[sallyid]

Hi I am new this forum, but found some of threads really useful, so decided to join. I bought a second hand Hyundai  i30 SX 2009 Manual (Moonlight blue) about a year ago with only 63,000 on the odometer, which had been serviced regularly etc. I was completely satisfied and enamoured with my car until a week ago: when I started the car both the eps and esp warning lights came on and stayed on and the steering was extremely heavy. After leaving it for about 40min and trying again  the car started as normal and I was able to drive it a couple times for 20 min no problems. I booked into a certified hyundai dealer to be looked and (carried out some research online). Last Thursday they updated eps and esp software and replaced faulty brake wiring, both of which were done free of charge (as I believe the faulty brake wiring fell under a recall / service situation). However, the next day as I was leaving work I had the same problem occur again. I arranged for NRMA roadside assist and then with my NRMA mechanic kindly following me drove my car back to the mechanic (which was fairly difficult with very heavy steering -- worse than no power steering). Today I was told the whole electronic power steering unit would need to be replaced, (I am unsure of error code) and that it would cost $3680.00! It is only 6 months out of warranty. Has anyone here had a similar issue out of warranty? Any way of making a formal complaint? Is this a manufacturing fault? I feel like I have been cheated. There is now about 86,000 km on the odometer. Sorry for the length of my first post.

[Surferdude]

That is terrible news.
There have been some previous comments about intermittent power steering failures on here.
It seems most cars these days have "electronic" power steering and by all reports, replacement is expensive - more so than the old hydraulic versions.
I would be inclined to make enquiries at a decent sized auto electrician on the assumption that there should be a way to repair these things rather than replace the whole unit. After all, it works sometimes, which suggests some sort of sensor is at fault.

Sorry I can't be more help.

[Surferdude]

I've sent a note to a friend of mine from my rally days who's an auto electrician and now works with the electronic components of current racecars including V8 supercars. Let's see what he says.

[sallyid]

Thank so much for your quick reply. I had read some of the previous posts on the intermittent power steering failure which is why I joined the forum as well as wanting advice too    My car is at a large Hyundai certified dealer/ service centre right now but I will contact an auto electrician as you suggested ... I was thinking it maybe good to get a second opinion.

[Phil №❶]

Really bad news Sally. 

As the vehicle is out of warranty, you're not obliged to deal with Hyundai. You may find a cheaper alternative. Let's see if Surferdude can turn something up for you.

[Doggie 1]

 

I'm a bit confused.
Does this car have electric or hydraulic steering?   
It is the EPS units that have had problems, as I understand it.

[Surferdude]

I'm a bit confused.
Does this car have electric or hydraulic steering?   
It is the EPS units that have had problems, as I understand it.

Dave, to the best of my knowledge, all i30s have electronic power steering. Min ecertainly does.

[Surferdude]

Here's my mate's reply. Not good news. The colour change is mine.

Hey Trevor, dont have experience with road cars anymore, too long on race stuff, autoelects be involved with repairs but I think the manufacturers cover this by making sure the items cant be pulled apart. My son had to replace a whole steering column in BA Falcon because the ign switch was faulty. Try calling a few and also shops that do steering, hydraulics etc. Also search on google for forums that may have experienced the same problem. These forums are a wealth of knowledge. Call me if you want to discuss

[sallyid]

Yes

Here's my mate's reply. Not good news. The colour change is mine.

Hey Trevor, dont have experience with road cars anymore, too long on race stuff, autoelects be involved with repairs but I think the manufacturers cover this by making sure the items cant be pulled apart. My son had to replace a whole steering column in BA Falcon because the ign switch was faulty. Try calling a few and also shops that do steering, hydraulics etc. Also search on google for forums that may have experienced the same problem. These forums are a wealth of knowledge. Call me if you want to discuss

Thanks anyway Suferdude. I will keep on researching forums and make some calls tomorrow 

[Doggie 1]

I'm a bit confused.
Does this car have electric or hydraulic steering?   
It is the EPS units that have had problems, as I understand it.

