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2011 Sonata Tire Problems

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

You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Sedan

Messages Page 8 of 11

#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.

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

Oct 31, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: stekicar (Oct 30, 2012 4:49 pm)
My past experience is that threats and lawyers make for a poor deal, however if you feel wronged - have at it! I noted on a Tire Review forum that 2009 Sonata with Michelin MXV4 S8 OEM tires got 87,000 miles. I saw many with Michelins fitted when they were trying to establish market presence. The switch to a cheap line of Kuhmos on 2011/2012 new Sonatas was not inspired new car marketing in one man's opnion. adding the camber bolt elimination made for a problematic situation. In the event that the alignment specs are to broad or not stable without the camber bolt, the cars will wear out any tire permaturely. I keep, or replace cars in-kind, that are friendly to tires, brakes, oil useage and other cost of ownership factors. I trade the others and NEVER go back like many consumers. I wish you good luck with your car - ours is great so far with the alignment/Kuhmo tires the only minor issue so far.

#74 of 99 They are wrong by stekicar

Oct 31, 2012 (1:03 pm)

They are wrong and making me look stupid or mentally challenged does not solve the problem either. I have MS in ME and I will not tolerate incompetence especially in this area.
I also had 2006 Sonata and it was without single problem until it was totaled. I replaced Michelin tires at around 40k and thread was at 2.5mm on every tire before they got replaced. I filed a case with BBB Auto Line so I will see how it goes. Lawyer is the last resort.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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