[bingbonglong]

Hi,

This is my first post, so please be gentle!

I have a 59 plate (2009) i30 1.4 Comfort Petrol. I have a problem with the steering which is really difficult to describe. The best I can come up with is that it is "vague". There is a weird feeling that it isn't going quite where I've pointed it! It's been to the dealer once. They said the tracking/alignment needed sorting, which they did for me, but if I'm honest it made no difference.

Can anyone help me to describe the problem better, or what ask for at the dealer?

Many thanks for your help!

[Asterix]

Hi bingbonglong

 

I feel when driving straight ahead there's a sort of dead point/a little slack in the center position. If that's what you're feeling, then I believe that's not an error, but the way it's designed to work, due to that electrical steering.

I still haven't accepted this fully, and is one of my not-likes about the i30. I don't recall having that in other cars.

If it's something that haven't been there from new, than there must be something wrong.

[Shambles]

 

Presumably your tyre pressures are A.O.K ?

[Phil №❶]

I assume that wheel alignment, tyre condition & pressures and road conditions are all ok, these will affect how the car steers.

The electric steering is a complex arrangement of parts, so if you're not happy, you need to make detailed notes of when and under what conditions that you feel the car is not performing as required.

How many miles has the car done and when did you 1st notice this behavior 

[Dazzler]

 

You could try an ECU reset by disconnecting the battery for say half an hour (that worked for one of our GD series owners recently)   

[bingbonglong]

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice. The car has done 53000 miles, and the problem started during the summer of this year (2013). Yes, tyre pressures are all OK, and all tyres are relatively new. The description of the "dead spot around the centre position" is bang on - that's how it feels, but it hasn't always been like that.

I'll try the ECU reset as suggested and if no success I'll try taking it back to the dealer again. The problem is describing the issue to them in a way that makes any sense (and does't make them think I'm completely mad!).

In the meantime, I welcome any other suggestions/advice.

Thanks again.

[Asterix]

Well, there have been reported problems with the steering column, maybe that can be the fault here..

[bingbonglong]

Asterix, can you show me where to find the reports you mentioned?

[Asterix]

Asterix, can you show me where to find the reports you mentioned?

The problem is I can't remember what the problems was with those columns, but please try to use the search option and I'm sure you will find some posts about it.

[Dazzler]

Asterix, can you show me where to find the reports you mentioned?

The problem is I can't remember what the problems was with those columns, but please try to use the search option and I'm sure you will find some posts about it.

There was the warn "collar" which was a warranty fix. That resulted in a rattle over bumpy ground 

and.. a complete failure of the electric steering mechanism which resulted in !!!! (and a big bill if out of warranty).. Quite rare fortunately...

Not much in between those two (that I can recall) 

[Doggie 1]

I had problems with the electric steering on my 2012 GD but as Dazz said, an ECU reset fixed it.
Worth a try.

[Keith]

I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, Road Tests conducted by various specialist Car reviewers mentioned issues they felt the i30 had around its steering, pretty much along the lines being discussed here.
I'd never subscribed to that feeling my i30 drove and steered just fine.

But... Since driving my 2013 Fiesta for 400 miles I can see what they were implying.

By comparison my Ford seems laser accurate in terms of minor direction changes and rifle bolt slick in the steering input responses.

Maybe people coming from such vehicles will take serious exception to this i30 characteristic?

[bingbonglong]

The ECU reset seems to have made a huge difference. Thanks for the advice.

[Asterix]

The ECU reset seems to have made a huge difference. Thanks for the advice.

Good to hear.

Thanks for the feedback..

[asathorny]

Oh sounds like yer sorted...  which is excellent.

I have the petrol car on a five nine plate and have never had a vagueness with steering. 

Anyhow, welcome aboard and glad you've fixed it   

[Dazzler]

The ECU reset seems to have made a huge difference. Thanks for the advice.

Good to hear.

Thanks for the feedback..

  

[eye30]

All i can add is i've owned a diesel and petrol and find the steering in both have been the best of all cars i've driven.

Had an accent and that was vague and would wander at will

[Dazzler]

Seems weird to me that Ford and a few others can get steering to feel "right" and yet other companies like Hyundai and Toyota struggle in that area!  I believe the i30 and my Hybrid could both have better steering feel)

I had a Fiat 128 3P hatch in 1976 (I think it was) that had awesome rack and pinion steering!

[Phil №❶]

Strange, the steering is fine in ours.

[diablo]

I'm a little surprised that an ECU reset made a difference to the steering. I know modern cars are all a bit 'fly-by-wire' but I'd assumed the electronic steering would be a pretty simple affair. 

My steering still seems fine but maybe I'll remember this thread if it suddenly goes awry.

[Doggie 1]

As stated previously, I had definite issues with my steering that included a very dead feel just off centre and a reluctance to actually turn, bordering on the dangerous and obviously a fault with the electric steering.

An ECU reset fixed the problem and it has not returned since.

[Dazzler]

Strange, the steering is fine in ours.

It's all relative Phil.

Try something like a late model Ford Focus on a winding road or even a Suzuki Kizashi which felt fairly direct and responsive in the steering then go back to yours (or mine)

[Phil №❶]

What do you mean, sort of like a cousin thing. 

I think I'll just stick to what we've got thanks. 

[Dazzler]

Don't get me wrong! I still wouldn't buy a Ford! 

I do like a car with nice positive and direct steering though (been a while since I've had one) 

[crayman]

I think this steering anomaly totally depends on the driver and what he's used to.
I know exactly the "dead steering" feeling many posters complain of, yet Mrs. is quite happy with the steering.
We're up to the 45,000k service and I'm sure the problem is worsening.
Tyres are excellent, regularly rotated, wheel alignment spot on.
After about a day's driving, I get used to it but having always owned cars with hydraulic power steer, I think the i-30's electric system is rubbish.
I'm noting this as a fault for the car's next service.
Overseas Hyundai owners are suggesting all owners do this, the volume of numbers being the only way to get a manufacturer to recognise it can do better.
Steering, brakes and suspension on any car must be perfect, no ifs or buts about it.

[omegaspeedy]

What year model is your car?

[crayman]

Mrs bought her car in March 13, so it's probably plated 12??

[Doggie 1]

There's a build plate inside the left hand passenger door which will show when it was built, but the Australian compliance plate determines its year for registration purposes.

[crayman]

October 2012

[Doggie 1]

 
What does the Australian compliance say?