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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Friday night, October 23, 2020, I was driving East on E. main street in mesa, AZ headed to the red mountain 202 freeway. The light was green as I approached the intersection and I made a right turn onto the freeway frontage road to head southbound. I was driving approximately 25 mph as my car's steering became rigid and felt like my power steering had gone out. I could barely complete the right turn causing my car to careen into the concrete side barrier causing damage to the front driver's side of the vehicle. Many of the dashboard lights were on with many different alerts as I pulled over with my passenger. We pulled over immediately after the collision to assess the damages and our well being for a few minutes. I then proceeded to drive to my place of work a few miles away and park the car so I could contact the dealership who had worked on my car three days prior. The next morning, October 24, 2020, I called the horne Hyundai dealership and left a message at the switchboard for a service manager to call me. I informed her that I had been involved in an accident. On Monday morning, October 26, 2020 I drove the car to the dealership to be inspected. On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, I was informed by matt colton, service manager from horne Hyundai, that it was not their issue and that I 'needed to turn it into my insurance.' As a result, I have not driven my unrepaired car, it is securely parked at my place of employment as to preserve it for inspection.
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..
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.
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.
11/4/19 I had a power steering fail. While driving I lost my power steering, power steering light came on and due to traveling in the slow lane I was able to get my car in to the emergency lane. The traction control light came on only to indicate I was hitting the emergency grooves outside the lane. I turned the car off and while in process of contacting aaa - I started the car and the power steering light was off and I was able to drive home. I took the car to tarr huyandai the next morning and there were 3 codes present. My steering angle sensor was recalibrated. My concern is what caused the fail and no one seems to have an answer. This situation created a major safety hazard had I been driving in heavy traffic and this occurred and me unable to steer the car in manual mode. I contacted huyandai and apparently this has been a problem with 2016 Sonata models but my car was mfg at a plant that wasn't on recall. So at this point - the mfg plant where my vehicle was mfg apparently has the same problem with mine being the first reported. I feel totally unsafe in this car esp traveling on interstates, night time, etc since no one can answer why my power steering quit and reset when I turned the car off. This needs to be addressed before someone is killed. I was traveling on hwy 160 in morristown tn when this occurred - I am also concerned when I told tarr the power steering failed and the traction came on when hit the off road grids they listed traction control lamp was on and did not mention the power steering. That is important to remember with this case.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fullerton, CA, USA