I’m a pretty big guy for my average stats. 6 foot, 230 lbs., big shoulders, large claves, etc. And a big guy like me in a little Toyota Prius means that sometimes, I need to slide out of my seat instead of getting up. This is from either one of two things. 1, you can’t lift your own body weight, or 2, there is little headroom, and you literally have to shift your body before you get out.
Unfortunately, my head touches the headliner in my Prius because I hate driving with my seat low. Because of my sliding, I start to see more and more wrinkles on the edge of my seat instead of the passenger side.
While this shouldn’t cause your seat to break, the worst-case scenario is either your leather will start to chip, or if it is a foam seat like some GM pickups, it’ll little ray fall apart. However, expect it to be only your cushion and not your whole seat or the plastic trim. In any case, you’d have to be extremely large to have this problem and, in most cases, it’s just a matter of convenience rather than weight issues.
Speaking of issues, make sure you follow more of my recent articles so that you are up to date with any problems on the new Tundra like the wastegate issue circulating the internet.
However, a recent post on Facebook’s 2022+ Toyota Tundra Owners group shows just how easy it is to break the side plastic trims on these seats. Joel Williams said, “So this side seat panel broke. Would this be a warranty thing?”
Now realistically speaking, if interior pieces start to break within the first year of production, that isn’t a good sign. We have all seen the videos of ‘90s Audis literally falling apart from the inside once you push the over-engineered cup holder out. Thankfully, the interior of the 2022 Toyota Tundra is said to be pretty solid and not have any creaking noises when you push against the dash.
However, this problem with the seat breaking is not just from one unlucky owner, the whole comment section is filled with people also expressing their same experience with this problem of the plastic seat side trim breaking.
The unofficial term that dealers use is called “fat sliding.” However, after doing some further research, almost none of the owners whose seats broke were heavy set. Let’s take a look and see what some of the owners who had their side plastic seat trims break had to say.
Jake Jenkins said, “Mine cracked the other day. Will get them to address it next month when I take it in for 15K(mile) service.” Again, after further research, jake isn’t a heavyset guy.
John Sweet said, “Mine did too. Poor design. Mine is getting fixed at my 10,000-mile service.” It is incredible to see just how many people had this issue. To put that into perspective, out of 15 main comments, 8 of them said their truck’s plastic seat trim also broke. The rest of the comments were about whether or not the guy was big or if it would be covered which brings us to the next part, would your bumper-to-bumper warranty cover this?
Now logically speaking, it should because as the name implies, it is from your bumper to bumper. However, in this case, it’s a hit or miss. For some owners, it was covered. For others like Dillon Kennedy who said, “No it won’t {coverage} mine broke too and I had to buy another one and it was 135 dollars and another 100 for the service department to swap it out.”
I guess if you want it to be covered, you will need to haggle with the service department for a bit and really explain to them that you don’t slide and that this broke out of “perpetual accessibility.” Dealers hate it when you use big words so try to use as many as possible.
What do you think? Has this happened on your 2022 Toyota Tundra? Let us know in the comments below.
Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.
Comments
I literally read "little ray"
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I literally read "little ray". More editing and less speech to text.
Toyota's fault, Toyota pays.
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Toyota's fault, Toyota pays. Toyota used to put a grab handle on the drivers side....soooooo easy to grab that handle and lift yourself in over the seat to settle into the seat WITHOUT sliding. Toyota did away with that driver's grab handle in the mid 2010's.
NOTE TO OWNERS! Porsche 911 owners believed the light-colored dash boards blinded them. They started a class action lawsuit against Porsche, and WON! Porsche's settlement was to pay for a new pair of sunglasses for 911 owners, $250 max I believe. So if Toyota won't fix this defective-designed seat frame, sue them to do the honorable thing. But it's a damn shame if Toyota has stopped self-initiating doing right by it's new Toyota owners.
I’m not sure it’s a material
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I’m not sure it’s a material problem it’s a design issue. The plastic side trim to seat cushion ratio is very low compared to vehicles from 2005 and older. Seats are firm and low profile much like Euro vehicles. This coupled with tall ride height of trucks and SUVs will always be and issue for drivers.
I was the owner of a 2007 Tundra for 12 years. During that time, I replaced the plastic side cover and seat cushion bottom and back towards the end of my ownership. Note: The plastic trim was repaired with hot glue and screws on two occasions before eventually being replaced completely.
