What's with the horrible steering wheel quality?

[ozziegt]

The stitching quality on my steering wheel is so bad I had an appointment today to get the steering wheel replaced, and the new steering wheel is even worse! The tech totally understood why I refused the replacement. Rivian needs a new vendor for the steering wheel. Anyone else have similar issues?
Photos of my current steering wheel:

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[Prime]

The stitching quality on my steering wheel is so bad I had an appointment today to get the steering wheel replaced, and the new steering wheel is even worse! The tech totally understood why I refused the replacement. Rivian needs a new vendor for the steering wheel. Anyone else have similar issues?
Photos of my current steering wheel:

Yes have had similar issues. My stitching was curved one way on one side and another way on another side (like almost to the top of the steering wheel). Can’t believed it passes QC. Second one is lumpy in a few places and looks a little weird too. Just the way it is I guess. I didn’t try for another replacement.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Most of the issues are because they're using PVC or PUR to cover the wheel which does not like being stretched into shapes as complicated as a steering wheel as the material cannot shrink into itself, causing the lumps and bumps you see. The ultimate material is leather and unless you have your wheel recovered in it, you'll likely always have some type of uneven appearance.

 

[hyzerfool]

I've never looked closely enough to know. I quite like my steering wheel... though possibly I should make sure not to look too closely so I can keep my satisfaction intact.

 

[shimps1]

Mine looks good
I'm not one to nit pick stuff but those pictures look bad enough that I'd request a new one.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Mine looks good
I'm not one to nit pick stuff but those pictures look bad enough that I'd request a new one.

Same on both accounts

 

[R1Tom]

Same on both accounts

Me too.

 

[SDH]

Same on both accounts

+1. Not good QC by Rivian. Let's hope they don't have the same QC standards as Boeing and a door falls off mid-drive.

 

[Rivdog]

Mine is good but I’d probably want a replacement if I was in your shoes as well.

The steering wheel is the part of the vehicle we interact with the most and it has always surprised me how little attention some manufacturers give them. I like the Rivian one a lot overall, especially with the wood inlays.

 

[R1TS]

Mine looks good
I'm not one to nit pick stuff but those pictures look bad enough that I'd request a new one.

OP did request a new one, and the new one looked even worse is what he said.

Quality control, hehe.

 

[Q-ship]

The stitching quality on my steering wheel is so bad I had an appointment today to get the steering wheel replaced, and the new steering wheel is even worse! The tech totally understood why I refused the replacement. Rivian needs a new vendor for the steering wheel. Anyone else have similar issues?
Photos of my current steering wheel:

I had a small bubble on my steering wheel at 3 o’clock. Mobile service replaced the steering wheel, and the replacement is good.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I had a similar issue when I took delivery of my vehicle in June 2023. What I noticed is a top half of the wheel was stitched beautifully and then the technician probably went home or went to lunch after returning from lunch it looks like he or she completed the other half and was #checkedout and sloppy in the process.

Rivian replaced the steering wheel and the new one is in much better shape than the original as well as the new one was the revised heavier steering wheel, which resolved some of my wheel shake at 65 mph and higher

I’m happy with the replacement and how Rivian handled it.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

+1. Not good QC by Rivian. Let's hope they don't have the same QC standards as Boeing and a door falls off mid-drive.

#toosoon

 

[Robin]

+1. Not good QC by Rivian. Let's hope they don't have the same QC standards as Boeing and a door falls off mid-drive.

?

 

[Glembi2]

I need to submit a ticket for my steering wheel cover. The stitching missed a part of the cover.

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