Why is my Hyundai Tucson Why does my car pull to one side when I drive?
A car that drifts or pulls to one side on a flat road usually has uneven tire pressure, a tire defect, or wheels that are out of alignment. Pulling that only happens during braking points to a stuck caliper or brake hose.
Severity: low. Safe to drive? Yes, but get it aligned soon — uneven tire wear can ruin a $400+ set of tires within a few thousand miles.
Most likely causes on a Hyundai Tucson
- Uneven tire pressure — Check all four tires cold against the door-jamb spec. Free first step. (common)
- Wheels out of alignment — Common after hitting a pothole or curb. Look for inner/outer tire wear and an off-center steering wheel. (common)
- Tire defect (broken belt or pull) — Swap left-right front tires — if the pull moves, it's a tire. Defective tire usually replaced under warranty. (less common)
- Stuck brake caliper (pull only when braking) — One front rotor runs much hotter than the other after a drive. Caliper rebuild or replacement. (less common)
- Worn suspension component — Worn ball joint, control arm bushing, or tie rod can cause a steady pull. (less common)