Warranty?

 

I wonder what brand and kind of seat conditioner the OP used?
Was It ArmorAll ?

 

I wonder what brand and kind of seat conditioner the OP used?
Was It ArmorAll ?

No Armor All on this vehicle. Lexol for the seats.

 

Unfortunately looks like the leather or "leatherette" is going cheap as well. Even after a year of not taking care of the seats, there should not be any cracking yet. I would bring this in to the dealer as a warranty item for sure.
That being said, you mentioned you get it detailed?? If some other shop/person details your vehicle, you should verify what they use on the seats and how they clean them? I have personally seen some cheap @$$ detail shops use the steamer to clean everything, which looks good, but is NOT the correct way to clean leather. I would not mention the detail shop to the dealer and just say you used the proper leather care solutions to clean and moisturize those seats. Again, should not be 'cracking' like that after only a year. It looks like our Frontier seats have easy install covers on them as I see the zippers on the sides/back. Dealer should be able to order a new set of skins and install it with ease. Keep us posted and good luck

 

this kind of thing is what turns me off from having leather seats anymore. i try to get cloth when i can now days

 

this kind of thing is what turns me off from having leather seats anymore. i try to get cloth when i can now days
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Unfortunately the Fender audio option eliminated the cloth seat choice on my 2022 build. Leather is too cold in winter and too hot in the summer. Ive always loved the original cloth interiors on vintage 1930's and 40's American cars.

 

How do you transfer your mass going on and off those seats? Just sliding off them to get out?

 

I get in and out like every other vehicle I've ever owned and never had this happen. I barely use the truck, gets driven on the weekends and stored in the garage the rest of the time.

 

just as a 3rd person perspective looking at those pictures.... they don't look conditioned at all and kinda dry.... just my .02.....

 

Well, perhaps it's not coming through on the pics, but Lexol is used regularly on these. And even if they're not conditioned, zero reason to crack after a year with a garage kept vehicle in a northern climate. Not like it's baking in 100 degree desert heat all the time.

 

That is most likely not leather at all, but probably vinyl. In most cases, only the flat seating surfaces are actual leather. Obviously for cost purposes. Many automobile manufacturers have done this for years.

Still shouldn't be cracking and I'd hope they can cover that under warranty.

 

Yeah if it's leather it shouldn't be cracking yet unless it's been hit with a steamer. All leather in modern cars today is actually coated in polyurethane or plastic (which can break down over time). If your vehicle from date of purchase is still under 12 months I would push for cover replacements. If they try to fight it ask them if this could be due to a thin or missed coating area because I have never seen new seats crack this early on a newer vehicle unless under extreme use/abuse.

Side note (not saying this is the reason or that you do it) but also try not to drag your *** across the bolsters when getting in and out of the truck. One of the reasons I like the side steps is because it allows you to get in and out of the truck more easily without having to do the "butt drag" across the seats. Either way even with a butt slide this shouldn't be happening yet.

 

Yeah if it's leather it shouldn't be cracking yet unless it's been hit with a steamer. All leather in modern cars today is actually coated in polyurethane or plastic (which can break down over time). If your vehicle from date of purchase is still under 12 months I would push for cover replacements. If they try to fight it ask them if this could be due to a thin or missed coating area because I have never seen new seats crack this early on a newer vehicle unless under extreme use/abuse.

Side note (not saying this is the reason or that you do it) but also try not to drag your *** across the bolsters when getting in and out of the truck. One of the reasons I like the side steps is because it allows you to get in and out of the truck more easily without having to do the "butt drag" across the seats. Either way even with a butt slide this shouldn't be happening yet.

^^^^ This.
I've use 303 Aerospace protectant on everything, dash, doors, tires, leather seats etc... Fantastic product and provides the highest UV protection. Pretty much have to buy it online and it ain't cheap.

 

That's not leather, that's vinyl. You can see the white fibers in the crack. The only leather on that seat is in the middle of the seat and back, everything else is vinyl. Every manufacture does that, even Mercedes. It still shouldn't have cracked after a year of very light use. Nissan replaced the steering wheel in my Juke Nismo because it was bubbling. It happened in the first year of ownership, so the dealer didn't ask any questions. I kind of remember the dealer telling me that the warranty only covers upholstery defects for the first year. I could be wrong, but it's been 10 years since I did that claim.

 

Definitely not leather but vinyl. Still, I don't think it's normal or acceptable but unfortunately expected with vinyl seats. Conditioned or not, it shouldn't crack after a year or so.

