Steering wheel wear

[That_kodiak_brown]

Is anyone else’s steering wearing away? Started happening at about 20k miles

Sponsored

 

[Mark S.]

Move your hand? I kid, I kid. Do you wear gloves?

 

[SeaJay]

Move your hand? I kid, I kid. Do you wear gloves?

You thought gloves and I wondered if he NEVER wore gloves.

 

[CrashBend]

Is anyone else’s steering wearing away? Started happening at about 20k miles

Yeah mine too and about 25 K miles

 

[Dude]

Pretty sure all Bronco sports do not use basically the same type of material on the steering wheel so this info might depend on the type you have but a handful (pun intended) of owners reported various lotions and liquids such as use of hand sanitizers, hand lotions, etc. caused damage to their steering wheel. Any chance this could be the case for you?

 

[coopny]

Pretty sure all Bronco sports do not use basically the same type of material on the steering wheel so this info might depend on the type you have but a handful (pun intended) of owners reported various lotions and liquids such as use of hand sanitizers, hand lotions, etc. caused damage to their steering wheel. Any chance this could be the case for you?

For the 2024 model year, big bend, free wheeling, and heritage have standard steering wheels. Outer Banks and Badlands have a "premium-wrapped steering wheel". So there's definitely a material difference between trims. I've heard some refer to it as "leather wrapped" but there's zero documentation from Ford that I can find saying it's leather, so my guess is it's a synthetic leather imitation.

(While I like real leather for belts and wallets, quality synthetic leathers can have real advantages in automotive applications... Mercedes moved to a synthetic they called MB Tex. Less color choices, but easier to clean and far more durable than real leather.)

I would not be surprised if the finish on the non-premium steering wheel was sensitive to hand sanitizer. Common touch surfaces (shopping carts, door handles, PIN pads, etc.) are gross and it's good to sanitize before touching the steering wheel, but I'm sure for many many people, that consistent use of hand sanitizer before touching the steering wheel became a routine during the pandemic.

 

[Dude]

Some owners purchased this steering wheel cover and reported they liked the fit, finish and feel.

I don’t know if their vehicles had a standard steering wheel or a "premium-wrapped steering wheel" as coopny mentioned in a prior post.

Magnelex Microfiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover – Black. Heat Resistant Anti-Slip Car Wheel Wrap - Compatible with Most Makes and Models of Cars and Trucks with 14.5 to 15 Inch Steering Wheels https://a.co/d/aLZdruO

 

[That_kodiak_brown]

Pretty sure all Bronco sports do not use basically the same type of material on the steering wheel so this info might depend on the type you have but a handful (pun intended) of owners reported various lotions and liquids such as use of hand sanitizers, hand lotions, etc. caused damage to their steering wheel. Any chance this could be the case for you?

Never user those things while driving I think it’s just from friction and skin oils just never thought it would happen this fast

 

[Mark S.]

It does seem premature. The steering wheel in our Badlands seems to made from some type of hard rubber. I like the feel of leather, so I wrapped ours early on. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. You view my post on the process here:

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/wrapped-steering-wheel.4752/

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Is anyone else’s steering wearing away? Started happening at about 20k miles

Hi Maurizio! I can look into your bronco's steering wheel concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your bronco's VIN?

 

[That_kodiak_brown]

Hi Maurizio! I can look into your bronco's steering wheel concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your bronco's VIN?

Message sent

 

[zhatt]

For the 2024 model year, big bend, free wheeling, and heritage have standard steering wheels. Outer Banks and Badlands have a "premium-wrapped steering wheel". So there's definitely a material difference between trims. I've heard some refer to it as "leather wrapped" but there's zero documentation from Ford that I can find saying it's leather, so my guess is it's a synthetic leather imitation.

My FE window sticker says "LTHR WRAPPED HTD STR WHL"

The 2021 brochure also say the Big Bend and up have leather-wrapped steering wheel.

 

[Robins21]

My wife did not like the plastic feel of the steering wheel in her BB so I got her a leather steering wheel cover. Our 21 BB has the standard plastic steering wheel.

 

[Dude]

For the 2024 model year, big bend, free wheeling, and heritage have standard steering wheels. Outer Banks and Badlands have a "premium-wrapped steering wheel". So there's definitely a material difference between trims. I've heard some refer to it as "leather wrapped" but there's zero documentation from Ford that I can find saying it's leather, so my guess is it's a synthetic leather imitation.

Prior to 2024s use of the term “premium-wrapped steering wheel", Ford did document the use of “leather-wrapped steering wheel" in specific models and packages. Here is one example for MY ‘21 and ‘22.

https://fordauthority.com/2021/10/2022-ford-bronco-sport-badlands-gains-leather-wrapped-steering-wheel/

 

[wireman]

I have used this cover on my last 3 vehicles. The size may seem small, but it fits tight on the wheel.
It's a bear to get on, but doesn't slip or move at all.