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2011 Sonata Tire Problems

99 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 9:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 11

#54 of 99 Re: 2011 Sonata - Severe Tire Cuping [lceven] by ryster

Sep 05, 2012 (9:00 am)

Replying to: lceven (Sep 03, 2012 8:26 pm)
The dealer was able to resolve my ESC system malfunction light. Turns out a code was stored for a brake switch/circuit failure. They replaced the brake switch under warranty and had me out in less than 45 minutes. Quick, easy, friendly service experience.
 
For the battery malfunction light, they found no stored codes. They started out by saying it could be a faulty/worn accessory belt (at 32,200 miles???), and if that is the case it wouldn't be covered under warranty (surprise, surprise.) They checked the belt and said it is fine, and since it uses a spring tensioner there is no adjustment required. The final answer was basically no fault found. My belt will squeal when it gets wet (especially when going through puddles 2 or 3 inches deep.) Again, this is "normal". Uh, okay. Great engineering, Hyundai!
 
Overall, my 2011 Sonata has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, albeit quirky. It has also been the most religiously maintained vehicle. Service at the dealer has been the best I have experienced over the past couple of decades.
 
I am hoping that the Michelin Primacy MXV4s I put on last longer than the OE Kumhos. My current plan is to trade the Sonata when it has around 60,000 miles on it. It would be nice to not have to put tires on right before trading it. If I do need to, I am getting cheap Nexen tires. I noticed at the dealer that the new 2013 Elantra GT had Nexen tires, and KIA is using them on the Optima. If Hyundai/KIA is using them OE, then that's good enough for me to throw a set on before trading the car.

#55 of 99 Re: 2011 Sonata - Severe Tire Cuping [ryster] by dennis_h

Sep 05, 2012 (9:54 am)

Replying to: ryster (Sep 05, 2012 9:00 am)
I brought my Sonata to the dealership yesterday as directed by Hyundia for the case that I opened. One of the other issues was my wife complained that when she started the car and tried to shift, the vehicle would not shift until she turned it off and restarted. This was caused by a defective brake switch and had also thrown a code to the ECM. This was covered no problem under warranty, however; is another well known problem.
  As far as my tires, they dealership said they will get with the RSM after next week (he's on vacation) and will address the camber issue. They feel they should be able to get the camber adjustment kit installed and a new set of tires.... We'll see!!

#56 of 99 Re: 2011 Sonata - Severe Tire Cuping [dennis_h] by dennis_h

Sep 13, 2012 (9:27 am)

Replying to: dennis_h (Sep 05, 2012 9:54 am)
Hyundai Case # 4992124
 
Well, I got my answer from the Hyundai District Parts Service Manager (DPSM) today. He said they were going to do NOTHING! I called back to Hyundai Customer Service and spoke with Bert. He said there was nothing much more they could do because the DPSM's word is pretty much final. He said he would try to research further, but in other words, "don't hold my breath".
 
  So, here is where we stand... There appears to be a known problem with the Hyundai Sonata alignment based on posts throughout the internet) which causes the tires to wear uneven and cup on the inside. Hyundai did not make any provision to adjust the camber in the alignment. Their answer to date is "We are not going to do anything to help you out with the problem".
  Their Solution (so far to date): Go buy another set of tires for about $600.00, drive around for another 20k miles and when they start cupping and making all kinds of noise again, just go buy another set!
   Stay tuned boys and girls... this is not over yet.

#57 of 99 Tire noise by double_d2

Sep 28, 2012 (8:28 am)

Purchased this new 2011 sonata from local dealer. The care was great till about 10k, when road noise could be heard from the rear of the care. I first thought it was a rear wheel bearing, but finally found out it was the tires. Dealer told me to rotate the tires. After rotating the tires this loud noise moved to the front. This proved that the tires were going bad at 10k. They recommended a wheel alignment which cost $149 which was not covered under warranty. I said this is BS.
The service rep told me to drive the car till the next oil change and see if the noise would stop after the alignment (to wear tires down to normal). After 6k more the noise was unbearable. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME AFTER OWNING NUMEROUS CARS 15 TO BE EXACT, THAT I HAD TO REPLACE TIRES THIS SOON!!!! After reading these complaints, I think there is a definite problem. This is my first Hyundai and will sure be my last!!!!!

#58 of 99 Tire Noise by dennis_h

Sep 28, 2012 (10:42 am)

Well, after Hyundai refused to do anything with my Sonata, the Firestone dealer where I purchased my lifetime wheel alignment, balance, & rotation, offered me a really good deal on a new set of tires. I purchased the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus tires. I then went back to the Hyundai dealership with the alignment results (had the alignment checked after new tires installed) and had them verify that everything was within specifications even though the caster on the left front is negative 5.1 degrees and there is no adjustments that can be made.
 
   I am totally dissatisfied with Hyundai's handling of this situation. They refuse to assist me in any way. I went out of my way to purchase a Hyundai Sonata and I have to say that because they chose not to work with me, this will probably be the last Hyundai I purchase. Sounds like they are following the same path as the American car manufactures went down in the 80's and 90s.

