Split Armrest Issue

[deewan]

Add me to the list. I didn't notice the armrest split until my wife pointed it out to me. Called Ford dealer and they told me what I already knew, Extended Warranty will not cover this issue. I understand issues happen and upholstery and wear and tear items are not covered, but I don't use the armrest. So clearly it's just splitting from being a weak joint and poor design. I'll add photos later. I'm going to call around to local places to see if I can get it fixed without replacing the whole panel.

 

[deewan]

Here are the pictures of my split armrest. I've been paying attention to where I touch the armrest. It's no where near that location. So while Ford doesn't say this is a major problem, it does seem to be a poor design.

 

[Flying68]

The first split I noticed was actually just below the fake stitching. I just super glued it back to the foam. Now I have noticed a small split developing in the fake seam just above the last one, probably just super glue that as well. The splits happened right where I rest my elbow while driving.

 

[Jimmy-B]

One more to add to the list. Pics to follow although it looks exactly the same as everyone else's.

I'm contemplating trading the car on a 2017 so I'll see what the dealer has to say.

 

[deewan]

Just scheduled my armrest to be repaired locally. Just recently saw some of his work at restoring leather and vinyl and he does amazing work. When I sent him photos he said he repairs about one of the newer Explorers every two weeks or so. I live in a fairly large city and their are a ton of Explorers around, but that high of number tells me this is a very common problem. I had no idea it had even happened to me until my wife noticed it the other day.

BTW, he said he could glue it and promise it wouldn't reoccur again for $80 or replace the entire panel for $200. The Ford dealer I bought the Ex from said it would be around $250. I'm going to try gluing first since I fear just replacing the panel would result in the same split in about 3-4 years.

 

[cfodchuk]

Hey all. Having the same issues. The panel of the armrest split. Just bought the vehicle a year ago. Unfortunately its a 2012 so didn't get much if the factory warranty. Called the dealership and said that I would basically have to buy a new door panel. Also for the record I'm in Ontario Canada. Anyways just seeing if there is anything I can do to avoid having to buy a new panel out of mybown pocket. Money is really tight as I have a son born with half a heart and many other issues and I'm just starting to get back to work after being off for 2 years. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[peterk9]

Hey all. Having the same issues. The panel of the armrest split. Just bought the vehicle a year ago. Unfortunately its a 2012 so didn't get much if the factory warranty. Called the dealership and said that I would basically have to buy a new door panel. Also for the record I'm in Ontario Canada. Anyways just seeing if there is anything I can do to avoid having to buy a new panel out of mybown pocket. Money is really tight as I have a son born with half a heart and many other issues and I'm just starting to get back to work after being off for 2 years. Thanks in advance for your help

Welcome to the Forum. :wavey:
Sorry to read about your son's condition. Hope all is going as well as can be expected. There are several posts in this thread about DIY repairs.

Peter

 

[deewan]

For those who may be able to find someone locally to repair the door panel. Here is a picture of the before and after. Door has been repaired for 2 months and still looks new. It's been sitting in some hot, humid weather as well. So I think it should hold up pretty well. Total cost for the fix was $75.

 

[Linabraham]

For those who may be able to find someone locally to repair the door panel. Here is a picture of the before and after. Door has been repaired for 2 months and still looks new. It's been sitting in some hot, humid weather as well. So I think it should hold up pretty well. Total cost for the fix was $75.

What did you do to repair?

 

[peterk9]

What did you do to repair?

Welcome to the Forum.
Looking at post 265 I would guess he took it to the repair shop he talked about.

Peter

 

[deewan]

What did you do to repair?

As Peter mentioned, and I mentioned in the post, "For those who may be able to find someone locally to repair the door panel," I had a guy who does vinyl repair come to my house and fix it. He used a specialized glue to seal up the seam. Still no issues and the door looks as good as new.

 

[kuko]

Well I am saddened to report that my armrest is also splitting after only 3 years and 43,000 miles, soft materials are nice to the touch but they are not durable.

 

[aznkidlee]

My 2012 driver side arm rest is splitting too, exactly like Post #268. I applied super glue at first and it helped but it still rips. I need to find a repair shop.

 

[Akiva Podolsky]

Hi,
I also have tears in my armrests. I tried to contact Crystal with a pm but I couldn't figure it out...Crystal if you see this can you pm me? I contactedthe local ford dealership in Toronto and they say it isn't covered but it seems to be a manufacturer defect...

 

[peterk9]

Hi,
I also have tears in my armrests. I tried to contact Crystal with a pm but I couldn't figure it out...Crystal if you see this can you pm me? I contactedthe local ford dealership in Toronto and they say it isn't covered but it seems to be a manufacturer defect...

Welcome to the Forum.
To send a PM (Start a Conversation) you can do it several ways. Find a post by FordServiceCA and click on that name in the margin. A pop up will appear and click on Start a Conversation. Or you can go to the 'Search' feature at the top right of the page and search on posts by FordServiceCA. A list of posts will appear and then simply carry out the first statement. You can also click on your name in the upper right of the page and select 'Conversation' from it and then select Start a Conversation in the upper right corner. In the 'Participants' field type FordServiceCA.

I doubt that they will be able to do anything for you seeing as you have a 2012 model but no harm in trying. Good luck. By the way, Crystal (FordService) and her 'gang' do not look after Canadian owners.

Peter

 

[zaidi975]

I had the same issue. Living in Ontario with extended warranty. No help from the dealer or FORD as they wanted me to pay 600 minimum. any ways I first treated the split using super glue and a needle to inject the glue. the result was ok but not clean. then I found this
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_an...ac_Super_Glues/StewMac_Tinted_Super_Glue.html
a black super glue with applicator. easy clean fix.
give it a try if you have a black interior.

Zaid

 

[360]

2015, and I now have the split in the drivers side armrest. Mines at the corner. 2 years, and 20k miles too.

 

[BMan5150]

my car is about 2.5 years old with about 45K miles, so I'm out of the warranty period. I never have any issue with paying for things that break out of the warranty period, but I am a little surprised to have the door armrest coming apart in 2 spots. When it first split this past spring, I chalked it up to one of us accidentally cutting it somehow with something. Then is started coming apart in another section. What would be the best way to see if Ford corporate would fix/replace the interior door trim for us? I have not taken my car to the dealer for this yet but am due for an oil change soon so if that's the logical first step that's what I'll do. Wondering if the Ford folks on this forum might be good to contact first? I have a photo as well if the split.

 

[peterk9]

my car is about 2.5 years old with about 45K miles, so I'm out of the warranty period. I never have any issue with paying for things that break out of the warranty period, but I am a little surprised to have the door armrest coming apart in 2 spots. When it first split this past spring, I chalked it up to one of us accidentally cutting it somehow with something. Then is started coming apart in another section. What would be the best way to see if Ford corporate would fix/replace the interior door trim for us? I have not taken my car to the dealer for this yet but am due for an oil change soon so if that's the logical first step that's what I'll do. Wondering if the Ford folks on this forum might be good to contact first? I have a photo as well if the split.

Using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature I found and merged your thread with this one.

Peter

 

[BMan5150]

Thanks Peter. I actually searched, "armrest splitting" titles and got no hits for some reason. I'm surprised and also disappointed at the same time how many people clearly have this issue with their explorer. I will just ask my dealer to see if they will arrange with Ford to fix this issue. Should absolutely not happen on a 2.5 year old car. The last time this happened to a car I owned, it was a 12 year old 1985 ford escort! I will also PM Crystal to see if she can help me out and save me from an extra dealer visit.