Ruined steering wheel (Anyone else with this issue?)

[David]

My wheel is holding up fine, but on my S2000 I noticed similar marks and it seemed to be coming from the metal on my jeans. They were kind of sharp at the edges so when I would get in and out I would sometimes scratch the leather. I wear a different brand of jeans now and I'm not having any issues. I had it happen on another car as well, but it happened more often on the S2000 due to how tight the space was. You may want to check whatever you wear and try to rule that out.

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[XtremeMaC]

It seems to have a zigzag pattern to it...

Regardless of clothing, if $20K car steering wheels can last for 100K+ miles without a mark, a $60K should not be getting damaged at 100miles... is straight forward thinking, but not entirely sure how durable BMW genuine leathers last vs cloth...
Never had any issues with any leather steering wheel even after thousands of miles except few nail scratch marks...

 

[Heavy Foot]

It's from you getting in and out of the car and hitting it. Be more careful. Imagine whining to Toyota to fix your wheel because you damaged it being negligent.

It's from you getting in and out of the car and hitting it. Be more careful. Imagine whining to Toyota to fix your wheel because you damaged it being negligent.

My daily driver does not have any marks on its steering wheel, nor did any other car that I've owned. I've owned dozens of vehicles with leather steering wheels, and I've never had a problem.

 

[Snowblind20]

My daily driver does not have any marks on its steering wheel, nor did any other car that I've owned. I've owned dozens of vehicles with leather steering wheels, and I've never had a problem.

Right, it's purely a mystery how a leather steering wheel has the pattern from a metal jacket zipper rubbed into it.

 

[Heavy Foot]

Right, it's purely a mystery how a leather steering wheel has the pattern from a metal jacket zipper rubbed into it.

The marks are all over the wheel, not just on the lower left side. I don't get in, and out of the car with the steering wheel upside-down with the wheels turned. therefore it's not from a zipper of any kind. The old steering wheel is being sent off to the engineering department, or whatever the Tech said to me. It was probably just a bad batch of dry leather that was prone to cracking.

 

[puzzled]

Is your wife a cat?

 

[gcmak]

Quite honestly looks like the area of my steering wheel after I let a friend who is much taller than me try to get into my car without first adjusting both wheel and seat. His jeans rubbed it unsuccessfully getting in and the zig zags were there. That said, I've had this on other cars before and they go away with more time. The zig zags my friend left on my wheel are going away with more use.

Not doubting you might actually have a defect - that's something for Toyota to sort out - but let's say this pattern happens again for you, that'll take more investigation.

 

[SuupYota]

Quite honestly looks like the area of my steering wheel after I let a friend who is much taller than me try to get into my car without first adjusting both wheel and seat. His jeans rubbed it unsuccessfully getting in and the zig zags were there. That said, I've had this on other cars before and they go away with more time. The zig zags my friend left on my wheel are going away with more use.

Not doubting you might actually have a defect - that's something for Toyota to sort out - but let's say this pattern happens again for you, that'll take more investigation.

Yes, I agree. I noticed under my left side of my wheel the same type of wear. I never noticed or thought to look until this thread. I was then more aware of how I get in and out of the car. It was for me at least 100% my right hip side, brushing against the wheel upon entering and exiting. It's such a slight rub, I've never even felt it happen until I was trying to focus in on my getting in and out process.

 

[saik]

Let's all wait for the replacement wheel, and see if it happens again in another 100 miles

 

[BA9092]

I had the same exact pattern happen on my old GTI.

I knew this was my fault as I felt my jacket zipper graze the bottom left of the steering wheel as I was getting in. It was an aftermarket leather/carbon fiber steering wheel, so no luck on warranty or blaming the manufacturer.

However, for $100 I was able to find a local car interior repair shop that fixed the scratches for me. (Think shoe repair).

 

[Snowblind20]

I had the same exact pattern happen on my old GTI.

I knew this was my fault as I felt my jacket zipper graze the bottom left of the steering wheel as I was getting in. It was an aftermarket leather/carbon fiber steering wheel, so no luck on warranty or blaming the manufacturer.

However, for $100 I was able to find a local car interior repair shop that fixed the scratches for me. (Think shoe repair).

Nah, that's impossible. You should have complained to Toyota and they would have replaced your VW steering wheel.

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