So this is a potentially dangerous issue then. I think that perhaps VOSA should get involved if Skoda won't admit it.

So this is a potentially dangerous issue then. I think that perhaps VOSA should get involved if Skoda won't admit it.

said it wasnt dangerous in anyway airbag would still deploy ,the part which has broken off is only fix on by segments ie 20mm plastic then a gap then another 20mm and so on,cant fault telfords at carlisle they have been spot on no issues at all.

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by davydoo

Car was in at dealers on Saturday and the assessment was that it is a warranty issue and that the necessary parts are on order. Service manager asked if the car had been taken to any other Dealer which it hadn't. The reason for him asking was that he intends raising a "technical/safety notification" with Skoda about the problem.

He reckons that if there was going to be a safety issue then the "Airbag warning light" would be on, which it isn't, so he thinks the bag would deploy as advertised. In this H+S concious world I am inclined to agree as they would have advised me not to drive the car now that they are aware as that would be construed as negligence.

Given that a few of us have this problem I can't believe that Skoda aren't already aware. Probably big company syndrome going on though!! Anyway once the car has been in I will post an update.

Edited 29 August, 201015 yr by banksie

There are ways to reduce the time wasted in arguing the toss.

Make sure you note down carefully what the dealer tells you, show them your notes and ask them to verify that you what you have noted down is in fact their argument.

Note down the name of the person who told you all this and inform them that your notes will form the first part of any legal proceedings and/or correspondence with the local press.

Ask the representative whether he/she has the authorization of their manager to make such statements. You should find yourself speaking fairly quickly with the person who runs the dealership.

When you get to speak to the organ grinder be polite but firm - there is no need to be confrontational. If it gets emotional the chances are that they will have had a lot more practice than you (especially in a poor dealership) and you will end up either making concessions that you will regret or muddying the water to such an extent that no advance is made at all.

Lay out your rehearsed argument (yes rehearse it before you go, test it on friends too) and make clear that you have no intention of letting things lie.

Make your claim under the Sale of goods act to the dealer who sold you the car. If the dealer wishes to charge a claim under warranty that is an issue for him to decide but it is between he and Skoda and should not affect or delay a satisfactory repair to you.

None of this guarantees you will win but it stands you in good stead.

If you get a satisfactory answer without immediate action insist on a written reply.

If you do not get a satisfactory answer or the above written reply is not received within say three business days write a formal letter laying out your whole claim. You may wish to get a solicitor involved at this point.

Local papers are a very strong resource, they are always short of stories, relish the chance to be a helping hand and probably have quieter back-channels to talk to the dealer. Citizens Advice Bureaux can be good too.

Goes without saying that you need keep copies of all correspondence.

I am not a Lawyer by the way, if you have access to legal advice then so much the better.

There are ways to reduce the time wasted in arguing the toss.

Make sure you note down carefully what the dealer tells you, show them your notes and ask them to verify that you what you have noted down is in fact their argument.

Note down the name of the person who told you all this and inform them that your notes will form the first part of any legal proceedings and/or correspondence with the local press.

Ask the representative whether he/she has the authorization of their manager to make such statements. You should find yourself speaking fairly quickly with the person who runs the dealership.

When you get to speak to the organ grinder be polite but firm - there is no need to be confrontational. If it gets emotional the chances are that they will have had a lot more practice than you (especially in a poor dealership) and you will end up either making concessions that you will regret or muddying the water to such an extent that no advance is made at all.

Lay out your rehearsed argument (yes rehearse it before you go, test it on friends too) and make clear that you have no intention of letting things lie.

Make your claim under the Sale of goods act to the dealer who sold you the car. If the dealer wishes to charge a claim under warranty that is an issue for him to decide but it is between he and Skoda and should not affect or delay a satisfactory repair to you.

None of this guarantees you will win but it stands you in good stead.

If you get a satisfactory answer without immediate action insist on a written reply.

If you do not get a satisfactory answer or the above written reply is not received within say three business days write a formal letter laying out your whole claim. You may wish to get a solicitor involved at this point.

Local papers are a very strong resource, they are always short of stories, relish the chance to be a helping hand and probably have quieter back-channels to talk to the dealer. Citizens Advice Bureaux can be good too.

Goes without saying that you need keep copies of all correspondence.

I am not a Lawyer by the way, if you have access to legal advice then so much the better.

