Stopped by South Loop Hyundai here in Houston yesterday to get them to change the settings. After giving me the runaround about how I'd have to leave my car so they can diagnose my issue and me explaining to him several times that I just wanted a setting in the computer changed the guy told me to come back a little bit later when his tech didn't have 3 cars waiting for servicing. I went back an hour later and explained to them what the deal is and they said we don't know about this but we'll plug it up and see if there's anything we can do.
After about 15 minutes of me browsing the new cars on the lot I heard them pull my car out of the garage and take it for a test drive. I walked back to the service department to find my car parked out front and the tech explaining to the service guys what he had done. The service guys told me that my car had been put into Sport mode as I had asked them to do and that they learned a new thing today.

As soon as I got in the car and started driving home, the steering felt heavier but not overkill. Better than ever now

 

I just had my GLS set to SPORT yesterday while they did my oil change. They tried to tell me that it was out of the 12 month/12000 mile adjustment period and said they would have to set an appointment to change it. After a brief discussion about this thread and the number of people talking about it, They went ahead and changed it without charge. It's good to have the power of this community to work FOR us ALL. Thank you!!!


The difference was night and day! The steering before reminded me of driving a Cadillac, Which has ZERO road feel and feedback. Now, I have the feedback and a firmer wheel in my hands.

VERY HAPPY!

 

Have 18in Genesis coupe rims/tires on my 2013 GLS. The steering immediately got heavier when I put the new wheels on. I'm assuming this is just because of the wider wheels/tires. Car wanders like a MF'er still.

Question is.......knowing that the steering is already heavier now than it was with the stock rims/tires....would you go all the way from the current GLS setting to the Sport setting, or settle for SE?

Not gonna lie.....I read the first 4 pages and the last couple.

 

sport.

 

I would (and did) go all the way to the Sport setting.

 

Hi Rick, was your original setting low? Please describe the difference you experienced from low to sport to me :liebe011:

 

Big Thank you

I just had my setting changed today when the car was in for a bad fuel pump. I said to the service writer that I had voiced my concerns several previous times to the service department about how dangerous the steering is and each time they said they looked at the car and found nothing wrong, did alignments, rotated tires, but none of it helped, and that I read there is now a TSB explaining this steering setting. So, they did it for me, and WOW what a difference! Interesting though, they told me they also are required to reset the steering angle sensor. Of course this was not part of the TSB, but I didn't squack about it. Thank you to this forum!

 

just changed my steering setting to sport...what a difference...overtaking is so easy.exceptional handling.now i am feeling the roads and highways..it was on soft setting before...so is there difference between soft and sport? YES it is.....i drove with soft setting for 3 months...i am really pleased with the drive now....get ready to fall in love with your sonata....AGAIN !!!!

 

Hey can I get someone to post a pic or a link to a pic of the service screen pictures of the steering selection on the service computer? Or try and get someone to remember to snap a pic of it, if they go in to get it changed? I need something to try and prove to the service writer or a tech that YES it is Possible.

I went into a dealership quick and asked and got an "your an idiot look" back from the service writer. Other times all call other dealerships and get a "well try and diagnose it for 100 bucks" or "we cant just plug in for free"

Seriously IRRITATING. At this point I would rather have hydraulic steering vs electric.

 

Here is a pic of mine

 

I have the same problem with wandering. I have brought the car in 4 times to have it looked at. It is still not right. Now the dealer blames it on the roads and won't do any more. I was told that from now on I would have to pay to have the steering looked at. The car is still under warranty. The car also has a clunk in the right front when you go over bumps, they can't find that either.
I went and drove a new 2015 Sonata and it handles fine on the same road that the dealer blames on my car for being the problem.

 

Did you tell them that there is a setting that they can easily change? Its a 5 or 10 minute fix once they hook up their computer.There are 3 or 4 settings and most go to the stiffest setting. I would go back in this thread,and print some of the pages that clearly show this. You have another dealer close by?

The clunk or creak you have,I believe there is service bulletin and there are pictures on this site with details on how Hyndai dealerships should fix it.

 

Thank you Rick.

 

Thanks all for posting the information here. I recently purchased a 13 LTD and first time on the highway I noticed this issue. I did a bit of searching and happened across this thread.

I went to the Hyundai dealership, they looked at me like I was crazy and stated there was no service bulletin about steering that they were aware of. They said that it was most likely a US bulletin and not a Canadian one (I live in Ontario). Anyways, he searched it up and came across it, apparently I was the first one at the dealership to ever bring the topic up.

So, I have an appointment booked for next Thursday to take it in. BUT, they will not just do it, they are charging me $75. They said it is not a warranty issue and that it is not covered under that at all.

Its frustrating and I think it should be covered, but I am willing to spend the $75 if it makes the difference. I just want it done now.

 

Its frustrating and I think it should be covered, but I am willing to spend the $75 if it makes the difference. I just want it done now.

