Steering wheel leather - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

V_86 · 03-26-2015, 05:40 PM

I just got a replacement FRS (long story). On this car, I noticed the steering wheel had a "texture" to the back, at 9 and 3, right where my hands are most of the time. Checked it out, and it looks like the leather is wrinkled. The question is A) do other people have this issue, B) would a dealer change the wheel out, since it seems like a factory defect.

UPDATE: After two dealers, both said they won't fix it. The last one I went to today at least let me talk to the service director of the dealership. Even though I didn't get the answer I wanted, he was nice about it and explained fully. Basically, even if they replace it, Toyota is going to say its a part of mass manufacturing that some parts are not perfect, so the dealer will wind up eating the cost, or not covering it altogether. Toyota corporate bs, but at least I got a real explanation of it, and acknowledgement that yes, the problem is there. I may try again at the car's first free service when I take it to the originating dealer (just too far away for just an inspection).

Turbo95eg6 · 03-26-2015, 06:05 PM

A) NO
B) Ask the dealer

tyrantcf · 03-26-2015, 06:51 PM

How long have you had the car? I've heard of this happening before, over time.

your dealer must love you haha

8R6 · 03-26-2015, 06:53 PM

the "leather" for our stock steering wheel sucks.

V_86 · 03-26-2015, 06:58 PM

Had it less than a week, built in January.

Muaddib · 03-26-2015, 08:53 PM

It is not even real leather.

chaoskaze · 03-26-2015, 09:22 PM

Just wanna point out a thing. I touched/felt the JDM one once, even the airbag part is softer plastic.... I noticed My Series Blue wheel depite being the same. The leather is better then normal FRS/BRZ but very minimal & still not as good as wut they have on the GT grade in Asia.

sprintertrueno86 · 03-26-2015, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRGT86

the "leather" for our stock steering wheel sucks.

Yep

Might as well come in plastic.

Dake · 03-26-2015, 09:43 PM

You guys need to thread pencils between your fingers - you're gripping the wheel way too hard. Two and a half years in and mine is fine.

Burrcold · 03-26-2015, 09:58 PM

Replace it with a better wheel. I did and it's SO much better.

V_86 · 03-26-2015, 10:53 PM

I like the wheel just fine, I just don't think it's supposed to be like this, it's right where my hands are 90% of the time.

brianhj · 03-27-2015, 09:53 PM

"Leather" hahaha oh man my sides

V_86 · 03-28-2015, 04:53 PM

Went to my local dealer today, they seemed to agree the wheel leather is not right. They will get back to me Monday after they talk to their upholstery guy about how to go about fixing it.

yo joshman · 03-28-2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V_86

I just got a replacement FRS (long story). On this car, I noticed the steering wheel had a "texture" to the back, at 9 and 3, right where my hands are most of the time. Checked it out, and it looks like the leather is wrinkled. The question is A) do other people have this issue, B) would a dealer change the wheel out, since it seems like a factory defect.

This happned to me earlier this year. I just warrantied it for a new one no biggie.

03-26-2015, 05:40 PM	#1
V_86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Drives: 2015 Asphalt FR-S Location: SoCal Posts: 304 Thanks: 71 Thanked 83 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Steering wheel leather I just got a replacement FRS (long story). On this car, I noticed the steering wheel had a "texture" to the back, at 9 and 3, right where my hands are most of the time. Checked it out, and it looks like the leather is wrinkled. The question is A) do other people have this issue, B) would a dealer change the wheel out, since it seems like a factory defect. UPDATE: After two dealers, both said they won't fix it. The last one I went to today at least let me talk to the service director of the dealership. Even though I didn't get the answer I wanted, he was nice about it and explained fully. Basically, even if they replace it, Toyota is going to say its a part of mass manufacturing that some parts are not perfect, so the dealer will wind up eating the cost, or not covering it altogether. Toyota corporate bs, but at least I got a real explanation of it, and acknowledgement that yes, the problem is there. I may try again at the car's first free service when I take it to the originating dealer (just too far away for just an inspection). Last edited by V_86; 04-25-2015 at 03:34 PM.

03-26-2015, 06:05 PM	#2
Turbo95eg6 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2014 BRZ SWP LTD Location: The 503 Posts: 2,174 Thanks: 331 Thanked 2,266 Times in 858 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	A) NO B) Ask the dealer __________________ Instagram: stimson

03-26-2015, 06:51 PM	#3
tyrantcf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: '16 WRX, CBR1000RR Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 560 Thanks: 422 Thanked 369 Times in 213 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	How long have you had the car? I've heard of this happening before, over time. your dealer must love you haha __________________ Phantom ESC'd Build Thread (Retired):http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75293

03-26-2015, 06:53 PM	#4
8R6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FRS Location: SoCal Posts: 2,086 Thanks: 2,738 Thanked 1,338 Times in 746 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	the "leather" for our stock steering wheel sucks. __________________ Team BRG inspire-usa My car build #8R6

03-26-2015, 09:58 PM	#10
Burrcold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,624 Thanks: 763 Thanked 1,586 Times in 776 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Replace it with a better wheel. I did and it's SO much better. __________________

03-26-2015, 06:58 PM	#5
V_86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Drives: 2015 Asphalt FR-S Location: SoCal Posts: 304 Thanks: 71 Thanked 83 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Had it less than a week, built in January.

03-26-2015, 08:53 PM	#6
Muaddib Mentat Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS 6MT Location: Vancouver Posts: 542 Thanks: 666 Thanked 358 Times in 198 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It is not even real leather.

03-26-2015, 09:22 PM	#7
chaoskaze The Fail Boat Join Date: Aug 2011 Drives: CWP S.B. Location: LasVegas Posts: 3,028 Thanks: 4,720 Thanked 1,294 Times in 874 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just wanna point out a thing. I touched/felt the JDM one once, even the airbag part is softer plastic.... I noticed My Series Blue wheel depite being the same. The leather is better then normal FRS/BRZ but very minimal & still not as good as wut they have on the GT grade in Asia.

03-26-2015, 09:43 PM	#9
Dake Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: FR-S Location: Houston Posts: 1,078 Thanks: 468 Thanked 832 Times in 420 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You guys need to thread pencils between your fingers - you're gripping the wheel way too hard. Two and a half years in and mine is fine.

03-26-2015, 10:53 PM	#11
V_86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Drives: 2015 Asphalt FR-S Location: SoCal Posts: 304 Thanks: 71 Thanked 83 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I like the wheel just fine, I just don't think it's supposed to be like this, it's right where my hands are 90% of the time.

03-27-2015, 09:53 PM	#12
brianhj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS Location: Houston, TX Posts: 869 Thanks: 321 Thanked 347 Times in 199 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	"Leather" hahaha oh man my sides

03-28-2015, 04:53 PM	#13
V_86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Drives: 2015 Asphalt FR-S Location: SoCal Posts: 304 Thanks: 71 Thanked 83 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Went to my local dealer today, they seemed to agree the wheel leather is not right. They will get back to me Monday after they talk to their upholstery guy about how to go about fixing it.

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