Indent on Steering Wheel Under Paddle Shifters

bmwfanboywastaken · 10-27-2023, 04:22 PM

Hey y'all hope everyone is well.

I own a BMW X5 2021, with 19000 KM on it. Recently I was hearing a noise from my steering wheel, which became more prevalent when I would park in tight spots. Since the car is under factory warranty, I dropped it at my local BMW dealership and asked them to fix it. Yesterday, I picked up the car and the noise is completely gone. They mentioned that they found the noise from the clock spring area, and retorqued it.

Today, I looked around the steering wheel area and noticed two indents under my paddle shifters on the steering wheel (attached picture below). Upon noticing this, I gave BMW a call, and my service advisor mentioned how this was completely normal, and that technicians always do this to mark that the steering had work done on it. Has anyone heard of this before? Is this true? When I asked them if they could replace the steering wheel they said no as it was "normal". I would appreciate anyone insight on this, as I don't know much about the topic.

COKen · 10-27-2023, 06:31 PM

There is no way that is normal. Why would they need to damage your car to document work they have done when they have a complete documentation trail of all of the work which they do. I would escalate to the GM and to BMW if the GM doesn't replace your steering wheel.

apw2607 · 10-27-2023, 06:35 PM

Those holes are for releasing the airbag. Totally normal. Not sure about the explanation from the service advisor.

BeEmVee · 10-27-2023, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwfanboywastaken

Hey y'all hope everyone is well.

I own a BMW X5 2021, with 19000 KM on it. Recently I was hearing a noise from my steering wheel, which became more prevalent when I would park in tight spots. Since the car is under factory warranty, I dropped it at my local BMW dealership and asked them to fix it. Yesterday, I picked up the car and the noise is completely gone. They mentioned that they found the noise from the clock spring area, and retorqued it.

Today, I looked around the steering wheel area and noticed two indents under my paddle shifters on the steering wheel (attached picture below). Upon noticing this, I gave BMW a call, and my service advisor mentioned how this was completely normal, and that technicians always do this to mark that the steering had work done on it. Has anyone heard of this before? Is this true? When I asked them if they could replace the steering wheel they said no as it was "normal". I would appreciate anyone insight on this, as I don't know much about the topic.

Is this on back or front of steering wheel under paddles?

mmm50i · 10-27-2023, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeEmVee

Is this on back or front of steering wheel under paddles?

These holes are in the rear, under the paddles. Mine has these holes because I’ve changed the trim before and needed to access the screws hidden beneath.

BobsM3Coupe · 10-28-2023, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

Those holes are for releasing the airbag. Totally normal. Not sure about the explanation from the service advisor.

Yes, the holes are normal after air bag removal.

Boardmember · 10-29-2023, 08:05 AM

It’s a puncture of a previously intact material. Not unlike patients going to barbers for a blood letting to cure an illness.

AGONXF30 · 10-29-2023, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

Those holes are for releasing the airbag. Totally normal. Not sure about the explanation from the service advisor.

Yup! That is normal and for some reason the way BMW has done it with these wheels!

tooloud10 · 10-30-2023, 01:24 PM

If an interior cosmetic part needs to be physically damaged in order to service the vehicle, it sure seems to me that that part should be replaced as part of the service.

I understand ignoring it if you don't want to pay out of pocket to replace the part, but this is all under warranty.

Seems very un-BMW like.

BobsM3Coupe · 10-30-2023, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooloud10

If an interior cosmetic part needs to be physically damaged in order to service the vehicle, it sure seems to me that that part should be replaced as part of the service.

I agree, but as someone else stated, that's just the way BMW does it.

zkadiwal2023 · 10-30-2023, 09:46 PM

Mine has the same thing. I guess it's normal? I have a 2024 X5 and I noticed it the other day.

BobsM3Coupe · 10-31-2023, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zkadiwal2023

Mine has the same thing. I guess it's normal? I have a 2024 X5 and I noticed it the other day.

If there is an actual opening in the material, then the air bag and/or
the steering wheel must have been removed at some point.
Otherwise the material will not have any perforations in it.

arciga18 · 11-01-2023, 07:43 AM

To fix the clock spring they had to remove your steering wheel and air bag.

