NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
9 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHA…
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I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND CAN FIX THIS ASAP! I AM SICK OF SPENDING MY NIGHTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! NOT TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT IS PLACING ON MY FAMILY. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IN THIS JUNK WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT!
NHTSA ODI #10909962
125,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
WE HAVE A DETACHED GARAGE, AT 4:00 AM OUR DOG WOKE US UP TO HER BARKING. SHE COULD HEAR THE VAN HORN BLOWING. WHEN I TOOK HER OUT, I SAW THE VAN LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE HORN WAS BLOWING. I COULD NOT STOP THE HORN WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WOKE UP MY HUSBAND, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE DASHBOARD WAS ALL MELTED, WINDSHIELD WAS…
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WE HAVE A DETACHED GARAGE, AT 4:00 AM OUR DOG WOKE US UP TO HER BARKING. SHE COULD HEAR THE VAN HORN BLOWING. WHEN I TOOK HER OUT, I SAW THE VAN LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE HORN WAS BLOWING. I COULD NOT STOP THE HORN WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WOKE UP MY HUSBAND, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE DASHBOARD WAS ALL MELTED, WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, THE A/C UNIT GOING UP THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS ALL MELTED. HE FINALLY FOUND A PLACE TO OPEN THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE HOOD WAS ALL MELTED AS WELL. THE VAN WAS TOTALED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT US $3900. THE VAN WAS IS GREAT SHAPE FOR BEING 11 YEARS OLD. WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AS SCHEDULED AND IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT IN THE GARAGE. WE BOUGHT THE VAN NEW AND STILL LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE AS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. SO WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ON THE VAN. WE WANTED TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS PENDING. WHEN WE RAN A SEARCH ON OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THERE WERE SEVERAL LISTED. SOME JUST AS OURS WAS, DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN AT THIS TIME BUT I CAN FIND IT AT HOME IN OUR INSURANCE CLAIM. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE US IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702907
68,451 miles · Nov 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineStructure
1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EV…
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1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485365
108,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE HEARD THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDING. THE CONTACT WAS INSIDE HIS HOME AND OBSERVED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLOWING FROM AFAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE HEARD THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDING. THE CONTACT WAS INSIDE HIS HOME AND OBSERVED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLOWING FROM AFAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10471289
105,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
ON 12/26/2011 WE WENT OUT TO THE VAN (2003 KIA SEDONA) AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE WHOLE VAN SMELLED LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENTIRE THING WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE TRIM AND CARPET. I HAVE PICTURES AND A MOVIE TO SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. KIA OF PUTNAM CONNECTICUT REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY. THI…
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ON 12/26/2011 WE WENT OUT TO THE VAN (2003 KIA SEDONA) AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE WHOLE VAN SMELLED LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENTIRE THING WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE TRIM AND CARPET. I HAVE PICTURES AND A MOVIE TO SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. KIA OF PUTNAM CONNECTICUT REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE NOT EVEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED THE ISSUE HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF PICTURES ARE REQUESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441440
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2010
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT INTERIOR AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED SEVERELY. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED AND WAS DISTORTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUCTURE AND GAUGES WERE NOT VISIBLE. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT INTERIOR AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED SEVERELY. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED AND WAS DISTORTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUCTURE AND GAUGES WERE NOT VISIBLE. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE GARAGE TO A NEARBY LOCATION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT OR FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SEATS. UPDATED 09/27/10
NHTSA ODI #10343622
24,500 miles · Feb 2, 2007
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
I HAD MY SEDONA 2003, THE POWER SEAT RECALL WAS MADE 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT(FIRE START ABOVE FUSE BOX), THE DEALER IS NOT TELLING ME THE TRUE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY INSPECTORS FROM KIA MOTORS COMING DOWN TO INSPECT THIS MINIVAN. THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AN THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START WOR…
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I HAD MY SEDONA 2003, THE POWER SEAT RECALL WAS MADE 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT(FIRE START ABOVE FUSE BOX), THE DEALER IS NOT TELLING ME THE TRUE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY INSPECTORS FROM KIA MOTORS COMING DOWN TO INSPECT THIS MINIVAN. THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AN THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START WORKING ONE IT OR A SIMPLE AS TELLING ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181394
41,000 miles · Oct 19, 2006
Electrical SystemFire
