Would You Accept this Seat Cover Replacement?

[Suncity]

Hello, your thoughts please. I have had my 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands since January. My god it's had a few issues (the one in this post, no matter what "C" cable I use, during songs the speakers "crackle a little"). This is one issue: the driver's side seat (where you put your butt) had a small 1/2 inch tear in it, so the needed to replace it. And I held my breath. I knew, I just KNEW they would never be able to put a new seat cover on right, I knew they would make it "wrinkly" and then for extra annoyance, the plastic that is supposed to be flush with the seat, no longer is. See my photos of the passenger side seat for comparison. I am working with a good Ford dealer, and I told them, this replacement is not acceptable. The dimpling and the plastic pulled away? Come on. The service manager said "this happens sometimes and in a few weeks, the leather stretches and you it will fix itself. I said "what about the plastic that he pulled on to get the old cover off and now isn't flush with the seat?" He said "if it's not okay in a month we'll take care of it." Would you accept this seat cover replacement from a dealer or make them do better? Thank you.

 

[DWG]

Let me start by saying that Ford seems to have taken a step back on fit and finish. My 24 BS has had a few issues with fit and finish that after being annoyed with them decided to leave them alone since they were minor issues in the scheme of things. A torn seat cover is not minor so I understand why you decided to let Ford fix it and I understand your concern about the fix being no better.

I would say that I would not be happy with the plastic trim either and would want it fixed but the Service Manager said he would take care of it in a month. Giving it a month would allow for you to see if the seat cover wrinkles improve before letting the dealer mess with the plastic trim. If the seat cover does not improve in a month I would discuss with the service manager about replacing the seat cover again and repairing or replacing the plastic trim otherwise if the seat cover does even out only the plastic trim would need to be fixed.

My only other concern is that what the service manager said was only verbal. You appear to be only in the beginning of your 3 year warranty so I would at least make a note of the conversation and keep them with your photos of the repair. Also maybe call Ford and have them open up a case file so if you are not satisfied in the end you can call Ford and reference the case number. Also not sure if this is a thing but maybe ask the dealer to put notes on the repair order regarding your concerns along with the comments from the service manager about waiting a month before addressing the issue again if you are still not satisfied.

 

[John J]

For what it's worth, I would not accept the repair. The vehicle is not old and it is not unreasonable to want it returned to like new condition. Let's face it, the dealer wants you to give it time so you forget about it and don't bother them. Stuff like this sets me off because it is ultimately poor customer service. Granted our BS's are not hand crafted Ferrari's, but as paying customers we should be treated fairly no matter the value of the vehicle. Good luck!

 

[Jmuns]

I'd ask for the "let's wait a month and if it's not right we'll fix it" in writing. I'm not sure what other recourse you have unless you can push for an entirely new seat. Which is what I'd probably be asking for. I'd try and escalate it up above the dealer.

 

[Robins21]

Are you complaining about the couple wrinkles in the cover? If so, I would leave it alone. If they mess with it they make it worse.

 

[Glamdring70]

I must be in the minority. I don't see a huge problem. The dirt on the floor and the scratches in the panels tell me you aren't keeping the car in a plexiglass box for posterity so what's a little wear? The leather will get wrinkles and dimples as it is used. The seat panel is just fitted over a foam seat bolster. You could try to massage the shape to better fit the plastic piece, but I don't think anyone will notice it, even a driver, and it may improve over time (or worsen). I don't think the service people did anything wrong but there might be some OG upholstery expert hidden in a body shop that knows some tricks to make it better. I'd be happy the dealer was willing to take care of a questionable warranty claim and maybe try to fidget with it myself if I wasn't satisfied. Questionable in the sense that most dealers would just tell a person that a seat tear is user-caused damage and to pound sand.

 

[Dude]

Perhaps OPs vehicle arrived with the small 1/2 inch tear in the seat and was noted upon delivery so clearly a warranty issue
I probably would not have accepted the vehicle if so
But you are right, a tear found after the owner took delivery could be questionable as to the cause

 

[Arcee]

The seat cover is going to get "wrinkled" over the course of time and use. I personally don't see any issues with the repair done by the dealer...I've seen much worse. That plastic trim is going to get warped over time as well. At least they didn't break it, which is very common with repairs like that.

The OP went in with the expectation that it wouldn't be perfect. Right from the start there was no chance that what the dealer did would ever be acceptable.

At this point, I would just get a quality leather cleaner/conditioner. Apply it to the seat and let it sit for a while (1 hour or so). Then go back with a hair dryer on LOW, and very gently warm up those areas of the seat and then wipe those areas with a damp microfiber cloth. Let the seat cool, and repeat the LOW heat/damp cloth process. Many times that will work to remove wrinkles in leather. Don't let the leather get too hot as that could cause damage.

Like any other textile product, the seat covers for these cars are being mass produced from a pattern and will not all be a perfect fit. Puckers and wrinkles will be inevitable.

 

[Dude]

Mine came from the factory with no puckers and wrinkles and 3 1/2 years later still no puckers and wrinkles. OPs car is brand new and somehow had a 1/2” rip … has every right to expect the new car to be like new

 

[Jmuns]

Mine came from the factory with no puckers and wrinkles and 3 1/2 years later still no puckers and wrinkles. OPs car is brand new and somehow had a 1/2” rip … has every right to expect the new car to be like new

Same. 73k miles in.

 

[Dude]

Same. 73k miles in.

Nice!!! Very well made seats

 

[Mwittke5857]

IDK, looks fine to me. Then again, I haven't seen the actual seats in my rig as it's been over a year since I put on the Sketcher seat covers on. BTW I HIGHLY recommend them if you actually use your rig for anything besides commuting. I camp/sleep in mine and my service companion goes anywhere I go

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