Before I purchased my 2014 Sonata GLS in March, I read on-line reviews on it. One of the common complaints was how the car “wandered” back and forth on the highway if you took your eyes off the road even for a second. When I did the test drive I didn’t notice it at all. I assume it was because I was trying to take in everything all at once, and I was in an unfamiliar car and was driving extra cautious. However, after the purchase I began to experience the same “wandering issue that others were complaining about. I believe it to be an electronics issue, not a mechanical issue. You’re constantly feeding signals to the electric power steering, and the steering wheel is extremely sensitive and fast-responding when you move it even the tiniest bit. I have experimented by wiggling the wheel tiny fractions while driving down a straight stretch, and I notice the car responds to them, no matter how little I wiggled it. With standard mechanical steering, most steering wheels have a little bit of a dead zone in the middle where you can wiggle the wheel slightly, and the car won’t respond to it. Not so in my Sonata.

One of the new features on the 2014 Sonata’s is USER SELECTABLE steering sensitivity adjustments. With a button on the steering wheel I can choose between COMFORT, NORMAL, and SPORT. The only difference in the 3 is the amount of effort it takes to turn the wheel. On COMFORT setting, it is super easy to turn the wheel, hardly any resistance at all. If I lived in a city where I did a lot of tight cornering, I would keep mine on comfort. On the other end you have the SPORT setting. This tightens up the steering wheel to make it feel more like a sports car, and takes more effort to turn the wheel. However, none of these settings will totally eliminate the issue.

In my experience I find the SPORT setting to be the better of the 3 for no other reason than, it takes a little more effort to move the wheel a tiny bit in the sport mode. However, when I look down at the radio and start trying to read things, all it takes is a tiny twitch of the steering wheel, and next thing you know I’m on the shoulder, or over the line. It happens real quick.

I believe the tolerance is too tight in the sensitive electronics, and that the tiniest fraction of movement to the steering wheel (which we all do when our eyes come off the road) is enough to make the car respond. Plus, if the car has real tight steering to start with, a tiny flinch can cause the car to dart to the side pretty quick.

Please keep in mind this is not factual, but rather my personal opinion that I have come to on my own from my electronics background, and experimentation. I have come to understand it, and I don’t think there’s a cure for it, and I have accepted it as “the nature of the beast”. However, I’m still aware of it and I keep my eyes on the road a lot more than ever.

With all that said, here’s how I would approach the dealer.

I would tell him that you did research on this issue and found it to be a common complaint by Sonata owners ever since they put electric power steering pumps in the 2011 thru 2014 models. It is a well know issue that can be found on line by anyone that looks for it, and that you find it to be hazardous and are afraid to let your other family members drive it like that, you are not at all happy about it.

I would also tell them that it must have been an issue that needed addressing in the 2011 thru 2013 Sonata’s, because they made it a USER SELECTABLE option in the 2014 models. Tell them you were never made aware that this option was even available on your car, and it’s totally unreasonable to make you pay for making a hazardous condition safer for you with a 2 or 3 minute computer tweak. They are simply trying to make some money. I can’t blame them for that. But knowing what I know about the issue now, I’d put up a good argument first. You might try compromising and maybe talk them down to half price or something.

Good luck with whatever happens. However, IMO, setting it to the tightest steering setting will not totally solve it, but it should make it a little better for you. Come back and let us know what your end result is, so we can have more information available for others.

 

Mine still wanders. I will not be buying a Hyundai again. In fact, for my next car, I will not buy unless I can take the car for a day to try it out on a long drive. I will rent it for a day if need be.

 

They did get it right with the 2015 Sonata, it doesn't have the twitchy steering like ours does.

Like someone mentioned above, the sport mode may not fix it totally, but at least it does make it tolerable.

 

Steering problems solved, no more wandering

If your 2013 Sonata GLS steering is wandering all over the place just take it to the dealer and talk to one of the technicians in the service department and have him set the steering option to sport with his computer programmer and that'll take care of it. There's about 4 options such as GLS, soft, firm and sport. Just go for the sport and that'll do it. You won't be able to tell any difference in the feel of turning the wheel it just gets rid of the wandering. Also don't let them try to charge you anything because it don't take 5 minutes to do the change with their hand held programmer. Of course they'll pretend to have never heard of the problem but it is a problem or else they wouldn't have updated the new model Sonatas to where you can make the changes yourself.

 

Well, its been over a week since I had my steering adjusted to sport mode. I was hoping for a little more "response" from the steering wheel. At first I did not think there was any difference at all. In the parking lot pulling out, it still felt just as "loosey goosey" as it was before. But it seemed when I got up to about 60km/hr it did have a little bit of a tighter feel.

The wandering is not completely gone. A little better, yes, completely gone, definitely not.

On a different note, I can not help but notice a lot of what seems to be strut noise or knocking coming from the car? Its not at highways speeds, more when you are driving slow in and around a parking lot. I have owned cars with over 150,000km on them and none of them made so much noise, like a worn out strut or something. With a '13 Limited with only 20,000 km I am quite surprised/disappointed with the noise.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with theirs?

 

Thanks for the update Cochise. What was the final bill, if I may ask?

On a side note, I'm unaware of any strut noise complaints, but I've noticed several complaints about steering columns making clunking noises when going over rough bumps.

