"Leather" Seat base sides cracked badly

I'll tell the truth: This is on my Wife's Highlander. Same issue here possibly? The leather seat bottom cushion has sides that are not leather like the contact area. The sides are badly cracked to the point bits are falling off. Has anyone here found a source to replace the seat cover? I was hoping for a recommendation.

 

Duct tape?

 

Leather seats are no bueno from my experience. They either tear, get blue stains on the edge near the door from ongoing in and out of the vehicle while wearing jeans, or get too hot and sticky down here in Texas.

 

The problem isn't in the seat cover (vinyl vs leather) it's in the care of the seat cover. Leather and vinyls need to be conditioned to maintain plushness or they dry out and crack. I would condition the rest of the leather so you don't have further cracking.

They make vinyl repair kits where you can mix up a paste you apply to the area and then use an iron to melt it down and cure it together. I used a kit like that to repair some vinyl on my old Ford. Worked OK but was not a perfect fix (its hard to color match old vinyl). It worked though.

I would go to the dealer as a starting point. If it's too expensive through them at least you could grab a part number.

 

yep,........ Duck tape, Quawk!

 

Katzkin seat covers. These are for Tacomas but they may have them for your car.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/katzkin-leather-for-your-tacoma.313544/

 

Factory leather is not an option on tacos - they are all aftermarket add ons. That said, replacing the drivers side seat bottom with a new piece is not a difficult job.

 

For over 20 years just about all OEM leather seats are qualified in the fine print as "leather seating surfaces only"--i.e. they use some sort of faux leather for the sides, backs, etc. that has different wear characteristics and ends up either outlasting the shit quality leather some makers use, or failing before the higher quality leather others use.

This, and that we keep our cars for a long time and many miles, is why I am not a big fan of leather seats. On average they seem to be good for 50 to 60k miles and 6 to 8 years--the driver's side outboard bolster(s) goes(go) first...

 

I've had similar wear in previous vehicle that I've owned. My local auto upholstery shop was able to get inserts and stitched them in.

 

I'll check with Katzkin, might get lucky. Thanks.