Mind you, I’m 6’2” and 240 pounds so flattened seat cushion and broken seat trim is bound to happen on any long term vehicle I drive.
My plastic got a mean looking
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My plastic got a mean looking crack and I have only had my Tundra 7 months. I only weigh 209 so my pounds shouldn't be an issue. I just called dealer and my salesman said take a picture and text it to him and he'll get back to me
Mine broke second week I
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Mine broke second week I owned it. They said it was "fat sliding" Toyo won't cover the bad design. Said I should use the %^&$ side step. Well....I am overweight, but I also bench press 360 lbs and squat a bunch as well. So there is that. I am not so overweight as to not be able to lift my body. But at 78" inch tall I don't fit the door opening. The seat height to head top is to small so I have to sit on the edge of the seat and finagle my tall frame into to small opening and apply pressure to the trim piece. It broke....Toyota won't replace. Watch this...I am going to design and build my replacement trim piece to fit the opening. AKA doing the job 'Toyota didn't. It's good to be a retired engineer. Once I have the piece designed and fat slide tested... Once that's done I'll make the replacement piece available on line and start a class action lawsuit to get my design time and purchase price back for those of us that have to endure thisl Toyota should be ashamed of themselves......
With less than 4500 miles on
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With less than 4500 miles on my 2022 Tundra I have a cracked plastic seat trim on the driver's side. It could have been there for a long time because it is not obvious unless you push on it. So I only noticed it when washing the truck and tried to wipe it off. The dealer is going to order me a new one and is also going to replace my window seal on both rear windows which have a gap and rubber seal can be raised up. My concern about the plastic seat trim is that it is going to be of the same quality and will crack again!!
New 22 Tundra Sport with
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New 22 Tundra Sport with right at 5k and my driver side seat controls cracks. I’m a big guy 6.1 300lbs and I didn’t have this problem on my 2020 Tundra. Come on Toyota.
Mine has broken as well.
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Mine has broken as well. Many 2022 Toyota Tundra forums are saying the same thing. I’m going to have mine repaired at 15K mile checkup. I’m not a big guy, 6’, 200 lbs. never had the problem with my 2010 Tundra I had for 12 years.
The driver side trim on the
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The driver side trim on the seat control of my 2022 tundra snapped. just by getting in an out. I looked at the broken part, and literally that whole piece is clipped to the steel frame by a clip that is 1.5 mm thick plastic. It cannot take 50 lbs, let alone 250 lbs. My truck is 4 months old so I took it to the dealer (Dixie Toyota in Mississauga, Ontario). Their "Technician determined that this is a "use caused" damage and does not fall under warrantee. This is my 5th Toyota from this dealer, and I guarantee you, is my last. How does a manufacturer justify making such crap parts for a vehicle in an area that is high in and out traffic is beyond me. Horrible experience, will never buy another Toyota again !
Same problem here, trim on
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Same problem here, trim on driver seat broke after two weeks !!!!
They blamed me for it, the clip that is attaching that piece is 1.5mm plastic .. cant take 50lbs nevermind 250 !
Absolute bull. This is my 5th Toyota, never again !!!!!!!
My driver's side plastic trim
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My driver's side plastic trim cracked about 8 months ago. One was ordered and just came in a few days ago and I got it replaced today, Feb. 28. By the time of initial cracking the part cracked several more places and eventually pulled away from the seat and part of it fell off! The dealer tells me that it is the same part so I expect it to crack again but hopefully I am wrong. Previously I owned two F-150's, a 16 and a 19. The plastic trim never cracked on either one of them! This is definitely not Toyota quality. I called Toyota manufacturer CR and complained. I suggest that anyone who has had a problem with this part that you call. The CR told me that the only way something will be done is for many people to call and complain. So please do so!
My last post was on September
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My last post was on September 17, 2022 about my plastic seat trim on the driver's side cracking. It continued cracking in several places and finally part of it fell off and pulled away from the seat. I placed a wash cloth between the seat and the plastic trim to keep my jeans from snagging on the piece. The part just came in a few days ago and I had it replaced today. The technician said it is probably the same quality as the old one so I expect this one to crack also. Previously I owned two F-150's; a 16 and a 19 and never had a problem like this. I called Toyota Corporate and complained. The CR said that if a lot of owners will call about the seat trim then Toyota will do something about it so I suggest that everyone who has had this problem to please call CR at Toyota! The is still no info available on my two rear window rubber seals that have gaps in them but they also were ordered in September 2921.
