Front drivers seat.

[PoloGTi]

Hey guy for a while now my drivers side seat has had a bit of play in it.
Finnaly got around today to remove it and have a lookk what the issue was.

Well What a way to find almost every weld on the outside side cracked or broken even a pice of 4mm steel had broken in half.

Not at all impressed the seat is stuffed, warrenty is over but i am so going to vw about this one from a safty stand point i cant get over how bad the welds are.


This one u can see the bright metal where it has broken clean in half.
The car has never been in a harsh accideent.
I am a big guy but it still should take my wieght.



In all i counted 5 welds which had broken or cracked .
So i guess i go to
1. VW and see what they say
2. buy a new original front seat.
3. get some after market front seats.
Any thoughts ideas what to do arrg, Always one thing or another going wrong.

[R1 Crasher]

If you don't have any success at your dealer,get the seat welded.It should not cost too much once you have the seat stripped down.Good luck

[vdude]

Yikes! If part of the metal frame has fractured then it's more than just bad welding, so welding back the broken bit is only going to be a temporary fix. Broken bits of metal in a seat is a definite safety issue. Get VW to look at the issue and see what they say. If they don't want to know you I'd take the matter up with the dealer/auto club/Choice. I'd also be tempted to get another seat.

[Bubu]

Did someone say a recall on seats?

Hopefully for the rest us of its an isolated case.

I think VW should fix this as it is a safety issue. The same way they recall cars after warranty has finished to fix issues that might pose safety risk. Even after warranty I think car manufacturers have some duty of care.

[PoloGTi]

Photos have been sent to the tassie dealer they have 3 days to do something before i go to Consumer affairs. Just not good enough If i have an acident and the seat fails to do its job i am sure Vw Aus would be found in an inquest to be at fault.

[DeanB]

I had a similar problem when I had my Swift GTi ... seat failed 2 months after warranty expired. Suzuki wouldn't touch it ... I threatened and all, had a mates dad write them a letter (he was a barrister at the time) and after all about 3 letters being exchanged I gave up and had it fixed out of my pocket at a car upholstery/trim place ... wasn't that expensive (<$100) and I never had the problem again while I owned the car (13 years!).

[Swallowtail]

<dubious> Can't see that you'll have much luck getting it done under "warranty"... but good luck, I hope you do!

No different really to any other important component failing outside warranty - perhaps a brake hose, or a seat belt. Important safety components yes, but not covered by a magical long term warranty....

Just my 2c..

[Stuwey]

Take your car, complete, to a decent motor trimmer or someone that manufactures seats for the disabled or similar. Your VW dealer would have a preferred motor trimmer that they would use.

They will have the knowledge on how to pull it apart, weld it, and stick it all back in the car without any poor fitting trims/spare parts/airbag lights/etc.

Or, like me, whack some Recaros in.

[Buller_Scott]

yeah but how much are even el-cheapo recaros? 1500 a seat or something, wouldnt they be?

[Stuwey]

yeah but how much are even el-cheapo recaros? 1500 a seat or something, wouldnt they be?

Yeah, easier not to ask on that one. "Cheap" and "Recaro" do not belong in the same sentence.

[Buller_Scott]

yeah you got yours because of your bad back, didnt you? and you had mates rates? (iirc).

[Stuwey]

yeah you got yours because of your bad back, didnt you? and you had mates rates? (iirc).

Sure did. That, and a retrenchment package waiting impatiently burning a hole in my pocket.

Seriously though, find a GOOD motor trimmer (used to work for one) and they will be able to repair the seat and put it all back together as new. I think you'll find your VW dealer would have one they use all the time for warranty trim replacements.

Other than that, its all gonna get very expensive, very quickly.

[Celestine]

I think I should get my driver seat checked out then... Mine's a tad wobbly too.

[Buller_Scott]

I think I should get my driver seat checked out then... Mine's a tad wobbly too.

yeah mine creaks under my triple-digits.

[mikepologti]

true they dont but youve gotta wonder how much vw is going to sting you for a new seat. if its in the vacinity of 500-600 dollars its almost worth forking out the extra for recaros, though i think they retail round the 2000 mark.