How to Replace Armrest Console Door Panel Leather 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon

We replace the melted and worn leather armrest and door panel armrest inserts for a 2014 Toyota Avalon. This is a very common issue with Toyota and Lexus of this era due to poor materials and suppliers. Luckily this aftermarket replacement is cheap and easy to do.
Armrest Replacement - amzn.to/3NiCH3e
Door Armrest - amzn.to/45OOQEl
Darker brown closer to OEM - amzn.to/3P1xRbT
Darker brown Armrest OEM color - ebay.to/3EgS0V5
Black Door Leather - amzn.to/3OWdT2p
OE Panel Screws - amzn.to/3WTSWam
Lexus IS250 (3IS) Armrest Leather - amzn.to/43MGFXh
3M 90 Hi Strength Adhesive - amzn.to/3MUjow0
Staple Guns - amzn.to/3oPoZM3
Arrow 6mm 1/4 staples - amzn.to/446ukO7
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#avalon #leatherrepair #toyotaarmrest
0:00 Intro and Issues
1:20 Removal Armrest Cover
2:48 Leather Replacements
4:00 Armrest Leather Change
9:00 Completed Armrest
10:43 Door Panel Removal
14:00 Remove Door Armrest
15:45 Covering Armrest
19:55 Bolt back on
Disclaimer: "Tuner with Kids", the alias for the human content creator for this KZbin channel, is not responsible for any damages, injuries, losses, or liabilities associated with any repairs, upgrades, or maintenance performed on yours, or any elses, vehicle/property whatsoever. No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided within this channel. Viewing and using the “as-is" information of this channel is totally at your own risk. Always wear personal protection equipment and follow appropriate vehicle manufacturer service manual guidelines with original manufacturer parts only when performing any repairs, upgrades, or maintenance upon any vehicle/property. Please note that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase through the links. I use all of the products shown and recommend them because they are from companies I have found to be helpful and trustworthy. Please let me know via email if you have questions regarding any of the products/tools used.

[@jaytroubez7268]

This is the only video on KZbin that actually shows how to remove the whole center console. Thank you!

[@mathiveluswamy140]

Thank you so much for this video explaining how to remove the center console cover. I bought mine on eBay from KBH AutoSport in the dark gray trim and it matched perfectly. I did have trouble with the staples so I ended up using Gorilla heavy duty glue spray I had at home. I also bought this "Pell flexible foam stabilizer" from Joann Fabrics for $3 and glued it to the inside of this trim. It gives the additional cushion that the OEM cover gave and I'm quite happy with the result. Thanks again for all the tips in the video.

[@TheLucindamaria]

Thank you! I replaced the cover on my console and it looks perfect! I don’t have the courage to do the armrests.

[@jasweb147]

For anyone who attempts to do this fix, here are a few tips: use a heat gun on low setting to make the fabric more malleable and to remove the wrinkles. Staples can be used, but you'll need a heat gun (low setting again) to warm up the hard plastic. Move the heat gun around, to avoid over heating in one spot. This will make the stapling much easier. The other option (which I used) was use DAP Cement glue to secure the new leather covers. Best of luck.

[@MapleMan]

Yep. Specifically DAP Weldwood Contact Cement. Planned to use staples too, but the cement attached it so well I did not need staples.

[@jasweb147]

@@MapleMan my experience as well. 7 months later, still holding up great!!

[@3130studios]

This is a great video! I am going to get my console skin fixed asap!

[@calraise6460]

Thank you sir. Quality work.

[@cyclelogic7079]

Thank you . I been looking for a video on how to do this

[@user-vg7id8xw7o]

I have exactly such a car, and indeed, this is a manufacturing defect for this generation, and Toyota did not solve this problem, and this is one of the reasons for stopping manufacturing Avalon, because they focus more on Lexus. But the leather that I bought from Amazon is of a different color and the stitching has ripples, but the result is good

[@TunerwithKids]

Yes my brown was way off but looks good. I am swapping Cupholder to black and gonna order another set and cut to fit rear door panels since rear replacements are hard to find. Plus same supplier so color matches.

[@user-vg7id8xw7o]

@@TunerwithKids Black may be more suitable, but there are more beautiful colors on top of beige. I expect a darker color should be chosen. Look at the light color does not suit much. Choice of German leather. It is plain and there are not many granules in it

[@atuck6082]

Not a defect. Toyota uses cheap leather and an overall cheap interior/body parts. It's been this way since I started working on cars in the 90's when the camry doors would consistently break.

[@coletesafaye6109]

Bought my 2015 in 2020 interior went to dust ab a year ago thank you so much for making a vid on this

[@jasweb147]

Glad I found your video and I need to do the same thing for my 2014 Avalon!

[@TunerwithKids]

Go black if you have brown.

[@jasweb147]

@@TunerwithKids Thank you. I have black interior. Looks like the doors are the hardest part. Will start the project tomorrow. Waiting for the glue and heavy duty staple gun to arrive.

[@turkialsulami8359]

Useful video, thanks for sharing

[@joeslovo7384]

Tremendous! Thanks so much!

[@govnor]

Nice video! Thanks 👍

[@rocjones6543]

Good job thanks a lot I've got to work on my 2013 limited same issues😊

[@TunerwithKids]

The rear armrest door cover isn’t sold by most sellers but I looked it you can also trim a front replacement to fit. I have a set that I will be trying to redo soon.

[@user-ox1pg5xn1d]

شكرا جزيلا أنت رائع

[@HopeDealerJoe]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@wasing02]

Thanks for the video. On your advice, I went with the black instead of the brown and it looks great. I also chose to leave the existing vinyl in place and wrapped the new right over the top of it. This worked great on the center console because I kept the soft padding in place. On the door arm rest it was difficult to add the vinyl over the old because the space is limited and the tolerances are tight. I would probably remove the old vinyl on the arm rest if I had it to do over.

[@kimledbetter9794]

Awesome

[@e.l.6548]

I have the same car and never had a problem with the car. I had the same problem but this is the only problem I've had with the Avalon with 109,000. Cheap fix and doesn't affect the reliability with gladly purchase a toyota again

[@24Klaw]

So helpful… seems like a lot of

[@Loading1011]

Hi were you able to replace the cup holder leather cover? I found one for my avalon but have no clue how to replace it. If you have can you make a video 😅

[@TunerwithKids]

I have not, I did replace it with a junkyard one from 2017 model but it also starts to melt in hot sun. I plan to try and wrap the old one using some vinyl leather I bought for the slide lid under the radio.

[@termin8d]

Thank you - this is very helpful! Where can I find those yellow tools you're using?

[@TunerwithKids]

Just regular pry tools from Amazon

[@zackcaskey6683]

Hey I just bought a 2015 Avalon and had the same issue with the center console. I was having trouble figuring out the exact color to order online, it’s almost like a light grey/blueish color. You wouldn’t happen to know the color to order?

[@TunerwithKids]

Nope, but I’d do black since most of the interior is also black. I made mistake and bought brown when should have done black.

[@zackcaskey6683]

@@TunerwithKids scared to order the black and it not much the cup holder and sides/steering wheel 😭

[@jennifer2421]

It seems like this is a very common issue with the Toyota Avalons. I won't be buying another Toyota because of this. My Honda never fell apart even with many many more miles. I'm barely over 100k & my avalon is falling apart. Shame.

[@TunerwithKids]

Common issue from this era. It’s probably a bad supplier at the time.

[@wasing02]

It's true that the interior for the avalon is certainly not top quality, but the trade off is that the engine is bullet proof and will run 250k miles easily. Replacing the arm rests is an easy fix for such a reliable car.