Whilst driving home yesterday the steering on my 3 year old Hyundai i30 went very heavy. It was very alarming as it was very difficult to get the car to turn a corner. I noticed that the red EPS light and the yellow ESP off lights were both ON. When I got home (after a short slow careful drive) I turned off the ignition and on turning it back on again all seemed OK and back to working. On a short drive today the EPS was working OK, but I am concerned that the fault may return.
I have now visited my local Hyundai dealer and they report that the steering column power steering motor on my i30 has a fault and needs replacing. It is covered by the UK 5 year guarantee, but I need to wait for parts as its now the Christams shut down period for parts deliveries.
My main concern is that when the power steering fails (which on mine is at present intermittent) the only initial warning I get is the lighting up of the red EPS light and the yellow ESPoff light. HOWEVER at the next bend BEWARE - THE STEERING IS VERY HEAVY and the car wants to go in a straight line.
For my wife, or any female driver, it would be almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. Should this happen it could cause a serious accident.
This is a major safety issue.