steering wheel problem?

What do you mean by "deterioration"? Split? Cracked? pieces falling away?
discolored? bent? misaligned? stained? none of the above? all of the above?
One man's deteriorations is another man's patina.

 

a friend has an '05 Sonata, and has noticed some deterioration of the
steering wheel rim. I haven't seen it yet, apparently a new finding.

No known damage, no dogs chewing on it, no history of chemical exposure...

wondering if it's a common problem?

 

I've seen this on several Elantras, but not on Sonata.

 

from his description over the phone this morning, I'm guessing that it's
beginning to break down, maybe some small pieces falling off... My guess is
it's from sunlight, although that seems a little soon for a relatively new
car. Also, it spends most of it's time parked in a shady driveway, rather
than out in an open parking lot all day.

didn't sound bad yet, but just thought I'd ask if it's a known problem area
with hyundai...

 

I have this problem on my 01 Elantra , it like the steering wheel is
actually wearing away rapidly . I just went to a local junkyard and
replaced it myself . I think it may be related to me having some
chemical on my hands sometime in the past and not cleaning the
steeering wheel afterwards .

 

Mine did it quicker but I drive all day. I think it's the covering -
molded skin over foam. Once the skin wears away the foam goes fast. I
put on a cover when I noticed it starting to spot.