Is anyone else's Prius Prime steering wheel doing this? I have a Lexus as well with zero issues. Using hand sanitizer way before covid after filling up gas etc, but don't think that should cause this massive amount of peeling on the steering wheel. Is there a recall out I don't know about?? Also, always use my heatshield sunshade in the sun.
Lots and lots of peeling. Might be the most common complaint on the 4th gen Prius. I don't think it's hand sanitizer. My theory is that it happens in the place where drivers hang their hands. The spot where mine is starting to show a little skin sag, for lack of a better term, is at about 9:30. That's the spot I tend to apply pressure to with my right hand as I wait at an intersection to make a right turn with the steering wheel already partly cranked over. Normally I have my elbows taking the weight on the arm rests while lightly holding the wheel at 9:00 & 3:00 or a little below. The problem seems to me to be that the hide on the wheel is thin and not well secured to the material below it. Twisting forces tend to break it loose too easily. Most Toyota dealers have had a heart of stone when people complain from what I read here on PC.
Here are a few examples. Very few people successfully argued to the dealer and Toyota to have the whole steering wheel replaced. In most cases, it was not covered by the warranty. It seems to happen more often on Advanced trims with the heated steering wheel. My 2017 Premium did not show any sign after 3 years, but I already traded in that vehicle. My thought is even if you are successful in replacing the steering wheel either by warranty or by out-of-your pocket cost, you will be facing the same problem again. Your best remedy maybe just to install a wheel cover as shown in the last thread in the list below. Steering wheel vinyl coming off | PriusChat Softex Steering Wheel Peeling | PriusChat steering wheel peeling not warranty covered | PriusChat Cheap Steering Wheel on Prime Advance? | PriusChat Steering Wheel peeling | PriusChat Steering wheel vinyl coming off | PriusChat Steering wheel leather mod | PriusChat
It happened on my 2017 Advanced. My local dealer wouldn’t cover it under warranty. My best guess is that everything on a Prime is as thin and lightweight as they could make it. I also ended up with what I though were too many chips in the paint job which I’m guessing is thinner than any of the other Toyotas I have owned.
It's really not a manufacturing defect. It's an intentional inferior, low quality vinyl covering on the steering wheel. The cover on my 2017 Prime failed at 23,000 miles and it wasn't covered under warranty. The cost for parts and labor to replace it, was almost $1,000.
Everybody is going with thinner, or weaker, paints. Mainly to reduce VOC emissions during manufacturing.
Sweet Mercy.. Yes.. It does seem SUPER thin now you guys mention it. And we do have the advanced version but used the heated steering wheel probably twice since we got the car 4 years ago. I thought Toyota's were supposed to be solid well built machines? First we had a 12v battery issue, then we were told to get a hybrid fan system cleaning, and now this... And of course, it all happens after the warranty.. SMH Thanks everyone for the input
The element in the heated steering wheel doesn't help. It's called the KMT or Kinetic Molecular Theory. Heat places molecules and their molecular bonds in motion that stretches the bonds. The result of the broken bonds is cracking of the plastic covering> Leather would stand up to the heat better and have a longer life.
They are, but all cars have their warts. The 12v battery issue is not really a Toyota thing. Most new cars these days have itty-bitty little engines and much larger and more complex electrical systems. OEMs are using smaller 12v batteries and really....4 years is about normal for most new cars to need a new one. YMMV. HOWEVER (comma!) Hybrid Fan System Cleaning? I would not expect this to be a major maintenance item on a four year old car. THAT is almost certainly your dealership over-charging you to clean the traction battery fan filter, unless you collect Persian cats as a hobby or otherwise have more than your share of fur-babies. I'd "circle back" on that and try to figure out exactly what they did and how much they charged for it before I decided to continue my relationship with your dealer. Good Luck!
hahaha we do have fur babies so maybe that's why I'm wondering how difficult it is to change. Haven't seen many prime people do it only regular prius. I know there are those two filters on the side of the rear passenger near the seat belt but that's it.
Our 2017 Prius Prime did the same thing. At the time (a little over 18 months ago) the dealer claimed to have never seen one do this. After a brief discussion, the dealer replace the wheel assembly at no cost.
Hi All! I went to Toyota and they submitted a claim. I said I have 8 yr bumper to bumper warranty. The claim was approved and I am getting a new steering wheel on Saturday. It’s a manufacturing defect. I am surprised so many people are experiencing this problem.
My 2017 steering wheel is doing this and I don't use hand sanitizer and don't have a heated steering wheel. iPhone ? Pro
Hand sanitizer is detrimental for faux leather. I also suspect some hand lotions can also be a problem.
Do you have the specifics on the warranty that you purchased? I really wish 2023 steering wheel was leather.
