jay bee Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 (edited) So I have a rip, now a hole in the driver's seat left bolster. It looks like a new seat cover is about $365. I would like to try a trim shop to see if they can do just that panel. Has anybody repaired anything like this? Edited August 11, 2020 by jay bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrya07 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 I had a couple of tears on my driver seat when I forgot to take a screw driver out of my back pocket. I took it to a local shop that does this kind of wok to have it repaired. It took almost all day and less than $200. When I got the car back the seat looked brand new. Your cost mot likely will be different in your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay bee Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 Thanks! Good to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wi_legacy2016 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 I had the same problem start last fall. Got a repair kit from Amazon and fixed it up. It held up for about 2 months. Since then the tear got larger. I got a quote to fix it that came in at $425. The guy said it's a common issue on Subaru's. That was too much for me, and I feared even if he fixed it, the issue would just come back because I never had anything sharp on me to cause the issue in the first place. So just a couple weeks ago I got a patch called Masta Plasta to cover the area and prevent it from expanding and then put on Black Panther leather seat bottom covers from Amazon for both front seats (I'm just assuming the passenger seat will eventually develop the same issue otherwise). The seat bottom covers seem nice and thick so I expect them to hold up for a long time. The wrinkles you see in the picture have subsided greatly over the couple of weeks I've had them. So that's ~$60 fix if you're looking to spend less (more like $40 if you didn't get a cover for the passenger seat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay bee Posted August 12, 2020 Author Share Posted August 12, 2020 My problem is the seat back, it wore where the back button on my work pants hit it over and over. I don't want covers but I may consider a patch for the short term. Overall the seats are in good shape. I am disappointed with some of the interior pieces of this car. I wore out the cruise control/radio switch assembly and the steering wheel was de-laminating, replaced both at the same time. The chrome is flaking off the e-brake switch, now the operation of that is fluky. 135K miles in a little over 4.5 years, it was the work car, now it is the weekend car. It is still shiny though. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlCFN-F5Y_6VBq7YVr2VFtyoYNKyoxxi/view?usp=sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD123 Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 A new seat cover is only $260.11 from Heuberger (parts.bestbuysubaru.com - part no. 64140AL09EWM) plus shipping - other online vendors should be similar. Shouldn't be too horrible to do the install. (the part of the seat cover above that's ripped is the plastic/pleather part - it's not leather - only the center panel is leather) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Just got denied warranty service for our 2018 Outback 3.6R, 16800 miles. I called SOA, they gave me a case # and will call me back before 5PM tomorrow. I pointed out to SOA, This is the second Outback 3.6R in this Gen we have purchased, traded in the 2016 on the 2018. I also mentioned the 2009 Spec B 93,000 miles leather is in great shape, also mentioned I have bought a 2005 GT wagon new, a 2000 GT wagon new and a 1998 GT wagon new. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Just heard back from SOA. After talking with him I feel much better. He understands the amount of money I've spent with them over the last 22 years. He will try and get back to me tomorrow, if not then by the middle of next week, after Labor Day. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay bee Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 I will add that I bought American for years, from 1986 to my first Subaru in 2013. - never had the interior bits fail. Unless you count power window regulators, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammcinnis Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 (edited) I will add that I bought American for years ... You do realize, I hope, that your Legacy was built in Lafayette, Indiana, USA, and most of its OE parts suppliers are domestic as well. FWIW, both my Legacy and Outback have higher "American" content than either of the two vehicles they replaced: a 1991 Buick Regal (major parts sourced from Mexico) and a 1998 Dodge Caravan (built in Canada). Edited September 5, 2020 by ammcinnis "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay bee Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 I do. My Dad would always remind me how poorly some of my cars fared in Consumer Reports and then I buy a car that is highly rated and that is the one with paper thin seat coverings. My 13 Impreza Sport was all Japanese, I didn't keep that long enough to see how the seats would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Heard back from SOA earlier today, I missed the call. I called back, left a voice mail. He just called and told me they will give me $500 towards the repair because I have been a loyal customer. This is my 5th new Subaru. I'll call the dealership in the AM and sit up an appointment. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay2DaA Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 I had the same problem start last fall. Got a repair kit from Amazon and fixed it up. It held up for about 2 months. Since then the tear got larger. I got a quote to fix it that came in at $425. The guy said it's a common issue on Subaru's. That was too much for me, and I feared even if he fixed it, the issue would just come back because I never had anything sharp on me to cause the issue in the first place. So just a couple weeks ago I got a patch called Masta Plasta to cover the area and prevent it from expanding and then put on Black Panther leather seat bottom covers from Amazon for both front seats (I'm just assuming the passenger seat will eventually develop the same issue otherwise). The seat bottom covers seem nice and thick so I expect them to hold up for a long time. The wrinkles you see in the picture have subsided greatly over the couple of weeks I've had them. So that's ~$60 fix if you're looking to spend less (more like $40 if you didn't get a cover for the passenger seat).That is my car right now in that same exact spot [emoji17] Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nauticac4 Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 I bought the bottom seat cover last week for about $230 and replaced it myself. Took an afternoon bit wasn't bad. First Subaru I have had an issue with the interior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wi_legacy2016 Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 That is my car right now in that same exact spot [emoji17] Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Hopefully your tear is small. I regret not getting a quote from a pro until the tear became large. I'm guessing that's a big part of why the quote I got was as high as it was. With that said, I'm still pretty happy with how I addressed the issue. The biggest downside will be in the winter when the bottom of the heated seat won't be as effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay2DaA Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) Hopefully your tear is small. I regret not getting a quote from a pro until the tear became large. I'm guessing that's a big part of why the quote I got was as high as it was. With that said, I'm still pretty happy with how I addressed the issue. The biggest downside will be in the winter when the bottom of the heated seat won't be as effective.Oh mine is horrible now. I just saw the recommendation for the Masta Plasta patch. Their fake leather patch feels 10,000x better than the stock pleather, that's a problem. Subaru gotta get it together. I noticed that when I was putting the patch on. My tear is on the outer bottom so my heat vents are okay. Thinking about it now I wonder if the heated seats ruin the seats over time. Wait I take that back, that pleather is just straight garbage. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Edited September 14, 2020 by Kay2DaA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay bee Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 I had my seat repaired at the trim shop. It's a better piece of leather than what was in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLeooo Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 (edited) Oh no, a rip in the driver's seat is always a bummer! Before going for a new cover, you might want to check with a trim shop. They often work wonders repairing specific panels. Also, if you're into quality leather, Von Baer has some fantastic options that could be worth exploring. Check them out for inspiration. Edited November 14, 2023 by DrLeooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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