10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,174 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 10 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Jul 012016

Sonata

  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. When driving the vehicle, the steering wheel shook and made a loud knocking noise that intensified while accelerating. The failure made it difficult to steer the vehicle and the knocking noise prevented the contact from hearing any other sounds in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #114

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 76,230 miles
The electronic power steering is failing, much like the 2011 model that was recalled. The steering column shakes at highway speeds, and "clunks" turning the wheel at low or no speed. It feels less stable and like more work to drive.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #113

Oct 202016

Sonata

  • miles
"takata recall" my car takes a while before it actually cranks and while I'm driving it begins to stall in the middle of the highway. Once I go over 60mph my steering wheel begins to shake almost uncontrollably.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #112

Sep 012016

Sonata

  • 93,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering column has become loose when turned. Rattles back and forth when turning. After numerous stops at car repair places, finally found a place in a very tiny town who knew exactly what was wrong. This is the third car they have said yhey have repaired. Hyundai apparently knows this is an issue as this shop had to wait as the part was seriously back ordered. Fortunately they ordered extras as the owners mother has the same vehicle. Just waiting for hers to fall apart. He also showed me the new part(cog wheel) ad an old chewed up one off a repair. Hyundai needs to issue a recall and reimburse all who have paid for the repair.

- Moss Point, MS, USA

problem #111

Jan 152015

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While turning the vehicle, the contact heard a loud clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #110

Jul 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Starting approximately 4-5 months ago, my steering started rattling and shaking when the car hits bumps or when going higher speeds, such as on the interstate. It has gotten progressively worse. Also, there is "slack" in the steering and it doesn't always respond immediately when turned. I was surprised that several others are having the same experience but no recall has been issued that I am aware of.

- Jonesboro, LA, USA

problem #109

Oct 082016

Sonata

  • 67,125 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Clunking sound caused by the steering column coupler when turning or going over bumps on a city street. Steering is wiggling itself and loose.

- La Crescenta, CA, USA

problem #108

Oct 032016

Sonata

  • 58,000 miles
While driving my 2012 Sonata (purchased at freeman Hyundai in irving, tx) it started to have loose steering then started to hesitate frequently. While driving it started to hesitate and a cyclic knocking noise from the engine ensued while attempting to accelerate. Drove to dealership and was told the steering would be taken care of. Was also told the oil had metal shavings which was effecting the motor. The car is under warranty, this is a known issue. The service department is trying to get out of the repairs because the oil changes were not done by them. Any subsequent engine failure could result in my car stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #107

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The first issue is that my car will not start sometimes. Then after a minute or two it will start. I have the push button to start my car. It is beginning to happen more often in the last 6 weeks. The second issue is that my steering wheel is making a clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel. It happens all the time.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #106

Sep 112016

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Vehicle has loose steering, vibrating and makes odd noise when accelerated

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #105

Apr 012015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T. The condition I am describing has progressively gotten worse starting out as something you barley noticed to an issue that now causes you to be scared to drive the car. This car has about 75000 miles and has a rattle noise coming from the steering column especially when traveling over a bumpy surface. At higher rates of speed as on an interstate or passing another vehicle it also rattles and the wheel begins to shake in your hands. It also has a knocking sound when the vehicle is stationary and you rock the steering wheel back and forth. This a very unsafe situation and needs to be addressed. This issue is well known with other owners of 2012 Sonatas and recall has been established for 2011 vehicles. As I have discovered this can be an expensive repair for relatively inexpensive parts. Owners should not be burdened with repairs for what is clearly a manufacturer of part defect. This is a huge safety issue. I had intended to give this car to my daughter who will soon be a teen driver. It would be shameful for an inexperienced teen driver's life to be as risk in a vehicle with steering problems of this nature due to the fact her parents cant afford to pay for the repair or buy another car and the manufacturer's unwillingness to stand behind their product. Please address this issue. Mine is not the only complaint / concern over this. There are many unhappy owners out there. Keep in mind these 2011/2012 Sonatas have had several issues that are well documented.

- Elizabethtown, NC, USA

problem #104

Aug 012016

Sonata

  • 88,000 miles
Steering wheel shakes violently when a small bump is hit. Loud rattle. Steering wheel knocks with a slight turn both ways. Progressively getting worse day to day. This happens on all roads.

