Steering wheel leather FAIL

[DadRS99]

I have 50k miles on my ‘21 Y LR and the leather on my steering wheel has started to bubble up, and loosen creating a hazard.

Started service appt and was told this is normal “wear and tear” and not covered by warranty!! Asking for $1500. What gives??

Anyone else had this issue? Or advice on how to deal with Tesla Service?

thx!

 

[TheLex]

This has been happening with other model Teslas as well. Each and every time Tesla claims "abuse and normal wear and tear". IMO the solution is to just get a nice steering wheel wrap. It's not worth spending $1200 on it as it will just happen again.

 

[theocguy]

or get this Yoke steeling wheel

 

[wkramer28451]

I have an original steering wheel from my 2022 model Y. If your interested in buying it make me an offer. Very easy to take yours off and use the air bag and wiring harness from your wheel with a new wheel (mine has the control buttons still attached). I got the Hanshow yoke in real white leather with a white air bag cover.

 

[Brav]

Do you use lotion or other hand creams? This can commonly ruin touched surfaces.

 

[DadRS99]

I have an original steering wheel from my 2022 model Y. If you’re interested in buying it make me an offer. Very easy to take yours off and use the air bag and wiring harness from your wheel with a new wheel (mine has the control buttons still attached). I got the Hanshow yoke in real white leather with a white air bag cover.

Thanks. I’m interested. Will DM you. I’m in SoCal

 

[gtinkti]

I have same issue with my Model3(40k), and CS is asking $1400 because its not covered by warranty. What can I do? Please give some advice how to deal with Tesla Service..

 

[Jkwan]

I have same issue with my Model3(40k), and CS is asking $1400 because its not covered by warranty. What can I do? Please give some advice how to deal with Tesla Service..View attachment 856183View attachment 856188

So do you wear any lotion? Cheaper to go aftermarket such as - Glossy Real Tesla Model 3 Y Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel|Hansshow

 

[Freshness]

OEM Steering wheels can be found as low as 200 for new or like new. It's totally understandable why tesla won't cover it, no way to prove its defective and not wear and tear or mishandling.

Thankfully it's cheap to replace and move on.

 

[DadRS99]

I took a chance and didn’t reply to the service center or sign the estimate but still had the tech come out. After he was finished i asked him about the cost and when he said it wasn’t free I expressed my shock and disappointment. He called his manager and waived the fee!

 

[brandon8387]

Y’all gotta wipe down the wheels. They bubble just like the seats when oils cook on them and separate the cover from the wheel. Just like the headrests

 

[PeteOC]

I ceramic-coated my steering wheel just like all seats and pretty much the entire interior. Hope it lasts longer than these examples...

 

[DadRS99]

How did you ceramic? And wipe down with what?

 

[DanDi58]

How did you ceramic? And wipe down with what?

Baby wipes. just like the rest of the interior.

 

[PeteOC]

How did you ceramic? And wipe down with what?

Amazon.com

 

[HSATD]

I have ruined a couple of steering wheels in other cars in exactly the same place as shown above. If I hold the steering wheel in that spot, I find that I grip it and wind up twisting a bit. And, so, ruined steering wheels.

After the last one I ruined, I developed a habit of trying to not hold the wheel there, and I try to use just a couple of fingers to keep my grip loose. I prefer my left hand either at 9 or 7 o'clock, this lets me use two fingers and my thumb for straight stuff but my hand is ready to grab for turns. This has helped.

But…the Model Y seating/steering wheel arrangement means I can’t put my hands where I want them. I’m finding that what I used to do was rest my wrist on my knee, and the wheel was right there (7 o'clock). Or, I could use the left armrest (9 o'clock). Because of the upright seating, its an odd position to get my knee in the right place. If I rest my elbow on the left armrest I wind up pressing down on the wheel if I’m relaxed…and it’s not NASCAR.

The upshot of the previous paragraph is - it’s hard to hold the MY wheel gently and that’s going to lead to damage over time. 350 miles in and I’m just now finding some good positioning.

Tesla still needs better materials in any event. It just doesn’t feel sturdy at all.

 

[Tesery]

I have 50k miles on my ‘21 Y LR and the leather on my steering wheel has started to bubble up, and loosen creating a hazard.

Started service appt and was told this is normal “wear and tear” and not covered by warranty!! Asking for $1500. What gives??

Anyone else had this issue? Or advice on how to deal with Tesla Service?

thx!

View attachment 847141

You should get a new steering wheel for your tesla, check this out：Tesla Model 3 / Y Steering Wheel Accessories

 

[Kokukenji]

Anyone ever tried any decent steering wheel covers to simply go over the stock one?

 

[CSGeekme]

Yeah this happened to my wife's 2021 MYP. I noticed it early on my 2022 M3P that I just picked up in September of this year and had it replaced last week. However, the new one is starting to have issues as well. Why can't they just use carbon fiber?

 

[bikerman11]

I have same issue on 2021 Y model. 24k miles. Starting to bubble on #10 position and they want $1500. Should be under some warranty.