Steering Wheel crumbling...

[InkedMegs]

My steering wheel has magically begun to crack and crumble within the past week. There is now a gash about two inches long at the 11:00 position on the steering wheel. I'm pretty bummed about this because I bought the car brand new (19 miles on it) in May 2005 and I don't really expect a peeling steering wheel from a brand new car. Maybe somewhere between a 5 and ten-year-old car, but not a 13-month-old car. (I had a '95 Taurus until I bought the Elantra, and the original steering wheel was STILL intact when I sold the Taurus!)

Every time I drive now, I end up with crumbling steering wheel puffs all over my hands. I've been perfectly happy with my car up until this point. I'm assuming it's no longer under the warranty at this point -- it's like it KNEW one year was up! I'm calling/taking it to the dealer as soon as I can, but I figured I'd check to see if this is just something I'm going to have to deal with and go buy a lame steering wheel cover. It makes me sad to even THINK about having to put a cover on it!! Yuck.

Has anyone had this happen? I hope I shouldn't expect other parts to start going downhill now...

[alienman]

you should have 3 year bumper to bumper on the car so it should still be under warranty... i have had mine since 03 and my steering wheel is still good... i think it is just a dud you got.... if they won;t fix it at the dealership call hyundai customer line and complain... I had to do that a couple times and then they just called the dealership and amazingly there was no problem and they fixed my problems right away.... (except my damn wheels pitting)

[03SilverBullet]

It should be covered under the 5 year/60k warrenty.. I had the wheel on my 01 replaced because the top was peeling.

[InkedMegs]

I busted out my warranty info the other day and for some reason I guessed that the steering wheel fell under the "accessories" warranty that's listed as 1-year. Next stop is the dealership on Monday -- you've given me hope, SilverBullet!

[mrhoaf]

I've heard someone mention this issue before... not sure if it was a bad batch of wheels or what...

[SLVR2003]

Wow I live in AZ and I've had my Elantra for 3 or so years and the wheel is fine. AZ is the worst for sun damaging and destrying plastics and foams etc.
So ruling out sun damage; possibly a product you've been using to clean/protect the wheel but most likely it was some sort of bad batch like suggested above because that is by no means common/normal for cars less than 10 years old.

[InkedMegs]

So ruling out sun damage; possibly a product you've been using to clean/protect the wheel but most likely it was some sort of bad batch like suggested above because that is by no means common/normal for cars less than 10 years old.

... I'm bad at dusting the dash/steering column, so I can rule out products! Although, that also means I'm not protecting it!!

I've heard someone mention this issue before... not sure if it was a bad batch of wheels or what...

... I'm hoping this is the case. I googled "Elantra steering wheel peeling" and similar phrases (that's how I came to this site!) but I didn't find any reviews/rants about this specific problem, just mostly steering issues. I thought it may be a common problem and was expecting to find pages upon pages of people saying their steering wheels were falling apart. It's good to know it's not something that is happening to EVERY Elantra, but it's also nice to know there are other people out there with the same problem.

[SuperGLS]

Yeah, it seems like there are just some wheels that it happens too.

I don't really clean or protect mine, so I don't think neglect is the cause either.

Perhaps some type of lotion or something you use on your hands could be a catalyst for stuff like this, although that seems like a longshot, but who knows?

[TNT4ME]

meh.....take it to the dealer. If they try to charge you, tell them no way! Replacement is free.

[elantra2570]

My 2004's wheel did that and they replaced it under warranty and didn't give me any crap about it (car was over 2 yrs old with 48k miles on it)

[jayupark]

If you want a leather 2004 GT steering wheel, mine should be up for sale soon :D

[f1guy68]

I have seen so many steering wheels in poor shape over the many years that I have been in the Auto Detailing Business. I used to wonder what the heck people would do to them while they were driving to get them in such bad shape?

Some of them I could scrape the dirt from them, others were glazed over like they had a coat of urethane, and others crumbling and chunking to bits. I have seen this on older cars but more so on recent cars? Leather seems to withstand a bit more, but they still fade and fray over time.

I hate to think that our own body oils or sweat would do this, but I do believe it to be a cause, as well as lotions, residues on out hands and fingers from fast foods etc.

Clean the wheel with a mild detergent and water once a week and put on a quality protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant, Lexol or even some Meguiar’s Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Protectant (#40).

Perhaps a good quality steering wheel cover will be of help as well in aiding in the longevity of your steering wheel.

[Keyan]

This is why I like plastic steering wheels over leather ones...

[InkedMegs]

Clean the wheel with a mild detergent and water once a week and put on a quality protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant, Lexol or even some Meguiar’s Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Protectant (#40).

Perhaps a good quality steering wheel cover will be of help as well in aiding in the longevity of your steering wheel.

I don't really wear lotions. No matter what, I haven't treated my steering wheel badly in the least. On the other hand, I haven't been slathering it with Armor All or anything, either.

When I first bought my Elantra, I felt a little hard bump on the seam of the wheel, so it may be just a poorly put-together wheel. It didn't do anything strange until this past week, so I just assumed the little bump was just a part of the seam I would have to get used to.

For those of you in the Pgh area... I took it to #1 Cochran in Robinson today only to realize they don't SELL Hyundai's there nor do they service them. They told me to go to Monroeville, but I might take it to Bowser in Pleasant Hills. I just don't have the ability to be without my car for a day... and who knows if they even offer a rental (chances are probably slim).

All I know is that when I get the new wheel, I will definitely be more aware of how I treat it!!