaced, the entire seat cover will be replaced. You probably end up with the same thing.

We continue to buy them, so we must accept the abuse that is dealt to us courtesy of the manufacturer. I don't need to understand why the operations are run that way, I just have to accept it if I continue with ownership. Problem is, It will not get any better anywhere else.

 

[miniceptor86]

When you say Leather option , your referring to imitation leather? I have a 24 Tremor and there not real leather seats.

No , The 502a upgrade package stated leather trimmed, which in Ford speak the seating surfaces.

 

[miniceptor86]

What type of "leather' is used on most trucks? Is it 100% leather?

My ‘14 had leather “ seating surfaces” so sides and backs were not.

 

[Eighthtry]

My ‘14 had leather “ seating surfaces” so sides and backs were not.

As did mine. The good old days.

 

[SilverPigeon]

@SecretSchedule It is a definite stitching error. See how the inner corner is rounded off; it's pulled towards the outside (red circle). The stitch run is fixed later, causing the angled slack in the material (blue rectangle). The stitch is done properly in the outer corner (green circle).

I have no opinion on what you should do about it; thats up to you.

 

[Billflangjr]

As did mine. The good old days.

Yes at one time Ford did put real leather seats in them. And if the dealer sent them out to have the cloth seats replaced with leather seats installed they were real leather seats aftermarket. Google it and see what you come up with.

 

[Old Hat]

Real leather or not, that defect would bother me, and I suppose I would try taking it up with Ford first. If that didn't quickly produce satisfaction, I'd visit an upholstery trim shop and simply pay for the repair and be done.

Real leather quickly begins to show wear lines. Usually observable after only a year or two. After 10 years it's often a terrible crackly mess. See it all the time on all levels of vehicles. Just one of the many reasons I refuse to have it on my vehicles. Meanwhile my non-leather interiors still look great after 10+ years.

 

[BIG MIKE]

Hey all, I’ll preface that I know this is a very minor issue, but I’m trying to set my own expectations as to whether it’s worth bringing this up during my next service visit.

Due to what appears to be misalignment in the leather stitching, there is a large wrinkle in my drivers seat. The truck is less than a month old and I noticed it shortly after taking delivery, so I don’t believe it could be normal wear and tear.

My question is: would you bring this up and ask for a warranty fix? I don’t love the way this looks, but I also think it’s likely that the dealership comes back and says this is considered normal workmanship and warranty will not apply. At that point I’m guessing I’d be liable for a nice diagnostic fee.

I’d love anyone’s thoughts or experiences with similar issues. Thanks!

Absolutely legit. Back of seat appears to have defect too. Reasonable to ask Dealer to repair/replace.

 

[BIG MIKE]

Note: ’25 Lariats had a leather option if you upgraded to the top 502a package. It was about $5,000 over the 501a package with the Active X. Standard Lariat seats were cloth. There was a bunch of other stuff that came with the 502a like heated rear seats…. I passed on the 502a and got the 501a package.

All 2025 Lariat trims came with active X. No leather option was available.

 

[SteelCity]

I have a 2021 Explorer with the Active X. In four years of just normal in and out of the drivers seat the top edge is split and cracking. I can imagine with yours it will crease very quickly and crack. They are glorified vinyl seats. Not impressed with them.

 

[Dakar09]

I don't think the seatback is a mistake, it just looks like slack in the material. My seats have that, as well.

The seat bottom may be addressable, but as noted...is it a warranty type thing (probably not) and can the dealer fix it for you (probably not). Can't hurt to ask them, though

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