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ATTENTION ALL NEW TUNDRA OWNERS!!! Defective steering wheels on 2018 Tundras

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by WrigglingWilly, Jan 11, 2019.

  1. Jan 11, 2019 at 9:01 AM
    #1
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    There is another new Tundra manufacturing Issue. If you have a 2018, look at the underside of the steering wheel. You may see a large defect in the seam at the very bottom of the steering wheel. The outer layer of the wheel is missing at this spot, and may compromise the integrity later on. The wheel was not designed to be made like this, it is defective. So far, my dealer pulled my original wheel for this defect, AND PUT ON A WHEEL WITH AN EVEN BIGGER CHUNK MISSING!!! Evidently, all the new Tundras in their lot had the same defect. Now the dealer says(after they replaced the wheel) since the defect is "on the bottom, you cannot see it, so it in not a cosmetic issue, and no further repair is needed", yet they replaced it already for that defect(with an even more defective wheel). Let me know if anybody else is bothered by this, as Toyota makes $5,000,000,000 in profit every 3 months, they owe me, and you, a decent steering wheel.

    20190111_095550.jpg
    20190111_095506.jpg
     
  2. Jan 11, 2019 at 9:22 AM
    #2
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    Even if it's at the bottom when you turn the wheel isn't it Visible? I wouldn't take no for an answer. For the price they charge for our trucks they can at least get you a steering wheel that's covered all the way around.
     
  3. Jan 11, 2019 at 9:23 AM
    #3
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    Seriously! Also, the new wheel they installed is dark navy blue, not black like the original wheel(in addition to an even bigger blemish, and a pock as well).
     
  4. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:14 AM
    #4
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    Yeah that’s a big negative. Escalate it if they don’t fix it.
     
  5. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:20 AM
    #5
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    Exactly. It's sad enough that they put these plastic steering wheels on $40k+ trucks, let alone with this problem. I'd definitely make them replace it, and maybe you can throw in a few extra bucks and have them put on a leather wheel.
     
  6. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #6
    fliberto38

    fliberto38 New Member

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    Call Toyota customer service 1-800-331-4331. Your complaint will get referred back to the dealership, but they will have to give Toyota an answer for what they have found. After that, you will have an opportunity to escalate it further if you are not pleased with the new answer.
     
    WrigglingWilly[OP] likes this.
  7. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:22 AM
    #7
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    On the light side, Now I know why so many Fords I have owned have had leather wrapped steering wheels :(
     
  8. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:27 AM
    #8
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    Oh, Believe you me, I sent an email. I wanted this in writing. Further more, I saved the voicemail where the head of the service dept states " since it is on the bottom of the wheel, it is not a cosmetic issue we have to fix, since it cannot be seen." This came AFTER they replaced the wheel for the issue that they now say is not an issue. Derp. I Made sure to save that message...
     
    040Tundra likes this.
  9. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:33 AM
    #9
    Boerseun

    Boerseun MGM XP-Series

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    I have the mark at the bottom the steering wheel also. It is from the injection molding and since it is smooth, I don't feel it, so it does not bother me. However, the dimple in the back of the wheel at the 12:00 position bothers me. I hold my hand at that location when driving and feel that dimple all the time. Nothing I (or the dealer) can do about that. Other than maybe getting an aftermarket leather cover for the wheel.
     
  10. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:37 AM
    #10
    steve-smith

    steve-smith New Member

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    This is so upsetting. I just purchased my 2016 2 weeks ago and have taken it back 2 times. Going for my 3rd on Monday. I can feel the shake going any speed but I can see it in on the steering wheel going over 60.
     
  11. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:42 AM
    #11
    fliberto38

    fliberto38 New Member

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    That won't be steering wheel related. That is a wheel/tire issue. Most likely the tire(s). What wheels and tires are on the truck?
     
  12. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:43 AM
    #12
    stuckinohio

    stuckinohio MGM Crue

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    You are right on the money,
    There will always be a trim line on over-molded steering wheels.
    That seam is the parting line between the two mold halves.
    It looks like someone at the part got a little lazy and took a chunk of material out when they were trimming off the flash.
    Typically steering wheels are shipped with a saran wrap cover, and installed to vehicle prior to the saran being removed.
    This process is to minimize potential install damage.
    Unfortunately your dealer followed this procedure assuming the new wheel was better.
     
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  13. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:47 AM
    #13
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    The mark is from whoever cleaned up the excess material during the manufacture process. The wheel has its soft foam innards exposed, and the durable skin present on the rest of the wheel is not there. Therefore my good for 20+ years wheel may fall apart prematurely. That is simply NOT the design of the wheel, and that is NOT the mold leaving that scar. You can apologize for Toyota all you want; I am holding them and their $20 billion a year in profits accountable. They do not need my charity, or for anybody else to make excuses for them(if you do, you must work for them). That is a manufacturing defect. The dealer never should have installed the second wheel that had the same defect(they have acknowledged the issue), then change their tune about how now it is not an issue(disacknowledgment). The dealer service dept. can remove their collective heads from their asses before they agree to fix something, and get their shady story straight. Furthermore, the Tech that did the repair was either lazy, or stupid, or both. He never even bothered to look at what he was installing? F that Ahole, and the horse he rode in on. Also, If I wanted a chinese dog leather steering wheel cover, I would have bought a truck with one. No thanks on that. I just want what is owed to me, and that is a non blemished wheel in the correct color. Should be simple as F$#% for a company that designs hydrogen powered vehicles. If I wanted defects, I would have bought a Ram.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2019
    BuckWallace likes this.
  14. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:47 AM
    #14
    rustynail11

    rustynail11 New Member

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    Definitely a wheel tire issue potentially warped rotors.
     
  15. Jan 11, 2019 at 10:58 AM
    #15
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly [OP] Well used Member

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    I agree. Take the truck to discount tire, they will inspect and maybe balance for free. If the tire is balanced and the problem persists, I would then assume the belt in the tire is broken. That will make a steady shake at all speeds. If not either the tire balance or the steel belt, you may have more expensive issues.
     
  16. Jan 11, 2019 at 11:28 AM
    #16
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    Yep, dealers have programmed so many people to just "live with it" since it's such a pain to get them to do anything. If people would actually start holding dealers accountable and staying on their asses until they fix stuff like this, maybe they'll get on Toyota and Toyota won't just cheap out on stuff like this. Unfortunately, too many people just don't want to deal with dealers' BS and don't complain about stuff like this.
     
  17. Jan 11, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #17
    fliberto38

    fliberto38 New Member

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    Also people do not realize that dealerships are independently owned franchises. So depending on the service manager or sometimes even the owner, you can have vastly different experiences and results from one dealer to another. Just because this is the opinion of the service manager, this does not mean this is the same as another store or Toyota Motor Sales. Yes I realize this guy is technically the "face" of Toyota, there is a lot of room for personal opinion to be made in these decisions.
     
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