Series 2 leather seat owners please comment

[Thumpin]

I have attached some pics of the fit of the lower seat leather. This condition occurred about a month after purchase and has slowly got annoying. I pointed it out to my local dealer (not the selling dealer) at the 3 month period and the service manager stated that it would be a seat swap under warranty but to leave it for the time being and maybe look at sorting it out at the 15K service.
I've currently done 11K and since I do my own servicing I dropped into the dealer again about the seats. Their opinion has changed and they say its normal wear & tear.
I know the Holden leather is manufactured leather and not the greatest at the best of times but IMO this is a fit problem or a cushion problem. There are plenty of high usage 2006 SSV's out there where the seats look like new (there was one at the dealer that I used as an example).

The passenger seat hasn't been used much but its starting to show signs of the same thing. The leather is that loose it gets folded under your butt and feels like your sitting on a power cord

I'm seeking other with a similar condition and whether they have approach Holden as a warranty issue...

Cheers

[wayneforrest]

I have the same problem. Have had it changed once but it is still the same. I am going to see the dealer again it appears now that the cushion has got softer and the sagging is worse. Needs a harder cussion.

[davey g-force]

Yeah, doesn't look right. Take it to another dealer, or call Holden Customer Service.

[UFO]

that looks crap man.... doesnt look right (especially since its only been such a short time).
even my series 1 International (i've got leather seats too), doesnt look like that. still nice and firm.
definitely pursue this further.

[Reaper]

Never had that problem with any of my leather seats (last 5 cars).

Reaper

[SSV Redline]

The condition is called 'grabbing' or so I was told by the coach builder who re-built the front seats in my DB5. The cranky old prick said it has a lot to do with the poor handling of the raw leather before it is sewn. The leather might not have been properly 'checked' (another technical term no doubt). The roll might have been incorrectly stored, transported, or parts of it was exposed to a hot light source. He said something else but I was already bored to tears listening to him ramble on. Guess I am now doing the same. The weave of the leather loses it's elasticity (did I spell that right?). Thus you have inconsistant results. Some seats look great for 10 years (hopefully) and some look crap after only 10 months.

Sad eh.

Now I dont give a flying f@#k if the info he spat at me was right, wrong or indiferent. He is right about this: the leather seats in my wife's SSV are made using some of the poorest quality leather material he has ever encountered. When I asked if there ws anything I could do to avoid more 'grabbing' he said: "Its only a friggin ford, who gives a f@#k." The silly dumb prick didn't realise it's a holden.
His best advice....never use car seat covers on that sort of leather.

We have slight grabbing on the front passenger seat of my wife's car. Sometimes its me grabbing her cute little arse other times its the leather.

[316]

I dont know how many Commodores I've been in with leather (a lot!), but those pictures aren't uncommon. Whether it just means holden leather is REALLY shit or it's normal, I can't say, but I've seen it happen a lot (and on new cars with less <3000kms on them).

[Thumpin]

Does anyone know if the leather appears to be of different quality between the S1 & S2?

Most S1's I've looked at seem in fairly good condition. I looked at an SV6 at work that had leather optioned and the seats looked the same as mine "baggy" or "grabbed" as redline stated.

Where-ever the S2 leather came from (synthetic valley I'm think'in), for me its still a faulty product and not performing as it was sold and I think it should be fixed by Holden and not just a temporary attempt. If the problem can be narrowed down to a built date or batch of leather that was faulty then I would accept that outcome and let Holden change the covers. Don't worry I am pursuing this...

[gt3540rx]

My May build '11 SSV leather seats seem to be pretty good, i only get a mark in the seat if ive got my wallet in my back pocket (which i dont do often bcos its bloody uncomfortable).
I wouldnt be putting up with the seats doing that in my new car....

[EraserHead]

So far mine still look real good at 10,000km.... At the recent Melbourne motor show, I noticed how a lot of cars (not just Holden) with leather interiors looks pretty sad and 'grabby' after a week of people jumping in and out of them. Too bad if you buy one of these 'ex-demo' cars!

I hope mine doesn't do this as I paid $2K extra for the dead cow and would be really pi$$ed. One thing to bear in mind, leather used by most car manufacturers is what they call 2nd or 3rd cut (not top cut), and they laminate a coloured vinyl coating onto it so you are not sitting on leather really, just vinyl with a leather base! Why the vinyl you ask... this is the only way they can consistently match the colours.

If you buy a Lambo or top of the range Merc etc., then they can take the time and money to match 1st cut leather in the interiors.

[Nikkojoe]

After a long trip down south (~500km) i've noticed my seats are having the exact same problem as yours. Mine is a Nov 10 built series2..

I'll get a pic tonight.

[Xonar]

Holden leather is crap

I was offered free upgrade to leather on my SV6 and I said no !'I strictly requested cloth, know it will look like shit a few yrs down the track...

If you want leather interior in your holden....get a custom job by a reputable trimmer....

It will cost more, but it will be worth it !

[vicarious]

is it even 100% leather

[dmacey]

All warranty claims are paid by GM Holden, such claims are to be made as a result of faulty or defective materials at time of supply and fitment.

If you believe that your seats do not fit into the normal wear from use category contact Holden Customer Services and explain your situation, take your car to another dealer, seek their advice.

In all honestly though your selling dealer is the most likely to assist you with your claim.

good luck and keep us posted with your result.

[SSVAGON]

Mate, good luck with Holden customer assistance (that’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one) I complained about the exact same situation with my leather VEII SSV seats at the first service. Response was “it is considered normal for a natural product such as leather”
I would love to have this leather assessed or tested by an expert, my bet is its leatherette not real leather at all. So much for there so called natural product. Compared to the other issues with my car the seats pale in comparison.
We as consumers need to get some balls and get together and stick it to these manufactures. Aussie’s as a general rule are easy going. We need to stand together and kick up a stink.
End rant, for now. Watch my posts more to come.

