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Sticky steering feel

139K views 209 replies 91 participants last post by  famas15 
#1 ·
I've noticed a problem with my steering lately and it has been described by at least one other member here, as a feeling like the power steering is asleep and then suddenly wakes up. I think I have the same issue. What I've deduced thus far is that it happens whenever the steering wheel hasn't been turned for a second. Then when you go to make a small correction, say a millimeter (or 1/16 of an inch) movement, there is heavy resistance followed by a sudden release which usually results in an over correction. Unfortunately this can lead to a vicious cycle of corrections because the pause between corrections causes the steering assist to disengage again and the high resistance followed by another over correction in the opposite direction. I never noticed this before and I thought the car steered great. I think I first noticed this after putting on my new winter tires though I'd be surprised if the tire is cause of the problem. There is no alignment issue or tire balance issue. The ride is smooth and the car tracks very straight. This power steering stickiness occurs at any steering angle and I've had it happen while in a gentle steady highway turn. I do notice it more on highway driving but probably because our highways are relatively straight and I don't turn the wheel often. In city driving with all the turns and bumps, it's definitely harder to detect. I'm going to have to test drive a new 2017 to see if they have the same issue or maybe try driving a different 2016. I also experimented with different driving modes with no results, as well as different steering wheel positions.

Anyone else here notice? Maybe if you drive the freeway, test to see if your's is the same.
 
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#3 ·
I have posted about this issue, my car is a 2017. I have about 2100 km's on it now and the problem seems to be subsiding. It is still there but doesn't seem to be as prevalent. I am hoping it is something to do with the tires and as they wear in, the issue goes away. Fingers crossed..
 
#4 ·
I have been reading of similar problems over on the Hyundai forum. It seems that this could be caused by the Electronic Power Steering. I haven't heard of electronic power steering until now so I did some reading up of it. It would seem that it could cause a feeling of sticky steering and someone has actually said that their's locked up during acceleration. To be honest, to me, it sounds downright dangerous.
 
#6 ·
This type of system has been around for some time now on many different makes of vehicles. When used to the old hydraulic P/S there is a difference in "feel". My suggestion is to be aware of the occurrences and note if is subsides as the car "breaks in". If not then a trip to your dealer would be in order.
 
#5 ·
I have a 2016 SX now at 14,000 km and have not had the sticky steering. it may be subjective (my prior ride being a 2003 Civic where power steering was a lot harder to work). With the Sorento I've driven highways (likely the same as @Sorentoguy2017) and local roads and in wintry and summer weather and havent had an issue.
@Vancouver_Sorento: Do you have the SX trim or LX / EX? as the latter power steering system is different from the SX (at least as listed in the brochure for 2016)
 
#9 ·
Having driven the car more lately, the issue seems more prominent at highway speeds (100km/h or 60mph and up). I don't ever experience it during city driving. It does come and go and I've seen it appear and then disappear within an hour. Very strange. It could be relate to my winter tires but I won't know for another month or two when I switch back to factory tires.
 
#13 ·
We got ours at the end of 2015. It did it from the beginning. But it's completely random as to when it will fix itself. Just drove it yesterday and it was fine. There's just no consistency as to when it will get sticky or not.


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#14 ·
Ran into this today on highway. Similar to others, I don't usually drive the Sorento except on the highway with the wife driving around town. She said she never noticed it. Hopefully it goes away like others because it is incredibly annoying and results in over correction!:mad: I was ready to make her drive LOL.

It was just below 0°C and driving about 115km/h
 
#17 ·
Just came back from a long 4 hour drive, exact same road where I had the initial sticky feeling. No longer there and steering feels great. Same winter tire and steel wheels. The only difference is that last trip - the temp was well below freezing, -15C or so. This trip was at 7C - 9C
Thinking cold temps might be a contributing factor where the steering gear "freezes up" ??
 
#19 ·
Took my wife's 2016 Sorento on a 3 hour trip the other day and had this problem. Going about 60 mph on a straight road and the steering wheel would have a slight lock / stick to it. Did a google search and ended up here. Took it about town today and it was fine. Depending on the frequency of how often this happens I might have to take it into the shop.
 
#20 ·
Must read about sticky stearing



On Feb 28 2017 they replaced my steering column because of the exact same issues on my 2016 Kia Sorento that I purchased January 2016. My car has been in the shop multiple times since then and they still have my car now because they can't seem to duplicate the issue. There are issues going on with the steering columns on the 2016 Sorento's. I would take it to the shop and expressed that there are others that have complained of the same issues in the steering column had to be replaced. I will tell you this though one thing that they told me is with brand-new cars and the owners where the guinea pigs to work out the kinks. Good luck with your car and I hope that it's just the steering column just as I hope that's all that's wrong with mine
 
#23 ·
2017 LX v6 AWD (ECO more selected) purchased at the beginning of April. Around 5500 miles. Just started noting the "stickiness" in the last few weeks. Most noticeable at highway speeds, but I can make it happen in the driveway too. At highway speed it almost feels like the wheels are tracking/stuck on rain grooves in the road (except there aren't any). You can turn the wheel around 5-10 degrees with no response, and suddenly the PS kicks in.

I'm not sure it's getting worse, or I'm more tuned to it now. I'll try the other drive modes to see if it changes.

Question, do I have to return to the dealer I purchased from?

thanks
jim
 
#24 · (Edited)
interesting. i get "skips" , highway speed, feels like little tiny skips in steering. I feel it in the steering wheel where the steering wheel skips a tiny bit but the wheels have not moved (turned) at all. No one knows it but the driver but it gives you a tiny bit of queasiness or uneasiness. There is no way I could describe that to the Kia Dealership and have them give a hoot (IMO). Quite honestly, i wouldn't even know how to describe it in a google search.
EDIT: I called it "skips" , maybe I should use the word "slips" instead, more descriptive.
 
#26 ·
My wife's 2015 EX AWD does it on the highway between 60-70 mph. I don't drive it often, but I notice it when I drive it. It's very subtle, she has never noticed it. She's a very smart woman, but has never had a feel for steering/handling problems in cars. BTW, approx 30K miles. Should I be worried & bring it to the dealer while it's still under warranty? It doesn't seem to be any worse or more frequent than when we got it a year ago.
 
#27 ·
My 2017 SX has about 14K now and I have to make constant minor steering corrections at highway speeds. My 2014 Cadenza had the same issue. All of my other cars and suvs never had this issue. All tracked straight. Other than this issue I have not had any problems at all and is in fact one of the best vehicles I ever purchased or leased. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
 
#28 ·
Issue is still there for me as well, ~40000km on my 2016.

The is still only noticeable when the temperature drops though and driving on the highway. The Sorento drove like a dream on the highway this summer (even towing).

Mentioned it to the service guy last month and he had no clue...
 
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