Split Armrest Issue

[deewan]

For those looking to repair the seam, I've had my split seam professionally repaired twice by a professional who repairs vinyl cracks on boats and airplanes. It keeps splitting. At this point I've given up. It hasn't gotten any worse over the past two years since the last split, but it is an eye sore on a SUV that I've kept in mint condition otherwise. I've considered trying to sew it back together but at tis point I think I'm a year away from a new car so I may just let the next owner/dealer handle it.

 

[SixPonies]

Has anyone had this problem with 16-19 Explorers, or did Ford resolve this issue with the 2016 refresh?

 

[914pete]

I just called Ford to see what a new door panel costs. $687.00!! I still can't believe this would be the 3rd drivers side panel on a 6 year old car. What a piece of junk! I guess the only thing to do since Ford could care less about this defect is continue talking people out of buying Explorers.

 

[peterk9]

Unfortunately, there isn't much Ford can do with the existing trim panels. The design was changed later on.

2013-2015 Ford Explorer Door Trim Panel EB5Z-7823942-BA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

2013-2015 Ford Explorer part # EB5Z-7823942-BA - Door Trim Panel

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Peter

 

[SixPonies]

Unfortunately, there isn't much Ford can do with the existing trim panels. The design was changed later on.

2013-2015 Ford Explorer Door Trim Panel EB5Z-7823942-BA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

2013-2015 Ford Explorer part # EB5Z-7823942-BA - Door Trim Panel

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Peter

So is this still a problem on the 16-19 Explorers, or did Ford resolve it with the 2016 redesign/refresh?

 

[peterk9]

So is this still a problem on the 16-19 Explorers, or did Ford resolve it with the 2016 redesign/refresh?

If you check the margin profiles you will see that the last model year to report this issue is 2015. Post 297 shows the new armrest. There is a post by traveler100 that shows he has a 2019 XLT but he just bought that one. The issue was with his 2012.

Peter

 

[914pete]

Unfortunately, there isn't much Ford can do with the existing trim panels. The design was changed later on.

2013-2015 Ford Explorer Door Trim Panel EB5Z-7823942-BA | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

2013-2015 Ford Explorer part # EB5Z-7823942-BA - Door Trim Panel

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Peter

Of course they can do something. They are still available, the car is only 6 years old. I have to assume they are still being made which means they could use a different vendor and make a product that won't fall apart in a year or two and replace it. Oh, and now my passenger side panel is coming apart.

 

[xartic]

Of course they can do something. They are still available, the car is only 6 years old. I have to assume they are still being made which means they could use a different vendor and make a product that won't fall apart in a year or two and replace it. Oh, and now my passenger side panel is coming apart.

Here is the top panel that is covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program, but it seems you are outside of the 5 year window. They " Remove and staple both door trim panels".

You can add me to the list that has the driver door separating at the fake stitched seam.

 

[peterk9]

Of course they can do something. They are still available, the car is only 6 years old. I have to assume they are still being made which means they could use a different vendor and make a product that won't fall apart in a year or two and replace it. Oh, and now my passenger side panel is coming apart.

They may still be available but I don't know if they are still being manufactured. Even so, they likely would not change manufacturers at this stage. As mentioned, they did redesign them by moving the area of the 'SEAM'.

Peter

 

[keenmar78]

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same cosmetic problem with their 2014 XLT. I had Ford replace the driver side door panel just under the 36,000 mile warranty because the arm rest fake stitched seam was splitting for no reason. That was in 2016. Now, exactly 2 years later the new arm rest is splitting. I'm a left handed driver so I don't even rest my arm on the arm rest. Ridiculous for a 4 year old car. I called the dealer and asked if it would be covered again. I got a firm NO.

The rubber trim around the outside of the windows is buckling and lifting too. And the carpeting is fraying and lifting in areas around the seats. I've been buying new cars for 35 years. This is my first Ford and if things like this keep happening, which shouldn't, will probably be my last.

2013 XLT HERE, DRIVER PANEL ARMREST SPLIT. I'm looking for a replacement/cover type piece to fix it. Super annoyed.

 

[peterk9]

2013 XLT HERE, DRIVER PANEL ARMREST SPLIT. I'm looking for a replacement/cover type piece to fix it. Super annoyed.

Welcome to the Forum.
It's been a while since I've read through this thread but I believe in order to replace it, you have to get the whole door panel.

Interior Trim - Front Door for 2013 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Perhaps you could try an auto recycling place/site.

Peter

 

[ocracokeBound]

2013 XLT HERE, DRIVER PANEL ARMREST SPLIT. I'm looking for a replacement/cover type piece to fix it. Super annoyed.

The car is 9 years old, stuff is going to happen. Look at the videos to stich it. I did back in 2014 and it hasn't failed.

 

[atilla137]

She’s coming apart at the seams!​

The rich Corinthian leather on my driver’s side door has split at the seam on the armrest. It’s about 3 inches long. I tried to gorilla glue it but it didn’t hold. Any ideas? It’s really the only flaw in the interior and I’d love to be able to repair it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Digitalgp]

For some reason I sense the sarcasm with the rich corinthian leather lol. Mine started getting a very small slit in the driver's door armrest right between the seems maybe about 2" the most when I noticed it. I used a couple drops of motorcraft ta-19-c instant gel adhesive and so far its been holding even with all this heat & humidity we've been having here. It's $6 at the Ford dealer. It was getting dark out when I did mine so I had my droplight shining on it. Its a terrible design. There is no stitching running through it. It literally appears to just be a thin skin of vinyl holding the upper & lower seams together. Its no wonder why these things come apart

 

[peterk9]

She’s coming apart at the seams!​

The rich Corinthian leather on my driver’s side door has split at the seam on the armrest. It’s about 3 inches long. I tried to gorilla glue it but it didn’t hold. Any ideas? It’s really the only flaw in the interior and I’d love to be able to repair it.
Thanks in advance.

Your thread was merged with this existing one found using the 'Search' feature. There really isn't much that hasn't already been covered.

Peter

 

[deewan]

Revisiting this myself. I've had my driver side armrest professional fixed twice and my passenger armrest fixed once. Both have 1-2" splits again. I know some here have literally stitched their arrest back together and I am strongly considering that. Tired of paying to fix a poor design. The good news is, everything else on my 10 year old Explorer is darn near perfect so it's difficult for me to even think about replacing the car with a newer model.

 

[jamestj9]

mine has the same issue with the door panel, took it off yesterday fixed the plastic and then glued the seam closed. I took the tape off and it seems to be holding. I will wait a little while see if it is holding if not i will try to sew it closed.

 

[texsn95]

Same thing here...what type of glue did you use?

 

[jamestj9]

Same thing here...what type of glue did you use?

I used some loctite epoxy plastic bonder on the inside and then used Shoe Goo on the outside part of the seam. It is stronger for sure just drove it and feels more secure.

 

[jason46]

Mine was repaired by the previous owner or dealership, not exactly the most stealth job but its good enough.

However this is more bothersome which we plan to try to take the panel off to fix when we have time to get around to it.