My 09 R3 I just picked up with 24K has a busted drivers side recaro seat. The side bolster close to the door is completely broken and the leather is all loose and disgusting looking. I don't know if the previous owner was a huge person or something else happened, but car is a clean title with no carfax accidents and I cannot tell that it has been hit etc...

Has this happened to anyone else? I searched and found issues with plastic inserts, but nothing to do with a broken/crumbled bolster.

I will post a picture if that helps any.

The local Mazda dealer has a bad reputation for warranty and service support, so I am dreading going in there as-is

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

 

Common issue, normal wear and tear. The problem would be compounded by a heavy set individual.

 

In your other post you said you got an extended 1 year /12k bumper to bumper warranty. Just take it in and get it fixed, bumper to bumper means everything. If they refuse to fix it then call up mazda north america and complain if you have to. If the seat died that quick I see no reason why they would not fix it.

 

Not so sure it is a 'common issue', however why buy a car with Recaro's 'if' your BODY does not fit, I personally could not think of anything worse or more uncomfortable.

The factory Miata/MX-5 Recaro's are even tighter, while I fit in both (MX-5 Sport and RX-8), I just could not live with it, at my 'age' I find it hard enough to exit both of my Mazda's.

 

UPDATE: Guess I was lied to - It was not a 1 year bumper to bumper warranty - Its a 1 year warranty that covers things outside of the 7 yr/100K warranty - but, only for a list of items and nothing on the interior is covered.

I plan to call and write Mazda of America and complain or Recaro USA. I bought an used seat to fix the issue for now.

 

I am 6 ft 2", 184 lbs and with a 34 waist. The seats fit me just fine. I see what you mean tho...

Can you post a pic of the MX-5 Recaros? I would love to see these and see if they match the RX-8 interior? Thanks

 

So, the R3 is at the dealer getting the 25k mile service. Since it is a CPO, I want to ensure that it is maintained on schedule.

I had complained about my broken recaro bolster on the drivers side. Per dealer, they cannot do anything about it and I figured as much. I am glad I bought the spare recaro off the forum here.

But, then they add that my whole drivers side seat is loose and it is loose because my seat tracks are damaged and need replacing. Also, all of my seat bolt trim covers are broken and need to be replaced.

From what he said, the part where my recaro bolts to the track is loose and the seat track is permanently damaged!?!

Best part - want to charge me a $1000 to fix it and it is not covered by my CPO warranty!

So...

1) Anyone have this issue with their recaro?

2) Are tracks from non-R3 and R3 interchangable?

I will post a WTB thread and see if anyone has one from a S2 if it will work...

 

The Driver's side recaro in my R3 has the normal wear plus the upper outboard bolster is completly broken collapsed inward, making the seat super uncomfortable. I was thinking of seeing if an interior speicalist could repair it and perhaps make it more sturdy. I'll report back.

 

A good upholstery shop could fix it easy. Finding exact matching material might be fine.

 

I was looking at buying the whole seat back from mazda fresh/new. Even with my racer discount its $2600

That is completely insane. I hope the local shop can take it apart and work some magic on it. I think ill have them replace the bottom outside bolster at the same time, perhaps they can get a matching material that will hold up and not wear/crack as easily as the factory stuff.

 

Local shop said they could repair it. The "leather" is really expensive. I'm having them replace the outside panel on the bottom part of the seat in addition to the outside panel on the top/back part of the seat, and they have to repair the airbag mount and the foam on the upper outside bolster. Not cheap, but still less than half of buying a new complete upper/back assembly. And i expect it will be as good as new.

 

Got the car back yesterday. Seat looks brand new. The leather is an almost perfect match. Really great work. The seat is still tight but not painfully crushing my rib cage like it was. I think the previous owner used the side bolster to brace himself getting in and out of the car which eventually just broke the seat. Lesson to be learned is to brace on something else. The A-pillar handle or the rear door or something other than the side bolster on the recaro seats.