2013 Hyundai Sante Fe Limited - Approximately a month and one-half ago, I started to feel a "delay" or "lag" when turning the steering wheel or while stopped and very slightly turning the steering wheel in either direction, a "hesitation", "delay", or "lag" (however you want to describe it) before the steering seemed to engage. It finally was bugging me enough that I took the time to research the issue to see if I could find similar experiences/complaints from other owners. It didn't take ANY effort to find thousands of complaints on the same problem. Indeed, there were many complaints where people experienced THE STEERING ON THEIR CAR LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING!!!!!!! Hyundai has even issued a number of Technical Service Bulletins on the problem. The problem is caused by Hyundai's election to use some CHEAP rubber steering coupler (a part that looks very similar to a gear in design and which sits in between the steering column and the steering linkage - for lack of a better descriptive, the coupler acts as the translator between you turning your steering wheel and the vehicle's steering responding accordingly). It is not as though this part is inconsequential to the safe operation of the vehicle. THIS IS THE STEERING OF THE CAR FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!!!!!!!
And yet, rather than using either a high-quality nylon coupler or some other material that will take years of abuse an NEVER fail, HYUNDAI elected to some CHEAP (read inexpensive AND of very poor quality considering the importance of the part) completely disregarding the safety of the public who purchase and ride in their vehicles. And, to the best of my knowledge, Hyundai has NEVER issued anything warning people of this problem. Moreover, to replace the part the Hyundai dealerships charge $400-$500 to perform the job. In searching the internet today, I found a replacement part on Amazon that is better than OEM specs according to the hundreds of people who commented, and the part cost $6.88!!!!!!!
After first buying my car (new) I used to rave about Hyundai and its high quality. Then in the 3rd year of ownership the problems started. First it was the air conditioning system. Then it was the technology package (touch screen, GPS, etc.). Then it was my front window shattering from the defroster. Then it was the air conditioning system again. Then it was the rear hatch/door lifting cylinder not lifting all of the way open. Then it was the release button for the gas cap. Then it was the touch screen working intermittently. Then it is was all of the warning lights on the instrument cluster staying illuminated despite there being nothing wrong (this problem is the subject of a complaint here that I also wrote today).
Now it is the steering problem tied to a CHEAP part Hyundai elected to use. I have even recently been considering purchasing yet another Hyundai (I also have a hybrid Sonata). Now, considering the problems with this car which was supposed to be the primo and the problems with my Sonata, I cannot justify or find any logical reason to continue buying Hyundai vehicles. Reflecting on all of the problems with my current Hyundais, I have had more problems with these than I ever had with any of the Nissans, Toyotas, or Fords I have owned. I would caution all readers to consider twice the purchase of Hyundai products.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2013 Hyundai Sante Fe Limited - Approximately a month and one-half ago, I started to feel a "delay" or "lag" when turning the steering wheel or while stopped and very slightly turning the steering wheel in either direction, a "hesitation", "delay", or "lag" (however you want to describe it) before the steering seemed to engage. It finally was bugging me enough that I took the time to research the issue to see if I could find similar experiences/complaints from other owners. It didn't take ANY effort to find thousands of complaints on the same problem. Indeed, there were many complaints where people experienced THE STEERING ON THEIR CAR LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING!!!!!!! Hyundai has even issued a number of Technical Service Bulletins on the problem. The problem is caused by Hyundai's election to use some CHEAP rubber steering coupler (a part that looks very similar to a gear in design and which sits in between the steering column and the steering linkage - for lack of a better descriptive, the coupler acts as the translator between you turning your steering wheel and the vehicle's steering responding accordingly). It is not as though this part is inconsequential to the safe operation of the vehicle. THIS IS THE STEERING OF THE CAR FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!!!!!!!
And yet, rather than using either a high-quality nylon coupler or some other material that will take years of abuse an NEVER fail, HYUNDAI elected to some CHEAP (read inexpensive AND of very poor quality considering the importance of the part) completely disregarding the safety of the public who purchase and ride in their vehicles. And, to the best of my knowledge, Hyundai has NEVER issued anything warning people of this problem. Moreover, to replace the part the Hyundai dealerships charge $400-$500 to perform the job. In searching the internet today, I found a replacement part on Amazon that is better than OEM specs according to the hundreds of people who commented, and the part cost $6.88!!!!!!!
After first buying my car (new) I used to rave about Hyundai and its high quality. Then in the 3rd year of ownership the problems started. First it was the air conditioning system. Then it was the technology package (touch screen, GPS, etc.). Then it was my front window shattering from the defroster. Then it was the air conditioning system again. Then it was the rear hatch/door lifting cylinder not lifting all of the way open. Then it was the release button for the gas cap. Then it was the touch screen working intermittently. Then it is was all of the warning lights on the instrument cluster staying illuminated despite there being nothing wrong (this problem is the subject of a complaint here that I also wrote today).
Now it is the steering problem tied to a CHEAP part Hyundai elected to use. I have even recently been considering purchasing yet another Hyundai (I also have a hybrid Sonata). Now, considering the problems with this car which was supposed to be the primo and the problems with my Sonata, I cannot justify or find any logical reason to continue buying Hyundai vehicles. Reflecting on all of the problems with my current Hyundais, I have had more problems with these than I ever had with any of the Nissans, Toyotas, or Fords I have owned. I would caution all readers to consider twice the purchase of Hyundai products.
- Daniel P., Houston, US