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2013 Elantra GLS steering/wandering issues

14K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  hochiinn 
#1 · (Edited)
Sorry for the wordy thread. Hoping I can get some help with a steering problem on my Certified Pre-Owned 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS sedan (about 48,500 miles on it). This seems to be a very common complaint with the 2013 Sonata, and I've now done extensive research on this forum, especially here:

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/yf-20...3-sonata-steering-issues-vehicle-wanders.html

Since about a day or two after I bought it (about 4 weeks ago), I've had a major problem where the vehicle will just "wander," on every type of road, at any speed. If I take my eyes off the road for 1-2 seconds, it'll begin "wandering" either right or left (more often right)--I think whichever way I last turned the wheel. It doesn't immediately "jump" either way, but I'm worried that it'll become a huge safety (and medical!) issue over time. The main issue seems to be that the steering wheel "sticks" near the center--I have to force it a bit, and then when I do, I have to correct it back the other way, starting the problem all over again. No matter what I do, the car (compared to every other car I've ever driven) is *impossible* to center--I'm confident that it will always start to go off the road if I don't constantly correct it. My wrist and arm are sore every day now, whenever I've driven. I want to try to keep this car, because I like everything else about it, and I can't afford to lose any money on "trading." By the way, I did of course test drive the car, before purchasing. This issue did not really become apparent until about 2-3 days after purchase, and I was not allowed to take the vehicle for an independent inspection before purchasing. I also read accounts on this forum from people who said that the issue did not "reveal" itself right away.

A few days ago, my dealership's service department really let me down. I brought it there, told them everything, had print-outs of a bunch of fixes that many people on this forum (or their dealers) have tried for these cars, where some were able to fix it by having the car's settings changed to "Sport Mode," or correcting the "steeering wheel linkage" with an alignment, or adjusting the "toe" or "camber," or putting on better tires, etc. My dealership checked the alignment, and the tire pressure, and pretty much dismissed my problem and sent me on my way ("...have to get used to it"), telling me that there's no way to adjust the steering "mode" in my car--I'm not sure whether they were not being truthful, or if they didn't really know for sure, etc. I'll be paying on this car for years now, and I'm just sad thinking that I'll have to deal with this for more than that long. The current tires, btw, are Nexen N5000 Plus 205/55R16 91H.

This has left me flat-out sad, and a bit defeated. I have documented emails to both my dealership, as well as Hyundai itself, from the very first week of ownership. I'm desperate for a fix, or at least something that will make it more tolerable. I've tried every possible seat/steering wheel combination, with little change in comfort. I really want to keep this car. My main question for the forum: is it true that it's not possible to adjust the steering "modes" in this car? It's well-known that it can be done on the Sonata--how about on this car? Any other help/advice would be greatly appreciated! Also, if this is in the wrong forum, then I apologize--please move it, if possible. Thanks!
-Dan
 
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#2 ·
For the 2013 year, only the Elantra GT has comfort/normal/sport steering mode. The GLS does not.

There have been a few threads about the wandering issues. Some say they've fixed the problem with new tires, others with KYB shocks, others haven't fixed it at all. Personally, I never even noticed the issue until reading about it in the forums, and then I was like ME TOO!!!! But even so, I don't personally think it's THAT bad. Perhaps some cars are affected more than others though.
 
#3 ·
My new 2014 wandered till I adjusted the tire pressure to factory specs. I had to much tire pressure. Also since you bought yours used I would have the alignment checked.
I posted service bulletins, the last one does pertain to steering:




2011-present(Sedan/coupe)
These cars have three service campaigns: More2012 models have a service campaign to replace the sun visors (TN1).
2013 models have a service campaign to update the engine and transmission software to improve shift feel during ECO mode (TN3), and one to replace the front brake pads due to noise (TM3). Less
Service bulletins
2011 models may need a software update to reduce noise from the oil control valve before warm-up (12-FL-01). More2011-12 models might need to replace the drive shaft washers if there’s a creaking or popping noise when accelerating forward or reversing from a stop (12-DS-001).
2011-14 models may need an updated electric power steering rubber coupling if there’s a clicking or thud noise while turning (14-ST-002). Less
 
#7 ·
Have a good quality tire gauge ready ,there is one end on the gauge used for letting air out. Just hold it on the valve stem where the air goes in for one second at a time ,then recheck the presure until it is down to 31.You dont have to hold it there to long as you can let too much air out. Do you still have the air pump that came with the car? If so there is a guage already on it,but I prefer to use a good hand held one.Good luck and get back and let me know how it worked out. I can tell you I was very happy with the results on my 13 gls.
 
#10 ·
@The_K_Man: Done that! It works!

Too bad Hyundai couldn't reengineer that MD steering. They sure got it right on the 2017's. I lived with that notchiness steering on my other two Elantras. It wasn't bad, but it was prevalent. Oftentimes had me over-correcting. Not anyone's idea of a good time!
 
#11 ·
So far experienced none of it in the 2015 Elantra SE
I traded "Nervous Ninny"(my 2013 Sonata) for. Tighter,
heavier steering than the Sonata in any steering mode,
and responsive when needed. Bought at 38,000 miles.
I know Hyundai changed the steering motors for 2015
in several models, maybe the Elantra too.


In general, steering will be tighter and heavier the smaller
the vehicle, and the narrower, higher profile rubber.
 
#12 ·
2013 Elantra Limited - Steering Wandering

I just bought a 2013 Hyundai Elantra Limited yesterday with about 74,000 miles on it. This morning when I was on the highway the steering wheel was wandering left and right and it was annoying to keep it centered. I've seen several threads for the 2013 Sonatas where they had the dealer change the steering setting to "sport", and the Sonatas even had a TBS for this issue. Has anyone ever had the steering mode changed on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, or did anything else work in fixing this wandering issue?
 
#13 ·
I just bought a 2013 Hyundai Elantra Limited yesterday with about 74,000 miles on it. This morning when I was on the highway the steering wheel was wandering left and right and it was annoying to keep it centered. I've seen several threads for the 2013 Sonatas where they had the dealer change the steering setting to "sport", and the Sonatas even had a TBS for this issue. Has anyone ever had the steering mode changed on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, or did anything else work in fixing this wandering issue?
Theres couple factors to consider. Your tires and tire pressure and suspension. Currently with my coupe I get the wandering here and there depending on the road conditions as well as my tires. Usually its my tires being a sticky tire just grabs onto the road and sometimes grabs on uneven surfaces made from other cars over time like in ice skating or hockey where you go on peoples lines (hope that makes sense :frown:).

The MDs rear suspension are notorious for hopping so any bumpy road it will hop a little to the left or right. You can fix it to a certain degree with coilovers and KYB upgrade but you will still notice the hop just not as much.
 
#16 ·
I was dealing with the same situation on my 2013 Elantra GLS (Wandering at highway speeds).
I went to the dealership explaining that I wanted to switch my steering wheel to sport mode.

They were confused at first that they've never done that, but they were trying to help.
I showed some screenshots from this forum, and one of them explained that the process is done through the GDS.
After that, in no more than 20 minutes the job was done.



I hope this helps =).
 
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