Worn Leather Replacement Refused

[sabooba]

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?

[mdxdn]

Have you been applying any conditioner to the leather? The seat does look worn. The sides of my seat does have those folds in the leather like yours but not the cracks. Hopefully acura compromises with you in some way. Good luck.

[Dominik-X]

Originally Posted by mdxdn

Have you been applying any conditioner to the leather? The seat does look worn. The sides of my seat does have those folds in the leather like yours but not the cracks. Hopefully acura compromises with you in some way. Good luck.

Where are you seeing the cracks? My front seats look just like that and the driver's seat has cracks on the side.

[duplicated]

2007. Mine looks like that too. A little worse in fact because it is black.

[pearl MDX]

Mine has the same lines. I don't think it can be avoided if you drive the car.

[G. COLTON]

The key to maintaining leather is proper application of leather cleaners and conditioners.

A leather seat cushion that is used is going to have creases and krinkles.

George

[JL_SS]

Originally Posted by sabooba

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.

It does look pretty normal for Acura leather. Also as noted it needs to be conditioned often. I imagine if Acura charged MB prices, it too would also have pristine leather after 3 years..........

[CODOG2]

sorry I don't see anything. My 04 definitely has worse "crack" lines, but no rips.

[Bill_de]

Maybe your pictures aren't showing as much detail as you are seeing in person.

From the pictures, all looks normal.

[m500]

Looks normal to me. My 07 has the same folds as well. I don't see the cracks in your pictures.

[ChicagoGuy]

Heck, my 5-month-old 2010 MDX base somewhat looks like that. Those creases are a sign that I need to get off my ass and condition the seats ASAP.

Originally Posted by JL_SS

It does look pretty normal for Acura leather. Also as noted it needs to be conditioned often. I imagine if Acura charged MB prices, it too would also have pristine leather after 3 years..........

Even Benz leather would look like that after 3 years without a regular care routine. If you see a daily driver Benz with perfect, crease-free leather after 3 years, either the driver is a 95lb wisp of a dude who conditions the leather obsessively, or it has MBTex, not leather.

Not that MBTex is a bad thing...many Benz enthusiasts swear by it, and prefer it over leather. I had a very similar "pleather" in my last car (a Saab), and loved it...looked like leather, felt like leather, but looked pristine with no maintenance. I liked it so much that, when I was looking at the MB GLK350 (before we found out we were gonna have twins, which is why I turned my attention to the MDX), I was adamant about getting one with MBTex rather than full leather (plus I planned on using the $2000 "saved" to justify a stereo upgrade).

[jvette]

I agree that it doesn't look that bad to me. My 2010 looks like that with 8000 miles on it. I had a Chevy Tahoe before the MDX and it was real bad after the first year and they refused to replace the seat cover because they told me I was getting in and out of the car wrong. I should be stepping up on the running board and using the running boards when I get out. I told them to come and show me how to get in and out of my car. They still refused the repair and I ended up spending $150 to have it fixed. The guy who fixed it said it is very common with all cars with leather and it keeps him busy.

[cboy7]

looks very normal.

who cares as long as it sits nice and drives nice? who has the time to go to dealer for mildly worn leather? its made to use. so use it

my very slanted opinion

[JL_SS]

Originally Posted by ChicagoGuy

Heck, my 5-month-old 2010 MDX base somewhat looks like that. Those creases are a sign that I need to get off my ass and condition the seats ASAP.


Even Benz leather would look like that after 3 years without a regular care routine. If you see a daily driver Benz with perfect, crease-free leather after 3 years, either the driver is a 95lb wisp of a dude who conditions the leather obsessively, or it has MBTex, not leather.

Not that MBTex is a bad thing...many Benz enthusiasts swear by it, and prefer it over leather. I had a very similar "pleather" in my last car (a Saab), and loved it...looked like leather, felt like leather, but looked pristine with no maintenance. I liked it so much that, when I was looking at the MB GLK350 (before we found out we were gonna have twins, which is why I turned my attention to the MDX), I was adamant about getting one with MBTex rather than full leather (plus I planned on using the $2000 "saved" to justify a stereo upgrade).

The OP claims his 2007 GL450 that he traded had real leather in pristine condition.........I assume he is treating/cleaning the MDX the same way.

[adr5]

My 07 with 23k miles on it looks about the same as yours. I think this is normal. I too don't see any cracks in the leather. So far I am on the one year leather cleaner and conditioning schedule. I've been using lexol and I am happy with the results. The lexol really works well on the leather chair I have at home.