[Touringcajun]

I put this here because I'm assuming the deisel and gas models have the same electronic steering function.

I'm now at 17K miles and within the last week I've lost my power steering intermittently several times. I took it to my local dealership and they attempted to clear the problem, but it would return within a couple of hours. After 2 attempts, they put me in a rental and worked with Hyundai support. The codes were c1260 and c1290 and each time it happened the EPS and ESC OFF lit up and it felt like I was driving a 1950s Mack truck.

The dealer called 3 days later and they had replaced the whole electronic steering column after consulting Hyundai support. This appears to have fixed the issue, because I've driven it a couple days now without incident.

The troubling thing about this, aside from a safety standpoint, is if it would have been out of warranty, it would have been BIG $$$. I'm starting to wonder about the wisdom of replacing the hydraulic steering system with this setup, which if it fails out of warranty, would cost as much as a transmission, whereas the older mechanical/hydraulic system could usually be repaired for ~$300. I'd sure feel better if this was part of the 100K drivetrain warranty.

On the bright side, my local dealership was very professional in handling this problem and Hyundai support assisted the local tech with this issue.
The rental was a Chevy HHR. Front seat legroom was really bad and vision, front and rear, was poor, but other than that it ran well.

[Shambles]

So that's great news! Your problem's been fixed under warranty

I don't remember such a fault being reported before [on here] so maybe treat it as a one-off?

[2i30s]

smiles all round.  lucky it was sill under warranty. 

[Seoul-mate]

What sort of warranty comes with US Hyundais.
In Australia we get a 5 year unlimited distance warranty.

Russ

[2i30s]

i think its only 3yr/i50,000mls.

[Dazzler]

Hi Touringcajun

A lot of new models are using the electric assist steering now (including my Camry Hybrid and the Wife's Nissan Tiida - Versa in your country) I believe the failure rate is very low..

I'm surprised that the cost of repair/replacement is so much more than a hydraulic system as you think that would discourage manufacturers from using it in the first place for the minor performance/economy gains to be had..

Good to hear you got good support..

[snowcherry]

the power assist is quite common place in cars now and as you've noticed you've had yours completely replaced quickly and efficiently. you have the remainder of your long warranty to still cover you but i'd be surprised if you had more issues, plus your great laws in US will cover you in the exceptional rare case you had a dud car.

as you have the car now, backing out of it is only going to cost you money surely and you do have a great warranty. if you still have concerns down the track look at trading it in around the 2 year mark while it's still under warranty, the i30's hold their value well.

enjoy the car, it's great 

[Touringcajun]

When this first started, I went online and discovered on an Edmunds.com thread (I believe) that 2 other Tourings have had this problem. One of these was fixed with the electronic steering column, like mine. I don't remember what the other was. I do remember him saying if he wasn't in warranty it would have cost him $2500 US. My invoice had $2223 US. The Tourings in North America are built in Korea, like some of the Australian models.

Since I keep my cars for a long time and then pass them on to other family members, this is troubling to me. When the Chevy Malibu went to this technology about 5 years ago, they had issues also. I guess I thought the industry would have come to grips with this by now. $2000 for a fix after warranty will hurt whichever manufacturer is involved with this failure if it occurs before 100K miles. With the Internet, they can't hide their issues any longer.

I believe our warranty is 3/36K miles bumper-to-bumper. After that the drivetrain (engine/transmission) is 100K miles to the original owner. Emission parts have their own mileages.

I'll definitely be reading my owners documents more closely to be sure what I think is really the case. I'll also be soliciting prices for longer bumper to bumper warranty coverage. I'm not familliar with Hyundai's products, but it should be similar to Honda's offerings.

In terms of the car itself, my wife and I continue to love this package from Hyundai. It's roomy, very functional and still fun to drive, but it's longevity and durability are now my concern.

[agentr31]

im sure its a once off thing... in theory its more reliable than a hydraulic set up...

less hoses to burst, less moving parts to break, your not replacing a power steering belt, no oil to contaminate the enviroment...

[Lorian]

c1260 indicates steering circuit fault, and c1290 indicates a failed torque sensor.

I guess the torque sensor failure would fire both the EPS (power steering) and ESC (Stability control) lights, so probably just replacing that part was really required.

[snowcherry]

When this first started, I went online and discovered on an Edmunds.com thread (I believe) that 2 other Tourings have had this problem. One of these was fixed with the electronic steering column, like mine. I don't remember what the other was. I do remember him saying if he wasn't in warranty it would have cost him $2500 US. My invoice had $2223 US. The Tourings in North America are built in Korea, like some of the Australian models.

out of curiousity were you able to find any indication this was a fault outside of the US Touring editions? i just hadn't heard of it before myself. not to say it hasn't happened obviously.

do we have any on this forum i'd missed?

[Lorian]

This has not been reported previously here in the last 14 months.

[Dazzler]

This has not been reported previously here in the last 14 months.

Not since this site started (2 years ago..) as far as I can recall...

[NMDB32]

Just an Update on this Issue my i30 is now approaching 3 months old and has also had to have the complete steering column replaced for the very same fault. Speaking to the mechanic at the dealership this is about the 4th instance they have had of the very same fault. Apparently the UK Retail price for the part is circa £1K and as such they need to obtain Hyundai approval before proceeding to order the part.