My driver side plastic seat
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My driver side plastic seat control panel bracket broke with less than 10k miles. Dealership paid the labor to replace it but I had to pay for the part. Now at almost 20k both the driver side and passenger side control panel brackets are broken. I'm only 180 lbs and our kids are school aged. Its definitely a faulty design.
This is the 2nd time my seat
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This is the 2nd time my seat trim as broken on my 2022 Tundra. This is my third Tundra since 2014. It has broken in all of them. So you would think Toyota would have engineered this part with thicker heavy plastic connection points. They should realize this part is being re ordered on a lot of there Tundras.
I have a 2022 Toyota Tundra…
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I have a 2022 Toyota Tundra. My driver's seat plastic side panel cracked at 15,000 miles and was replaced on May 10th. Last week, I had the same issue. Cracked in three spots. One piece, bottom lower back actually snapped off and fell under the seat.
Showed it to the dealer and they said warranty will cover the first two, after that I have to pay.
I've only had the truck 7 months. I'm at 20,000 now and will take it into the dealer for my service.
I step into my truck and sit down. When exiting I use the running board, and do place my weight on the seat as I exit. I only weigh 240. This should not be an issue!
Keep me informed if any recalls occur.
seat trim will break over…
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seat trim will break over and over . peace of crap . any adult can flatten the seat and put your weight on the plastic !
I bought a 2023 Capstone…
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I bought a 2023 Capstone Tundra,the side panel on drivers seat cracked and broke loose
at 5,000 miles.Took truck to dealer,they ordered a replacement under warranty.The relacement broke two weeks later.Went back to dealer,they said it was the way I was getting in and out of truck.Not covered !! $135.00 for replacement. What a stupid comment.The seat is designed wrong.I have a Lincoln Navigator 2021,same setup on a side adjustment
panel.The seat runs over top of side panel.No problem with that seat breaking.
Toyota needs to look at Lincoln's seats to see how they construct a real seat.
Same issue with 2023 Sequoia…
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Same issue with 2023 Sequoia! Driver side seat plastic trim broken - less than 7000 miles. This is NOT a driver weight issue.
2023 Sequoia - good news the…
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2023 Sequoia - good news the dealer quickly admitted it was a defect and there is a service bulletin for this and a modification to resolve the issue. May have to order the part but it's covered
I bought a 2023 Capstone…
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In reply to 2023 Sequoia - good news the… by Michael (not verified)
I bought a 2023 Capstone Tundra,side cover cracked before 5,000 miles.Took it to dealer,they replaced,two weeks later clips broke off.Told me it was me sliding in and out of truck.Not buying that stupid comment.Tundras prior to 2022 ,no seat cover issues.The cover is reinforced with a steel bracket.2022 toyota redesigns the whole truck.Side covers have plastic clips which are breaking.Toyota needs to redesign the 2022 and newer with the steel bracket and send it to us.I'm sure the extra weight of steel won't effect mpg.
2023 Toyota tundra platinum…
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2023 Toyota tundra platinum at 21k miles. I was entering the truck and noticed my plastic panel is also broken on left side driver's seat. No idea how it broke. I only weigh 210 lb I don't know if that breaks the plastic. Looks like I'm going to have to go deal with the dealer see if I can get a replacement or raise a hell.
No sense raising hell with…
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In reply to 2023 Toyota tundra platinum… by Thomas Young (not verified)
No sense raising hell with dealers, their service managers say its the way we slide in and out of truck ! You can pay $135.00 plus labor to replace it. The cover will just break again.
My second one broke loose, will have to wait until Toyota comes up with a replacement with a steel bracket like the prior to 2022 trucks. That will solve the issue.
Other than that ,I love my truck.
Come on TOYOTA, we bought your trucks in good faith, take care of us.
Does anyone know if someone…
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Does anyone know if someone has an after-market replacement for this issue? Mine looks like crap.
My driver side seat molding …
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My driver side seat molding (where my left hand would hang down between the door and seat) has cracked. I have a lease about 1.5 years old so going to call the dealer and see what they say. Wanted to check the internet first since I assume it’s a manufacturing problem. I’m not a big guy 5’10 180 so that’s not the issue.