Those two indentations are there to mark metal channels where you stick a screw driver up and release the tabs holding the air bag.

What the service advisor didn't want to really explain to you is that BMW would not replace with a brand new steering wheel under warranty because the wheel is fine. They installed your wheel back.

If you purchased a brand new wheel and the components you could get a smooth finish again. It will look like little dimples.

bmwfanboywastaken · 11-02-2023, 06:20 PM

Hey everyone thanks for the reply. it seems like this is normal and BMW will not replace the steering wheel. Kinda annoying but it will have to do.

Sad thing is the steering wheel noise is still there, so I need to take the car to them again. Might need to replace the steering wheel column.

10-27-2023, 04:22 PM	#1
bmwfanboywastaken New Member 9 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2021 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Indent on Steering Wheel Under Paddle Shifters Hey y'all hope everyone is well. I own a BMW X5 2021, with 19000 KM on it. Recently I was hearing a noise from my steering wheel, which became more prevalent when I would park in tight spots. Since the car is under factory warranty, I dropped it at my local BMW dealership and asked them to fix it. Yesterday, I picked up the car and the noise is completely gone. They mentioned that they found the noise from the clock spring area, and retorqued it. Today, I looked around the steering wheel area and noticed two indents under my paddle shifters on the steering wheel (attached picture below). Upon noticing this, I gave BMW a call, and my service advisor mentioned how this was completely normal, and that technicians always do this to mark that the steering had work done on it. Has anyone heard of this before? Is this true? When I asked them if they could replace the steering wheel they said no as it was "normal". I would appreciate anyone insight on this, as I don't know much about the topic. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-27-2023, 06:31 PM	#2
COKen Lieutenant Colonel 981 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	There is no way that is normal. Why would they need to damage your car to document work they have done when they have a complete documentation trail of all of the work which they do. I would escalate to the GM and to BMW if the GM doesn't replace your steering wheel. __________________ 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home. 2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg 2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2023, 06:35 PM	#3
apw2607 Colonel 586 Rep 2,106 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 50e M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Coast, USA iTrader: (0)	Those holes are for releasing the airbag. Totally normal. Not sure about the explanation from the service advisor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2023, 08:05 AM	#7
Boardmember Private First Class 136 Rep 175 Posts Drives: BMW X5 xDrive40i Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Gulf Coast USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 xDrive 40i [0.00]	It’s a puncture of a previously intact material. Not unlike patients going to barbers for a blood letting to cure an illness.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2023, 01:24 PM	#9
tooloud10 Captain 789 Rep 870 Posts Drives: '08 M3 convertible Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	If an interior cosmetic part needs to be physically damaged in order to service the vehicle, it sure seems to me that that part should be replaced as part of the service. I understand ignoring it if you don't want to pay out of pocket to replace the part, but this is all under warranty. Seems very un-BMW like. __________________ M3 - X5 - 911 - Miata - Raptor - Edge
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2023, 09:46 PM	#11
zkadiwal2023 Enlisted Member 23 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X5 40i M Sport Join Date: May 2023 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Mine has the same thing. I guess it's normal? I have a 2024 X5 and I noticed it the other day.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-01-2023, 07:43 AM	#13
arciga18 Brigadier General 1729 Rep 3,654 Posts Drives: LeMans/ Chestnut E90, RWD Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	To fix the clock spring they had to remove your steering wheel and air bag. Those two indentations are there to mark metal channels where you stick a screw driver up and release the tabs holding the air bag. What the service advisor didn't want to really explain to you is that BMW would not replace with a brand new steering wheel under warranty because the wheel is fine. They installed your wheel back. If you purchased a brand new wheel and the components you could get a smooth finish again. It will look like little dimples.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-02-2023, 06:20 PM	#14
bmwfanboywastaken New Member 9 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2021 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Hey everyone thanks for the reply. it seems like this is normal and BMW will not replace the steering wheel. Kinda annoying but it will have to do. Sad thing is the steering wheel noise is still there, so I need to take the car to them again. Might need to replace the steering wheel column.
	Appreciate 0 Quote