2011 Sonata SE Steering Problem
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7
I suggest contacting NHTSA via email. They were very helpful when I need it. They are doing the investigation, so that is were you will get an honest answer. Hyundai and their dealerships won't give any useful information. I've been there.
NHTSA are still investigating, so the information may be limited until it is finalized.
NHTSA are still investigating, so the information may be limited until it is finalized.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
Thanks.
I suggest contacting NHTSA via email. They were very helpful when I need it. They are doing the investigation, so that is were you will get an honest answer. Hyundai and their dealerships won't give any useful information. I've been there.
NHTSA are still investigating, so the information may be limited until it is finalized.
NHTSA are still investigating, so the information may be limited until it is finalized.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 900
Call the service dept of your local Hyundai Dealer and they will assist me about the recall.
Yep, if VIN applicable to recall, we'll be happy to perform it for you, you just make the car available to our service people for about an hr and we will inspect the shaft mounting and install updated software to the MDPS module.
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.
Yep, Hyundai does not have to tell us anything, other than here is recall, here is what to be done, and you will do them as part of your franchise agreement... as noted, there is no explanation in the instruction papers.
Don't you think there should be a release note on that???(what is being changed?) (obviously in layman's term)
They is updating the software in the MDPS module
Does anyone think that waiting for the car that was made after Sept 10, 2010 will solve this problem at all?
No, same steering column, smae module for control, just different ROM contents... I have went to program a few pre Sept cars already, and GDS comes up "NO RELATED EVENT".. so they must hit/miss with updated assemblies. TOYOTA would know exacly which build got the last old style part, where as tracking of parts seems to be an issue with Hyundai... somebody starts setting new style parts on the line, and they work out of that bin while old style sits there for next shift.. Frames is same way with the frame recall currently running
Yep, if VIN applicable to recall, we'll be happy to perform it for you, you just make the car available to our service people for about an hr and we will inspect the shaft mounting and install updated software to the MDPS module.
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.
Yep, Hyundai does not have to tell us anything, other than here is recall, here is what to be done, and you will do them as part of your franchise agreement... as noted, there is no explanation in the instruction papers.
Don't you think there should be a release note on that???(what is being changed?) (obviously in layman's term)
They is updating the software in the MDPS module
Does anyone think that waiting for the car that was made after Sept 10, 2010 will solve this problem at all?
No, same steering column, smae module for control, just different ROM contents... I have went to program a few pre Sept cars already, and GDS comes up "NO RELATED EVENT".. so they must hit/miss with updated assemblies. TOYOTA would know exacly which build got the last old style part, where as tracking of parts seems to be an issue with Hyundai... somebody starts setting new style parts on the line, and they work out of that bin while old style sits there for next shift.. Frames is same way with the frame recall currently running
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
I have a GLS w/ nav package (bought end of August) and have had absolutely NO PROBLEMS with steering or anything else. So far this has been the BEST new car I ever bought (knock on wood).
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
Error proofing assembly line
They need some kind of error proofing system like this company is making.
http://www.wsptechnologies.com
Once they install their system ...no more lose or forgetting to tighten the bolts. Hope Hyundai engineers are monitoring this thread.
Last edited by da_libran; Oct 19, 2010 at 04:18 PM. Reason: Spelling mistake
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
No pulling problem on my SE
I have an SE and I have never had a problem with the car pulling to the left (or right). I can let go of the steering wheel with it going straight and it will continue straight for a long time before the unevenness of the street kicks in. I just keep my tires right at 33 psi and check them often.
With my experience with this car thus far, I am convinced that the pulling issue with the steering does not effect every car. There does not seem to be an underlying engineering/design issue that can be pointed to as the culprit which is probably why the engineers and mechanics are scratching their heads. Electric steering is a fairly new technology and no doubt it will take time for all of the bugs to be worked out but why does the problem exist on one car and not another of the same model? An assembly problem maybe? A bad run of tires? It is hard to say.
The only major problem that I have had is a rattle in the steering column which was repaired. I turned out to be a defect in the telescoping part of the column and everything is now fine. I do still have a slight steering over-sensitivity at highway speeds, which some people have mentioned, but I have not gone in for the recall which, as I understand it, includes a software update to help with this issue.
With my experience with this car thus far, I am convinced that the pulling issue with the steering does not effect every car. There does not seem to be an underlying engineering/design issue that can be pointed to as the culprit which is probably why the engineers and mechanics are scratching their heads. Electric steering is a fairly new technology and no doubt it will take time for all of the bugs to be worked out but why does the problem exist on one car and not another of the same model? An assembly problem maybe? A bad run of tires? It is hard to say.
The only major problem that I have had is a rattle in the steering column which was repaired. I turned out to be a defect in the telescoping part of the column and everything is now fine. I do still have a slight steering over-sensitivity at highway speeds, which some people have mentioned, but I have not gone in for the recall which, as I understand it, includes a software update to help with this issue.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
From: Central NJ
I have been having the exact same problem since I got my car on 9/1/10. Ive had it at the dealer for the recall and they have also done an alignment and the car still pulls. I think it may actually more since the alignment was done. Ive been waiting for a week and a half for the dealer to get me a loaner car so I can get the car back in the dealer. The steering issue has become the least of my issues right now though since the car has started blowing gasoline fumes into the cabin when im driving. I have Hyundai Consumer Affairs involved at this point but there is nothing they can do until the car is in the shop. This has been the most disappointing purchase I have ever made.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
Trim ?
I have been having the exact same problem since I got my car on 9/1/10. Ive had it at the dealer for the recall and they have also done an alignment and the car still pulls. I think it may actually more since the alignment was done. Ive been waiting for a week and a half for the dealer to get me a loaner car so I can get the car back in the dealer. The steering issue has become the least of my issues right now though since the car has started blowing gasoline fumes into the cabin when im driving. I have Hyundai Consumer Affairs involved at this point but there is nothing they can do until the car is in the shop. This has been the most disappointing purchase I have ever made.
The reason is, they use different wheels.
Thanks.