Drivers seat - side scuffing badly

[stingeradmr]

I'm having the same problem with my driver side bolster

 

[StingerT303]

I dont have this issue, but I do notice that my left elbow (LHD car) presses on that exact spot as I exit the car. I use my elbow on the side bolster to pull myself out. My guess is that is where this wear comes from.

 

[CoconutRob]

Nappa or standard leather?

 

[Leftlane]

Via the tailgate? Sunroof? Nope, KIA needs to provide a seat that's fit for purpose - end of story.

Agree, will be tracking this thread and hope this is not a deal breaker on getting a Stinger.

 

[Leftlane]

I haven't gotten nearly the seat time I'd like just yet, so I'm curious--are these instances only appearing with Nappa leather, or both styles?

I understand the reason you are asking, but is shouldn’t happen to either. This car has only been out a few months. What will these seats look like in 3 years or more!?

 

[Atif]

Ok, gone through the readings now...
I spotted similar thing couple of weeks ago with a small tear as well on Nappa leather.
Went to dealer few days back and they ordered a replacement seat, that could take 6-8 weeks to come and was told there are 2-3 already ordered.
So, thinking it might be a common problem.

 

[anthonyxdl]

I can confirm that I've had my stinger for less than a month (base model) and it's already showing signs of having the same issue. And I refuse to alter my "style" of getting in and out of the car as it's LEATHER and should be able to withstand a little friction. Those suggesting that are a bit ridiculous and unreasonable. I paid $30k+ for this car and didn't expect to already see signs of wear and tear in less than a month!

 

[mikeceli]

Here is how one must enter a Stinger!

 

[MarcMIA]

I can confirm that I've had my stinger for less than a month (base model) and it's already showing signs of having the same issue. And I refuse to alter my "style" of getting in and out of the car as it's LEATHER and should be able to withstand a little friction. Those suggesting that are a bit ridiculous and unreasonable. I paid $30k+ for this car and didn't expect to already see signs of wear and tear in less than a month!

Add me to the list. GT2 red leather nappa. No where near as bad as the pics on the initial post in this thread. But after only four months - it should not be wearing at all. I had a Cadillac cts with early wear issue and they replaced the seat bottoms under warranty. My issue is on the seam on the drivers' left side of the bolster.

 

[Leftlane]

Add me to the list. GT2 red leather nappa. No where near as bad as the pics on the initial post in this thread. But after only four months - it should not be wearing at all. I had a Cadillac cts with early wear issue and they replaced the seat bottoms under warranty. My issue is on the seam on the drivers' left side of the bolster.

Really hate hearing about these issues. Does it seem to be more on the red leather vs other colors?
Can others with this leather issue state why color them er leather is?

 

[Leftlane]

Can anyone verify if the Nappa Leather wear and scuff issues seem to occur more on one color vs another?

Is red leather having more problems?

 

[eflyguy]

I'm sure no single owner could confirm that, but it sure seems that way from the reports here..

 

[Hydrajin]

Nappa or not, no leather should wear that quickly, this is such a fail, I will be keeping an eye out on mine. No way Kia can blame entry and exit method, this is lack of engineering and materials procurement if this becomes an common issue. No automaker has right to say you are getting in and out of the car incorrectly, especially if you have driven for years in other cars without the same problem occurring.

 

[Leftlane]

Nappa or not, no leather should wear that quickly, this is such a fail, I will be keeping an eye out on mine. No way Kia can blame entry and exit method, this is lack of engineering and materials procurement if this becomes an common issue. No automaker has right to say you are getting in and out of the car incorrectly, especially if you have driven for years in other cars without the same problem occurring.

Exactly!

 

[westcoastGT]

Over 5 months with black Nappa , no issues ...........................

 

[mikeceli]

Nappa or not, no leather should wear that quickly, ................ No automaker has right to say you are getting in and out of the car incorrectly, especially if you have driven for years in other cars without the same problem occurring.

I agree!

As a former Auto Service Manager, I recall in the '80's when Fiat attributed the failure of seat upholstery stitching, to "customers not entering/exiting the vehicle properly". Rubbish. (I believe Fiat used cotton thread that rotted out).

I was later on a Service manager, for one of the largest rental car companies, in America. One only need look at the rental fleet to see what seats hold up better than others. Don't tell me all the customers driving cars w/ worn seats entered improperly, and the good seat cars were rented by "proper sitters"!

 

[Fergalis]

Nappa or not, no leather should wear that quickly, this is such a fail, I will be keeping an eye out on mine. No way Kia can blame entry and exit method, this is lack of engineering and materials procurement if this becomes an common issue. No automaker has right to say you are getting in and out of the car incorrectly, especially if you have driven for years in other cars without the same problem occurring.

Ask any auto trimmer - they will tell you that 'Nappa' ('full-aniline') leather is not nearly as durable as the fully coated leather (semi-aniline) used in most automotive applications. Full-aniline will produce a softer, more luxurious feel, but it comes at a cost of increased care, protection and maintenance. Check out: Semi-Aniline vs. Full-Aniline Leathers | FOW Blog

 

[Hydrajin]

Ask any auto trimmer - they will tell you that 'Nappa' ('full-aniline') leather is not nearly as durable as the fully coated leather (semi-aniline) used in most automotive applications. Full-aniline will produce a softer, more luxurious feel, but it comes at a cost of increased care, protection and maintenance. Check out: Semi-Aniline vs. Full-Aniline Leathers | FOW Blog

I didn't claim it was just as durable, I just said nappa leather or not, no leather will wear out that quickly, especially if it is being used as a seat application. This is a defect in bolstering material; there is no way that something like a belt could have caused this because if it was capable of causing this just during entry and exit, it would have completely destroyed the seat by now with the full weight of a body and friction caused by road vibration and bumps. But again, any leather seating failing under 30k of mileage really needs to be reassessed by the automaker because of poor material source or flaw in design. Leather seats last a long time under normal use, especially leather in a luxury car; the soft leather seats in my 07 qx56 went to a 80k miles without a crack.

 

[Fergalis]

I didn't claim it was just as durable, I just said nappa leather or not, no leather will wear out that quickly, especially if it is being used as a seat application. This is a defect in bolstering material; there is no way that something like a belt could have caused this because if it was capable of causing this just during entry and exit, it would have completely destroyed the seat by now with the full weight of a body and friction caused by road vibration and bumps. But again, any leather seating failing under 30k of mileage really needs to be reassessed by the automaker because of poor material source or flaw in design. Leather seats last a long time under normal use, especially leather in a luxury car; the soft leather seats in my 07 qx56 went to a 80k miles without a crack.

Sorry but Kia should be using fully-finished leather on the bolsters. Nappa will not be up to the job with the depth of the Stinger bolsters. Expect to see a change in the next iteration as Kia wake up to the plethora of warranty claims.

 

[Leftlane]

I didn't claim it was just as durable, I just said nappa leather or not, no leather will wear out that quickly, especially if it is being used as a seat application. This is a defect in bolstering material; there is no way that something like a belt could have caused this because if it was capable of causing this just during entry and exit, it would have completely destroyed the seat by now with the full weight of a body and friction caused by road vibration and bumps. But again, any leather seating failing under 30k of mileage really needs to be reassessed by the automaker because of poor material source or flaw in design. Leather seats last a long time under normal use, especially leather in a luxury car; the soft leather seats in my 07 qx56 went to a 80k miles without a crack.

Yep... I had 3 different Infinity cars that I keep until 60k and now drive a 7 year old 95k Buick, and never had leather issues and these were daily drive cars. This is a concerning quality issue for Kia that will give pause on spending $40k-$50k.