Problem occurred as I had just switched off my "main beams" and my initial thoughts were that this may well have spiked the ecu. But alas 2 battery disconnects later - still no result. So it was off to the dealership!!

Got it back today - seems OK so far!!

[eye30]

Problem occurred as I had just switched off my "main beams" and my initial thoughts were that this may well have spiked the ecu. But alas 2 battery disconnects later - still no result.

Better leave your lights on from now on 

ps great you found your dealer very obliging with prompt service and not fobbing you off.

MUST be a know problem at HY HQ

[Lorian]

I guess the torque sensor is only a $50 part, and I'm suprised they are not at least trying a part swap on that first, as thats what the codes say is faulty (assuming you got the same codes as the OP).

[paul]

That is the beauty of these forums, if there is a common fault it will become apparent
from the posts on here,
And so far, problems are few, and i hope it continues that way 


P.S. the wife scratched my new i30,
looking for a new one now, (wife that is)

[Funky]

C1260 is the Steering Angle Sensor. It is integral to the EPS unit and is not replacable.

It is not an unusal fault, but as has been stated will not be cheap when out of warranty. Current retail cost is £1500 + Vat. Plus fitting which takes 1 hour and then requires the steering angle sensor position to be recalibrated.

Ive done a Few.. :0(

[Dazzler]

Welcome Funky new member.. are you a Hyundai Service Technician..  (if so your anonymous feedback would be very hand on here) IF not a big welcome anyway

[Funky]

Welcome Funky new member.. are you a Hyundai Service Technician..  (if so your anonymous feedback would be very hand on here) IF not a big welcome anyway

Yes I am a Hyundai Dealer Tech... 

[Dazzler]

Welcome Funky new member.. are you a Hyundai Service Technician..   (if so your anonymous feedback would be very hand on here) IF not a big welcome anyway

Yes I am a Hyundai Dealer Tech...  

Great.. Hope you are also friendly and helpful.. We need a person like you on here  

Edit: We have some very technically savvy members on here already but no regular "insider" at the moment to give us the heads up on the odd (fairly rare) problems that crop up...(I hope you won't mind answering the "odd" question on two...) 

[Touringcajun]

C1260 is the Steering Angle Sensor. It is integral to the EPS unit and is not replacable.

It is not an unusal fault, but as has been stated will not be cheap when out of warranty. Current retail cost is £1500 + Vat. Plus fitting which takes 1 hour and then requires the steering angle sensor position to be recalibrated.

Ive done a Few.. :0(

Thanks for corroborating the problem. When I was able to find similar incidents on the net so easily, I assumed it was a known issue and would be known to Hyundai support, but I was surprised at the cost if out of warranty.

Talking with my tech after he corrected the problem, he also mentioned having to recalibrate the steering circuit.

It appears that UK part pricing is a bit dearer (as the Aussies say), compared to the $1966 US part price. The rest of the ~$2300 total was labor. Anyone know the current US-->UK conversion rate?

BTW, all is well since the October replacement, keeping my fingers crossed though.

Happy New Years Ya'll

[2i30s]

    happy new year Tc.

[Keith]

Here in UK there is a company called Reman who specialise in EPS repairs. The only car currently listed on their site though is the Atoz, maybe there is a re-manufacturing opportunity here for i30 specific repairs... some technical data would be required of course... not sure if there is enough demand either... does the i30 share its electro-mechanicals with any other Hy product? Or is the Kia C'eed a likely transplant candidate at lower cost I wonder?

[Dazzler]

Here in UK there is a company called Reman who specialise in EPS repairs. The only car currently listed on their site though is the Atoz, maybe there is a re-manufacturing opportunity here for i30 specific repairs... some technical data would be required of course... not sure if there is enough demand either... does the i30 share its electro-mechanicals with any other Hy product? Or is the Kia C'eed a likely transplant candidate at lower cost I wonder?

Good thought Ffoxy.. I nearly didn't recognize you with the new Avatar (I like it by the way)

Might be worth looking on Kia forums to see if they have the same (rare) issue! If only I could draw myself away from this great site 

[Keith]

Literally cant find ANY reference to electric power steering in the Kia forums, not for the C'eed anyhow...  :-\

[Dazzler]

Literally cant find ANY reference to electric power steering in the Kia forums, not for the C'eed anyhow...  :-\

That is strange ... you would think it would be the same?? (We don't get them in OZ)

[osborne1-0]

I have recently had a loss of power steering.  EPS and ESC OFF lights on.

First time failed from start.  Corrected itself when switching off and then on.

Failed permanently from start, one week later.  Local Hyundai garage reset the steering angle sensor.

Failed again WHILE driving the following day.  Hyundai garage found fault codes C1290, C1604 & C1260, carried out “variant type coding & calibration” and then 40 mile road test to “reset the various steering systems”.   

With 3 failures, I feel the next failure is just around the corner, (if I am able to take the corner).

[Dazzler]

Sorry to hear that Osborne. I wouldn't say it is a common problem on here but you are not the only one. It would have to rate a probably the worst recurring fault (amongst a short list) of probs with the i30 

Welcome to our club 

[osborne1-0]

On its 4th failure, the complete steering column was eventually replaced.  It has been running fine now for the last 2 months.