Steering wheel falling to bits

[d_tyler]

Hi

I have a 2004 (04) clio 182 with 35,000 miles on clock. I know a few people on here have had this issue but the steering wheel has started to fall to bits. The leather has become all rough and looks melted and the right thumb grip has split and is becoming really bad.

Anyway I have been on the phone to Renault customer services about this. The first guy i spoke to said he would put up a case for me and said chances are Renault may replace my wheel out of goodwill and someone would get back to me. The car is 1 year out of warranty. On Friday someone did phone me but she said this is a wear and tear issue and that it would not be covered by them. She did offer me £50 compensation for my inconveniance.

I've not accepted the money, as I dont agree this is wear and tear. This shouldn't happen to a 4 year old car. Anway on Wednesday Renault are going to ring me back to see if I would like to accept the £50 and i'm not sure what to do. Does anyone think I have a case here to fight and what would be best way to go about it or is it going to be a waste of time, should I just accept the £50?

Any advice would be appreciated guys, thanks.

David

 

[cat171]

£50 is a lot better than most have been offered. Some have managed to get a new steering wheel though.

I love the old classic 'wear & tear' line tbh, really they should say 'it''s not up to the standard it should be' but they don't wanna admit it !

I think i'm yet to see a mint wheel tbh, unless the cars a silly low miler or very new of course.

 

[*Badger*]

Mine looks "melted" on the top, the thumb grips are in perfect condition, its almost like the top half of the wheel bcos its seen more of the sun than any other part, has reacted badly to it and almost blistered! Looks shite, and feels terrible. Mines a 53 Plate 172. I never thought of contacting Renault Customer Service.

 

[AliasOmega]

i had mine replaced under warranty, 2 years on, its doing it again..

 

[Neil G]

The right hand side of my wheel is starting to look 'melted' but it's obviously something to do with where you hold the wheel most/wear.

Still unacceptable, just sub-standard materials really

 

[Eckascliovalver]

im yet to try and get something out of renault about my steering wheel melted at the top and i have a thumb grip missing!

 

[@Spoonie]

Exactly the same, right hand rubber 'popped', had to superglue it. Leather looks melted in places.

 

[*Clare*]

Mine is an 04 182. The thumb grips are ok, just the right handside of the wheel. It melted and looks horrible. I may try customer services and see what they say. Worth a try....

 

[trailerparktrev]

isn't it strange that Renault used a different manufacturer, for the Clio 3 steering wheel....

 

[Cupster]

^^ lol

Same here, mention that you're a forum member on which with lots of others are facing the same 'wear and tear'!! I would happily back you up.

Mines a 53 on 31k. My "wear and tear" is directly in the line of the windscreen and side window, I normally hold the wheel at the bottom but strangely no wear there!!! hmmm!

 

[scott7912]

I just tried last 2 weeks ago but yes you got it "Wear & Tear".
I seriously think reno need to review their service as in my world its crap, infact i wouldnt even call it service.

 

[d_tyler]

Seems like its a really common problem this, the women from Renault said on phone that she has heard of this problem but it isn't common lol.

Oh and i'm not sure if this is going to help but I emailed watcchdog and told them about the problem im having. Maybe if more people write in they will open up a case on it lol.

Its http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/contact_index.shtml

I know it prob wont help at all but maybe worth a shot

 

[MarkCup]

Focus on the level of complaints amongst this club, they have to listen eventually if the numbers warrant it...and if they want to see evidence of how bad the problem can get I'd gladly send my wheel to them for their review...

 

[Tony Hunter]

Mines starting to go now,just in the last couple of weeks.

 

[fUbAr]

someone needs to get a formal petition type list going with names and contact details etc...

mine's 3 1/2 years old and the right hand side is melting.

 

[marc1330]

Sounds like a plan my thumb grips are ok but the wheel is very tired looking

 

[d_tyler]

someone needs to get a formal petition type list going with names and contact details etc...

mine's 3 1/2 years old and the right hand side is melting.

Petition sounds like a good idea, anyone any good at setting one up?

 

[madhops87]

Why not get a thread stickied just for people to put their names, model and age of the car in?

 

[AliasOmega]

mines pooped, did think about sanding it down..

ha..

 

[Hutchie]

+1


grip and melting

 

[MarkCup]

someone needs to get a formal petition type list going with names and contact details etc...

mine's 3 1/2 years old and the right hand side is melting.

Petition sounds like a good idea, anyone any good at setting one up?

TBH, it should be a club orchestrated approach.

Could it be? Any mods or admin able to comment?

