10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 10 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 9 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 40,753 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata has major steering issues. Evidently 100's if not thousands of people have filed complaints with the company with only a few people getting their problems resolved. For anyone driving on highways this could be a major safety issue. It is particularly bad when driving at higher speeds on interstates. I have attached some of the many, many complaints I have found against the manufacturer. Evidently dealers have been told not to acknowledge the problem, and make adjustments that do nothing to fix the problems.
- Kingston Springs, TN, USA
Engine is making weird knocking noise. Also is using excessive amounts of oil. I have to keep extra oil to make sure it does run completely out. No warning lights come on to alert you of low oil pressure. Steering wheel 'sticks' like it is trying to auto correct while driving. Happening more often, which makes it scary/dangerous to drive. Purchased car June 2016.
- Lake, MS, USA
As many other complaints on the internet and the nhsta site my Sonata makes a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel. The 2011 Sonata was recalled. Why are the later years not when apparently the same issue exists. This is dangerous and needs to be repaired by the manufacturer. How many complaints will it take for the government to take action" how many deaths" the noise is made when turning the steering wheel to the left and right.
- Lavonia, GA, USA
Upon start up the vehicle is pretty loud to be fairly new, the noise increased by day. Brakes would grind. No control over steering car would pull and drift as driving. Remote barely worked radio would randomly increase and decrease.
- Ofallon, MO, USA
At highway speed the car will not track to center, you must adjust to road. The steering wheel is stiff and you must adjust against the resistance on the wheel at highway speed, which is serious safety problem. It has electric steering. It is listed at various websites as a problem. We fear for our safety. This problem happened last year on the tracking issue and starting in January 2017 the steering wheel is hard to turn, it sticks. This is the term used in other complaints about the problem. There has been some accidents and one fatality. Some people are afraid to drive on the highway. This info was on the on the internet.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Steering coupler worn out after just 103,000 miles. When I brought it to the dealer they knew exactly what the issue was. They have had several identical problems with the Sonata. This is a dangerous problem and it needs to be addressed in a nation wide recall
- Spanish Fort, AL, USA
Steering coupling while driving my steering wheel makes a hollow metal on metal sound.
- Katy, TX, USA
I bought a used 2013 Sonata with only 15 K miles on it. The car looked perfect. Since I have been driving a 96 Tacoma for 12 yrs. I assumed I was not used to electronic steering. If this is the wave of the future, count me out. I can't keep this car in my lane to save my life. I bought this car for my retirement so I could do some cross country trips, but I don't see that happening any time soon. I guess I'll rent.
- Dade City, FL, USA
Electric steering at all times causes my Sonata to steer a little farther right or left when I move steering wheel which causes me the driver to constantly make corrections so I can try to drive the car in a straight line which is almost impossible. This is very tiring and frustrating and I think dangerous. From what I read on the internet many other Sonata and elantra owners are having the same problem and I want Hyundai to own up to this dangerous problem that was installed at the factory as a defective design. I am sure Hyundai knows all about this and very likely have a fix for this, but would rather let time take care of the problem. I really like the Hyundai and Kia cars and im not sure if I will purchase a new one until they fix this problem on my car and for many other owners. The years most likely affected are from 2010 through 2015
- Salem, OR, USA
The steering wheel continues to stick when driving on the highway. You have to literally tug on the steering wheel when taking curves on the highway. It began to make me feel unsafe while driving because of how difficult it had become trying to straighten the wheel after the curves. I know that a plastic part broke before, and the dealership fixed it with a metal part, not sure if it is the same issue.
- Decatur, GA, USA
The steering of the car, especially at highway speeds requires constant correction to keep centered. It does not pull to the left or right like when a vehicle is out of alignment. When the wheel is centered it feels "sticky", which causes the car to jerk to the left or right as corrections are needed to stay centered. The infamous steering coupler has been replaced when it was at its' worst. However, the problem persisted. The car was taken to tameron Hyundai in hoover, al and the steering mode was set to gls, but did not improve steering. I took the car back a second time to be evaluated, and the service technician deemed it "normal operation".
- Trussville, AL, USA
My steering wheel has a clicking noise as I turn the wheel which is very annoying. I went to the Hyundai dealership and they said it is a steering column couper that is worn down. The dealership is in process of seeing if Hyundai will replace the small device. It should be a recall since hundreds or thousands of people have this complaint. So far, I caught it early and it does not shake yet like some.
- Heartland, TX, USA
While driving down the road, whether it be on the highway or city streets, the steering wheel sticks at the center position and it needs to be tugged on to get it to move. It started out not that noticeable but as time has passed it has gotten worse. Because of this problem of the steering wheel sticking the car swerves quite a bit while driving. I was told by the Hyundai dealership that it was the steering column that needs to be replaced and it will continue to worsen if not repaired. This item is not covered under the extended warranty and I can't see how it cannot be a danger to drive the car in this state.
- Picayune, MS, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was being operated, the steering wheel shook severely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who suggested that the vehicle be taken to the dealer to address a manufacturer's recall for the power steering failure. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 10V457000 (steering), and 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Pike Rd, AL, USA
At various speeds, when turning the steering wheel, a loud knocking sound can be heard. On the highway, the steering column will shake if the vehicle reaches high speeds. This has been an ongoing issue.
- Forney, TX, USA
Like many other complaints I've read recently, I am also having trouble with the 2013 Hyundai Sonata steering. When driving over 60 mph the steering doesn't center, instead the car wanders to the left, there is a blank space in the steering, and when you go to turn right it doesn't catch right away, then over-corrects, which then causes you to turn the steering wheel the other direction, so it's a constant, exhausting battle while driving. My forearms get tired. It was barely noticeable when I first purchased the car used with low mileage. At first I thought it was my imagination, but now it's worse and tiring. Current mileage 25,000. I took it in to my local dealership (who is great) and they said exactly what I have been reading previously, that it's the electronic steering system instead of hydraulic, that there isn't much they can do, and to get used to it. They did try, and reprogrammed the car to the sport steering mode, which does help the overall handling of the car, which I appreciated, but the problem is still there. They said there is no imminent danger, which I was relieved to hear, but driving long distances does not excite me any longer. I'm afraid this could be damaging for Hyundai as the complaints are starting to stack up. It sounds like a recall for the steering coupler needs to happen, but I hope by registering my complaint, something may get done about it. If anyone knows a direction to go with this please let me know. They did not offer to replace the steering coupler. Each day that I drive it it seems to be more difficult to control the car from side to side increasing risk of sideswiping other cars or obstacles.
- Cornville, AZ, USA
While running the vehicle and turning the steering wheel it makes a loud clacking sound which has gotten worse and it seems like the steering wheel is going to come off! at first it was just a light clack sound but now it has become more and more louder. This is really scary and life threatening. I am afraid of having my daughter drive the car because of the life threatening situation it presents.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds or making a turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
- Nacogdoches, TX, USA
My car can not stay in a straight line. I am having to constantly correct my steering. Long drives actually make my hand hurt. Car feels loose like I'm going to drift into someone else's lane. I get nervous when cops come behind me because it actually looks like I'm drunk. Terrible.
- Upland, CA, USA
- Ardmore, OK, USA