I have noticed what looks like the leather of my steering wheel detaching from underneath. It's so thin and I am afraid that its going to tear and expose the foam underneath. Has anyone experienced this issue?
My 2017 flaked off a lot after yeah about 5-6 years. We didn't do anything about it and just let it flake, and then gifted the car to my daughter and she has left it too. It seems to have happened in the spots where I hold the steering wheel. I can't imagine it is causing any damage. Just looks and feels a bit odd, but don't really care about that.
I am familiar with the sew on cover but this shouldn't happen to a 2 year old car. I was doing some additional research after posting my question and seems like this is a known issue and looks like there is a class action lawsuit in the works. Toyota Steering Wheel Synthetic Leather Deterioration - Class Action Investigation - Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP
SofTex, eh? Edit: It's funny the LE isn't mentioned in the lawsuit. I thought it had the SofTex wheel as well. You wouldn't think steering wheel heat could be a factor in Florida.
It happens in Gen 4, too. I think they are isolated cases arising from the particular owners, such as using hand lotions or sanitizers with alcohol or other solvents, pressing fingernails into the steering wheel, etc. It happens to very few people as far as I know.
