Hi all,

I am the proud new owner of my first Lexus, having been in Toyotas for almost 20 years now. I love this car, it drives extremely smooth, has no squeaks or rattles, very comfortable seats ... Almost perfect! I say almost, because I do notice some slight imperfection on the steering wheel.

Specifically, the top arc of the steering wheel where the leather meets the wood is rather bumpy and noticeably not smooth, both from sight and feel. You can see from the pictures I took, there is definitely some bumpiness, likely from some imperfection underneath what the leather is being wrapped around. The bottom left and bottom right corners of the steering wheel do not have this same bumpiness, so I am thinking it is may not be normal. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is it worth having the service department of the local Lexus dealer take a look at?
With flash at night

Daytime

 

Frankly, I haven't noticed, so it must be OK on mine. But, I will look tomorrow. As for calling the service folk, by all means do. You paid for that warranty in the price of the car, use it...

 

Tough transition I imagine with the wood to leather. I have the FSport so no wood but some have complained the wrap and stitching is not perfect in that trim.

 

 

I checked mine. There is some minor puckering in the corners, but the rest of it is very smooth. Can't hurt to ask your dealer. Talk to the service folk. If yours is like the sales people around here, you will likely know more than they do. Ask to look at another car and see how that one looks. It's important that you are totally satisfied. For all of Lexus' faults, they are seriously committed to customer service. Bon chance!

 

Leather being a natural product it varies from car to car and hide to hide. Looks normal to me.

 

OP here - well, the local dealer service dept took a look and immediately said it wasn't right. Literally the next day, they had a new wheel in stock and had it put on, plus a free car wash! I also had mentioned that when going over 80mph I hear what sounds like a loose strut (though I know it isn't) and they immediately found a TSB that spoke to the very issue...a loose panel under the car that is impacted by wind pressure and needs to be tightened down. Great service...very pleased. Even a loaner for the day!

My only irk is that the steering wheel was put on just about 2° - 3° left of center. Is it easy enough for them to straighten, or could this be a lot of "trial and error" and I should just live with it since it is only a minor thing?

 

Very easy for them to straighten, they should do that for sure.

 

I have the same issue with my 2024 ES 300h. I feel it more than I see it. Seems wonky for $57K vehicle.

 

My steering wheel looks the same since the first day.

 

Same as what? Are you saying you haven't had any issue with yours? Or, you're saying it looks the same as the the OP's?

 

I have the small bumps on my wheel also. Its a '22 UL so I would exprct it to be perfectly smooth.

 

Same as OPs.

 

After four years of owning my 2021 ES 350, this thread made may check for bumps on my gorgeous heated leather with wood trim steering wheel (which, incidentally, was an option I got in 2021 on my base model. ( I think now I’d have to go Luxury to get it and spend for additional things I have no interest in). In any event, if I looked hard enough and searched long enough, I guess I found some under the leather on mine, too. Seeing as how I haven’t even noticed them all this time, I don’t intend to do anything about it. My beautiful car has been otherwise perfect.

 

I bought my 2022 UL last year and did notice the steering wheel bumps but since I wanted a 22 MY I purchased the car anyway. I also thoughtI would get used to it. Quite the oposite, I find it more irritating then ever. In the past with other models and concerns, my experiences dealing with Lexus claims has not been the most satisfying so I haven't yet taken the time to escalate my coancern with the wheel Would be interested to know if anyway has actually complained to Lexus about this condition and gotten any results.