I have a good feeling that the steering software update is going to improve the driving characteristics of my 2011 Sonata. Congrat Hyundai, responding to your clients is the way we will buy Huyndai again. I will post my steering experience after the recall proposed repair.

 

I just purcahsed a 2011 Limited, noticed this past weekend it has a "wandering" characteristic on the freeway. Does not favor one side or the other, just that it seems unsettled. I have driven cars that have ant-eatered like this, due to a toe issue and/or caster issue. It almost feels like the Sonata needs a half a tick more toe-in or caster. I really wonder if there is a link between u-joint and the wandering sensation. My guess is that there is not. The u joint doesn't determine the toe or caster.
If the vehicle was designed with insufficient caster (think grocery cart wheel), and it isn't adjustable, then the cars will just be darty.
Our car is going in for recall inspection and alignment check this Saturday.
I'll report back what I am told.

Jim

 

one thing I want to mention:

I noticed this wandering sensation 25 min or so after leaving dealer on day of purchase, NOT after reading this thread. My original plan was to keep and eye on front tires (maybe even dress them with chalk and test drive to get a good witness mark), then consult dealer.

Then I joined borad here a few days later and posted a photo of our new car.

Then I saw the news on TV regarding the recall.

Then I found this topic.

I am no stranger to the automotive industry or how cars operate. The weaving and wandering is not something a manufacturer can ask the general public to get used to. I can't imagine how this car would react in a strong crosswind out on the 395.

 

Get the thing aligned,,, and not just an "its set to specs" kind of align... I'm talking about setting the car up good and square..

Rear cambers at 0.0 to -0.25 each side

Rear toes at +0.04 each side, at minimum, 0.0 each side (straight ahead)

Front camber hopefully found to be in the -0.25 zone with no excess spread side to side

Caster will run what you got, no excess spread, I'll let you have 0.2 - 0.3 spread...

Front toe at +0.04 each side... should give you a nice tight drive with good steering response...

 

For the record,
I have a 2011 Sonata SE, purchased three months ago just over 4000 miles, So far no problems or issues. Very happy with my new Sonata.

 

Well, 2 weeks after the recall/repair on my Sonata 2011 steering issues, I have to admit they fixed the wandering 80%. Something needed to be done!
Instead of dealers making customers feel like stupids
Good for Hyundai showing respect for the customer.
Sonata 2011 has a way to go comparing the driving experience of the German builders but for the price I think they are a promising fine CarMaker

 

Well, two trips to the dealer for the "rattle" noise I hear in the steering in certain uneven road situations (seems to be bumps that cause sharp left to right movement in the steering). As time goes by it becomes less noticeable which is interesting, if not frustrating. Drove with a tech and could not make it happen, very frustrating.

I'm just curious, with the engine off and if you move the steering wheel side to side quickly, do you feel/hear a clunk? I'm told that "it's electric steering, it's normal" by the dealer. I'm not disputing that but I have a technical curiously about what about the electric steering would cause that up in the steering column? After all, it's just a typical steering shaft, but what up inside the steering wheel area/housing is different that makes this clunky noise?

With the engine on, it's much less but you can still feel a "notchyness" to it. I haven't had a chance to try another Sonata, maybe I'll go test drive one again. This is a Limited, if that matters.

They checked it for the recall and nothing was done since no problem was found. Tech said they have yet to do one and find the documented issue. However, when I grab the upper u-joint and push up and down, there is slight play. Again, unsure if it's typical or not.

I'm definitely opening a case with Hyundai though and I'm sure it will get attention at least. If others have this issue with an intermittent "rattle" in the steering wheel of bumps, I'd like to hear when it happens with yours.

Still love the car and if it is indeed normal, something to get used to.

 

Took my 2011 SE in last week for first service and recall-had 3600 miles on it. They said they did an update on the computer. I drove around town all week and then took a 300 miles round trip this weekend. In town seemed ok and the first leg of the trip was not too noticeable but on the return trip at 70 mph the "wandering" was back. It was not as bad as when I first bought the car (took it back and they said it had too much air in the tires) but it shouldn't be a struggle to keep it between those two whites lines, should it?

 

Mine wandered very badly until 5000 when I had the tires rotated, and then it went away. It is still sensitive to cross winds however.

I think it's the tires.

 

As mbm says it's the tires that is causing this problems. It very well might be.
Does all the Sonatas comes with the tires made by the same company? The one i test drove had 16" Khumo I think. I am going to double check into that.

By the way, I am a potential buyer of 2011 Sonata GLS with Navi package. While researching for the car, i tumble across this forum and decided to join since I have seen many useful posts in here. I tried tried communicating with Hyundai via phone and email and got the same(limited) information about the recall. What they told me in an email is that... Call the service dept of your local Hyundai Dealer and they will assist me about the recall. Guess what ? I did that. Called 4 Hyundai Dealer's service department. Kind of got the same answer from them. None of them was able to tell me what software change the are doing for the power steering. Don't you think there should be a release note on that???(what is being changed?) (obviously in layman's term)

Does anyone think that waiting for the car that was made after Sept 10, 2010 will solve this problem at all? I am sure they got their act together and added some kind of quality check at the Alabama plant after this recall, if they really want this car to be a game changer for them that is.....

Anyone had this "pulling to the left or right" problem on GLS model ? or is it only SE model related problem? thanks in advance for all your help.