Technical Leather on steering wheel bubbling up

[rusky27]

Hi all, a few days ago I noticed small bubbles apearing on my leather steering wheel of my Lounge. Its 16 months old and have seen what is very similar issue on some pics posted in the grande punto guys section. It's as if the dye/paint/finish on the steering wheel is separating. Anyhow Im in work atmo and dont have access to my warranty book but wondered if its worth taking into my dealer e.g. If anyone knows if this would still be covered under warranty or if id just have to live with it.

 

[306maxi]

Hi all, a few days ago I noticed small bubbles apearing on my leather steering wheel of my Lounge. Its 16 months old and have seen what is very similar issue on some pics posted in the grande punto guys section. It's as if the dye/paint/finish on the steering wheel is separating. Anyhow Im in work atmo and dont have access to my warranty book but wondered if its worth taking into my dealer e.g. If anyone knows if this would still be covered under warranty or if id just have to live with it.

Call in at the dealer or call Fiat CS. Tbh regardless of whether it's covered under warranty or not I'd pursue it. I'm not one to quote the law but is a steering wheel that bubbles up after 16 months really suitable for its purpose?

 

[rusky27]

Yeh I felt it was pretty poor, it's the kinda thing the more you look the more you find, I think if you gave it a scratch with my fingernail and it would tear it. Im more a get on with things than not moan about every little thing, but I imagine it'll twist my melon in a couple more years. So best to get it in to see what can be done. Cheers Ill get it in this week!

 

[thomes 500]

i had the same issue on my 1st 500 lounge took it into the garage and they changed it for me without any hassles

 

[rusky27]

Thats quite re-assuring to hear that its not just me, fully expect a fob off though, but hopefully will be pleasantly surprised..Cheers

 

[Nasrouz]

Mine has the same issue (started).. saw one for sale it had the white color all brushed away.. it looked nasty! :yuck:

Isn't there any kind of polish or something to solve it?

Yeh I felt it was pretty poor, it's the kinda thing the more you look the more you find

yup!

 

[rusky27]

I dont think any product will fix this its as though the outer layer of leather is separating from the rest of the hide. I used maguires for my leather seats and steering wheels in all my cars that had leather, never seen this before until now though.

 

[Adrian Bravo]

The Punto GP lot had this exact same problem. I read that fiat replaced the steering wheels. Try searching in the GP section.

 

[rusky27]

Thanks, Yeh, I had read a few threads on it, just need to get into dealers on my day off. Heh, the chrome on boot handle bubbling as well. You'd think the cars melting if it wasn't for the fact It's in Scotland.

 

[+1.]

Our GP has the same problem the dealer are hit an miss if they replace it or not esp in the 3rd year. As your in the second year you should have a better chance, we just got blamed for using hand cream... even though only my other half drives it and he doesnt use it..

From all the people who have suffered with the problem, the only common denominator is diesel. Leading to the presumption of contamination off the pumps and heat. I havent met anyone with a petrol GP that has had the problem nor with diesels that wear gloves when filling up.

 

[rusky27]

Hi just a small update I took the car into the dealer friday,
I pointed out some other issues like my chrome boot lid pealing which they had no problem with and will order the part.
But when I mentioned the steering wheel issue he required the warranty manager, who said he would need to make calls to fiat warranty about it. My car is 16 months old from date of register which was one of the questions asked (sceptically - I thought in a bid to get out of any warranty work) I hope things can be fixed with the dealer. Ive emailled a couple of pics to them which was agreed but will call them tuesday to see if I need to take this up with fiat cs if no joy can be had with dealer.
Thanks for all the pointers and help...R

 

[306maxi]

Hi just a small update I took the car into the dealer friday,
I pointed out some other issues like my chrome boot lid pealing which they had no problem with and will order the part.
But when I mentioned the steering wheel issue he required the warranty manager, who said he would need to make calls to fiat warranty about it. My car is 16 months old from date of register which was one of the questions asked (sceptically - I thought in a bid to get out of any warranty work) I hope things can be fixed with the dealer. Ive emailled a couple of pics to them which was agreed but will call them tuesday to see if I need to take this up with fiat cs if no joy can be had with dealer.
Thanks for all the pointers and help...R

One word of advice. If the dealer says no it's not necessarily them fobbing you off per se, it's just that in some cases with regards to warranty there are some bits that they can't just replace unless the autorisation comes from higher up. An annoyed customer on the phone to Fiat CS has a lot more chance of getting something done than a dealer.

