4RX8

The leather wrap on my steering wheel is flaking. The dealership is trying to say it is caused by my rings rubbing the steering wheel......I own no rings!!! Then decided it must be my jeans rubbing the steering wheel. I am 5' 3" female 125 pounds. My steering wheel does not rub my jeans... Who's does?? Grasping at straws??? Is anyone else out there having the same problems? Not getting any cooperation from my dealership. LOVE my car. Hate to see the problems start. Can name a few more. Driver side door panel peeling, driver side visor broken. Lets not forget I have had brake pads replaced 2 times in 10 months. What is going on with this stuff????

kesslti

had the same issue - looked like the steering wheel was cracking on the leather grain iteself - and once it cracked it would flake off in places.

Took it to the dealer - they said the same thing.- about rings nicking the wheel - and said it was my fault. I had to talk to just about everyone at the dealer - but won my case - got a new steering wheel.

This thing is like $1300 - so they need to make sure that they will get reimbursed by mazda.

I also know that my one smooth wedding ring did not cause this - and I was able to show them multiple places on my steering wheel where the leather was "cracking" - then they agreed -

good luck - just keep pushing - clearly others (myself included) have had this problem and gotten it covered under warranty.

4RX8

Thanks for the reply. I just wanted a little morale support if nothing else.

Go48

If you are not getting satisfaction from your dealer on this issue, contact Mazda North American Operations at the 800 number in your owners manual and calmly complain about the treatment by the dealer. MNAO will contact the dealer and work things out.

Vizacar

Keeping your leather steering wheel moisturized is more important than any other leather in the car, as your hands wick the moisture out of the leather from so much contact.

Use a good leather cleaner/moisturizer, like McGuires leather wipes. Need to let it soak in then buff real good to get it from being slippery.

Doing this will prevent it from drying out and micro cracking along the grain lines, then progressing to peeling and flacking.

6speed8

Make sure you hands don't have reside of cleaning chemicals on them. A friend of mine is a bartender and the last thing she would do every night is wipe down the bar with a damp cloth that had bleach water on it. Her Firebird steering wheel just flaked away. Perfumes/colognes with alchohol could have the same affect too.

4RX8

I can assure you I love my car like no other. I know the sensitivity of leather and how to care for it. I take every precaution and could be called borderline fanatic with my 8. I do appreciate the advise, and will take it. The peeling I see on my car is unique in it's own. I have shown it to a couple of people and they feel it is a problem with the lenght of time the car sat on the lot in the "Southern sun" prior to my purchase. I eyed the car for quite some time each day on my way to work. Til one day I had to go for it. I bought my 8 in October, 2004 just prior to the 2005 models coming in. I will continue to try to get satisfaction from my dealership. At this stage in the game it is more about my concern for the level of customer satisfaction than the actual replacement of the steering wheel. I would like to continue to hear from anyone else out there who has had similar experience with the leather wrap. It is the oddest thing I have ever seen. And this is by no means my first experience in having to care for leather. HELP... And thanks for the support!!!

Go48

Like I said, call MNAO.

kesslti

now that I think of it - my first was shiny and very smooth leather - my replacement was much thicker less shiny and less smooth -

mine was a June 03 build - maybe early models had bad leather.

By the way - mine went bad within 6 months of purchase - never cleaned the steering wheel - and used nothing but damp cloths to dust the inside of the car. I work in an office - and my nurse of a wife does complains I do not wash my hands enough - so do not think that cleaning stuff was an issue for me - just think I got a bad wheel.

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

Had mine replaced under warranty as well. Mine looked as thought the leather was pealing off. Was really bad along one side... at first the whole ring concern was voiced, but that quickly gave way and all was taken care of... second steering wheel didn't line up correctly so they ordered a third... In the end it looks like the origional was miss keyed, or that they are not all keyed similarly, so they had to do an alinment as well to make the wheel level when driving in a straight line. (wow half that looks miss spelled, but it is to late to fix...)

Just keep working with them... a lot of early '04's (mine has a july birthday) seem to have had this problem...

4RX8

Thanks to all!!! I am sure I will get this resolved. Just needed a little backing on this. Will take your advise Go48. .

4RX8

Any others out there with similar problems? I'd love to hear your story. I actually test drove a G-35 last weekend as a consideration of replacement for my 8. Can't imagine it after getting my car back. Missed the way the 8 greets you with a "hug" upon sliding into the seat!!!

Stalker

Mine started cracking a few months after I bought it. I took it in and they replaced it no questions asked. I did notice the leather does look different on the new wheel. Its more dull looking than the original and feels thicker. I have 10/03 build date.

Nubo

Man, I've put all kinds of crap on my wheel since I've gotten it, in an effort to improve the grip. Lol, seeing this description of a thicker, grippier new wheel I'd prefer to have mine start peeling so I could get the upgrade :p. But nope, the leather is fine

If all else fails, Wheelskins makes some nice wraps.

kesslti

ok - I have a replacement wheel - and have had it for 7 months now - it is also peeling - this is TWO wheels in a 18 months.

I am the only driver - and only have a smooth wedding band that I wear - is anyone else having an issue??? This is frustrating - and I can only imagine what the dealer will say when I bring it back...

insight or help is appreciated.

thanks

tiggerlee

Strange......I'm still on my original steering wheel after 18 months ownership. Still looks like new.