ON TUES. THE 3RD OF OCT. 2006 I WENT TO START MY 2003 KIA SEDONA AND IT WOULD NOT START SO AAA WAS CALLED, THEY CAME AND JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT WAS ALL SET TO GO. THURSDAY THE 5TH I NOTICED CONSOLE NEAR RADIO WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. FRIDAY OCT. 6TH 2006 I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AND I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN. I NOTICED THE …
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ON TUES. THE 3RD OF OCT. 2006 I WENT TO START MY 2003 KIA SEDONA AND IT WOULD NOT START SO AAA WAS CALLED, THEY CAME AND JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT WAS ALL SET TO GO. THURSDAY THE 5TH I NOTICED CONSOLE NEAR RADIO WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. FRIDAY OCT. 6TH 2006 I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AND I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN. I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND BLACK. WHEN I FINALLY GOT INTO THE CAR THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY MELTED BY A FIRE THAT OCCURRED SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY ARE GIVING ME CASH VALUE FOR IT AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH OWING MONEY ON A CAR I DON'T HAVE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT WAS A 2003 AND I PURCHASED IT ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT EVERYTHING WAS DAMAGED AND I AM AT A LOSS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171337
17,000 miles · Jul 20, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
THIS VAN HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE CD PLAYER DOESN'T WORK ANY MORE. THE ALTERNATOR WITH OUT AT 40,000 MILES. THE FUSES INSIDE KEEP BLOWING. THE AIR CONTROLLER IN THE BACK IN FALLING OUT OF THE CEILING. I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK S…
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THIS VAN HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE CD PLAYER DOESN'T WORK ANY MORE. THE ALTERNATOR WITH OUT AT 40,000 MILES. THE FUSES INSIDE KEEP BLOWING. THE AIR CONTROLLER IN THE BACK IN FALLING OUT OF THE CEILING. I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK SO THAT THEY COULD FIND THE HESITATION PROBLEM IT WAS HAVING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE DISTRIBUTOR CABLE, THIS WAS AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES AND THAT WAS ALSO THE MILES AT THE 2ND BRAKES JOB. IT NOW MAKES A NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VAN THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MOTORCYCLE IS COMING UP BEHIND YOU. I JUST HOPE WHATEVER IT IS IT DOESN'T BLOW LIKE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD. I BOUGHT THIS VAN BECAUSE I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD AND A 4 YEAR OLD SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CRASH WITH SUCH PRECIOUS CARGO. THANKS, ROSE ANN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10162967
NHTSA investigations
2EA08017 · Steering Intermediate Shaft Binding
Opened Aug 28, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODIS ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH FREQUENCY IN SALT-BELT STATES (5.9 PERCENT).HOWEVER, THE TESTS CONDUCTED BY ODI AND KIA HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS A MINIMAL EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS.IN ADDITION, ODI INTERVIEWS OF OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOWED THAT IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM WAS PRECEDED BY MONTHS OR YEARS OF NOISE OR A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS AND WAS MORE OF A NUISANCE CONCERN. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ALLEGATION OF A MINOR CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, INVOLVING A MY 2003 KIA SEDONA WITH 59,900 MILES.THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS NINE MONTHS BY A DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING AND THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER ASSIST.THE CRASH OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO. THE CRASH RESULTED IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. AFTER THE CRASH, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS EXHIBITING SOME BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARINGS.WHILE THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL CRASHES OR INJURIES DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED ADDITIONAL CRASHES CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE RELEASE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SHOULD ASSIST SERVICE PERSONAL IN DIAGNOSING THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM LONG BEFORE IT BECOMES POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REFER TO THE EA08-017 CLOSING REPORT.
PE08033 · Steering Binding
Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ON APRIL 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-033 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING STEERING BINDING IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA MINIVANS.KIA'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IN PE08-033 INDICATED THAT CONCERNS WITH BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WERE FIRST IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED IN AUGUST 2002, IN VEHICLES SOLD IN INDONESIA.THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN THE ADDITION OF A STIFFENING RIB TO THE BEARING CAP SEAL.IN JUNE 2003, KIA AGAIN INVESTIGATED OWNER COMPLAINTS OF STEERING NOISE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING RESISTANCE AND IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 2003 DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE LUBRICANT RETENTION AND ELIMINATE WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE.ACCORDING TO KIA, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN STEERING EFFORT THAT SHOULD BE APPARENT TO THE DRIVER THROUGH NOISE AND GRADUAL CHANGES IN STEERING STIFFNESS LONG BEFORE THE CONDITION COULD BECOME DANGEROUS. ODI'S ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOW THAT THE CONDITION IS OCCURRING AT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES IN SALT-BELT STATES (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).THE WARRANTY RATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS 5.5% FOR VEHICLES SOLD IN THE SALT BELT AND 0.5% FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS 186.8 PER 100,000 VEHICLES IN THE SALT BELT AND 29.4 PER 1000,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THERE IS ONE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SUBJECT VEHICLE STRUCK TWO PARKED CARS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ALLEGEDLY RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-017) COVERING MY 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND TREND OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND ITS EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORT.