2011+ Ford Explorer Armrest Repair

A common problem with 2011+ Explorers is that the door panel armrest splits at the seam. This video shows how I repaired mine using waxed thread. The video is a bit long and a bit redundant so I suggest watching the first stitch and then skipping to the end to see the finished product (15:24) or the middle (12:30).

[@T.Bartoe]

I tried this repair myself and it turned out awesome! First I ordered thread that was real close to the original color. To get it exact I ordered some vinyl interior dye that matched the interior trim color exactly ( SEM vinyl dye). I needed it anyway to spray / repair the scratches on the glove box door. So, I dunked the thread in the vinyl dye then wiped it off. Let the thread dry for a few minutes. Threaded the needle and started to stitch away. After I was done I tucked any white/ yellow foam into the seam. Then I took a small brush and began to lay the vinyl dye into the seam. Lastly, I took some body solvent/ mineral spirits on a rag and wipe the excess vinyl dye off. The results are unbelievable! Perfect repair!

[@dennissmith8025]

Really helpful video! Thanks! I wasn't sure how to approach this problem, but this was a great fix!! Just finished mine and it looks good and I'm sure will hold up. One helpful addition to add: Use curved upholstery needles when doing this work! I ordered mine when I used the part number you provided on Amazon - $4 for the needles, and it made it fast and easy to poke a precise hole right where you wanted it by holding the needle with a pair of needle nosed pliers. Also makes it much easier to pull through and work with a fairly tight seam when you get close the end of your repair. Just my two cents... but it worked really well! Thanks again for a great fix!!

[@shtymi]

Just had the same problem on my 2014 Explorer with Tan leather... thought I'd try wax string but let me check the interwebs for what others do... First result I saw was this long and behold.... Whale done sir

[@michellelittle993]

Oh my goodness I did not know anyone else had this problem too! My 2013 Ford Explorer driver side stitching split around 48,000 miles too and I super glued it and it’s held until now at 98,000 miles. Thanks for your video and I’m going to try your way this time and maybe it’ll hold better.

[@ronreed3452]

Thank you for this great tutorial. Not having to replace the door panel to solve the problem saved me at least $400, and that armrest would have likely split over time also. Nobody should shy away from following your lead/tutorial and giving this repair a try. The bonus was the information on the exact needle and thread you used as the tread is a great match to the original fake plastic stitching texture and the blunt point needle makes finding the hole from the back side an easy task. The only issue I had was that it took approximately 2 months (due to delays) to receive the thread I ordered via Amazon but we were/are in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic so...

[@travisfries8311]

Got this problem on my 13 explorer, was wondering if this could be possible, thank you so much for posting this, while watching i started wondering if a guy could do the actual leather stitching with 2 needles, i think it's called a saddle stitch, this gives so many ideas, many thanks again

[@billk8780]

My 2015 Sport has about 42K miles, always been garaged, and starting to show this design flaw already! Really bugs me that FORD designers short-changed the customers on this weak design. Thanks for the video.

[@vbmike73c]

The only thing I disliked about this video was that I didn't think of it myself. Brilliant dude! I had an "expert" try to seal it back up twice which failed both times, so got refunded. Was going to try a different expert for $100 but then I found this video. Bought the exact thread on Amazon and it worked perfectly. Once I got into the groove, it went very quickly. Fixed a 5" section in under an hour, and most of that was learning time. Definitely recommend to others that you follow the video exactly. Pre-poking the holes from the outside makes it way easier like the video suggests. And absolutely use a square knot. Just pull the first half of the knot tight before making the second cross-over. Makes it easier to pull tight. When cutting with a matte knife, I put the blade as close to the knot as I could, then pulled the strings towards the blade, instead of pushing the blade towards the string. That way I didn't accidentally cut through something I didn't want. Perfectly done onoahimahi. Thanks a million!!! You rock!

[@tracyknox5578]

Great video! I repaired a 9" opening in my armrest today and this method was perfect. Because of the size of my separation, some areas still had a very small gap which I just sealed with super glue. The hardest part for me was finding waxed thread to match my interior, but I was able to find something close on Etsy. Even though the stitches are a little darker and visible, it’s far better than a gaping hole!

[@user-vb4rj9vv6t]

Tracy Knox Is yours the light tan color? That's what we have and I ordered a whole set of lighter colors from Amazon and they are not even close. If that is your color would you mind posting a link? Thanks

[@johnbrigitmarshall6687]

Been trying to figure out for months what to do! This is the perfect solution! Thank you!

[@aimsterb8712]

Thanks for showing this. I’m having the same issue with my 2012 explorer.

[@JS-og2qy]

Hey, thanks this was a great repair. Just finished up mine, looks great and a lot less than a new door panel. I did find quite a bit of difference in the flexibility when doing it in 70 degree sun vs 60 shade. I'd recommend 70 degrees in the sun

[@bryantkiley446]

Just did to my 2014, worked great, started splitting on the lip and still looks good after this fix. Thanks a bunch!

[@v.b.parrish7174]

Wish I could attach a photo so I could show you how the before and after of the repair I did after watching this video. Thank you so much!

[@jjamaya01]

Thank god for you I’ve been looking for this video everywhere since my fords armrest has been peeling for a while and it’s about 5 inches long

[@wchougland1]

8 years later, and I have to do this to my 2015 explorer

[@bdrman2004]

I don't have the problem you have but i like your solution! Great video!

[@ericgrau123]

We love our Explorer. Great classy looking ride BUT this armrest bugs me. Thanks for the repair idea

[@xXC0URAGE0US]

Awesome repair video. Just did it and it worked perfectly.

