The plastic inserts at the top of the seat are coming apart due to the plastic tabs that hold them together are braking. I was driving home when one of the plastic pieces fell out completely. I have noticed three out of the four are coming apart so I took it to Mazda and they said they would cover it under warranty, but they are seriously taking their time. Just wanted everyone with the Recaro seats to keep an eye on this.

 

I had the same thing happen to me last week. It just fell out and the clips in it was broken. I ended up going to mazda and it was covered under warranty. Took 3 days and it came in and I was able to install it myself.

 

S2 RX-8 Seat Inserts or Bezels for Recaro's Only....Part Numbers for Future Reference...

F197-88-1E802 Bezel - Front Right - 2009 - 2011
F197-88-1F802 Bezel - Front Left - 2009 - 2011

F197-88-1E902 Bezel - Rear Right - 2009 - 2011
F197-88-1F902 Bezel - Rear Left - 2009 - 2011

Same for either side of Seat, Total of 8 for Both Seats.
That is one of each above for Left Front Recaro Seat.
Or one of each above for Right Front Recaro Seat.

 

Had a 280 lb technician just pop one of mine out. Was actually surprised this part can be gotten through Mazda. I was expecting a long, drawn out phone call with Recaro.

 

Happened to me, too. Got it replaced under warranty and it failed again in the same way. I just put some clear tape on it and called it a day. Literally never notice it unless I'm looking for it.

 

I have a bad insert too. I superglued it and it lasted a couple months before popping back out. This time, I'm going to scuff it up with sandpaper and plastic epoxy the front and back insert together.

I thought about buying a new one for $50, but they just aren't designed to be very robust, so I imagine it happening again, even if I buy a new one.

 

Just swapped in a new interior. First track day the outside one popped out, then the inside one. I really like the clear tape solution. Thanks.

 

A drilled a hole in the top and bottom of each one and used interior push in clips. It has been working great. I had to shorted the clips because they are almost 1/2" long and would hit inner parts of the seat.

 

Hi there. Do you have any pictures of this? I was thinking about epoxying small nuts on the inside of the plastic and then drilling in a small screw to hold it in similar to what you did.

 

I can take some tomorrow.

EDIT:
Photos added. I need to trim the bottom ones a little shorter, they are hitting the metal bar inside the seat. I can push them in but as soon as you sit in the seat they pop out a tiny bit like you see in the pics.

 

****....thats freakin perfect!!! Thanks! Will be doing the same.

 

You might be able to position the bottom so it doesn't hit the bar inside the seat. When I drilled the holes I did it outside the car and didn't know the bar was in the way until I tried to install them.

 

I have had my 11' R3 for about 6 months now, both driver seat inserts were broken sitting in the back seat when I bought the car. The parts weren't cheap $50 a piece if I remember correctly. Not even a month after having a mazda dealer install new ones the left side of my driver seat inserts popped right out