Center Arm Rest

hycamguy07 · 05-26-2006, 11:48 AM

Has anyone else noticed the cloth seperating from the edges of the center console lid/arm rest?

Would this be concidered manufacturers defect?

Schmika · 05-26-2006, 11:52 AM

I had read previously of the poor "quality" of the center console arm rest. I think that is different than a defect. Anyway, some lady was advertising covers that she made herself and she would even stitch a name on it. I got one (actually, I got two somehow and the other is just sitting there.) Anyway, ity is a shiny, black material with a checked pattern. I would be happy to send it to you if you want to PM me w/ address.

mikepaul · 05-26-2006, 11:57 AM

Right where the console release button is located, the cloth came loose quite a while back. It never got any worse, so I just treat it nicely when I need to open the console, and if it comes off someday I'll look into a replacement.

The material is looking just a touch shabby where my right arm rubs against it, but until I've worn a hole in it, it'll do...

eklabbers · 05-26-2006, 12:28 PM

I had the same thing happen with mine. My car was still under warranty and I had the cloth replaced for free by the Toyota service center. Never had a problem with it since. And this was more than a year ago.

Tempus · 05-26-2006, 02:17 PM

Lots of early '04s have had the cloth on the center console right by the latch lift up.

If you're under the 3/36 warrantee, they'll just order you a new lid, presumably with better glue. They did for me and it's been fine since.

If you're over 3/36 even with the Extended Warrantee, unfortunately it's considered 'trim' and not covered, so you may as well try to glue it back yourself unless you have money to burn for a new lid.

A further reminder to those with early '04s - The other trim issue that seems to occur regularly is the sagging headliner. It also is only covered under the 3/36 so if your '04 is approaching the end of the warrantee, make sure your headliner is in good shape. It seems to happen earlier on dark cars in hot climates of course.

ghostofjk · 05-26-2006, 08:03 PM

The separated armrest fabric, as noted, is a well-documented problem. I could have gotten a new lid from my dealer, but opted to try Super Glue first. Three minutes, good as new.

Toyota should have stapled it as well as using glue, so it could resist the stress of being tugged back.

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05-26-2006, 11:48 AM	#1
hycamguy07 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,707 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Has anyone else noticed the cloth seperating from the edges of the center console lid/arm rest? Would this be concidered manufacturers defect?

05-26-2006, 11:52 AM	#2
Schmika Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had read previously of the poor "quality" of the center console arm rest. I think that is different than a defect. Anyway, some lady was advertising covers that she made herself and she would even stitch a name on it. I got one (actually, I got two somehow and the other is just sitting there.) Anyway, ity is a shiny, black material with a checked pattern. I would be happy to send it to you if you want to PM me w/ address.

05-26-2006, 11:57 AM	#3
mikepaul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,675 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Right where the console release button is located, the cloth came loose quite a while back. It never got any worse, so I just treat it nicely when I need to open the console, and if it comes off someday I'll look into a replacement. The material is looking just a touch shabby where my right arm rubs against it, but until I've worn a hole in it, it'll do...

05-26-2006, 12:28 PM	#4
eklabbers Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 94 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had the same thing happen with mine. My car was still under warranty and I had the cloth replaced for free by the Toyota service center. Never had a problem with it since. And this was more than a year ago.

05-26-2006, 02:17 PM	#5
Tempus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,693 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Lots of early '04s have had the cloth on the center console right by the latch lift up. If you're under the 3/36 warrantee, they'll just order you a new lid, presumably with better glue. They did for me and it's been fine since. If you're over 3/36 even with the Extended Warrantee, unfortunately it's considered 'trim' and not covered, so you may as well try to glue it back yourself unless you have money to burn for a new lid. A further reminder to those with early '04s - The other trim issue that seems to occur regularly is the sagging headliner. It also is only covered under the 3/36 so if your '04 is approaching the end of the warrantee, make sure your headliner is in good shape. It seems to happen earlier on dark cars in hot climates of course.

05-26-2006, 08:03 PM	#6
ghostofjk Unrepentant Nattering Nabob of Negativism (V.P. Spiro T. Agnew) Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 981 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The separated armrest fabric, as noted, is a well-documented problem. I could have gotten a new lid from my dealer, but opted to try Super Glue first. Three minutes, good as new. Toyota should have stapled it as well as using glue, so it could resist the stress of being tugged back.