Plastic panel trim on the side of the base of the seat keeps popping off

[MiamiBlue]

The side plastic trim of the seat base (where the controls are mounted) keeps popping off and needs clicked back in. It seems the the clip that holds it on has weakened. It might be my fat ass, or just going around a fast corner that pushes my weight against the side bolster (which pushes against the plastic panel) and pops it out.

Anyone experienced this or knows a solution?

 

[cryptovince]

Coincidentally, I heard a pop as I was getting out of my car yesterday around that spot too. I ended up sitting back in my seat and trying to feel for broken parts beneath the seat or any structural weaknesses on the left side of the seat, but couldn't find anything noticeable (yet).

 

[MiamiBlue]

Coincidentally, I heard a pop as I was getting out of my car yesterday around that spot too. I ended up sitting back in my seat and trying to feel for broken parts beneath the seat or any structural weaknesses on the left side of the seat, but couldn't find anything noticeable (yet).

Try pushing the trim against the seat and see if it clicks back in.

 

[netsinah]

The side plastic trim of the seat base (where the controls are mounted) keeps popping off and needs clicked back in. It seems the the clip that holds it on has weakened. It might be my fat ass, or just going around a fast corner that pushes my weight against the side bolster (which pushes against the plastic panel) and pops it out.

Anyone experienced this or knows a solution?

This piece "clicks" in, however it first has to be "hooked onto" the side of the seat, in 2 places (rear end, plus around the middle). I'm wondering if your piece is properly hooked in place. If not, perhaps (?) that's why it's not holding. I experienced the same problem after I'd taken mine off (both sides) and solved it, by first hooking each side in place, before pressing them in towards the seat.

Here's my prior May 4/25 post about that, in the "Changing Seatbelt Webbing" thread (there's a couple of photos on that thread you might find useful):

One thing to further help out: when re-installing the lower side seat panel (with embedded electric seat controls), first lift up the panel above 2 upper tabs, then down so each tab slides into an upper slot on the panel. There’s one tab/slot in the middle and another at the end of the panel near the back of the seat. Once done, it snugs the upper part of the panel to the edge of the seat. It’s a bit difficult, since the controls get in the way and prevent upward movement, but keep angling the panel and it’ll work. Then push the lower edge of the panel in towards the seat, to engage each lower clip. Now you’ll have a tight fit. The service manual, as with many such small details, doesn’t mention this.

 

[Neil D.]

Deja vu. The top fitting is very poor, I have reinforced mine with some brazing rod and epoxy. Also to avoid a fit the is too tight, the metal tongue on the seat can be teased out a little.
The repair is 100 % invisible and much stronger than the original.
Spare part is cheap, but will no doubt fail in time.
Good luck.
Neil

 

[MiamiBlue]

Thanks. I've looked through the pictures on the other thread. Looks like there's 3 of these plastic with metal around clips.
It's just the front one of mine that seems to be falling out. The rear part seems to be well attached. I just can't get the front one to lock in well. Too much pressure on the side bolster from the inside pushes it out. I don't think it's actually clicking in properly.

 

[netsinah]

Thanks. I've looked through the pictures on the other thread. Looks like there's 3 of these plastic with metal around clips.
It's just the front one of mine that seems to be falling out. The rear part seems to be well attached. I just can't get the front one to lock in well. Too much pressure on the side bolster from the inside pushes it out. I don't think it's actually clicking in properly.

If the 2 upper tabs are properly installed in their "slots" but then the one lower clip refuses to stay in, you should consider removing the plastic trim piece entirely ("taking it off" so it's only connected by the wiring), to better see what's happening with its lower clips and the one clip in particular. You may see the problem that way; ie. a bent clip or something blocking where the clip goes into? Do that first or if you're worried about mucking around with it, just have your dealer look at it. Perhaps (?) it's a defective part and there's nothing except a new trim piece, that will correct it? Good luck figuring it out.

 

[Neil D.]

Thanks. I've looked through the pictures on the other thread. Looks like there's 3 of these plastic with metal around clips.
It's just the front one of mine that seems to be falling out. The rear part seems to be well attached. I just can't get the front one to lock in well. Too much pressure on the side bolster from the inside pushes it out. I don't think it's actually clicking in properly.

The metal reinforcing is my addition, the original are just moulded abs, and not too good mechanically.

 

[Zardoz]

This issue happened to my car, and I know of another. I had the trim piece replaced under warranty. It is a flimsy plastic clip that cracked & broke off.

 

[T6061]

This issue happened to my car, and I know of another. I had the trim piece replaced under warranty. It is a flimsy plastic clip that cracked & broke off.

Happened to me as well. Twice now. There is a tab in the center that breaks. If we could solve the airbag light issue I'd pop for a pair of Tillett B10 XL and be done with it...

 

[netsinah]

FWIW: I've had no issues whatsoever with my side seat trim pieces, after having each side on/off several times. Once I figured out how to reinstall them (inserting the top tabs first), it went smoothly and created a tight fit. The response to this thread suggests it's a common problem, however these postings are the first I've heard of any issues. That said, maybe I've spent too much time living under a rock and I'm woefully ill-informed (lol; just joking; I spend too much time on this Forum...just ask my better half) or perhaps these concerns are just now being voiced?

On the other hand, when I had much of my car interior apart to install sound absorbing/dampening material, I noticed some of the panel clips could be crushed sideways if they weren't properly aligned when trying to reinstall, and if too much pressure was applied. I could always bend them back into place, so they were functional. Sometimes I used a small mirror extension tool, to view the alignment, before pressing the panel back into place, when it was a tight space and difficult to see what was going on. I didn't find that necessary with the side seat trim pieces.