Steering Wheel Pealing?
 

Hi forum!
I have a 2017 4Runner SR5 Premium that I bought brand new. I love the vehicle and I've always been meticulous about maintaining my vehicles especially this one. Something that is bugging the hell out of me is the steering wheel has been pealing at the top. This started within the first 8 months of owning the vehicle. I took it into Toyota Escondido to get it replaced under warranty and apparently Toyota deemed this as, "outside influence." They said if I wanted to fix it I would have to purchase a steering wheel for $781.33+tax and an hour of labor to install it. I even reached out to Toyota corporate.

I can't figure out what they consider, "outside influence." Does that mean me putting my hands on the wheel is outside influence??? Needless to say, I'm pretty pissed and wanted to see if anyone else has had similar issues. Am I crazy or is this a common issue with the rig?

Bullshit, its under warranty.

IMO this catch phrase could be cleaning/detailing solutions, or substances on your hands. Others here have gotten it replaced under warranty, don't give up.

i don't think it's a widespread problem, but there have been a few people here who have had problems with their steering wheel who swear they just used mild soap and water to clean the wheel (and one who's was obviously just scratched with something).


it doesn't solve your problem with getting toyota to replace it under warranty, but i did notice cartrimhome has a custom cut steering wheel cover: Free Shipping Hand-sewn Soft Leather Wear-resistant Steering Wheel Cover For Toyota 4Runner 2014-2019

My 2016 started peeling within 5k miles and only got worse. I took it into the dealer and they replaced the wheel along with the brushed silver trim on the passenger side that was cracking. No questions asked. The new wheel doesn't have a single mark and its been a few thousand miles since it was replaced. I would try a different dealer.

F that. They will pay for it. Keep your foot down on this one.

Wow well I guess I'm not crazy then. Thanks for the heads up!

I'm definitely going to now! Screw them.

This looks nice and I'll probably get this but I'm going to do what I can to get them to honor the warranty. Thanks for this info

Interesting, I just noticed mine starting to peel at the top the other day. I figured it was something I must have done, but now I'll have it looked at.

Mine is flaking in places. It's difficult to see. I touch it up with a black permanent marker. No issues with that solution.

Definitely a warranty issue, that is bs. Worse case you can find one on ebay for way less than 700 bucks

Mine is flaking as well...pretty pissed

Same prob with mine on my 2015. Bought mine used as-is no warranty. Prob gonna invest in a good steering wheel cover eventually. Anyone suggest any good covers that aren't too bulky?

It's also interesting that you say yours is pealing at the top. That's exactly where mine is pealing.

Mine is peeling where I hold it but I have 174k miles on it.

https://www.vividracing.com/images/T...nstalled-5.jpg

If it comes up I'm going to try and have them pay for the cost of the repair outright. Take the money to vivid and pay the difference (if any). They can do carbon fiber for the top too (+$300).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QLWTZ0W...iglink20350-20

Had the same exact issue on my 2011 when I got it. Highly recommend this if you want to take the time to stitch it up (6-12hrs)


Attachment 337706

I have a 2018 and mine is doing it too. I just noticed it.

I called Toyota corporate to assist. They gave me a case number and it seemed fairly positive. They are going to call me tomorrow and direct me to have it inspected again. I'm going to go through a different dealership. I'll be sure to update the thread with how it goes.

I just got off the phone with Toyota corporate and they aren't going to do squat. They say that the product didn't deliver to me in the condition that the steering wheel is at(duh)...Now I'm just pissed.

I'm going to send a certified letter demanding them to replace it. If they do not replace the steering wheel, I'm going to just take them to small claims. I don't know if I'd win but I'm sure it'll be aggravating to them.

How many miles are on the truck?

Toyota has a 3yr 36k mile bumper to bumper warranty. If a part fails prematurely, its covered by that warranty.

No shit it didn't deliver that way in 2017 as a brand new vehicle, but it is deteriorating rapidly and that would be a defective part.

Contact an attorney about it and see what they say, or talk to the GM at a different toyota dealership.

If all else fails, drive the truck through the showroom window.

6-12 hours!?!?

My leather (limited) steering wheel is losing the color up on the upper portion. Like it was rubbed off somehow. I'd like to get it fixed but not sure how. Until then I just stare at it everyday...

Around my whole steering wheel it's just turning white for some strange reason. I'll put up a pic when I get home in a week.

Mine has 30k miles on it, is wearing through to the white underlayment and is just out of the 3/36 so... I'll watch this for options.

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I would consider doing that if I wasn't under warranty. I would do that if Toyota wanted to pay me to fix my truck under warranty?

I might reach out to an attorney but small claims doesn't cost me anything. This started when I had roughly $15,000 miles on it.

Would you have any issue DMing me your vin and picture? It would be very helpful to have more 4Runner owners with this issue backing each other up. I think this could be class action worthy if this happens to a lot of other trucks.

Let me raise a slightly different opinion.
The OP has had this pealing [sic] problem since the car was 8 months old. It is now 2 years old (give or take).

Most manufacturers have a time limit of 6 months for cosmetic issues. The OP should have raised the issue with the dealer/manufacturer right when it happened and not wait.

