Power steering fails intermittently

- Chicago, IL, USA

Steering sticks and releases under pressure at 60/65+ mph on interstate. Very difficult to keep vehicle in lane consistently. Constantly correcting both right & left to maintain straight line is extremely fatiguing especially on long trips. Safe driving at highway speeds is compromised and presents safety concerns for occupants as well as motorists nearby in addition to the apprehension it creates wondering if you're able to correct the steering drift before having an accident. There aren't any dashboard warning indicators when this happens Reported to dealer in central Florida on March 22, 2024 and dealer ordered parts Ref TSB 23-ST-003H. Hyundai Extended warranty TXXO. Factory has sent some parts to dealer twice that I know of and each time vehicle has been taken to dealer I've been told they were not what was needed. On most recent appointment of 12/19/24 I was told the needed parts were unattainable from Hyundai. On 3/20/2025 the dealer has offered to put in some of the parts they have as a possible solution but repair has not been scheduled. Dealer said they had another vehicle that took over a year to repair. This has been 14 months. We're only using this vehicle at slow speeds locally, anticipating complete failure, as we don't trust it for highway use.

- Davenport, FL, USA

I am reporting multiple serious issues with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0, which has only 30,000 miles. Despite the low mileage, the vehicle is experiencing major safety and quality problems. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light stays on constantly, indicating a system failure. On startup, the car sometimes applies the brakes by itself, and there-??s a loud noise like something is stuck or grinding. The traction control light also comes on during this. While driving, the car will suddenly slow down on its own, even when I-??m not braking. When I press the gas pedal, it barely responds or takes too long to accelerate. Sometimes, this happens at the same time as the ESC warning, which feels extremely unsafe -?" especially on highways or in traffic. The push-to-start button often delays before the engine turns over, which is abnormal. The A/C system only blows warm air, regardless of temperature settings, and no cold air comes out. I also have a serious issue with the paint peeling off in large chunks from the body of the car. It-??s happening despite proper care, and I-??ve seen other Hyundai Sonatas of the same year with the same issue, which suggests a widespread paint defect. These issues have not yet been diagnosed by a dealership, but given the low mileage and frequency, I believe this model may have serious defects in safety systems and paint quality. I-??m very concerned for my safety and request a full investigation.

- San Juan , PR, USA

Intermittent loss of steering with my Hyundai Sonata 2016 since April 2024. Vehicle randomly loses power steering while turning and 2 warning lights appear (power steering light (eps)and traction control). This has put me and my passengers at risk several times- almost crashing into other cars and objects. I went to the mechanics two times- they have recalibrated steering angle and reset codes, but the problem continues, and I lose power steering intermittently. This is a very big safety risk and I am afraid to continue driving my car.

- Willington, CT, USA

I took in my 2016 Hyundai Sonata to Anaheim Hyundai in California for 60,000 mile service. The Sonata was having power steering issues where time to time the power steering would go out. I bought the extended warranty so it was cover under the warranty but Hyundai stop making these parts according to the dealership. I don't understand how Hyundai can stop making a power steering parts to Sonata models from 2016-2019 when there are so many on the road with potential power steering safety issues. I was told by the dealership there are so many issues with these Sonata's, the power steering parts are hard to find. They had no idea if they could get OEM parts or even find after market parts. I was originally told on [XXX] when we took the car in it would take 2 to 3 days now two and half weeks later they have changed their story to "not sure when they are going to get the part" I don't understand how this was not a recall from Hyundai similar to Hyundai Sonata recall in 2016 for Sonata's made in 2010-2011. It appears Hyundai has multiples models with power steering issues and yet they stop making the parts, why? I would like someone at NHTSA to review the power steering failures that may or may not be being reported by Hyundai dealerships. Just trying to get the car fixed since my son drives it. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fullerton, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized upon turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle then stalled with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering module. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

1. Power Steering malfunction - when in motion - available for inspection. 2. Not being able to control my vehicle due to the steering going out is a major risk for myself my passengers and other vehicles around me. 3. My vehicle is currently at a dealership now 4. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, and unknown if the dealership was able to reproduce the problem. 5. No warning lights were displayed prior to the problem. When coming to a stop - the traction control light and a warning light with a steering wheel and an ! were displayed, but then turned off after the vehicle was shut off and restarted.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

This vehicle had a complete engine failure. Since it is a hybrid, when the engine shut down, the vehicle lost all power. The driver had no control over steering or brakes. The vehicle crashed through three trees and into a house. Hyundai Motors of America and NHTSA are aware of the issues with this vehicle's engine, however, this engine was already replaced. The problem was that the "limp mode" did not enact in this specific car. I brought this to Hyundai's attention at least 20 times and expressed my concern about the threat this vehicle posed to me and anyone else on the road, yet they continued to ignore me or attempt to rectify the issue. This vehicle was part of the class action lawsuit. I was told, after the seventh time the vehicle broke down (fourth time after engine replacement) that Hyundai would buy back the vehicle. That never happened. The vehicle shut down without "limp/safe mode", with an entire loss of power eight times and was brought into the dealership. Hyundai refused to help me. I knew it would end in disaster, and it did. I'm sure my vehicle is not the only one that does not have a safe mode taking effect when the power shuts off and there is no steering or brakes at 70 mph. I am using the date for the last time the vehicle shut off and the driver lost control and hit a house. However, there are eight other times this happened. I have more information and documentation if needed. I'm attaching my first claim, documents collected after that claim, the accident report (did not have photos attached, the photos are from the scene when I went there the next day), and all email conversations with Hyundai since the first engine failure. My big concern here is that even though Hyundai did try to repair the recall issues, they ignored everything else. I told them over and over that the limp mode did not work. This made it morally impossible for me to sell, even if I wanted to. They refused to help. I worry there may be others out there with this issue.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

