NHTSA Consumer Alert on Steering Wheel Decorations

Not a bright idea…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “warns consumers about aftermarket steering wheel decals that could potentially cause significant injury or death.”

“At least one driver suffered a serious injury that resulted in the loss of sight in one eye, when an aftermarket emblem adorned with rhinestones became dislodged from the steering wheel in a crash and hit the driver in the face,” NHTSA said in a rare Consumer Alert just released.

The product is a metal or plastic plate, usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations, with an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the product into a projectile, like shrapnel, resulting in serious injury or death.

“Unlike the permanently affixed logo on your vehicle’s steering wheel, these aftermarket decals can easily become dislodged when the air bag is deployed. Any alterations or changes to your air bag or its cover can also cause it to not function correctly,” NHTSA said.

NHTSA is asking consumers to avoid purchasing these steering wheel decals for all vehicle makes and models. Consumers should also remove any such decals that they have already applied to their steering wheels.

NHTSA encourages all consumers to report any safety concerns to the agency.