GTI Steering Wheel Stitching

[mattwilko92]

Hi All,

Only had my GTI a couple of weeks and have found a problem with the stitching on the wheel.

Its actually incomplete and due to this the other stitching is loose.

I have sent pics to my salesman to address asap. I assume it will probably just get a new steering wheel?

Anyone else had this?

image by Matt Wilkins, on Flickr

[Booth11]

Not heard of any similar problems with steering wheel stitching, looks like the thread has broken and parts of the stitching come undone. That should be a very straightforward warranty replacement job I would have thought.  Hope you get it sorted very soon.

[mattwilko92]

Me too! Its bugging me! Everything else has exceeded my expectations!

[Booth11]

Me too! Its bugging me! Everything else has exceeded my expectations!

I can imagine.  It's only going to get worse so need sorting asap. Glad you are enjoying the car otherwise.

When I got my R it had a bit of thread loose at the end, where wheel meets piano trim, it wasn't unraveling, just sticking out which really annoyed me. I kept tucking it behind the trim but it kept popping back out, but I managed to finally tuck it in for good using a trim tool.   Stitching is definitely something people should check on collection.

[kalimon]

I'll be having a good look at mine tomorrow with a bright torch after see that picture.

[Talk-torque]

Looking at your pictures, Matt, I was already thinking that your stitching, even away from where it failed, looked like a shoddy job. Seeing Rebecca's pictures has confirmed what I thought. Your stitching is really uneven - hard to see how the wheel ever got fitted to a car, looking like that. Hope you get it sorted without any bother. Shouldn't be any question, IMO.

[Booth11]

Looking at your pictures, Matt, I was already thinking that your stitching, even away from where it failed, looked like a shoddy job. Seeing Rebecca's pictures has confirmed what I thought. Your stitching is really uneven - hard to see how the wheel ever got fitted to a car, looking like that. Hope you get it sorted without any bother. Shouldn't be any question, IMO.

The missing stitching aside, the rest does look messy, especially in comparison to my pics.  But, that's comparing two different sections of the wheel.  I had a good look at the pics of mine and when I look at the same upper section as shown in the OP's pic, although neater, it's noticeably less neat than the lower stitching, and I think that's down to the undulation of the wheel hand grips on that section. Zoom in on that part in the pic below and you'll see what I mean:

[monkeyhanger]

The stitchinh has been there at some point and snapped. You can see the frayed ends of yhe stitching where the zig-zaggy bits stop at the top and botton of the part of the steering wheel you zoomed in on. Should be a cut and dry warranty case. You may get resistance from the dealer if VW would say that if it was always like that then the PDI should have spotted it and therefore the dealership should pay for it (and the dealership is reluctant to pay for it themselves). If one dealer messes you about then go to a different group dealership.

[JamesR27]

I had a similar thing happen on my mk6 where the stitching came apart which I noticed after collecting the car and they replaced the steering wheel for me.

Hopefully you will get the same under warranty.

[mattwilko92]

Thanks for the responses all. Salesman and Service Manager both rang today to say they have ordered me a new wheel and when it arrives they will arrange to replace it for me under warranty. I sent that picture them on the initial email and so far no questions asked.