My experience happened twice and is very much as described in NHTSA ID Number: 10985645. To quote that individual "WHILE DRIVING I NOTICE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK SLIGHTLY SO THAT YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT SLIGHTLY THEN IT RESUMES STEERING PROPERLY FOR FEW SECONDS THEN IT STICKS AGAIN. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT MAKES ME THINK THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING READY TO LOCK UP. I NOTICE THIS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAYS AND IT REALLY WEARS YOU OUT TRYING TO DRIVE AND WORRYING THAT THE STEERING MIGHT LOCK UP." Just 2 weeks ago my wife experienced the steering making a very noticeable clicking sound. It happened on her way home from work but, it has not happened again. I took it to my local dealership and described the problems but they were unable to duplicate them so no work was performed. 1)What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering. Yes. 2)How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I think that the inability to easily steer at highway speeds clearly presents multiple safety concerns. 3)Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. 4)Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. My local dealership. 5)Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? We did not notice anything on the dashboard. I was heavily focused on keeping the car in my lane. She heard clicking but I heard nothing unusual.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while turning into a parking spot, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the steering shaft and steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

- Coconut Creek, FL, USA

I want to report a safety concern to the NHTSA in regards to the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. In 2019, I took my Sonata in for repair work because the steering wheel locked up while I was driving the vehicle on the city streets. I was able to get over to the side of the road with a great amount of effort, turn the car off, turn the car back on, and the steering wheel was working again. Towards Oct/Nov time frame of 2019, my 20 year old son was driving the Sonata on a city street. He had the steering wheel lock up on him while he was driving. He, too, was able to manage to come to a stop and force the steering wheel, with a great amount of effort, to pull over into a parking lot. We were able to acquire control of the steering wheel again after turning the car off and turning it back on again. While my son was driving the car, in college, he had the same thing happen again. He was able to get it corrected and immediately get it to a Hyundai dealership where he was going to college. While the auto technician was driving the car, he too experienced the same problem. The technician was able to guide the car to a slow stop and eventually get it back to the dealership. I have all the paperwork stating this. Eventually the dealership was able to narrow down the problem to about 2-3 steering wheel angle sensors. Those were replaced, fortunately under warranty, and we were able to move on. The car was repaired in December of 2019. Just this week, on January 10th and 11th of 2023, I was driving the Sonata to and from work. On my way home from the hospital that I work at, the steering wheel locked up on me again while I was on an overpass in the city. I was able to manage getting the car home, but it took all my effort to be able to control/manipulate the steering wheel in to turning motions. I am a 6'5" / 226# man and it was extremely difficult for me to control the car and the steering wheel. This problem should not be recurring after 3 yrs from previous repair.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Failure.

- Washington, DC, USA

The power assisted steering fails repeatedly. The electric assist power steering stops working will car this 2016 Sonata is in motion. Stops providing steering assist after a few miles of driving. Sonata reverts to manual steering which is very difficult compared to power assisted. Once vehicle is puller over to side of road, then stopped, the issue of "failed power steering" goes away by shutting of the engine and electrical system, wait 30 seconds then re-start the Sonata. This is very aggravating, especially in heavy traffic. Just out right dangerous. Sould be a recall to correct this issue. Happened on Aug. 25, 26, 31; Sept. 3, 6 & 7.

- Wakeman, OH, USA

While turning onto the freeway the steering locked up and would not budge. Power steering light and traction control light came on. Turned car off and back on and it Went away for a few days. Almost crashed into the side railing and other cars on freeway. Dealership said it was the battery and replaced it. A few weeks later the same thing happened pulling out of the garage. Steering locked up and lights came on. Dealership said they could not duplicate the issue. It is locked right now but would need to be towed to a shop.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

I had to replace the battery within a month of getting the car, then again 6 months later. The radio and back up camera went out after a year of having it. The headlights kept going out, and eventually the wiring started burning. Battery went out again along with the alternator now. Mid drive the lights would cut off, speed thermometer would be off by 15, and almost impossible to turn the wheel.

- Aberdeen, MS, USA

At stop sign to turn left, started and steering wheel would not turn. Felt like loss of power steering. Fortunately, no other cars around, I put gear in reverse to back up before hitting ditch on other side of road. I turned off car, restarted and wheel worked. Stopped on major highway to turn at light, happened again. Manage to get car to pohanka Hyundai svc dept.. next day, was told it was a sensor. Car drove ok for a couple of days and then happened again, two different times. Waited until after christmas to call pohanka but decided to research recalls on this model. Dec 30th, stopped to turn left onto street, steering locked up, almost went in ditch crossing over 2 lanes. Cut off engine with key, restarted car, backed up and managed to get off road to keep from being hit by oncoming vehicles. Researched to find many complaints with steering since 2017! this is dangerous and want Hyundai accountable. I want to know what the problem is and if it can be fixed or if car needs to be replaced.

- Fredericksbg, VA, USA

Driving along at street or highway speeds steering becomes sticky. Wondering about power steering pump or steering column. Please advise.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

I had a power steering fail. While driving I lost my power steering, power steering light came on, and due I was able to get my car into the emergency lane. The traction control light came power steering..

- Princeton, TX, USA

I was driving on the street when I made it to a very busy intersection I proceeded to make a left turn and the power steering went out. I was almost hit by 3 cars trying to get out of the way. Prior to that my wife made the comment that it had happened to her and she had to get help to get out of the middle of the intersection because the steering was to hard for her to turn it alone. This is a very very dangerous issue. I see that there was a recall on the 2010 and 2011 models the problem still persists in later models. They're an great amount of people online that have reported the same issue.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I was trying to back into a park and the steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn. An indicator light with a steering wheel inside of a circle with a ! came on along with traction indicator.

- Plainfield, IL, USA