peeling steering wheel help.

[ronez82]

I took the car in today for some petty things that I figured would be covered under warranty. They are replacing my shift knob that is turning green but they will do nothing about my steering wheel that is peeling on the top.

I find it hard to believe that a luxury car of this caliber the steering wheel cannot hold up for less than 4 years. I only have 27,000k miles on it.

Anyone else experience this problem and what was the outcome.

Thanks.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Had the exact same issue. I was able to have mine covered. Was so glad. I would recommend trying another dealer if there are any in your area. I do think it helped that I have had all service preformed at my dealer down to the oil change.Good Luck,ML

[ronez82]

I called Infiniti corporate last Friday 08/22/08 to file a claim about my steering wheel. I was told that I would here back from the regional manager by the end of the day Monday. Monday passes and then Tuesday rolls by followed by Wednesday and Thursday and nothing. So this morning I get a call and am told that she talked to the dealer and her district manager and they have determined the issue to be normal wear and is not covered under the warranty. Extremely frustrating.

I ask her how she could determine normal wear when she never looked at it. Apparently the dealer knew the condition and advised her on the issue. I thought the purpose of calling corporate was to get a second opinion and someone else involved not just calling them to back up the dealer. All she could keep saying was it was routine wear. When I asked her how my '92 Accord with 160k the steering wheel still looks great, and any other car I have owned has never had this issue but this one has in less than 4 year and 27k miles, she says it normal wear.

So in conclusion I found out that when you buy a premium vehicle things wear out faster than your average vehicle and it is all normal wear. I am worried now that the blinking airbag light will be normal wear and the safety devices wear out too and they will not cover them. I guess I will have to wait for the light to wear and burn out.

At this point I am considering a letter to the Better Business Bureau.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Sorry that the situation has devolved to this. Given the number of Infiniti dealers in Florida, I would honestly try a different dealer. Hell, it took me three dealers to fix the most abhorrent of rattles above the nav screen.The best way to get fringe things covered under warranty is to establish good relations with any and all service writers with whom your car comes into contact. Simple things like bringing coffee and pastries and small gifts goes a long way towards engendering goodwill. Taking on a adversarial relationship almost never accomplishes anything. Only when there is gross fault present by the dealer can this ever be useful.

I know it might seem strange to bring in tokens of appreciation. However, everyone likes to feel appreciated. The dealers make little revenue on warranty work and often try to minimize claims. The best way to get them to go to bat for you, is to like you.Cheers and sorry,ML

[CakeDaddy]

I hate these stories Steering wheel peeling is not "normal wear and tear" You mentioned Honda earlier; I had a 92 Ack Legend and that wheel held up just fine. Infiniti Corp. has to do better than that. I wish you the best on this. Im suprised you got a new shift knob, but props to you. I asked that they replace mine due tio the same green slime from lotion and hand cremes. I had to buy my shift knob for 199

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,I had actually ordered a new knob at my expense when on a whim I pointed it out to my service writer during a oil change. He brought his Manager over and they covered it. I was not expecting it.

At least at my dealer, I did not have to lobby or complain to get them to cover the steering wheel. Four years old is way too young for a steering wheel to fade. I had priced a new wheel thinking they would not cover it. I think it is around a grand. I cannot help but think having a positive relationship with both Service Writers had to help greatly. So unfortunate that I am to be applauded for what Infiniti should be covering to all who are under warranty. It is really not right.Cheers,Mark

[M45-Zero260]

I remember your story, Mark, about the previous owner who must have used hydrochloric acid as some kind of hand lotion. Props on getting that issue resolved, however, still some kind of strange issue that affects a few of our cars. I have been fortunate with 84,654 miles and my leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (black with the "smokey wood", not the natural wood), that still look and feel like new. Perhaps it is something to do with the finish they applied to the "natural" wood option. Don't know, but I hope the OP has good luck in getting this covered and taken care of under the warranty of "good faith" if anything else. 27K miles for something like this to happen is just not right.

[Q45tech]

Japanese use white cotton and other driving gloves to protect the interiors of cars they own.Americans sweat and have body hair, wear short sleeves, and use caustic chemicals and perfumes, to eat their hands smooth.

We see the damages on drivers door trim from placing arm everywhere.

Pure and simple owner abuse.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,While I suppose not going to that extreme, I do put towels over the seats when driving home after playing Tennis. Since I have been playing 5 days a week, I have even avoided putting my elbow on the center console. Salt is the enemy indeed. However, the steering wheel on the Y34 does not especially vulnerable to peeling. Especially at the top.Cheers,ML

[szh]

To me, four years and 27k miles does seem low for peeling on the steering wheel. I am at 68k miles and five years and do not have this problem on my Y34.

I'd continue to pressure Infiniti Corporate ... firmly ... without making it a tirade. Go up the chain, follow up with a letter or two or more - up the chain to the Infiniti USA President if needed, etc., to let them know you are not going to be satisfied with their first answer.

If that does not work, oh, well ... you gave it your best shot at least.

Z

[Double E]

Just goes to show how much dealers vary (or perhaps the result of a memo from corporate).

The few visits to the dealer that mine had by the original owner included a warranty-replaced steering wheel for the same thing. This thread makes me more diligent about protecting mine now...

Something tells me that there was a crackdown on the covering of this item but to be sure, I would try another dealer if you can and see what sort of reacion you get there. (Mine came from the Lousiana area when I bought it.)

It just might be worth a road trip to avoid hundreds of $ in your getting it fixed. Maybe a relative or friend can make a recommendation or provide a "personally handed-off" referral with a delaership they have a long & good relationship with?

[ronez82]

I will be trying another local dealer this week. I was out of town for a week and just before I left the airbag light started blinking. I will take it in for the light and also mention the steering wheel hopefully they will be more understanding. If that does not work then I will continue to contact corporate until one of us wears down.

[DRIPS]

They make wheel skins that you can put on yourself. It will not look 100% stock but it will look better than peeling and gives you a little extra thickness to grab

[ronez82]

So I just got it back from the dealer after the airbag module was replaced. They also replaced the steering wheel and it looks great and feels great. She kept telling me she was working on it and trying to get it replaced. I am not sure if it was her trying to get it replaced or if they did it after it took a week to get my proper module in and to the right location. It took 8 days for the entire repair to happen. Over all it was a good experience at this dealer just took a little while to get the work done.

I also found out that they have an '03 or '04 sitting in the back with a blown motor. The owner cannot afford to replace it so they have had it for 5 months. Its black and looks to be in ok condition thats all that I know about it if anyone is looking for a potentialy cheap y34 this could be the one.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Ron, congrats on getting your steering wheel covered under warranty. It almost makes you feel like you have a brand new car. Compared to the old, peeling one.Cheers,ML

[wingFeather]

I am looking at many M's on eBay with 50k+ miles, and they do not show signs of this type of failure. I'm sure you just got a bad wheel & knob from the factory. Mfgr should replace no doubt! COngrats.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Bringing this back up. I'm currently dealing with the same peeling steering wheel issue and am being told by Infiniti Corp that this is "normal wear and tear". Has anyone lately had success with this lately? If so, what did you do?