Plastic interior finish pealing away!

jmacsva · 08-09-2004, 09:09 PM

On our first extended trip with our Prius I found that the grey finish on the armrest/window control panel is wearing away from my knee resting against the door? Has anyone else notice this problem? Approximately 6 inches of the finish is gone along the facing edge of the grey plastic that houses the window controls.
Thanks.
john

Bob Allen · 08-10-2004, 10:37 AM

What is the underlying color? Is it some sort of primer color? My thought is that the plastic interior parts may all be beige when produced, then the grey is added to those destined to go into grey interiors. I have the beige interior and haven't noticed any wear. I too am tall and my knees rest against the door. I've had my car since the end of February and have about 6800 miles on it. I would also be interested to know how the interiors are wearing from you folks with higher mileages.
Now for a silly question: what kind of pants do you normally wear? Levis would be more abrasive, I suspect, than lighter cotton materials. I any case, it sounds like a warranty issue. A car as new as yours must be shouldn't be wearing like that, and it doesn't fit with Toyota's normally high standards.
Bob

finman · 08-10-2004, 10:46 AM

11,600 miles, Seaside Pearl with beige interior. Did my own Scotchguard, no wear anywhere. Only thing really wearing out is my smile from driving this car! Did spill a strawberry sundae and a coffee on front seats. Cleaned up perfectly. Drive fun, drive clean (emissions as well as sundaes!), drive Prius.

mboileau · 08-10-2004, 11:20 AM

Beige interior here.. No real wear problems. I also had the dealer-added fabric and paint protection (they threw that in). I do, however, notice that the embossed white writing on many of the buttons, especially the wheel controls, are wearing off quickly. You can tell which buttons get used more often just by looking at the dash.

randalla · 08-10-2004, 11:38 AM

I try to make a conscious effort to not push on the area on the buttons that has the lettering. I immediately noticed soon after taking delivery that the lettering could be easily susceptible to prematurely rubbing away.
Beige interior here too with no apparent wear on the door panels,

**efusco** · 08-10-2004, 02:14 PM

Please post a picture of this problem. My leg rubs against that area all the time from the way I sit but after 11k miles+ I've noticed no such problem.

V8Cobrakid · 08-10-2004, 02:39 PM

Only problem i've noticed so far is the cloth ont he center console has become loose where you grab it. I feel that it's no longer tucked and comming undone. Any advice for me? I haven't really looked at it. Haven't had the time. I wonder if i can re tuck it.
:mrgreen:

Tempus · 08-10-2004, 03:08 PM

A number of other people have reported, here and elsewhere, that the cloth at the front of the Center Console door comes loose.

In all the cases I've seen, Toyota has replaced the lid under warrantee.

I'm glad I read these forums, because now mine is starting to come loose. Normally I'd just grab the glue, but since I know it's a known issue that Toyota apparently accepts and fixes without undue drama, I'm just going to wait for my next scheduled service, and get it done then.

I may call them in advance, and drop by so they can 'observe and approve' it and have the part ready.

V8Cobrakid · 08-10-2004, 04:17 PM

Thanks.. i'll be sure to do the same.. another.. 700 miles till my first oil change.. all in less than 2 months.. hehe

BTW... do you have to take the car to the dealer you purchased it from? Can you go to any Toyota dealer to get an oil change or replacement part?

**Danny** · 08-10-2004, 04:34 PM

Any dealer has to recognize the Toyota Warranties. Unless your dealership promised you free oil changes or maintenace when you bought your car.

08-09-2004, 09:09 PM	#1
jmacsva Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Plastic interior finish pealing away! On our first extended trip with our Prius I found that the grey finish on the armrest/window control panel is wearing away from my knee resting against the door? Has anyone else notice this problem? Approximately 6 inches of the finish is gone along the facing edge of the grey plastic that houses the window controls. Thanks. john

08-10-2004, 10:37 AM	#2
Bob Allen Captainbaba Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,262 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	What is the underlying color? Is it some sort of primer color? My thought is that the plastic interior parts may all be beige when produced, then the grey is added to those destined to go into grey interiors. I have the beige interior and haven't noticed any wear. I too am tall and my knees rest against the door. I've had my car since the end of February and have about 6800 miles on it. I would also be interested to know how the interiors are wearing from you folks with higher mileages. Now for a silly question: what kind of pants do you normally wear? Levis would be more abrasive, I suspect, than lighter cotton materials. I any case, it sounds like a warranty issue. A car as new as yours must be shouldn't be wearing like that, and it doesn't fit with Toyota's normally high standards. Bob __________________ :P Angel Flight Pilot

08-10-2004, 04:34 PM	#10
Danny Admin/Founder Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 5,290 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 38 Thanked 209 Times in 85 Posts Friends: 37	Any dealer has to recognize the Toyota Warranties. Unless your dealership promised you free oil changes or maintenace when you bought your car. __________________ Follow PriusChat on and *Buy your discounted 2010 Prius Accessories* here and support PriusChat: PriusChat Shop PriusChat Also Offers Discounts on: Extended Warranty - $1055 : Pre-Paid Maintenance - $875**

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08-10-2004, 10:46 AM	#3
finman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 992 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	11,600 miles, Seaside Pearl with beige interior. Did my own Scotchguard, no wear anywhere. Only thing really wearing out is my smile from driving this car! Did spill a strawberry sundae and a coffee on front seats. Cleaned up perfectly. Drive fun, drive clean (emissions as well as sundaes!), drive Prius.

08-10-2004, 11:20 AM	#4
mboileau Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 278 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Beige interior here.. No real wear problems. I also had the dealer-added fabric and paint protection (they threw that in). I do, however, notice that the embossed white writing on many of the buttons, especially the wheel controls, are wearing off quickly. You can tell which buttons get used more often just by looking at the dash.

08-10-2004, 11:38 AM	#5
randalla Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kensington, MD Posts: 344 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I try to make a conscious effort to not push on the area on the buttons that has the lettering. I immediately noticed soon after taking delivery that the lettering could be easily susceptible to prematurely rubbing away. Beige interior here too with no apparent wear on the door panels,

08-10-2004, 02:14 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Please post a picture of this problem. My leg rubs against that area all the time from the way I sit but after 11k miles+ I've noticed no such problem.

08-10-2004, 02:39 PM	#7
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	Only problem i've noticed so far is the cloth ont he center console has become loose where you grab it. I feel that it's no longer tucked and comming undone. Any advice for me? I haven't really looked at it. Haven't had the time. I wonder if i can re tuck it. :mrgreen:

08-10-2004, 03:08 PM	#8
Tempus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,693 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	A number of other people have reported, here and elsewhere, that the cloth at the front of the Center Console door comes loose. In all the cases I've seen, Toyota has replaced the lid under warrantee. I'm glad I read these forums, because now mine is starting to come loose. Normally I'd just grab the glue, but since I know it's a known issue that Toyota apparently accepts and fixes without undue drama, I'm just going to wait for my next scheduled service, and get it done then. I may call them in advance, and drop by so they can 'observe and approve' it and have the part ready.

08-10-2004, 04:17 PM	#9
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	Thanks.. i'll be sure to do the same.. another.. 700 miles till my first oil change.. all in less than 2 months.. hehe BTW... do you have to take the car to the dealer you purchased it from? Can you go to any Toyota dealer to get an oil change or replacement part?