Hey guys, I'm new to the Forum. I've been reading a lot of your posts and I finally decided to become a part of this forum. I have a 2014 IS 350 F sport. my car currently has 4100k miles and I'm the first owner. unfortunately the leather on my steering wheel is cracking and peeling. was wondering if any of you have the same issue? my previous 2009 IS 250 had it for 3 years and never had this issue. its upsetting me that this brand new car is made with cheap quality steering wheel.
Would something like this would be covered under warranty? any thoughts?
also I don't wear any rings on my fingers.....in case you were wondering if maybe my ring is cutting into the leather.

thanks...

 

I live in VA too and have had the car for 10 months, 16,000 miles now and have no issues or noticeable wear on the steering wheel. The leather on your wheel may have just been on a bad batch. I think if you bring it up with Lexus you'll get that covered. The leather is actually really nice and soft compared to other wheels i've felt. so it really shouldn't be peeling like that, unless you're putting some kind of leather wipes, or chemicals on that. stay away from that stuff, just use a very lightly moist paper towel (water only) and wipe where necessary. personally all i've had to do is use a microfiber towel and i clean everything right off.

 

thanks for your input. I actually don't clean my car with any chemicals. I just use those yellow microfiber towels to wipe everything down. dry too. i'll bring it up to my dealership when I go in for my 5000k mile service and see what they say I guess

 

Such an excessive wear under normal (as You say) driving conditions should be definitely covered with warranty.

 

I also agree that it will most likely be covered under the standard warranty. Makes sure they replace your entire steering wheel and don't just to try and "patch" or "fix" the leather. Your car is way too new to be having that type of issue.

 

here is a pic of what I was talking about

 

For comparison's sake, here's a picture of mine. 13 months and 9k miles. Still like new.

 

that's crazy. do you wear any watches? maybe the zippers on your coats or jackets are causing this?

 

its so upsetting. never had this issue with my previous Lexus. also these cracks you see are around the F emblem on the wheel (6 o'clock) position. I barely ever drive holding the wheel from the bottom. I'm usually holding the wheel from the 12 o'clock or the sides...which still look like new with no cracks there
nope no rings. just a regular G shock watch. no coats yet....hasn't been that cold here...( well until today)

 

The bottom of my steering wheel is kind of scratched because how it contacts my keys when I get in and out of the driver seat.

 

Does your steering wheel lift automatically when you shut the car off? If not, is it possible that you're scraping the bottom of the steering wheel when you get in and out?

 

whaaaat in no way that happened without rings/jewelry involved.... that's weird.

 

no it doesn't lift automatically. i'll have to watch how I get in the car and see if I am scraping it getting in and out but then again....I've never had that happen in previous vehicles.

 

looks like your pinkie ring caused it

 

Nothing like this on my car after about 8k KM