[TinSnips]

Good luck with Customer Assistance - I've had nothing but headaches with them. I wouldn't ever buy a holden with leather for that very reason. The leather is crap - no ifs or buts. Not saying the cloth is great either, but it will be better.

Shop around with the dealers for your warranty claims also - my selling dealership was rubbish. I've now found one that isn't - and if I do take the punt on a new holden at any point, I will buy from them also. It took them two days to diagnose and fix a problem that the selling dealership couldn't manage to sort in two and a half years. There are some dealerships that know what customer service is - and are very good at retaining customers. However there are plenty more that are rubbish.

The thing about replacing the seats, like for like, is that it will inevitably happen again and again. A better bet would be to re-trim, as somebody else pointed out - or buy aftermarket seats - both options, though, are obviously out of your pocket - but aftermarket seems to be the only solution to the endless headaches associated with anything OE. My car is now out of warranty (though much of the driveline, etc is still covered as so much work has been done on my car under warranty) - ANYTHING that fails on my car and has to be paid for by me will be replaced with quality aftermarket equipment.

[bonners]

I'm with Tins. Customer Assistance are a bunch of f^%kwits. No ifs or buts IMO. end.

[dmacey]

Mate, good luck with Holden customer assistance (that’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one) I complained about the exact same situation with my leather VEII SSV seats at the first service. Response was “it is considered normal for a natural product such as leather”
I would love to have this leather assessed or tested by an expert, my bet is its leatherette not real leather at all. So much for there so called natural product. Compared to the other issues with my car the seats pale in comparison.
We as consumers need to get some balls and get together and stick it to these manufactures. Aussie’s as a general rule are easy going. We need to stand together and kick up a stink.
End rant, for now. Watch my posts more to come.

I hear that loud and clear, this forum is a great place were people experiencing the same issues can group together and negotiate as a team for a positive out come. I'm sure that we all come from different areas of expertise in the community. Drawing for that collective experience, in a fair claim I feel we could come out the winners in the end.

[Thumpin]

Wow. Great responses guys. Sorry to hit a few nerves. I totally understand where you are coming from.

This is my first car with leather interior and so far I'm not impressed. As much as I hate to say this... a friend just bought a i45 and I think the seats are better quality in this discusting vehicle than when compared to a RRP $61000 SSV Sportwagon (not that I payed that but thats the RRP).

I found out today that in Sydney most dealers use a company called "Doyles" for leather warranty issues. Their head office is not too far from me so I might drop-in tomorrow and get some facts (if they haven't been lobotomised by Holden).
Doyles Leather & Sunroofs

I do think the S2 leather is worse than the S1's. Its mainly the light grey inserts. Mine are as stiff as cardboard which is why I think it may have missed a prep process.

BTW, the leather used in the seats IS faux or reborn/manufacturered leather. Its base form is a natural product but its a mix of polmers, bonding and UV agents and is transformed into a product that is consistant and supplied on a roll. Its more cost effective and is normally quiet good.
Not the case here though!

I'll see if Doyles can give any joy and I'll feed-back.

[HEXEM]

Mate you know all my issues...

This one is on the list also. I raised it years ago with my dealer and they said I could end up with a worse case than I had. However mine doesn't appear to be as bad as yours.
Mine doesn't fold under itself. I never wanted leather either as the cloth has always worn better IMO. It was not an option on the SSV.

[RIP 05]

That looks S$%thouse, I wouldnt be happy either. The series II leather seats have done away with the perforated leather on the inside of the seat havent they. I remember my 06 SSV had the two tone black and orange seats and the orange was perforated. When i looked in a newer SSV, that part of the leather seat was just flat leather or plastic, as thats what it looked like. Not that the 06 seats were awesome mind you, but better than the newer ones I think. More cost cutting maybe?

[EraserHead]

RIP05 - my leather is perforated and its a Series 2 Feb 11 build...

Here's a question - does GMH actually make the seats or are they subbed out? I recall somewhere that either Ford or Holden subbed out all of their interior manufacture to someone else. Seems when things are subbed out, quality falls off as the subby constantly tries to find ways to cut corners and costs. Just like anything you get from China - looks great initially, but generally fails to perform to standards of any type!

[Darks]

i purposely didn't take the leather option (even though I optioned my car up!)
The biggest indicator came from the S2 Cruze I had a as courtesy car with leather same deal as the OP, but the seats on the Cruze were like that after only 3k (I had the car from 26ks to 3,400k's) When I handed the cruze back and hopped into my cloth SV6, was sooo pleased I hadn't ordered leather

Holden leather is crap

I was offered free upgrade to leather on my SV6 and I said no !'I strictly requested cloth, know it will look like shit a few yrs down the track...

If you want leather interior in your holden....get a custom job by a reputable trimmer....

It will cost more, but it will be worth it !

[davey g-force]

i purposely didn't take the leather option (even though I optioned my car up!)
The biggest indicator came from the S2 Cruze I had a as courtesy car with leather same deal as the OP, but the seats on the Cruze were like that after only 3k (I had the car from 26ks to 3,400k's) When I handed the cruze back and hopped into my cloth SV6, was sooo pleased I hadn't ordered leather

Funny that - neither my Cruze or my SSV have any issues with the leather.

The SSV doesn't get used too much but the Cruze is the shopping trolley and its seats are near perfect!

[UFO]

We have slight grabbing on the front passenger seat of my wife's car. Sometimes its me grabbing her cute little arse other times its the leather.

Pics or it didnt happen .