Defective Leather

kcv70 · Post by **kcv70** » 13 Jun 2013, 07:27

I recently bought a used 2012 XC90 with tan leather interior. I have about 2,000 miles remaining on the original factory warranty. The leather is showing wear on the driver side part of the seat under where one's thighs rest. The color is wearing off in patches, but the leather is not torn or ripped. I think I have a good case for claiming a factory defect and not wear and tear. I don't see how a car that is less than a year old has leather issues unless the car was abused.

Hendrick Volvo Kansas City offered to dye the leather. They noticed it had been dyed once before. I refused since that course of action did not work. I asked to speak with the Zone Manager and was told to call Volvo Customer Service. I called and entered a complaint and will wait to see their reply. I expected the dealer to take the path of least resistance, but I resented the comment "you bought it used" and "you should have bought the interior protection warranty" made to my wife. It's irrelevant if the car is used...it's defective under warranty. It was implied that because the car was bought elsewhere...it's your tough luck. Don't insult me with those phony dealer protection plans .No wonder Volvo is having a hard time selling cars with comments like this.

More to follow...I'm like a dog after the mailman when it comes to issues like this.

kcv70 · Post by **kcv70** » 26 Jun 2013, 10:15

Met with the Volvo Zone rep and he will only re-dye the leather. They're argument is someone else re-dyed the seats before I bought the car which voids the warranty. We continued to disagree over whether flaking and discolored leather is a defect or wear and tear issue. Volvo concedes this is an issue with light colored leather in XC90s. I'm not sure if I will win in Small Claims Court...I guess it depends on whethr or not I get a car leather expert to make a statement in my favor. Also, I wonder if it's worth the hassle and the uncertainty of my claim. In the end, I agreed to try the re-dye one more time. I guess I'm not the dog after the mailman, after all.

kcv70 · Post by **kcv70** » 16 Jul 2013, 14:04

Follow-up: Volvo did a good job on the seat re-dye and, additionally, they ended up replacing the driver's leather upholstery. I think being assertive with the Volvo Zone rep, helped.

Post by **jimmy57** » 16 Jul 2013, 15:33

They were nice to you. 48K and seat covered is unusual. People wear out the outboard edges of the bottom and backrest cushion on leather upholstery all the time in 2 years or less. Other people have a leather upholstered car or truck for 8 years and 120K miles without doing that. It has to do with whether you drag yourself over those parts of seats entering and exiting vehicle. It is not a size issue either. A petite but a bit tall neighbor lady wore here ES350 Lexus driver's seat in 30 K miles and Lexus would not repair it in spite of her pushing and being a multiple repeat owner.
The previous owner may have have been a butt dragger.
It is common for manufacturers to cover tear in panel or at seams under warranty period but edge is pretty universally denied. Your pushing and your other Volvos likely are why you got seat covered rather than a defect.
I have a 200K mile V70R with pronounced bolsters on front seats. Apparently the previous owner/first purchaser was nice to seats and I do a Cirque de Soleil contortion act getting in and out to avoid leather wear.

kcv70 · Post by **kcv70** » 14 Nov 2013, 17:27

I think Volvo had a batch of leather, which seems prevalent on light color interiors. My '01 V70 has black leather and it is in very good shape at 105,000 miles. I just re-conditioned it with Leatherique with good results. The formerly defective leather on the XC90 is holding up going on four months.