[AlanF]

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.

[Shambles]

Hi AlanF.

Good to see your local dealer is addressing the issue; shame you'll have to wait for the fix

Only advice I could give would be to keep your journeys to the bare minimum in your i30, and certainly don't let your wife (is she not a normal female driver?) take the controls until it's sorted out.

[AlanHo]

I don't believe that Hyundai are the only brand with this problem. To improve fuel economy a large number of brands now fit their cars with electric power steering rather than the hydraulic variety.  When the electric assistance fails - the steering becomes very heavy.

Hydraulic systems can fail of course - but in that case the problem is often progressive over a period - rather than an instantaneous failure.

[Asterix]

Hi AlanF

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

Couldn't you convince the Hy dealer to give you a loan car as this is, as you say, very dangerous if the fault comes back.

If this happens again, you do have the Hy road assistance, haven't you..   Then you should claim a loan car.

[Dazzler]

Hi AlanF

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

Couldn't you convince the Hy dealer to give you a loan car as this is, as you say, very dangerous if the fault comes back.

If this happens again, you do have the Hy road assistance, haven't you..   Then you should claim a loan car.

 

You might have to put your foot down, but not while driving 

[Phil №❶]

Hello AlanF,

Welcome to the forum, this issue has been mentioned before and I agree, it is a safety issue. Try not to drive too much, sorry you have to wait for repairs. 

[Doggie 1]

Welcome to the forum AlanF. 

[eye30]

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.

At least they identified the issue on the first visit and although xmas, if they ordered the items and so long as they are in stock they should be with them within days.