- Helena, AL, USA

problem #103

Aug 082016

Sonata

  • 99,562 miles
I have noticed a knock in my steering wheel. The noise is getting worse and the steering wheel vibrates when my tires go over a bump. I will be bringing it into the shop in a few days to get repaired. I have done research and found that this is a systemic problem that could result in a crash. Hyundai needs to issue a recall on this item, as it is unsafe to continue driving the vehicle. If this doesn't warrant a recall or class action law suit, I'm not sure what does. My vehicle was under the 100,000 mile warranty when this issue began, but has got excessively worse. I just ran out on my 1000,000 mile warranty, by about 250 miles.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #102

Jun 302016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist failed. The contact stated that the vehicle required additional effort to steer. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power assist in the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the repair failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 10/06/16

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #101

Jun 112016

Sonata

  • 127,000 miles
Started hearing a knocking noise in the steering column while turning. The steering wheel literally feels like it is going to fall off in my lap. It has progressively gotten worse quite rapidly to the point where it does it as I drive down the road normally around 65 mph or faster. It also seems like the car will walk all over the road while it is making this noise. The steering wheel also has slack and makes a knocking noise while stationary if you move it back and forth. I initially thought my tie rods had already worn out on the vehicle. I took it in to have the tie rods replaced to find out it is in my steering column. It seems as if a box in the steering column is loose or bad and I have been told I am going to lose the steering shaft if it doesn't get fixed. It is also believed that my airbag light has come on due to this same issue. It has caused a sensor in the steering wheel to go out. I called the dealer to see if there is any kind of recall for the steering on my car and they say they do not have anything. But they knew exactly what I was talking about and said that my steering coupler most likely needs to be replaced. It is going to set me back at least $350. Since this seems to be a major safety issue and a known issue, I ask why there isnt a recall and just got told he doesnt know. I was reading that there is this same issue in the 2011 Sonatas. My car is a 2012 but was actually manufactured in Dec 2011 but they still wont do anything about it.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #100

Aug 162016

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
Steering coupler needs to be replaced makes loud knocking noise while driving over numbs or turning.seems to be an occurring problem with Sonata 2012. Dealer wants $550 to replace a $2 part. That's correct a $2 part located in the steering wheel. That's outrageous and a scam that should be investigated and made a recall asap.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #99

Aug 062016

Sonata

  • 90,600 miles
On August 06, 2016 I discovered a noise emitting from my steering wheel. On Monday August 08, 2016 I went to my Hyundai dealership for an opinion. The service technician/writer informed me that there is a rubber bushing in the steering wheel coupler has started to show sign of deterioration. This must be replaced at the earliest opportunity. Failure to do so in a timely manner will render the steering unusable. Failure of steering control will cause an accident. Such accident will cause bodily injury and or death. Researching the symptom and cause on-the-internet, I came across recalls and concerns by Hyundai in regard to safety issues that will result in power steering loss thus, increasing the risk of a crash to others and self. It must be noted that Hyundai, in the past, acted proactively to prevent a recall...I hope this complaint will be a case to consider. Complaints for a 2012 year vehicle with failed motor driven power steering("mdps") flexible coupling. His very first question after describing my concern is "what year is your vehicle". according to the harbor Hyundai technical writer, this concern is now becoming a regular occurrence. A comparative of a good and bad (chewed-up) mdps coupling was shown to me. This mdps coupling spacer sits between life and death. This vehicle was built in February 2012. I trust, all components installed in its assembly was not part of 2011. There are many complaints made to the dealer that is relative to my vehicle pertinent to 2011 recalls. Feel free to access data history from harbor Hyundai, ca. This is a blanket authorization to access service, repairs and concerns reported. In some cases, they are still outstanding subject to a remedy. I hope you office will consider this complaint and start a recall procedure before lives are lost

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #98

Aug 062016

Sonata

  • 82,000 miles
Last week, my power steering suddenly stopped working while driving on a city street making it very difficult to maneuver. The eps dashboard trouble light as well as the airbag and ESC lamps all illuminated at the same time. Thankfully, there was light traffic at the time so was able to pull off to the side to regain my composure. Using extreme caution, I drove the next few miles back home carefully avoiding any sudden situations where I was forced to make sharp turns. I had an extremely hard time steering. Yesterday, I took the veh into the local dealership. After a couple of hours, they said the steering column had to be replaced and that somehow it was also causing all the other unrelated trouble lamps to light at the same time!. approx. $1200 repair cost. The veh is 2012 with 82,000 miles. I asked if it was covered by the 100K mile warranty. They said no. After only 4 years of owning this car, I can't believe the steering column broke. I never heard of that before. I went on-line and noticed that 2011 Sonata's had a similar problem the year prior and as a result, there was a national recall to rectify the problem by replacing faulty equipment. I can't help but think that perhaps the same faulty equipment was perhaps installed in some of the 2012's also.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #97

Aug 012016

Sonata

  • 70,294 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that whenever the power steering feature was used, the steering wheel made a knocking noise and the steering wheel shook. A certified mechanic diagnosed that the power steering failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,294.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #96

Jul 062016

Sonata

  • 89,200 miles
My 2012 Sonata with 89300 miles was making clicking noise when I turned the steering wheel. The steering was lose. When going over bumps the steering wheel sounded like it was coming apart making a harsh metal clanking sound. I took it into hyaundi and they replaced the steering coupler and it seems to have fixed the issue. This seems like a major saftey issue with this car which should be taken care of by hyaundi.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

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