 

It took me two visits to two dealers to get the adjustment made. It's not perfect, but it's fairly good and I don't really notice it too much anymore.

 

I have a 14 Ltd/Nav (5000 miles) and my only complaint is the steering. It wanders and I often hit the rumble strip on the side of the road. The car has the steering adjustment button on the steering wheel and was set to the Comfort setting when I got it which I thought was to light. So I changed it to Sport. Maybe I will try the middle setting of Normal and see if that helps.

I have to pay close attention to keep the car in a straight line ( kind of a safety issue in my opinion.)

 

I have to pay close attention to keep the car in a straight line ( kind of a safety issue in my opinion.)

I agree. It is not like I do not pay attention to the road, I am a very attentive driver, but you take your eyes off for a split second, to change a radio station, or even while quickly to make eye contact to a passenger and before you know it, you are in the next lane or on the shoulder.

Sure wish I had taken this car for a longer test drive. Between it and the noise I am experiencing that sounds like strut wear of an old car, it has not converted me into a Hyundai fan.

Never had buyers remorse on a vehicle before, sadly I feel I do now.

 

Hello Smoke 1991 can you help me change the setting on mine. I will drive to wherever you are and pay you for it to be done. No dealership wants to do it for me.

 

subscribed

 

Have you asked your dealer to change the setting on the EPS? That can help a lot.

 

Steering problems with 2014 Sonata

We purchased a 2014 Sonata GLS and are having the same issues with steering as mentioned in this thread...care weaves left and right, constantly having to correct, especially on long haul drives. We have steering settings on the steering wheel, Sport, Normal, Comfort and have tried all three but there is little difference between them. We took it to the Dealer this morning and they said there is nothing wrong with the steering. Not sure what to do now. Anyone else have this problem with the 2014?

 

Why does the heading in this thread say "solved" ?
This. Problem is far from solved.
I almost got into an accident driving my car home from the dealer.
And the only reason there are fewer complaints after the 2011 steering recall is that people stopped buying Sonatas due to the bad press. But the problem persists.
I'm shocked that the NHTSA does not consider this a safety hazard.

 

I just bought a 2013 Sonata GLS last PM. Driving home I experienced the same steering issues described in the OP. I bought from a Toyota Dealer and was instructed by the seller to go to the local Hyundai dealership to confirm my warranty before I realized the problem. Driving home was pretty frightening. So I got online last PM and found this handy dandy forum, when searching for "2013 Hyundai Sonata steering problems." Read all of the posts, and took the car to the dealer today with the thought in mind that if the steering could not be adjusted I would return it--apparently some models do not have the software package that allows for setting changes. The dealership adjusted the steering to the "Sport" setting as per the original post, and presto--problem solved. I test-drove with the technician on the interstate and as someone else said, "night and day!" Thank you all so much for your diligence to follow-up on your results when addressing this issue with the dealership. Issues I had before the adjustment: at speeds beyond 60 mph on the interstate, touch the wheel and immediate drift. Need for hyper-vigilant constant wheel corrections to maintain straight driving at higher interstate speed. Look away and risked drifting into next lane...I am delighted to have found this forum because I truly wanted to keep the car, and now it rides almost as smoothly as my mother's Lexus--can't ask for more than that, considering the price difference. Thank you again!

 

My dealer will not change my ESP setting. Hopefully, if I keep pestering they will.

 

Please EDIT original post.. "Not Solved"

Same issues over here..
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/md-20...md-2011-present-elantra-sedan-coupe/136846-2011-elantra-steering-problem-8.html

Today i will be trying to see if this is a shaft bushing sticking

 

Please EDIT original post.. "Not Solved"



Today i will be trying to see if this is a shaft bushing sticking

Shaft through column tube between steering wheel and stick out end of column rides on single row ball bearings with some grease in them..

DC motor segments is likely what you feel.. not much to do for that, as it is essentially a "stepper motor"

Also look at the rubber cushion between motor to steering shaft, it get chewed up, it leave lash between the the coupler fingers..

 

Thanks i will check the rubber cushion..

as to motor stepping segments..
i would be feeling that throughout gradual steering travel.. and I do not..
not the case here, it's just the initial force we have to apply to "unstick" wheel from rest..
Leave steering wheel without movement for a few, it sticks..

For everyone else, keep an eye out on this thread as well.. "Last Page"
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/md-20...md-2011-present-elantra-sedan-coupe/136846-2011-elantra-steering-problem-8.html

 

I can tell you this-
This issue is More apparent in summer climates -AC is on cooling column..
This issue is Less apparent in winter climates -heater is always on warming column..

heating the column changes the viscosity level of the shaft bearing races
more slippery..

Replacement of column will Not correct this (as posted in thread listed above, problem returned)
The only fix will be in the form of a TSB or Recall..
And this can not be done until the following conditions are met..

Hyundai must Rebuild the current column inventory with better grease in single row bearings, and specify this change requirement to bearing supplier..

they're sealed so machine oiling down the shaft might not get into bearings

would be nice to simply remove steering wheel, and allow 3-4 ounces of machine oil run down the shaft to correct this.. (this was my next test)

any further posts from me, will be located on the thread i posted above..