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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 8 of 11

#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

#64 of 99 Negative camber on 2011-2012 Sonata by crankeee

Oct 17, 2012 (5:56 pm)

The camber issue keeps coming up since the engineers decided to eliminate the camber adjusting capabilty (bolt type) on the YF model Sonata. Our 2012 GLS, as posted earlier required an alignment adjustment at 2400 miles due to feathering on the outside ribs, with no pulling, of the front mounted Kuhmos. The tech adjusted the toe-in on the fronts since this can be the cause of feathering or cupping. some experts may differentiate the two conditions. The tech adjusted the LF toe-out to the specification in-range number that also changed the total toe. The camber was at -.6 degrees that is within the YF spec. and was not changed . Caster was within spec range. The tech made an informed judgement call on adusting the toe-in since the outer rib (only) was feathering which can be caused by crabbing or dragging rather than the tires running straight. Now at 8300 miles and the tires on the front (backs until 2400) appear to be wearing flat across the tread - if feathering it is very minor at this point. The backs (fronts until 2400 miles) are flattening out and due to be rotated. Sorry for all the words, but the conclusion has to be, if the alignment is truly out of the spec range for your vehicle when it is new, the manufacturer should correct the problem with whatever is required. Leaving off the Camber adjustment capability was an engineering decision, possibly with input from the cost accountants. In the event that Camber adjustment is needed, on a new vehicle that was accident free, then the manufacturer needs to bite the bullet- in one customers humble opinion. Damaged front ends and older worn cars are a much tougher call due to all the variables.

#65 of 99 Re: Negative camber on 2011-2012 Sonata [crankeee] by dennis_h

Oct 19, 2012 (6:08 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Oct 17, 2012 5:56 pm)
Well; after fighting with Hyundai for weeks on this and getting emails stating there is nothing they can do, I purchased a new set of Bridgestone tires. Firestone gave me a nice break on these $700 set of tires only because I had my vehicle aligned there with their lifetime alignment package and they felt my pain.
  As soon as I got the tires put on and re-aligned again, I took the vehicle down to the Hyundai dealership and had them check the alignment report which showed the -5 degree caster out of adjustment and there was no way to adjust. I had Hyundai print me a service ticket stating they confirm that my vehicle is within Hyundai alignment specifications. I assured them that if these tires start to cup or wear uneven, I will seek to file a class action law suit.
  I suggest that anyone who has this issue go to SAFECAR.GOV and enter a complaint.

#66 of 99 Re: Negative camber on 2011-2012 Sonata [crankeee] by chalirebrown

Oct 21, 2012 (5:29 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Oct 17, 2012 5:56 pm)
i had a nissan altima that had a problem similair to this and the alignment guy i went to used a smaller bolt in the hole to do the adjustment-aircraft grade--don;t know if this is the same adjustment but i do have a 2011 sonata se but so far good but only 11500 miles on it

#67 of 99 Re: Negative camber on 2011-2012 Sonata [chalirebrown] by crankeee

Oct 21, 2012 (7:55 am)

Replying to: chalirebrown (Oct 21, 2012 5:29 am)
Don't know the specific fix and design of the front end on both cars. The alignment parts, on a front end with a car weighing 3000-4000 pounds and bouncing all over the road, has to be obviously robust to maintain the specs.
The unibody assembly is done with jigs and robot welding that provides for far more consistency than in the past. Eliminating the camber adjustment capability may not be new to the industry but it is definately a calculated move to lower the initail manufacturing cost. In the event that wear, accidents, initial quality issues and other events result in needed camber adjustment, I see a major contingent cost down the road that will offset the initial savings. If the manfacturer decides to avoid the ultimate resposibility for the cost saving approach, I also see a serious hit to long term durability ratings and consumer perception of quality. If the majority of those cars have no alignment/tire wear/safety issues the consumer will vote on the decision.