This all sounds very nice and straightforward, and yes it will probably ensure that you get the job done correctly. But if i was the dealer and you came in taking notes of every conversation any member's of my staff had with you in regard to repairs to your car i would not be very happy, in fact i would be more inclined to do the LEAST i possibly could for you and ensure that your jobs were always done last.

This all sounds very nice and straightforward, and yes it will probably ensure that you get the job done correctly. But if i was the dealer and you came in taking notes of every conversation any member's of my staff had with you in regard to repairs to your car i would not be very happy, in fact i would be more inclined to do the LEAST i possibly could for you and ensure that your jobs were always done last.

I am only suggesting this process for when you are not getting a fair answer. It should be fairly obvious when you are not getting what you came for I would have thought.

Thing is, I did get what I went in for!! No need to go nuclear!!

car been in today and seat is sorted,new airbag and foam set on upper seat been fitted .

no problems and seat just looks like new now,big thanks to telfords for a friendly and efficient job well done.

car been in today and seat is sorted,new airbag and foam set on upper seat been fitted .

no problems and seat just looks like new now,big thanks to telfords for a friendly and efficient job well done.

Well mine is in the garage, having been stripped down only to find out they had ordered the wrong part! Woops. Still they gave me a courtesy with no hassle, though by the time they expect to have the new part, I will have been cutting about in a fabia estate 1.2 petrol for 2 weeks!

Well mine is in the garage, having been stripped down only to find out they had ordered the wrong part! Woops. Still they gave me a courtesy with no hassle, though by the time they expect to have the new part, I will have been cutting about in a fabia estate 1.2 petrol for 2 weeks!

My seat has also gone after 4K and I have always try not to hit the bolster. I notice when seated the seat pulls tight laterally and pulls on the bolsters. Any idea on parts that are being fitted to help advise my dealer when I report it.

My car is one year old and my drivers side Leather seat bolster has just gone too. I would urge everyone to check theirs as I never noticed mine at first but sort of thought that the diving position had changed but put it down to the wife/ the fact I drive other cars.

I must admit its still not that uncomfortable to drive at present but mine is not as bad as some of the other photos on here I assume it deteriorates?.

Spoke with my local dealer who said they would have to investigate at the first service which is due shortly, but suprise suprise they know nothing about any problems.

Questions

1. Does anyone know part numbers required to fix as it seem pointless every dealer starting from scratch.

2. On what seems like a major problem like this does Skoda head office make all dealerships aware of the problem and advise them the route to fix via Quick technical note?

3. Is this a problem for other VAG cars or just Skoda?

4. Any other updates on rectification works?

5. How have seats changed in the FL from the MK2?

Edited 20 September, 201015 yr by firestormwest

Questions

1. Does anyone know part numbers required to fix as it seem pointless every dealer starting from scratch.

2. On what seems like a major problem like this does Skoda head office make all dealerships aware of the problem and advise them the route to fix via Quick technical note?

3. Is this a problem for other VAG cars or just Skoda?

4. Any other updates on rectification works?

5. How have seats changed in the FL from the MK2?

Very pertinent questions. There's no point in getting it fixed if those air bag clips mentioned in previous post are just going to break again. My dealer visit is postponed until they've got more info on issue.

parts for mine where. foam back piece ,airbag and new retaining clips for seat covering. airbag was just the same as the one which was removed ie perforated edge not solid see previous post; these have been changed from the solid type obviously

not for the better

,

Edited 8 September, 201015 yr by davydoo

Got mine back today, fixed under warranty. As per earlier posts, new airbag, foam etc.

Service chappie said he's done four already (mine makes five). He expects it to go one of two ways - a recall, or a bulletin issued to say something on the lines that owners are "getting out of the seat wrong" and as such they won't be paying for any more repairs under warranty. His expectation is that Skoda uk won't let this situation continue as it is..

Here's hoping for a recall. I will not accept "its-your-own-fault-for-getting-out-of-the-car-incorrectly" as a response if mine fails again!

I have 17k miles on the car, so i'm guessing I've only got in/out of the car say a max of 200 times. Its entirely unreasonble for the seat to fail after such a short period - ie not fit for purpose IMHO.

Edited to add: the black wheels, ride height and black mirrors (and other stuff) were commented on by more than one of the dealership staff lol..

Edited 10 September, 201015 yr by rob_e

Got mine back today, fixed under warranty. As per earlier posts, new airbag, foam etc.