Dave, to the best of my knowledge, all i30s have electronic power steering. Min ecertainly does.

In that case, here is my view.
I don't know what the laws are in the Far East, but in W.A. warranties can be applied beyond whatever the manufacturer of the item states it is.
Anything sold has to be "fit for purpose" and useable for a reasonable time, regardless of the warranty expiration date.
As Hyundai are fully aware of the EPS issue, it could be argued that they are responsible beyond warranty expiration, however, legal advice may be necessary.

[Phil №❶]

If your car has been serviced by Hyundai AND there has been a steering issue during it's warranty, it will be noted in their database and would be covered under warranty as it was a reported issue. However, getting that information from them, knowing why you want it, may prove difficult.

[Dazzler]

Hi Sally and welcome. Really sorry to hear this (no problem with your long post, which was well worded) We are aware of steering failures, scarce, but they do happen unfortunately. I knew they were expensive, but I thought closer to $2000. Might be worth trying a few different places for repair quotes.. good luck.

Edit: using my tablet and was not showing all the other posts until after I posted mine!

[Just Rick]

Hi Sally and welcome. Really sorry to hear this (no problem with your long post, which was well worded) We are aware of steering failures, scarce, but they do happen unfortunately. I knew they were expensive, but I thought closer to $2000. Might be worth trying a few different places for repair quotes.. good luck.

Edit: using my tablet and was not showing all the other posts until after I posted mine!

When they fixed mine ( under warranty thank F#@k ) they said if had to have paid for it it would have cost me min $3800,they have to change the whole steering system

[sallyid]

I'm a bit confused.
Does this car have electric or hydraulic steering?   
It is the EPS units that have had problems, as I understand it.

Dave, to the best of my knowledge, all i30s have electronic power steering. Min ecertainly does.

In that case, here is my view.
I don't know what the laws are in the Far East, but in W.A. warranties can be applied beyond whatever the manufacturer of the item states it is.
Anything sold has to be "fit for purpose" and useable for a reasonable time, regardless of the warranty expiration date.
As Hyundai are fully aware of the EPS issue, it could be argued that they are responsible beyond warranty expiration, however, legal advice may be necessary.

Thanks for the tip - I will definitely be looking into fit for purpose beyond warranty.

[sallyid]

Hi Sally and welcome. Really sorry to hear this (no problem with your long post, which was well worded) We are aware of steering failures, scarce, but they do happen unfortunately. I knew they were expensive, but I thought closer to $2000. Might be worth trying a few different places for repair quotes.. good luck.

Edit: using my tablet and was not showing all the other posts until after I posted mine!

When they fixed mine ( under warranty thank F#@k ) they said if had to have paid for it it would have cost me min $3800,they have to change the whole steering system

Yes I think the quote includes part/s $3000 and labour $680 ...

[constipated]

This forum has some stories of worrying major repairs. Makes me nervous getting near the end of warranty. Luckily I drive manual, so the FD auto problems won't affect me.

But this steering problem seems like it has affected several people. No real warning before it happens.

My own car has intermittent remote control issues which have not been rectified even with replacement of the body control module. Very annoying but so far only happening at home. Someone has raised the possibility of it being an interference problem. I don't know why it suddenly started a few months ago though after 3 years of being trouble free.

[sallyid]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. will definitely be back. And will keep you posted.

[Asterix]

Hi Sally

 

Maybe a used one from a wrecker is a possibility...

Maybe getting the part from Korea if you can do without your car for a period.

Mine's now at 214.000 km so some of the steering do last longer. Don't know about your consumer protection Laws but as Hyundai offers 5 years warranty I wouldn't expect them to help you after expiry.

[sallyid]

So my first update is that they want to replace the whole steering column! Sorry if I confused anyone. As you can probably tell I am a newbie - this is my first real car. Also has anyone heard of a Hyundai "good will claim"? I am not if it is even true. I believe the gist of it is if you have had the car serviced at the recommended intervals with a Hyundai Certified Service mechanic, and there is a mechanical/ manufacturing fault outside the warranty you can claim for the part and perhaps even the work. However, I believe it would be easier if there had only been one owner.

