Doesn't seem to matter what kind of road surface-drove on back county roads, country lanes, and US 75-just resurfaced--Brand new car-brand new stock 2011SE tires.

 

My question being, since it's mainly folks with the SE, could it be due to a certain type of tire, with a certain cord angle within the body of the tire, aspect ratio, or tread design, causing what's being felt.

Could it be a combination of all the above?

 

All, I started this thread out of frustration due to the fact that a FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER certified there to be nothing wrong with my brand new vehicle constant drift/pull. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed to be specific to the steering system, more specifically the electric based steering system and the configuration/calibration within the 2011 SE model. The identified problem was diagnosed as a "common or normal trait of this vehicle." My vehicle was taken apart and inspected by the dealership and then by a FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER (not to be confused with the same normal dealership tech). If you want to help fix the problem at hand --- take your vehicle into your respective dealership and request for service. If you are not happy with their diagnoses request for a FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER to service the vehicle. My dealership did the request on their own after they couldn't stop or correct the drift/pull themselves. My dealership had to uploaded stored computer information regarding setup and specs to Corporate Hyundai. The Corporate Hyundai Technical Advisers couldn't even diagnose or offer a fix the drift/pull problem. Thus, they authorized a FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER to service the vehicle. I had to wait a week for this person to come to the dealership. I have a specific ticket number attached to the vehicle by Corporate HYUNDAI. Most recently, I was informed by my dealership that there have been several other instances in which the SAME FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER has identified the same problem within other 2011 Sonata's at different dealerships --- I live in Maryland. Yes, there is a problem with the steering system configuration/calibration. There are no internal Hyundai Service Bulletins either on this problem. Again, Hyundai is basically calling this problem/concern a "common" or "normal" trait within the NEW electric based steering system, and they are not fixing ANYTHING. Basically, to quote the FACTORY HYUNDAI ENGINEER ... "it is, what it is." It is not the tires/wheels. It is not an alignment problem. It is internal to the new ELECTRIC BASED STEERING SYSTEM and its configuration and setup. They seem to know what it is, but aren't necessarily identifying that there is something wrong in which needs to be FIXED!

 

I too have the slight left "pull" issue. Vehicle purchased June 6, 2010 now has ~1200 miles. Mine is just left of center. I have to actually hold the wheel at center or it will rebound left just a few degrees. At first I thought it was a road crown issue and did not think much of it, however various road surfaces verified it is definately vehicle related. Next I thought it may be the wheel position due to toe being slightly out of adjustment. I did not want to take it the dealer to play around with it, so I thought I would keep and eye on tire wear and let it go for a while since it really is not that significant. After reading all this, I am convinced it likely is not a toe issue either and is likely something with the electric steering. Without boring you with my credentials I can say I worked with development level vehicles is the past which had early electric steer assist units (not Hyundai) and they can produce some funky issues. The units were eventually abandoned on that particular model - not for safety reasons. In any event, I suspect Hyundai has a supplier issue and the supplier is trying to figure out what the problem is while Hyundai has to drag feet with irritated owners.

I'd be interested to know if the "factory engineer" who showed up at the one gentleman's dealer was actually a steering engineer or just a trouble shooter who follows a process tree to discover the ulitmate root cause of a problem. These people usually have no clue how the component they are working with actually operates.

In the short term, those who are really frustrated and concerned with this issue, you need to keep nagging the dealer service manager and particularly Hyundai and allege a safety concern. I can say from experience, motor companies tend not to blow off a customer who expresses a legitemate concern with safety.

 

Hi All,
I have bought my GLS in June. I realized the problem with constant pull after a week, now I have around 1300 miles and I am going to my dealer tomorrow. I thought I could wait for the first service but it is annoying. I will ask them to check alignment, and if everything will be OK I will ask them to rotate the TIRES. I have Kuhmo brand which is not the top of the line manufacturer. I hope that tires are the cause of constant pull. I have bought winter tires for my sister’s Camry last year from Town Fair Tire. I had the same problem, the checked alignment few times, rotated the tires and my problem was still unknown. I knew the manager who said that sometimes tires are defected… he was great…swapped my four tires for a different brand and he FIX my problem. Her car drives like new! I tested few times and it is perfect now. Anyway, did anyone else have tires rotated?

 

My new Sonata 2011 Limited Edition also pulls to the left when on the highway. So I called Hyundai USA and opened a case with Consumer Affairs.
They said if they get enough complaints on this they will conduct and investigation. So guys and gals, lets start calling them.
So they can get their people working on a fix.

Here is the number.
(800) 633-5151
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PST

 

I just purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE yesterday. Prior to doing so, I test drove 3 SEs and 2 Limited (at three different dealerships).

Only 1 of the SE's had the pull/steering problem (as far as I can tell). The Limited seems to be a smoother ride than the SE overall.

I know my experience is limited, but reading this thread made me aware and what to look out for before buying. So, I just wanted to say Thank you! I'm guessing there might be a bad batch out there.

FYI: The Hyundai I purchased eventually was from Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim. The other two were Santa Ana and Irvine Hyundai. Santa Ana's Hyundai SE had the problem.

Good luck everyone! =)

 

I leased my new white sonata 2011 3 weeks ago, very happy for few days with the looks and all the amenities, then I keep noticing this trend to wander from side to side in the highway (over 60 MPH is worst).
It is an unsafe sensation on the steering that when compared with my other car ( Toyota Sienna ) my Sienna minivan feels safer and more centered even over 60 MPH.
First week I took the car to the dealer they tested it recommend me to adapt to the new electric steering and found nothing wrong. I can not imagine this car with a Turbo engine, the driving will be even more dangerous, if you commute less than 5 minutes or use the car for grocery shopping I think you'll be fine.
What to do ? maybe I went to much for the price and shouldn't ask for more.
The way things are looking this is my first and last Hyundai.

 

This sounds like something independant of the "left steer" concern.

 

LOL I have a 2000 Sonata with 75K original and it still pulls to the left. Its been two years since last alignment, during a full four wheel tire replacement in Virginia (drove it out to California the same evening). Even the following day I can recall it still pulling to left.