Service chappie said he's done four already (mine makes five). He expects it to go one of two ways - a recall, or a bulletin issued to say something on the lines that owners are "getting out of the seat wrong" and as such they won't be paying for any more repairs under warranty. His expectation is that Skoda uk won't let this situation continue as it is..

Here's hoping for a recall. I will not accept "its-your-own-fault-for-getting-out-of-the-car-incorrectly" as a response if mine fails again!

I have 17k miles on the car, so i'm guessing I've only got in/out of the car say a max of 200 times. Its entirely unreasonble for the seat to fail after such a short period - ie not fit for purpose IMHO.

Edited to add: the black wheels, ride height and black mirrors (and other stuff) were commented on by more than one of the dealership staff lol..

Mine is going in on Friday for inspection, apparantly this is the first they have seen..... ....Not even 8k

My passenger seat has the same problem. Drivers side is fine. Looks like I will be back to the dealer in the morning with 2 issues to sort, hope they are ready because if they argue they will get hell

My Drivers seat side bolster has not collaspsed but there does seem to be less foam on this side panel compared to the passenger seat. You can feel a square like object which I guess is the airbag housing.

Anyway can someone give the part numbers on the replacement parts, replacement foam ,airbag and new retaining clips etc. Hopefully will never need it.

Edited 29 September, 201015 yr by Pickings01

Hi,

My Octavia 1.6 CR TDI Elegance had now into the garage on 2 separate occasions.

On the first occasion the garage replaced the foam cushion that surrounds the air-bag as well as the seat covering material. Unfortunately between the repair being completed and me collecting the car (2 hrs.) the foam cushion had "rolled" off the air-bag and become displaced.

On the second occasion (last week) the garage replaced the air-bag, the foam cushion and the seat covering material. Now it appears that the foam has once again become displaced but more evenly than on the previous occasion.

So my question is: has anybody who has this problem has a successful repair?

Hi,

My Octavia 1.6 CR TDI Elegance had now into the garage on 2 separate occasions.

On the first occasion the garage replaced the foam cushion that surrounds the air-bag as well as the seat covering material. Unfortunately between the repair being completed and me collecting the car (2 hrs.) the foam cushion had "rolled" off the air-bag and become displaced.

On the second occasion (last week) the garage replaced the air-bag, the foam cushion and the seat covering material. Now it appears that the foam has once again become displaced but more evenly than on the previous occasion.

So my question is: has anybody who has this problem has a successful repair?

Nope! My seat was repaired, replacing the foam, but when I went to pick it up, it was little different before. Pretty jaded with the whole affair, so not sure if I can be arsed pursuing it. Bigger fish to fry.

Edited 28 September, 201015 yr by evan15281

Just got my car back from dealer apparently fixed. I wish!!

The seat bolster was actually worse than when I dropped it off.

They did acknowledge that it was not a satisfactory fix and are now going to order a new foam section which are now on back order to complement the new air bag unit fitted.

Hopefully a fix for this will be sorted soon as it is such a simple, basic thing that Skoda appears to have failed on.

Nope! My seat was repaired, replacing the foam, but when I went to pick it up, it was little different before. Pretty jaded with the whole affair, so not sure if I can be arsed pursuing it. Bigger fish to fry.

And you accepted it like that? I know its hassle and everything but you have paid good money for this car and its only right that it is right. No wonder the country is in a mess with attitudes like that.

I had 2 new wings on my Bora due to corrosion. Took 18months of emails and letters, trading standards and threat of legal action but i stood up for my rights and made VW fork out £1400 for the priviledge.

parts for mine where. foam back piece ,airbag and new retaining clips for seat covering. airbag was just the same as the one which was removed ie perforated edge not solid see previous post; these have been changed from the solid type obviously

not for the better

Got mine back today. Dealer did a good job throughout. Same parts as above. Looks as good as new - but will it last?

Got mine back today. Dealer did a good job throughout. Same parts as above. Looks as good as new - but will it last?

How long did they have the car for? Did they order the parts first before starting the work?

How long did they have the car for? Did they order the parts first before starting the work?

Yes they ordered the parts in advance. They got it 11am Tuesday and phoned to say it was ready about 10am Wednesday.

Yes they ordered the parts in advance. They got it 11am Tuesday and phoned to say it was ready about 10am Wednesday.

Did they do that off there own back or did you have to prompt them to ordering the parts in advance?

Edited 29 September, 201015 yr by Pickings01