NHTSA Complaint #11289739 — 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

STEERING EXHIBITS "STICTION" AFTER DRIVING FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THIS BECOMES WORSE AS SPEED IS INCREASED. SMALL MOVEMENTS OF THE WHEEL PRODUCE NO STEERING EFFECT BUT RESISTANCE IS FELT. WHEN THE RESISTANCE IS OVERCOME, THE RESULT IS SLIGHT OVER STEER. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN STRAIT LINE AS CONSTANT CORRECTIONS AND RE-CORRECTIONS ARE REQUIRED BACK AND FORTH. THE EFFECT IS THAT THE STEERING FEELS TO "FREEZE" UNTIL A MINIMUM BREAK OUT FORCE IS APPLIED, RESULTING IN AN OVERSHOOT PAST THE INTENDED POINT. IT IS SIMILARLY NECESSARY TO APPLY A POSITIVE RETURN TO CENTER FORCE TO RETURN TO STRAIT, AS THE NORMALLY PRESENT SELF CENTERING FEEL IS NOT PRESENT FOR SMALL STEERING ANGLES. THE PROBLEM CAN SOMETIMES BE DETECTED AFTER BEING AT REST FOR A FEW MOMENTS BUT IS NOT INTRUSIVE AT SLOW SPEED. HOWEVER, FROM ~40 UP IT IS VERY TIRING TO STAY IN LANE. HAVE WORKED WITH ONE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A SAS CALIBRATION WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY CLAIM "CANNOT REPRODUCE" BUT SPEND MOST EFFORT TRYING TO PERSUADE ME THAT THE STEERING IS NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL ~ 10,000 MILES WHICH INCLUDED LONG ROAD TRIPS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE REFERRED ISSUE TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO HAVE ASKED ME TO WORK WITH ANOTHER DEALER - CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.