Steering Wheel Controls

Sounds like a clock spring failure, it fits behind the steering wheel and makes the connection between the steering column and the steering wheel contact strips. Usually the SRS or air bag light will turn on but not always.

How to do I go about checking that? I am trying to check things myself to avoid taking it to the dealership.

Don't attempt to check this yourself, you run a risk of setting off the air bag system, you don't have to take it to the dealer, an independent shop will have the test equipment to check this out. Plus on your model you can't just disconnect the battery or computer systems could loose the factory presets and then your stuck with having to deal with the dealer.

Do they usually charge for that or just check it to see if that's the problem? Do you know about how long that takes to check?

Yes there will be a diagnostics charge, usually takes an hour. Some shops have menu pricing for diagnostics that is slightly cheaper that the going shops going labor rate, so ask for or look for that when you call or go in.

Is that the device you plug into the fuse box? The diagnostic tester?

Yes but the one they will use is more advanced than a normal code reader, and if the testing requires accessing the inputs and outputs of the SRS system they will be able to do that also.