XC90 seat side panel broken

ChrisHuggett · Mar 1st, 2020, 16:44

I have a 2012 XC90, the drivers seat side panel broke (seems common), and now the heated seat has stopped working (might or might not be the same root cause). How difficult are these to replace, or is it advisable to go to a Volvo dealer for this?

S60D5-185 · Mar 1st, 2020, 17:35

Pretty easy to remove.

I removed mine and then beefed the broken split from the back with glass fibre matting and it's much stronger than original.

They new panel is not expensive on ebay.

This video from another guy shows it well

+ YouTube Video

AB-UK · Mar 1st, 2020, 18:15

Dealer replaced mine for £111 I recall.
It lasted just over 1 year.
I tried fixing it with glue and some reinforcement inside, but it hasn't worked.
I'm going to try something stronger to reinforce it - probably a metal strip this time.

I think the seat bolsters weaken with age, so when you slide out of the seat more weight rests on the side panel.

hodge911 · Mar 1st, 2020, 19:01

Got a replacement from Volvo was £12-£14 and took about 10 mins to change

AB-UK · Mar 1st, 2020, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodge911

Got a replacement from Volvo was £12-£14 and took about 10 mins to change

How much?????
The part I bought was around £70, and the remainder the fitting.
It was for an Exec so it differs from others, but it shouldn't be 9x the cost.

Harley Dave · Mar 1st, 2020, 23:19

Sadly the the panel for the Exec with memory electric seats, massage etc is indeed £70+

I replaced mine OK but had to fiddle about repinning a connector as I couldn't be bothered getting into the mess of under seat wiring and connectors.

I try to be more careful siding in and out these days and fingers crossed the new panel has lasted a year or so and seems to be still OK

Cheers

Dave

PS There's a bit more about the job here https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=265160

Dastardly Diesel · Mar 2nd, 2020, 07:00

How are these panels getting broken?

AB-UK · Mar 2nd, 2020, 08:33

The seat bolsters lose their support over time, so when you slide out of the seat more weight is resting on the plastic side panel.
The answer in my case would be to lift myself out of the seat instead of sliding, and - horror of horrors - lose some weight

S60D5-185 · Mar 2nd, 2020, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB-UK

The seat bolsters lose their support over time, so when you slide out of the seat more weight is resting on the plastic side panel.
The answer in my case would be to lift myself out of the seat instead of sliding, and - horror of horrors - lose some weight

I think that you are correct here.

I repaired mine with the glass fibre matting as soon as I saw a crack starting to appear and as a result you can barely see anything.

If allowed to crack as badly as in the video, it's time for a new panel.

Harley Dave · Mar 2nd, 2020, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB-UK

The seat bolsters lose their support over time, so when you slide out of the seat more weight is resting on the plastic side panel.
The answer in my case would be to lift myself out of the seat instead of sliding, and - horror of horrors - lose some weight

I'm 6' 2" but even longer legs would help too (or a little step on a string)

Saying nothing about the weight thing...

Cheers

Dave

Mar 1st, 2020, 18:15	#3
AB-UK Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:05 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottingham	Dealer replaced mine for £111 I recall. It lasted just over 1 year. I tried fixing it with glue and some reinforcement inside, but it hasn't worked. I'm going to try something stronger to reinforce it - probably a metal strip this time. I think the seat bolsters weaken with age, so when you slide out of the seat more weight rests on the side panel. __________________ 2010 XC90 Exec (m/y 2011), Electric Silver 2003 XC90 SE, Ash Gold 1996 850 GLE Estate, Olive Green Pearl

Mar 1st, 2020, 19:01	#4
hodge911 Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 11:38 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: newcastle on tyne	Side panel Got a replacement from Volvo was £12-£14 and took about 10 mins to change

Mar 1st, 2020, 23:19	#6
Harley Dave Volvo Driver Last Online: Today 00:09 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basingstoke	Sadly the the panel for the Exec with memory electric seats, massage etc is indeed £70+ I replaced mine OK but had to fiddle about repinning a connector as I couldn't be bothered getting into the mess of under seat wiring and connectors. I try to be more careful siding in and out these days and fingers crossed the new panel has lasted a year or so and seems to be still OK Cheers Dave PS There's a bit more about the job here https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=265160 Last edited by Harley Dave; Mar 1st, 2020 at 23:26.

Mar 2nd, 2020, 08:33	#8
AB-UK Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:05 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottingham	The seat bolsters lose their support over time, so when you slide out of the seat more weight is resting on the plastic side panel. The answer in my case would be to lift myself out of the seat instead of sliding, and - horror of horrors - lose some weight __________________ 2010 XC90 Exec (m/y 2011), Electric Silver 2003 XC90 SE, Ash Gold 1996 850 GLE Estate, Olive Green Pearl

Mar 2nd, 2020, 07:00	#7
Dastardly Diesel Senior Member Last Online: May 14th, 2020 13:58 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: The countryside	How are these panels getting broken?

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