#68 of 99 Uneven thread wear by stekicar

Oct 29, 2012 (6:55 pm)

My Sonata has uneven thread wear (7/32 on inside and 5/32 on outside of the tire). Took it to the Hyundai dealership and they said that it is a normal (?!?!?) wear for front wheel tires and that these Kuhmo tires are "extremely soft" (?!?!). I refused their explanation and forced them to check the alignment on the car. Values came within specs. I am not saying that Hyundai's specs are OK either. I opened the case with Hyundai and they refused to do anything blaming tires. I took car to Kuhmo authorized dealer (Discount Tire) and their rep told me that tires are OK and that they are servicing tires from Hyundai Tech center in Ann Arbor and MOST of tires they serviced had wear like mine tire. I sent an e-mail to Hyundai customer service notifying them that if I do not hear within 7 days from their Regional Service manager I will proceed with legal action. If they think that "Binding Arbitration Clause" can stop me from suing them, they are very wrong.

#69 of 99 Re: Uneven thread wear [stekicar] by crankeee

Oct 30, 2012 (5:47 am)

Replying to: stekicar (Oct 29, 2012 6:55 pm)
You do not post the mileage or the rotation schedule. Our 2012 GLS showed feathering at 2400 miles on the fronts - mostly left front. We had the alignment checked and the toe was out of spec. Dealer adjusted under warranty and rotated tires- per our request back to front. Rotated back to front again at 8500 and original fronts "flattened out", original backs showed slight feathering while on front with alignment now in spec range. We also run 36# in all tires and have a compressor to top up as needed. Dealer estimates 30-35,000 miles on OEM tires (also any brand) which we have seen before.
Point is that rotation is very important and maybe more frequently due to very tight turning radius AND the soft rubber & high speed rating of the Kuhmo tires. Definately going for S or T rating, rather than H at replacement if Michelin has the right size for GLS wheels. Car is great so far with 10,200 miles. Excellent road car with 36MPG at speed limit plus a few. We also have a top knotch dealer. Good luck.

#70 of 99 10401 miles by stekicar

Oct 30, 2012 (8:08 am)

Car had 10401 and that was my third oil change. At 2500 miles (second oil change) I noticed slight uneven wear and now this wear is very bad, with tire being on the front for about 7500 miles. I have Dodge Grand Caravan 1996 with 288k miles on it and Yokohama Avid TRZ tires with 62K miles and they were perfect in thread wear. No uneven tire wear whatsoever. I just replaced them. I would expect to see uneven wear on tire for 0.5mm across, but 1.5mm or 1/16" is way to much. On next oil change, my tire will be bald on outside.

#71 of 99 Re: 10401 miles [stekicar] by crankeee

Oct 30, 2012 (11:09 am)

Replying to: stekicar (Oct 30, 2012 8:08 am)
I agree with your comment. I was lucky to catch our same wear pattern and have a good dealer that agreed to adjust the out of spec toe out back to spec.
I also had an old car. 1998 Bonneville with 120,000 and it got 60,000+ on tires and more on brake pads - good car it just got old. Hyundai needs to do some work on the front ends & alignment issues. They used to put Michelin on most of their cars but not now. I have never had Kuhmos but am dedicated to Michelin due to quality control, wear, balancing, traction, etc. They cost more but provide better service IMO. Personal opinion - the decision to eliminate the camber adustment capability on the new model Sonata was a cost factor offset by better more consistent manufacturing techniques and may come home to roost on Hyundai if they do not encourage the dealers to address the problems of preliminary wear on Sonatas fitted with H-rated Kuhmos and no camber bolt. We will see down the road. ain't gonna help marketing for new Sonatas either way. Good luck.

#72 of 99 Re: 10401 miles [crankeee] by stekicar

Oct 30, 2012 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: crankeee (Oct 30, 2012 11:09 am)
There is a problem with the car. I do not care if its the tire or alignment (latter most probably). The problem is that dealership's service stated that "thread wear is not uneven, just worn from being on front of vehicle" ?!?!? 7/32nd on inside and 5/32nd on outside and it is not uneven wear!? What values should be, in order for thread wear to be uneven? They did the alignment check and all numbers are within spec. I opened case with BBB Auto Line. This will not end up here nor now.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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