 

[Munson]

My 182Cup wheel has finally started melting. It doesn't have the thumb grips, but the 'leather' is melting. My mates FF182 has also melted. Solution? Don't buy s**t cars anymore

 

[ijaen]

Same happens here in Venezuela, they do say that if you put lotion/perfume/cologne it does affect the steering wheel materials...but most times they do replace it or offer you a new one at a horrible price...

 

[Jaffa182]

Mines a 05 FF182 and its melting at the top. Just hope my grips stay intact lol. Will be having a word with reno when i next go down.

 

[F&B]

Is it just the Renaultsports with rubber grips that do this? (my Cup has the bubbling appearing, the thumbgrips are ok though so far). Does the same thing happen with the 182 Cup (Dynamique wheel?) wheels?

If not I think I may either get one of those, or replace with a Momo but I worry about removing the airbag - one day I might need it and when I'm a toothless wonder I may regret ditching the airbag.

 

[ijaen]

regular Clios suffer from this too

 

[Tony Hunter]

Is it just the Renaultsports with rubber grips that do this? (my Cup has the bubbling appearing, the thumbgrips are ok though so far). Does the same thing happen with the 182 Cup (Dynamique wheel?) wheels?

If not I think I may either get one of those, or replace with a Momo but I worry about removing the airbag - one day I might need it and when I'm a toothless wonder I may regret ditching the airbag.

Yes it does,mine is a cup.

 

[lenny2007]

Mine to, its an 05 dynamique and when i bought it, it had less than 17500 miles on it and guess what steering wheel was 'melting' on right hand side.

The material must be so poor!

 

[Jon.L]

could be worse you could have a ph1 steering wheel!

 

[cat171]

could be worse you could have a ph1 steering wheel!

My vees on 31k & the wheel is fine, i'd give it 9/10 (and that's being picky) I must be a one off.

A re-trimmed one came along, so I put that on the car instead, I still have my original mint wheel (not for sale though)

 

[Henry]

mine's also 'melted' but, honestly, some of you must be holding onto the thumbs grips as if you're giving birth or something!

 

[VeinAST]

Im waiting til the end of the summer in this case to get my 1*2 wheel fitted..

 

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Two clio's an 05 182 on 31k and a 55 Trophy on 20k.

Both are 'melted' on rhs. Thumbgrips OK.

If anything the newer lower mileage Trophy is the worst.

Trophy still under warranty so may give it a go.

Got an address for custiomer service? I like to write stroppy letters people have to answer.

 

[Martin_172]

could we get some petition started supported by the club?

i was going to go in and order a new one at HUGE expense to myself because my car is 100% mint otherwise

mine is melted and right hand thumb grip trashed!

 

[ASHY182]

Ive got an 04 Clio 182 and when it was on 40k started to melt at the top and I hold the wheel at the bottom. Obviously this is strange as other people have mensioned. However both rub grips were ripped so I decided to rip them out rather than sanding them and it looks a lot better because there is another grip underneath. My camera is not working at the moment or I would of taking a photo.

Oh and that picture above of the steering wheel melting is an absolute disgrace. Lets hope Watchdog help us!!!

 

[ASHY182]

All clio sports have the same problem with all the steering wheels.

Ive had 2 W reg 172's both steering wheels melting

Had a 172cup 2003 facelift. Rubber grips ripped

And my current 182 ripped and melted.

 

[john.med]

Mine (02 172) is a bit worse for wear at 85k, it's a shame really as my last car, bmw 320i had done double the miles nearly and the entire interior was pretty much mint.

I've thought about getting it re-trimmed, but feel reno should offer some assistance themselves for shoddy build materials/techniques.

 

[B16DOE]

if them carbon grips make it into production can see them selling well

 

[maz172cup]

im has gone aswell

 

[F&B]

If we could get Renault to cough up in some way, that would be great, but it's seriously making me considering going the steering wheel + seat + harnesses route. This is why -

Option A) Buy new wheel from Renault - Pricey, and will only go the same way as the old one eventually

Option B) Buy something like a Sparco - Cheaper, but you lose the airbag and I just think it's one of those things you will never forgive yourself for if you have an accident and mash your face up on the wheel. I had a load of cars that never had airbags, but once you've got one it seems like tempting fate to get rid of it (am I getting old???!)

Option C) Buy a Sparco, and recliners or buckets with harness holes, fit harnesses - Probably the most expensive, but you get a decent non-bubble-prone wheel, you might save some weight, better for the track in terms of being held in and you are pinned into the seat so tightly that it doesn't matter about the lack of airbag. Only problem is I need at least one seat in the back, hmmm....