Uncomfortable driver seat in AT4 with vibrating seats inserts (safety package)

Mike Borowski · October 2, 2020

On 9/17/2019 at 9:59 AM, Zeker said:

I have been fighting my seat since I got my TB. Among other issues I agree they seem very firm. I have been adding foam to different areas to try and compensate for places I feel I need some added support to try and alleviate some of the discomfort. I find myself often shifting my body position on even shorter trips due to being uncomfortable. Just this weekend my cousin sat in my TB and first thing she said was how firm the seats are. She has a 2007 Tahoe.

I love the TB but having an uncomfortable seats really takes away from enjoying the truck. I have never had any issues with any other seats in all my years of driving. I'm to the point of either trying to get a custom seat shop to take a look at it or even going as far as trading the truck. I really hate to take such a loss this early in owning the truck by trading but things don't seem to be getting better.

Would you mind explaining how to access under the seat cover to add foam? I have to do something, I hate driving my truck lately

Mike Borowski · October 2, 2020

Anyone found a seat cushion that doesn't look terrible and helps make the seat more comfortable?

Zeker · October 3, 2020

I tried a couple cushions and wasn't a fan of the look and I didn't think they did much. Kind of bulky.

To get to the back of the seat there are two j type hooks that are on the bottom part of the back cover and connect under the seat. If you push them forward while pushing them down (hope that makes sense) that will unhook off the metal support. I don't have a pic of them unfortunately.

Then there is a plastic c type bracket that goes across the whole back horizontally down on the bottom part of the back seat cover. I'll attach a pic with it circled. It connects the lower and upper seat cover so there is a c type connecter on both and they connect together.

There are two zippers, one on each side, that go up the length vertically on the seat. They are tight at the bottom so be careful when you go to close it up. I found it easier if one person held the seat cover together while another person zips it closed. Be careful not to zip all the way off the end ( I MAY have done that) It is a pain to get it back on but can be done. You can see the two j type hooks hanging at the very bottom that connect under the seat.

There also is a j type connector on the inside of the back flap about right above there the pocket is. It attaches to the vertical rail that is the lateral support. There is one on each side.

After you have done it once it should hopefully make sense and it really isn't hard to open and close.

I got the bottom seat cushion kind of off once but it was such a tight fit I really couldn't get anything in there to help out.

Hope this helps if you decide to do it.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Zeker

Zeker · October 3, 2020

Forgot to add to my last post.....I always had an issue with the left lateral support too. The thing that helped there was a long piece of harder, packing foam. There is a metal frame that runs vertical up both sides of the seat. There is a bigger gap on the left side versus the right between the metal frame and the inside of the seat cover/cushion that covers over it and provides the lateral support. I put the foam in that space and felt that made a noticeable difference.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Zeker

Mike Borowski · October 3, 2020

2 hours ago, Zeker said:

Forgot to add to my last post.....I always had an issue with the left lateral support too. The thing that helped there was a long piece of harder, packing foam. There is a metal frame that runs vertical up both sides of the seat. There is a bigger gap on the left side versus the right between the metal frame and the inside of the seat cover/cushion that covers over it and provides the lateral support. I put the foam in that space and felt that made a noticeable difference.

Thanks for this! Unfortunate to see you find it uncomfortable with leather too (I have cloth). So you couldn't get to the bottom cushion? That's where my major issue is, The left bottom thigh bolster DIGS in my thigh. I don't even think I have a very wide body.. it's annoying!

Zeker · October 4, 2020

4 hours ago, Mike Borowski said:

Thanks for this! Unfortunate to see you find it uncomfortable with leather too (I have cloth). So you couldn't get to the bottom cushion? That's where my major issue is, The left bottom thigh bolster DIGS in my thigh. I don't even think I have a very wide body.. it's annoying!

Of the few seat cushions I tried this was the best in my opinion.

kingphenix Car Seat Cushion with 1.2inch Comfort Memory Foam, Seat Cushion for Car and Office Chair (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZJGYZ7/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_gnuEFbWG4HR0P

DaveHC · October 5, 2020

On 10/2/2020 at 2:10 PM, Mike Borowski said:

Anyone found a seat cushion that doesn't look terrible and helps make the seat more comfortable?

i bought a blue gel cushion on amazon for 23 bucks that works good has black cover, it sits in middle of seat between bolsters one way if you turn it sideways it sits across whole seat, and helps me alot. brand was Cclub thick egg seat cushion 22.98

Mike Borowski · October 8, 2020

I’ve tried several seat cushions. They either looked ugly, moved or just weren’t comfortable. These are the best solution I’ve found. They don’t raise you up which I like, they don’t look too ugly (they come in grey too but I like the 2 tone) and they stop my leg/back from hurting on longer rides.

Suninbox Car Seat Covers,2 Pack... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMZQKB3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

polarys425 · October 27, 2020

Yeah, the seats suck. I'm going to be looking for an upholsterer to advise what they can do, and look for a spare drivers seat for them to work over and swap it out.

saviniprop · April 13, 2021

SierraAT4 , have you had any luck fixing your seat, I'm having the same issue now and bringing it to the dealer next week

Laurence Waidmann · September 1, 2021

I just bought a 2021 SLT 1500 traded in my 2018 Denali. What a mistake. The seats in this new truck are worst than a 1973 International cab over. Back feels like I all of a sudden have a Sciatica problem.

Ken.shue · September 4, 2021

I just got a 2020 RST I TRADED A 2020 RAM 2500 on this chevy I can tell you these seats suck

JimCost2014 · September 4, 2021

51 minutes ago, Ken.shue said:

I just got a 2020 RST I TRADED A 2020 RAM 2500 on this chevy I can tell you these seats suck

Welcome to the site.

Did not notice the seats on the test drive?

Gabtown · January 2, 2022

Yes i have a 2020 sierra at 40k miles and I've noticed the same thing after the first 10k. I've taken it to the dealership and only managed to convince them to look at it since i bought the platinum warranty. They serviced my seat and it is still uncomfortable with the rumble bars digging into my thighs.

Edit- I also noticed that the passenger seating is so much more comfortable. One of my coworkers even commented that it was like sitting in a recliner. It's very frustrating the lack of support from gm on this issue and knowing that if every alert package didn't require these rumble strips the seats would be way more comfortable.

Edited January 2, 2022 by Gabtown

brdyptrs · March 4, 2023

I just got a 2022 GMC SIERRA Limited SLT with 63000 miles, all the options, heated/cooled/vibrating. Replacing my 2009 sierra denali with 225000 miles and I can't believe how uncomfortable the drivers seat is. GM must have skipped out on the padding to dave a buck. After reading through this post I feel like this is a widespread problem that GM won't address. Has anyone reached out to some aftermarket companies to make a replacement cushion that is bearable to sit on? I've gotten several replacement covers and cushions from www.theseatshop.com and have been very happy with thier quality. Maybe if enough of us request it they will make something for us. Thoughts? I'm willing to make some calls to different vendors.