Has anyone attempted to repair the often talked about interior door panel peeling problem themselves. I fear that I will have problems getting Volvo to fixed this under "goodwill" warranty. I have just clicked 55K. Anyone know the cost of a new panel or repair kit?

TIA

Jeff

The new kits are panel inserts and require the tools Volvo has supplied to their dealers to do it right. I've heard that upholstery shops can botch it too as we've previously tried to sublet it to one when these new kits first came out.
By now most dealers should have at least one guy there with enough experience at it to do it right as it takes a couple attempts.
Even if you had the kits and tools, you aren't likely to do a good job on your first attempt and if not warranty anymore, those kits aren't cheap either. Warranty time for all 4 door panel kits runs about 4 hours labor so it could be more if no longer warranty, depends on the shop.

From memory ... new panel about $3-400, there was an "exchange" program with rebuilt panels at one point, about $200/pair I think, I don't know the cost of the kits.

I'd try an upholstery repair specialist, if VCNA fails. Ask your Volvo dealer's used cars dept. for a referral.

I considered reupholstering the panels, I actually did a search for elephant hide (it's durable!) but sadly no longer available!

-Bill the Cat

'98 V70T5M, 85k mi.