How does the OP drive? Does he wear rings, watches or other hard objects that might have caused this? Has he done periodic maintenance (cleaning with proper products?) or were harsh chemicals used.

I know the OP is wrapped around the axle and getting backing from folks here, but he may be blowing this out of proportion. It didn't bother him for a year or so, so a reasonable person could say that it isn't a big deal.

Me? I'd find a nice leather steering wheel at a junk yard from a and pay an indy to put it in. Less aggravation and not much more expensive than small claims (filing fee, time off etc.) and, if the manufacturer lets it go that far, will probably result in a loss for the OP.

The OP needs to be honest with himself about the causes of this failure. Did he contribute to the failure (no need for him to answer here - this is a discussion between himself and himself) and what will it really take to fix it?

If he honestly believes that he did not contribute to the failure, then he should write a certified letter to Toyota corporate (the address is in the back of his owner's manual) with just facts (miles, date in service, pictures) and a request for a replacement.

Pick your battles wisely.

You did not answer my question...

How many miles are on the truck?

You may be making this harder on yourself if you are communicating to Toyota with responses like the above.

If the issue started happening at 15,000 miles or 8 months old...why did you wait until now to try and have it replaced under warranty after 2 years?

Lol ok let me go ahead and provide a more detailed response:
1. My vehicle currently has 30,173 miles on it
2. The issue did begin around 15k miles and I felt it would be best to just bring it in upon my next service as this didn't affect the performance of the vehicle in a way that would hinder my ability to drive it. That was at 20k.
3. I reported this to my local Toyota dealership in December of 2018. The service advisor took a picture of the steering wheel and had it inspected by the local Toyota warranty individual(I think they are called DSPMs). Toyota declined to replace it under warranty and deemed it outside influence.
4. I was unsatisfied with the results of this as I know another individual who had a Hyundai who had the same issue. Hyundai replaced their steering wheel no questions asked. I called Toyota corporate and opened a case to which they denied it as well.
5. I had given up at that point until my most recent service. The dealership asked me how happy I was and I said, "I'm happy with everything excluding the steering wheel." His reply was, "I had another guy come in and tell me he was having the same issue." This got me thinking that maybe this actually is a more common issue with this truck.
6. I called Toyota Carlsbad and told them about my situation. I was told that this problem is quite common on the Prius.
7. I started this post and have obviously received several responses of other 4Runner consumers who are having this issue.
8. I opened another case to which I was denied yet again.

Between my wife and I, we have bought $150k in Toyota vehicles over the past 4 years. I've never had to take any of our vehicles in for warranty repairs and the first time I do I get push back on a crappy steering wheel. Obviously I could easily replace the steering wheel by paying for one but why should I?

And to answer a previous post, I don't drive my car any differently than the past six cars I've owned. I'm not a woman so I don't have a massive diamond ring on my hand and my wife doesn't drive my car.

The 31st post should have been the 1st post.

Sounds like since you are so close to being out of warranty, and have backed down twice already, they are going to try and drag it out for a little while longer when they can "sorry, your warranty is expired, we can sell you one for $777.00 plus labor if you like?"

I would suggest being up their ass about it until it is fixed. Raise hell on the show room floor.

Possible go to different Toyota dealerships. Nothing says you have to take it where you bought it.

I certainly didn’t intend on litigating the matter over a forum but rather to just ask if other people were having the same problem. But if you read the first post I specified that they wanted to charge me roughly that amount.

It doesn't take a massive diamond to scratch the hell out of the wheel. My wife's nephew drove with his wrist draped over the wheel and his watch band scratched that wheel to shreds on top.

That said, if you really feel that it is a manufacturer's defect, then write the letter - not an email - an actual letter that somebody needs to sign for and ends up on somebody's desk instead of ending up on page 20 in 5 seconds.

People complain that a vehicle costing 40k shouldn't have this problem...well, a 40k vehicle these days is not built to the same standards as a vehicle costing 40k from the 1990's.

Good luck finding top grain leather products in any vehicle in the 40k range.

I'd buy a leather steering wheel wrap for 20 bucks that looks and feels OEM for 20 dollars on amazon and call it a day.

I agree with this and I will probably do a preemptive strike and put one on before any damage shows up. On my other truck I put a wheelskin on and it was great quality. When I first did it the wrap was not tight around the posts but over a short time the whole thing shrunk up and it fits real tight and the gaps at the posts all disappeared.

Good luck to the OP, this should not be happening at all.

Idk if I would agree with that. The interior quality of modern vehicles is immensely better than what it was in the 90s let alone 15 years ago.

Again, I'm not asking for top notch quality just something that'll last through the comprehensive warranty

I have a 2018 and it has begun peeling on the top

exactly where mine is pealing.

Interior design and soft plastics have gotten better, but the quality of the material (such as leather) has gotten worse due to cost cutting and/or been replaced by soft plastics and pleather.

Also my second point was 40k back in 1990 bought you a lot more than 40k today, so the vehicles aren’t even in the same class anymore.

So I chuckle when someone says they are disappointed in what their 40k bought them. 40k is the new 30k....lol

If you want better quality interiors, Toyota will point you to a Lexus.