#59 of 99 Re: 2011 Sonata - Severe Tire Cuping [dennis_h] by abdob

Sep 29, 2012 (9:28 pm)

Replying to: dennis_h (Aug 31, 2012 12:42 pm)
Pleasr let me know.im in the same situation

#60 of 99 Tires by ryster

Oct 01, 2012 (3:49 pm)

The camber bolt kit for the 2011+ Sonata is a $14 part. It is amazing to me that Hyundai would allow $14 to come between them and customer satisfaction. The other goodwill option would be to ask the customer to pay the $14, and then Hyundai covers all of the labor to install the camber kit. Most people would not blink an eye to pay the $14 if it meant the tires would last 45,000 miles instead of 30,000.
 
Potential suspension issues aside, Hyundai needs to choose a better OEM tire. The Kumho and Hankook tires they are currently using are garbage. My 2011 Sonata went 31,200 miles on the OEM Kumhos. A co-worker has 30,000 miles on his 2011 Sonata, and the original Kumhos are to the wear bars.
 
My 2003 Dodge Durango went 48,000 miles on the original Goodyears. My 2006 Chevy Impala went 24,000 miles on its original Goodyears. Another co-worker has 55,000 miles on his 2008 Ford Escape and is still on the original Michelins. My father has 45,000 miles on his 2010 Ford Escape and is still on the original Michelins.
 
I went with Michelin Primacy MXV4s on my Sonata. I have 2,000 miles on them now and they are a marked improvement over the original Kumhos. They work best at 35-36psi. Trying to run them at the Hyundai recommended 33psi results in less than optimal ride and handling. You wouldn't think that 2-3psi would make much of a difference, but it really does. If the Michelins only last 30,000 miles on the Sonata, the next set I buy will be cheap Nexen CP672s. No more premium tires on the Sonata if it turns out they do not last any longer than cheaper tires. I am hoping to see 45,000-50,000 miles out of the Michelins.

#61 of 99 Re: Tires [ryster] by LASHAWN

Oct 04, 2012 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: ryster (Oct 01, 2012 3:49 pm)
I got 63k miles out of my stock Michelin's on my 2006 Sonata. Have about 40k on the second set now.

#62 of 99 Re: Tires [LASHAWN] by crankeee

Oct 06, 2012 (7:51 am)

Replying to: LASHAWN (Oct 04, 2012 2:57 pm)
I wonder if the 2006 allowed for camber adjustment? The 2011 redesign may have been the first model that eliminated the camber adjustment capability on the Sonata. Our 2012 GLS had an alignment at 2400 miles and the tech fine tuned the Toe in on the fronts. They moved the fronts to back to see if the adjustment effected the unworn backs on the front. Now at 8000 miles and all four seem to be much better and flattening out. dealer swore by Kuhmos but in the past Hyundai used Michelin OEM's and had much more customer satisfaction. some things are better off without the cost accountants!

#63 of 99 Re: Tires [crankeee] by nirthernohio

Oct 17, 2012 (9:44 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Oct 06, 2012 7:51 am)
I've had this same problem. Our 2011 Sonata began having loud noise , like one is taking-off on an airport runway, around 18,000 miles. It soon became so deafening, my daughter would literally get headaches from long trips in the car, I took it in to our dealership around 20,000 to diagnose / fix the loud noise. They showed me it had uneven tire wear and cupping on the inside and did an alignment. As I drove off, I noticed the sound was actually worse! They said that's to be expected and there was nothing they could do for sound.
 
I then got on the Hyundai forums and was surprised to see how many others were having the exact same problem, with loud tire noise starting around 20,000. At first the consensus on the forums was that its due to the poor OEM tires Hyundai puts on their Sonatas.
 
But after reading Dennis' post there (and here above), its now apparent the problem is due to the camber being out of spec, as installed at the factory. A negative camber will cause one's tires to wear unevenly on the inside and cause cupping.
 
So, luck of the draw if one gets a Sonata with an out of spec / negative camber. And since Hyundai didn't put the $14 adjustable bolt on their Sonatas, the camber can't be adjusted (unless one adds the $200 - $300 kit). Thus, no matter how good of tires I put on the Sonata, the defective camber alignment will keep causing my tires to wear unevenly and be noisy.
 
I contacted my local dealership and sent a detailed e-mail with links to their Hyundai forums of others with this similar problem and even included Dennis's post describing his camber case on file. Here's the reply I received: "
        I addressed your tire noise concerns with my Hyundai factory rep. He explained to me that the soft tire compound that Hyundai chose to install on the Sonata was to enhance the comfort of the ride.
 
As the owner of the vehicle, you are the only person that can start a case# in reference to your tire wear concerns. You can contact Hyundai customer service at 800-633-5151.
 
Thank you,
Elyria Hyundai Service Dept
 
They didn't even address the camber issue!!!. If the camber is out of spec, namely if its set at a negative camber, even the best of tires will still wear unevenly and cup inside. It really has nothing to do with the " soft tire compound that Hyundai chose to install on the Sonata ... to enhance the comfort of the ride" Until the camber is corrected, no matter how many alignments, tire rotations, etc... it will continue to cause uneven tire wear and cupping and just keep eating up new tires every 20- 25,000 miles or so!
 
I am going to start a case with Hyundai America, as Dennis suggested, and hope others will too. If enough of us complain, maybe Hyundai will finally address and correct this major camber issue. (and cover the cost for the camber kit and replacement tires).
 
Annoyed 2011 Sonata owner in North central Ohio

Messages Page 7 of 11

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