I'd take that to the dealer for sure but it's probably "within specs"

Good luck

 

yeah hit the dealer hard. I have almost 9k and almost a year in mine. 3 days a week taking kids to school and other round abouts. hit the beach on weekends with salt water and sand. i have not noticed anything like this on any of the seats under what I would consider quite normal use/abuse. But they do get cleaned by hand all of the time.

 

I hope the dealer takes care of this without any drama.

 

You should get 10 years, at least, of normal wear out of a seat before it shows signs of failure.

 

The leather on the steering wheel on my pro4x started bubbling slightly on the back and I mentioned it to the dealer during service. They ordered me a fresh wheel no questions asked. Not sure why some dealers fight people on that stuff but it wasn’t my experience. I would be angling for a whole new seat there.

 

I used to think that a lack of use of leather conditioner would cause that, but it seems this synthetic leather is just prone to crack, or it may be that Nissan is just using cheap material. Just to compare, see attached "synthetic leather" seats from my Dad's 2014 F150 with 177k miles:

I know these look almost new, but believe me, he bought the truck with around 35k miles a while back and they have looked like this since he has owned it, so they have lasted 142k miles looking the same, he never uses conditioner or anything oil-based, just a wipe and rag of soap and water.

 

Sub-zero temps most likely contribute to the cracking (like most plastics)

 

that is true but then on the flip side of that same coin, they are easier to clean, smell better, stain less and cloth once it stinks it takes a lot to get it to smell good again. Plus leather is more comfortable IMO anyways. I have the clothe in both gen2's and rental SV with cloth and definitely prefer the leather over all 3

 

Cloth seats have always been good to me. Never had the problems you describe. However the leather in my Frontier is fine and I'm very happy with the leather interior.
No complaints.

 

These are mostly vinyl seats, as are most "leather car seats". Chances are good whatever conditioner you are applying to them is causing them to become brittle. Most of them use petroleum derived oils that actually strip the vinyl of its oils and plasticizer over time. Could have also damaged them over time in a number of other ways from pocket knives to a whole slew of other things. This isn't normal wear.

Only use a mild cleaner occassionly. I use Griots Garage interior detailer on the seats in my cars.

Didn't have this happen on my 2012 Xterra after 10 years and that was a far cheaper material than the third gens get. My seats in my 2022 still look new at almost 18 months and over 14k miles and I don't baby them, this is my work vehicle.

What OP is alluding to (that the seats are poor quality) is ridiculous; and obviously this isn't common, a lot of people have these leather seats. These seats use good material, its very durable. There is nothing wrong with what Nissan used and these will unequivocally hold up better over time than the cloth Pro4x seats; for anyone deciding on the premium package and stumbling upon posts like this.

 

These are mostly vinyl seats, as are most "leather car seats". Chances are good whatever conditioner you are applying to them is causing them to become brittle. Most of them use petroleum derived oils that actually strip the vinyl of its oils and plasticizer over time. Could have also damaged them over time in a number of other ways from pocket knives to a whole slew of other things. This isn't normal wear.

Only use a mild cleaner occassionly. I use Griots Garage interior detailer on the seats in my cars.

Didn't have this happen on my 2012 Xterra after 10 years and that was a far cheaper material than the third gens get. My seats in my 2022 still look new at almost 18 months and over 14k miles and I don't baby them, this is my work vehicle.

What OP is alluding to (that the seats are poor quality) is ridiculous; and obviously this isn't common, a lot of people have these leather seats. These seats use good material, its very durable. There is nothing wrong with what Nissan used and these will unequivocally hold up better over time than the cloth Pro4x seats; for anyone deciding on the premium package and stumbling upon posts like this.

Yea, I wasn't alluding they were poor quality, I was alluding to it being a defect and it wasn't anything I was applying or how it was upkept. My work truck is a 2015 Colorado with leather and they still look fine. I was merely stating regardless no seat should be cracking within a year.

 

Ahhh...that fine Corinthian Leather

 

I've had vehicles with both materials, and each have their pros and cons. I can maintain either and have them looking like brand new 10 years later. Just depends on the owner. Modern seat covers can give you options very easily now a days. Lots of options out there from a simple towel on your seats, to a full reupholster.

 

UPDATE: Dealer finally got the parts for the recalls and it went in this morning. Dealer said definitely defective after looking at it and taking photos, and will be ordering a new bottom to replace under warranty. Not even a hesitation on their part, so very happy with the dealer.

 

Nice
What dealer you take it to so others know they are 'reasonable'?