--- title: "Feds Warn Rhinestone Steering Wheel Decorations Can Become Shrapnel" description: "Decorating your car's steering wheel is an excellent way to make it dangerous or even deadly in a crash, per an NHTSA consumer alert." date: "2023-11-06" modified: "2023-11-06" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/feds-warn-rhinestone-steering-wheel-decorations-can-become-shrapnel" categories: - "News" --- # Feds Warn Rhinestone Steering Wheel Decorations Can Become Shrapnel ![]() *Amazon \Amazon.com\* We've been warning you against using decorative steering wheel emblems [since 2021,]() as they can become shrapnel in the event of a crash. Unless you want a spangled Mercedes emblem embedded into your face, like a baddie in *Home Alone*, putting anything pretty on your steering wheel is ill-advised. But don't just take it from us, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ([NHTSA]()) agrees. The NHTSA recently released a [consumer alert](), warning drivers who use steering wheel decorations, claiming they can cause "significant injury or death" in a crash. And the department specifically calls out the rhinestones many drivers decorate their steering wheel emblems with. ![]() *Amazon.com* "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," the statement said. Decorations like rhinestones aren't held on by anything more than cheap adhesives. During a crash, [airbags]() deploy with explosive enough force to easily eject those rhinestones—or any other bedazzlement—and turn them into shrapnel, like the most stylish frag grenade of all time. And drivers shouldn't just think of themselves, as any passenger in the vehicle is also at risk of taking jewelry to the face. The actual emblems automakers affix to steering wheels are permanent, so they don't become hazards when the airbag deploys. Or, at least [they're not *designed* to](). ![]() *Amazon.com* Any other steering wheel modifications can also hinder the airbag's ability to deploy correctly, or even deploy at all, which would obviously make a crash far more dangerous. So please, don't leave one of those obnoxious laptop trays in front of your steering wheel during your commute. And don't decorate your steering wheel unless you want to drive with a shiny claymore mine in your hands. The government said so. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()