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Defective leather steering wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by BlzzPrl2010, Jun 1, 2015.

  1. BlzzPrl2010

    BlzzPrl2010 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
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    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Anybody else also experience this issue? Early build 3rd gen(believe it was built 8/09)About 1 year after owning the car the top of the steering wheel started to lose color(blue dye). Spots started to form. I thought it was just grime so I left it as is was for a few years. Yesterday I took a closer look and it seems like the foam material in the wheel is starting to surface. Anybody else have this issue with their leather wheel? This is only happening on the top part of the wheel.
     

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    #1 BlzzPrl2010, Jun 1, 2015
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
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    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yup my Prius looks like that too (2006). And my Leaf (2013) is starting it. Most of the rental cars I have of any make/model look like that. I guess that's why they sell the steering wheel covers :)
     
    #2 2k1Toaster, Jun 1, 2015
  3. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I know jack about leather steering wheels, but I know something of leather.

    UV and hand oils are not kind to leather. I'd fully expect discoloration and fading...particularly where you handle the wheel the most.
     
    #3 qdllc, Jun 2, 2015
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
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    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Are you sure it's leather? It might be softex, or some other pleather.

    I put a Wheelskins cover over my leather steering wheel on my Camry SE. I like thick, meaty steering wheels lol. I wanted function over form.

    You can put a cover over it, or buy a replacement steering wheel.
     
    #4 xliderider, Jun 2, 2015
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
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    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Normal wear and tear, same as mine...
     
    #5 RRxing, Jun 2, 2015
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