 

[T14086]

seen this alot on my travells and can be caused my petrol, aftershave, hand creams etc...my sofa did this when a little nail polish remover was spilt (not me!) however the onus is on you to prove its fault if over 2 years old.

 

[rusky27]

One word of advice. If the dealer says no it's not necessarily them fobbing you off per se, it's just that in some cases with regards to warranty there are some bits that they can't just replace unless the autorisation comes from higher up. An annoyed customer on the phone to Fiat CS has a lot more chance of getting something done than a dealer.

True, If I seem negative it's just cos Im not used to this warranty thing, my cars have always been second hand so im a bit wary due to reading some posts/threads on dealers.
Fingers crossed im just being paranoid my experience so far has been pretty good with this garage, and theyve been very helpfull otherwise.

Im just wondering that 2 years old is a milestone for any warranty on trim or something, hopefully due to my car being LESS than 2 years, should count in my favour. P.s. my old cooper had a leather steering wheel and I was constantly tuning tinkering with oil/petrol etc never wrecked the leather on that though.. Due to this being a new car extra special car has been taken - especially having a white steering wheel. I guess ill need to be carefull with that petrol aftershave..heh

 

[Venters]

Im just wondering that 2 years old is a milestone for any warranty on trim or something,

It is. first 2 years is manufacturers warranty and 3rd is dealer warranty. Which covers less than manufacturers.

 

[306maxi]

True, If I seem negative it's just cos Im not used to this warranty thing, my cars have always been second hand so im a bit wary due to reading some posts/threads on dealers.
Fingers crossed im just being paranoid my experience so far has been pretty good with this garage, and theyve been very helpfull otherwise.

Im just wondering that 2 years old is a milestone for any warranty on trim or something, hopefully due to my car being LESS than 2 years, should count in my favour. P.s. my old cooper had a leather steering wheel and I was constantly tuning tinkering with oil/petrol etc never wrecked the leather on that though.. Due to this being a new car extra special car has been taken - especially having a white steering wheel. I guess ill need to be carefull with that petrol aftershave..heh

Personally I think the big problem with trusting what you read is you don't know the full story. Perhaps the person on the service desk was an absolute arse.... but perhaps the customer walked in and made demands and did the "I paid good money for this and I want it ****ing fixed yesterday" routine. Having worked in the service industry I can certainly say that no one will go the extra mile for a person like that.

 

[jnoiles]

seen this alot on my travells and can be caused my petrol, aftershave, hand creams etc...my sofa did this when a little nail polish remover was spilt (not me!) however the onus is on you to prove its fault if over 2 years old.

I wonder how you'd prove such a thing? When mine gets bad I'll be swapping in the OMP race wheel for a few weeks while I get the standard wheel trimmed in black suede. Mmmm suede.

 

[rusky27]

Having worked in the service industry I can certainly say that no one will go the extra mile for a person like that.

Yip Maxi I agree, Ive never been one to go all guns blazing I try to put myself in the other persons shoes, sometimes though being civil is seen as a weakness. Thanks for the advise though..R

 

[rusky27]

Just an update on the steering wheel issue, got a call today and they have issued an approval to replace my steering wheel, should be getting done next week (as part is ordered from italy), along with the bubbling chrome on my bootlid..I know Its not been fitted yet but so far Im VERY HAPPY with my DEALER! Pretty relieved!!
No fuss or nonsence, just good service.
Thanks again Parks of Hamilton.

 

[Mark Elvin]

I have noticed a aimilar problem issue on the leather on my 500 over the last couple of weeks, I'll get some pics up.