2005 Subaru Forester/Seat

First, if you have the dealership document the complaint in writing - then they drag their feet having the rep look into the issue, you should have noting to fear if the warranty runs out before he shows up. Also, you understand Subaru's position is they can never be certain what kind of abuse a vehicle may have suffered. Sometimes a 'deal' can be struck, even after warranty has run out, whereby subaru will pay for the labor if you pay for the parts or some type of 50% discount is offered. maybe one of the Foreter sites or the Forester section over at

will indicate if this is a common problem and how Subaru has been dealing with it.

Carl

I dunno. There have been instances whereby someone may(for example) have modified the car with lowered springs and a 'loud' exhaust. Then the owner tries to make a claim for a ruined transmission. The dealership says, basically, "Well, look, you obviously were racing and we won't cover the damage" maybe they were or maybe they got a bum transmission. Tricky decision. I'd say just go ahead and make arrangements to document the damage, maybe take a coupla photos with the dealership's repair estimate/whatever next to the cracked leather, and have an appointment made with the regional manager - and be sure to tell him the suggestion came from a group on the internet.Use phrases like, "How would you feel if this were your car?" and "If they all do this then they are all bad and need repairing - you can start with mine." Then we'll see what happens. Have you discovered if other Forester owners have encountered this issue? another place to ask would be

Carl

I have a 2005 Subaru Forester XS with 31,000+ miles & the grey interior. I assumed it is vinyl around the cloth, but may be leather. Mine shows no sign of cracks, and I have not put anything on it. I do have cracks in my computer desk chair which is leather. My car spends 90% of its time out in the sun at Lambert airport parking in St. Louis for two years.

I think the cracks on my chair come from the flexing of the material. In my Forester I am only as wide as the fabric so I don't contact the trim much at all except getting in & out. I have a 125 mile commute twice a week, so most of my time is spent just sitting.

Only thing is to try the dealer or two dealers and see what they say. With the airbag in the seat, it may be costly to have the trim replaced and restitched, or have the seat cover replaced.

Let us know how this comes out.

Blair

Subaru does have a 3Y/36000 mile bumper to bumper and should include seats coverings. The only thing I can think of that may cause a problem is what others have said i.e. knife cuts or poked holes etc. Do get the complant in writing that includes a date and mileage.

also dig around/post at;

Carl

I've had the local Subaru dealer many issues under warranty, including replacing a sun visor, and the glove-box, so no problem with them fixing interior items that failed during the 36k mile bumper-to-bumper warranty period.

As far as the seat cracking, I wonder if the leather treatment harmed the vinyl trim. Otherwise Subaru should fix it.

Good luck!

2005 Forester XT with all leather here. No cracking problems at all. I use Meguars Leather treatment every other month. The car is night garaged, but outside all day. This is in the desert southwest USA where daytime summer temps reach 115°F outside, and as low as 0F° at the nearby ski resort in winter (BTW, it's currently 31°F at the airport @ 6 AM).