Is my steering wheel supposed to look like this?

Did you try cleaning it?

 

mine does not look like that. yours is brand new? that almost looks like something was covering it and it was out in the sun (hard to tell from the photo)

 

No it's not supposed to look like that.

 

Just make a device appointment if need be and post pics when you do. I’d imagine that won’t be a problem if you document it now given your mileage/timeframe.

 

Tell people it's the "Diamond" edition of the 3. Special steering wheel hub! I don't think this would have bothered me, but to each their own fights.

 

lol wtf

 

Just keep trying is all to do for now. You have the time stamped photos for when your app is working.

 

Your steering wheel has tan lines.

 

No, it shouldn't look sun burned...

 

I think it is normal for scribe lines on the inside of steering wheel covers, and even dash panels around the passenger side airbag. this weakens the container enough to facilitate deployment of the bag. Some are more noticeable than others - some not apparent at all - but I have never seen them as visible as on your wheel. I see no hint of them on the steering wheel in my M3. The lines in your photo are not where I would expect these lines to be, and seem a curious shape for an airbag exit point. It doesn't look very attractive either and I think you are right to submit a claim. This is a defect, IMHO, not a cosmetic issue. Good luck. My opinion is based on many years in the body repair business. I've seen a lot of deployed air bags - and also their replacements.

 

Looks to me like there was a sticker there maybe for identification during assembly.

 

When I bought my car it had a square piece of clear plastic with adhesive covering the steering wheel emblem to protect it I guess. I remember peeling it off myself but it didn’t leave a mark like that.

 

Mine came with a similar mark, same size and shape but not as noticeable so I didn't bother to follow up with the service center. My suspicion is it is from an adhesive film that protected the chrome Tesla badge during production. FWIW, the mark on mine slowly disappeared over the course of a few months of the car sitting outside but yours is so much worse: had mine looked like yours I would have definitely followed up.

 

Try some Goo Gone (gently) to see if that will take the adhesive off.

 

I would recommend 409 or 303 Aerospace to try and fix it.

If it doesn't come clean then it must have become discolored and they will need to replace the airbag assembly.

 

It's definitely where the clear plastic was there to protect the badge during assembly and delivery. Mine was still installed when I took delivery. I don't have that marking, however, but it's most likely some remnant of the low-tack adhesive they use.

 

Ahhh... That makes sense. Just a little cleaning and you'll be good.