Grinding noise on full lock? Do all AWD cars have this issue?

Seeking Help
1

Hey, I wanted to get some input from other AWD EV6 owners.

I’ve had my 2023 EV6 GT since March, and from day one, whenever I turn the wheel to full lock (in either direction), I hear a grinding noise and feel a vibration coming from the front tire area.

I had my Kia dealer check it out after the service rep saw it happening in a nearby parking lot. The dealer put it on the lift and said the noise is from the ‘all-wheel drive system’ and that it happens with all AWD cars.

Do any of you experience grinding and vibrations when you turn your cars at full lock? I’m especially curious to hear from other GT owners!

2

Congrats on the GT! This is actually pretty common with high-performance cars, especially AWD. The sound comes from a combination of suspension geometry, stiffer suspension, limited-slip differentials, and sometimes grippier tires. Full lock can cause the wheels to chirp or grind a bit.

3

@Randy
Thanks! You learn something new every day!

4

It’s called crabbing, and it’s related to the sports setup in AWD cars, especially the GT model.

5

Yeah, it’s common in a lot of sports cars. It’s the crabbing effect at full lock.

6

I’ve noticed it too, but only on slippery surfaces like concrete parking lots. I think the AWD system struggles with the wheels slipping on that surface. It doesn’t happen on my driveway when I’m at full lock.

7

I had a similar issue with my 2015 Lexus IS AWD and came to the same conclusion, but it always felt like too much grinding to be ‘normal.’ My new EV6 AWD doesn’t do it at full lock, at least not to the same extent. So while I can’t say for sure, just thought I’d share my experience.

8

@Christopher
Thanks for sharing! I used to have a high-end Jaguar that did something similar, but the EV6 seems way more extreme. I was starting to get worried!

9

I don’t experience this at all. I’m at full lock every time I enter and leave my garage, and I don’t feel any vibrations or hear any grinding. Maybe it’s specific to the GT model?

10

Thomas said:
I don’t experience this at all. I’m at full lock every time I enter and leave my garage, and I don’t feel any vibrations or hear any grinding. Maybe it’s specific to the GT model?

Yeah, it could be the GT suspension geometry causing it.

11

Check out this thread: Understeering/jumping when turning close to full lock | Kia EV Forum

12

I freaked out the first time my GT did this too, but yeah, it’s normal because of the suspension design!

13

zendaya said:
I freaked out the first time my GT did this too, but yeah, it’s normal because of the suspension design!

Wish they’d tell us these things in advance!

14

Thanks so much, everyone, for easing my mind! It definitely sounded like something was wrong, but I guess it’s just an ‘undocumented feature’ of the car. I really appreciate all your insights!

15

Weird. My old WRX and Tesla AWD never made those noises.

16

If you take it to Kia and ask for the model-specific alignment, you might notice some improvement. But as everyone else has said, it’s pretty standard, especially with the tires that come with the GT.

17

diallo said:
If you take it to Kia and ask for the model-specific alignment, you might notice some improvement. But as everyone else has said, it’s pretty standard, especially with the tires that come with the GT.

Thanks! I can’t believe so many people are driving with these noises… you’d think they’d catch that during testing!

18

@Peggy
I also noticed a hum/rumble from my front wheels at higher speeds. Turns out the previous owner had bent both wheels! I took it to a professional shop, and they checked the wheels and tires to make sure everything was aligned. You might want to do the same just to be safe.