[@jeremylee9354]

Great repair video! I have the same issue with my 2012 Explorer.

[@amandahagen2053]

Thank you!!! I am going to try it! Very creative!

[@DJMovit]

Thanks for sharing, I had planned to use a vinyl patch kit...but I'll try your method. And use someone's hint to use an upholstery curved needle

[@MrMattc79]

Our 2015 Limited is a great vehicle but these armrests are pure garbage. Great video, I would have done it incorrect if not for this video.

[@kaylaumana3917]

I have the same issue with my 2013 Ford explore it’s so frustrating because it’s a decently expensive car LOL I tried gluing it didn’t work only made a mess and now kind a looks ugly and then I actually did your technique a couple years ago and it helped I just wish that this problem wouldn’t happen LOL

[@rolandmcclendon1394]

Thank you I have the same problem with my 2012 Lincoln mkt

[@rodvanhorn5611]

For those who have done this, how is the slip knot holding up? Still in good shape after some temp changes and weight on the armrest? Thanks, in advance.

[@duncandonhaynes7926]

Baseball Stitch it or Straight Stitch the full length of the door. Do all four doors to make it even. That's what I did and it looks great.

[@Danny_Dogwood]

I love my explorer except for this issue which completely cheapens the car when you see it. I've been trying to figure out my options, might give this a whirl. Thanks

[@justmeinnh2]

I have a 2015 Ford Explorer Limited... Same problem! The armrest looks brand new, but the seam breaks!

[@franklotion8]

Awesome! Thank you so much! Got 2011 explorer xlt..never have used armrest...really pisses me off! Among all the other problems ive had with this p.o.s.. Ford has lost my business fer good.

[@Mr.77776]

They haven't fixed this problem. I had the same occurance happen to my 2014 explorer sport. You think they would've fixed this problem? Luckily, I was still under warranty and got it fixed. Who's to say it won't happen again though? I guess I'll be waiting for it to fail again.

[@sherylmanygoats6910]

What size is the wax thread that is being used for the stitches.

[@Luke-bx5xm]

I'm trying to repair an armrest on a car, and need to know the best way of leveling it off before applying the new vinyl? Would like for it to be solid, strong, and sturdy. Some of the foam is missing from underneath the crack and it is concaved. What would be a good product to fill this with?

[@julzflys]

What size needle is this, I just tried with thicker thread and a needle and mine broke :(

[@oczkowski8]

Did you use 1mm thread or .5mm ?

[@robraw101]

I can’t believe Ford made this mistake, they didn’t think people would put their arms on the armrests

[@EveDallas]

What type of needle did you use?

[@MrLF94]

wow, amazing job!

[@kevinb2014]

Thanks so much for this video! I've been trying to figure out how to fix this for several years! How has your repair been holding up?

[@onoahimahi]

It's been over two years and everywhere I put a stitch is still holding fine. However, there is now a new crack forward of this repair. Since the vehicle is over 5 years old, I may be a little less fussy this time and just stitch it the way one would stitch ripped cloth. Either that or just leave it alone since it is not very large at the moment. Other than this cracking issue, I've had no other problems with this vehicle and still love it. It's a 2013 Limited with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane assist and collision warning. I won't buy another vehicle unless it has all that stuff.

[@RayDawg007]

I used gorilla glue and it’s still holding up

[@migueltorres-xw6ik]

What size thread and website to buy it

[@nellynell4855]

I have a 2014 ford explorer and it seems like everything in it is falling apart this will be my first and last purchase of a ford

[@xXC0URAGE0US]

How thick was the thread that you used? Great vid by the way.

[@chellepatino1675]

Called upholstery thread

[@joeplouff4115]

Has anybody tried this, and how has it held up?

[@EscortSportDriver]

your video looks awesome and I have this issue with my 2013 xlt. however my door panel is like tan kind color, do you know which thread will be exact color match?

[@TheBobcats12]

Did you ever find out the color? I am having the same problem.

[@Kara75723]

I have the tan color also, did you find out the matching color?

[@steved8687]

Guys, 2014 XLT had a 6 to 7 inch split. Purchased three varyied color upolstry thread approximating my armrest color. Before I began the repair, my wife dug out some clear 8 lb fishing line. I used this and you can't see it at all. Good tight knot (too tight in one case; be careful). I'll report back if this fails in a few months. Thanks much for this video, BTW!

[@steved8687]

@@Kara75723 mine was tan, too. Fishing line "disappeared"!

[@marissagarcia2806]

Would anyone happen to know the part number he mentioned for this type of wax thread on Amazon? I'm trying to order the right one. Thanks in advance

[@cnote102]

Did you find this. I couldn’t find that part on amazon.

[@stevecampbell6348]

how well has this held up?

[@joecandor6145]

Who's doing the repair Robin Williams or Bigfoot? Look at those furry arms!

[@ephremkebebu6355]

My car some probably

[@canhottub]

My 2012 xlt had this issue, got the whole door panel replaced right before warranty expired, now it came back again after one year. I even don't use that armrest that much, couldn't understand why they use shitty quality material, won't buy a ford again.

[@janicesolski8051]

There should definitely be a recall on splitting door panels.

[@thekyrobman]

Along with the paint issue on the hood, the backup camera going black. Ford has really dropped the ball on the explorer quality control department.

[@adictcreativephotography5267]

Stupid design from Ford! Mine has the same issue. Another stupid design are how the doors close at the bottom allowing water to sit inside the door where the metal folds. 🤦‍♂️ I love my Explorer, but not buying another.

[@allisonsawyer9646]

What kind of needle did you use??