[Phil №❶]

It's always worth a try. Goodwill is something that has to be acquired though, so if you've not had many dealings over the life of the car, your current dealer may not accept this type of claim. You should state your case to Hyundai head office. If you can prove that previous owners have serviced the car at Hy dealerships and at the required schedules, then the goodwill does exist in a historical sense, at least.

[sallyid]

Hi just thought I would give an update. I took my car to another mechanic who specialises in power steering. I gather he cleared the computer of error codes & rebooted it as such. I believe more error codes appeared during the analysis as well. I am not explaining this well. He also found that as my wheels are slightly out of alignment and he thought perhaps that partly caused the problem, as in the computer misreading / misinterpreting the mechanical problem. Anyhow I am test driving my car for a few days and then if there are no problems he will carry out wheel realignment etc. so we'll see I am feeling cautiously optimistic. He will be sending me through a written report soon which will hopefully explain it!

Anyhow thanks again for all your advice & help last week.

[Phil №❶]

  for keeping us informed. Hope you can safely avoid the expense of a replacement unit.

[Dazzler]

Wow, that could be great news!

[beerman]

If that is the case the dealer needs a rocket.....

[sallyid]

Hi all. Unfortunately the power steering has failed once again. I managed to drive it for about a week. So my second mechanic fix was only temporary. I believe it is a recurring problem the error codes can be cleared and computer rebooted as such but then after while power steering fails again.

Here are the error codes - in case this interests anyone.

1st visit: C1513 - re. recall of brake switch light
C1102 -  low battery voltage
C1260 - steering angle sensor circuit

2nd visit: C1290 - EPS torque main sensor signal failure

3rd visit - different mechanic C1290 &  C1604 ECU electronic computer hardware C1616

My second mechanic has also spoken to Hyundai. He implied that  Hyundai admitted it is a reasonably common problem & the only known solution is to replace the whole steering column. My second mechanic is investigating whether it is possible to use a 2nd hand unit. Has anyone here heard of this? Or thinks it would be

[cruiserfied]

C1290 is the tell. You have an internal malfunction with the torque sensor which is not available separately.
Using a second hand unit is perfectly fine.

[Phil №❶]

As you're paying, I'd use a 2nd hand unit, too.

[Ted11]

inquire with department of fair trading as it is not reasonable to have such a fault at the age of the vehicle even if out of warranty .............also check if MTAA is relevant in ACT for advice

[Lorian]

My own car has intermittent remote control issues which have not been rectified even with replacement of the body control module. Very annoying but so far only happening at home. Someone has raised the possibility of it being an interference problem. I don't know why it suddenly started a few months ago though after 3 years of being trouble free.

Depending on exacty what you are seeing a squirt of silicon spray into the ignition key hole usually fixes this. Otherwise here is a TSB for it, with a new harder spring IIRC.

The remote receiver can stay off because the BCM thinks the key is still in the ignition, because the locks a bit gummed up. Ths makes for an intermittent failure.

[sallyid]

Hi all. Just another quick update.

My mechanic decided to go ahead with a wheel alignment & yet another computer reset. So far so good I have been driving my car for 10 days. However, he wasn't feeling overly confident about this solution due to having carried out more research & talking to Hyundai, who maintain only known solution is to replace whole steering column. Also he hadn't had confirmation of a second hand steering column being used, so he was not overly keen to recommend that course of action yet. Also these smaller repairs and tests etc are adding up now ... So this is the last reset before I have to replace it next time.

Another  point of interest is all the tyres are quite unevenly worn due to the wheel alignment being out. So it look like I will be replacing my tyres pretty soon regardless ... Just wondering could the wheel alignment being out really affect the torque sensors etc so much as to cause this malfunction in the electronic power steering unit/ computer???

Wish I understood this better ...