classicgto
Full Member
See the Problem and the Fix Below:
Here is my problem (I think): I had a 2000 Extended Cab 1500 with Heated Leather 10 way seats. When I started looking for the Avalanche this was a Must Have Option. It is currently 7 months old with 9K miles and the seats have wrinkled and look worse than the truck I traded in with 50K miles on it.
Has anyone else had this problem. A dealer (unofficially) told me that GM went with a lower cost supplier in 2003 and thats when the wrinkles started. I've taken (my preceived problem) this all the way to GM's executive offices and been told this is normal wear by all levels of thier management?
It's the panel that is on the bottom outside (on the passengers and drivers seat). The balance of the seating leather surface is smooth ~ the way these outside panels were when I bought it. I feel GM knows of this problem because they have issued a special service document in March of this year, # 04-08-50-006, for customer complaints.
That same panel on the rear seats is made of plastic, not leather. I feel that those panels are part of the seating surface but I guess it must not be or GM would have made them leather? Anyway I love the avalanche except for this wrinkling? Maybe my 2000 1500 Pickup was just rare, Or am I just too picky because of paying $2,375 above the base seats to get leather option on the avalanche?
Give me your opinion ~ Please
thanks ~ Tom
THE FIX!!!!!!!! July 9, 2004
I replaced the outer panel with a more durable material similar to the way the rear seat outer panel (on a 2004) comes from GM. The new panels (on each side) matchs the vinyl on the sides of the seat and is grainy, not smooth. The cost for both sides was $234. material and labor including Texas state sales tax. I'll try to add a picture to show how it looks now. If you would like me to email you a picture then write me at thomaslain@comcast.net and I'll send you a set.
Good luck with all the other people with wrinkles! and Yes I did use Meguiar's on the seats from day 1 and I plan to continue to use it!
Tom
Here is my problem (I think): I had a 2000 Extended Cab 1500 with Heated Leather 10 way seats. When I started looking for the Avalanche this was a Must Have Option. It is currently 7 months old with 9K miles and the seats have wrinkled and look worse than the truck I traded in with 50K miles on it.
Has anyone else had this problem. A dealer (unofficially) told me that GM went with a lower cost supplier in 2003 and thats when the wrinkles started. I've taken (my preceived problem) this all the way to GM's executive offices and been told this is normal wear by all levels of thier management?
It's the panel that is on the bottom outside (on the passengers and drivers seat). The balance of the seating leather surface is smooth ~ the way these outside panels were when I bought it. I feel GM knows of this problem because they have issued a special service document in March of this year, # 04-08-50-006, for customer complaints.
That same panel on the rear seats is made of plastic, not leather. I feel that those panels are part of the seating surface but I guess it must not be or GM would have made them leather? Anyway I love the avalanche except for this wrinkling? Maybe my 2000 1500 Pickup was just rare, Or am I just too picky because of paying $2,375 above the base seats to get leather option on the avalanche?
Give me your opinion ~ Please
thanks ~ Tom
THE FIX!!!!!!!! July 9, 2004
I replaced the outer panel with a more durable material similar to the way the rear seat outer panel (on a 2004) comes from GM. The new panels (on each side) matchs the vinyl on the sides of the seat and is grainy, not smooth. The cost for both sides was $234. material and labor including Texas state sales tax. I'll try to add a picture to show how it looks now. If you would like me to email you a picture then write me at thomaslain@comcast.net and I'll send you a set.
Good luck with all the other people with wrinkles! and Yes I did use Meguiar's on the seats from day 1 and I plan to continue to use it!
Tom
