10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,070 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.

2017 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2017 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #118

Dec 182022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Yesterday when turning right on to my street making right turn very slow as children going home from school my steer ing lock no control. Car stopped within a few feet but unable to restart or take it out of drive. I tried several times turning the key nothing happened. But finally able to get it out of drive and start the car. With that the power steering worked I slowly drove it home about ten houses from intersections. Lucky no one hurt when I turned on to my street. Looked up problem with the electric steering for this cat and reports from your agency referenced similar problems but for some reason no recall issued by manufacturer. Call dealer can do nothing without mfg doing recall. How possible.? Your agency is to protect. What's more dangerous then having your steering going completely out while driving.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #117

Nov 132022

Sonata

  • miles
2017 Hyundai Sonata. 53k miles. Steering becomes sticky and hard to turn. It is most concerning on the highway when at speed it is difficult to keep the car going in a straight line. It takes extra force to turn the wheel just a little. Once its forced, it can turn too much if not careful and will swerve into the next lane. It then does not freely return to center without manually doing so. I will not let my wife drive the car. I have read other reports of this problem and it is a serious issue. I have not brought the car to any dealer or repair shop. This is clearly a safety recall issue and must be dealt with before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.

- Upton, MA, USA

problem #116

Nov 012022

Sonata

  • miles
The system malfunction would be the power steering. As I turned the car on and then proceeded to go in reverse out of my driveway, my steering wheel locked up as I made a left. A red steering wheel with exclamation mark popped up on my dashboard and steering wheel was locked. I believe the outcome would have been extremely unsafe If it would have happened on the road, because I had no control of steering

- Bakersfield , CA, USA

problem #115

Oct 212022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The steering wheel began making a clicking and crunching sound in June 2022. Happening inconsistently the issue was not looked into right away. In October 2022 the issue escalated with the power steering disengaging completely when the wheel was making the noise. The steering wheel becomes so hard and immovable, locking all most. The steering wheel waning light comes on and hydroplane slippery warning as well. The engine also shudders and turns off sometimes when cold and warm.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #114

Nov 012022

Sonata

  • miles
Electric power steering randomly fails while driving, causing a huge safety issue.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #113

Oct 082022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
1.loss of power steering vehicle is available for inspection.2. Person that was operating vehicle when it lost power steering didnt have the strength to handle steering could of led to an accident causing personal injury or property damage.3. Problem occured twice code in vehicle was C1290 call dealer wouldnt look at vehicle untill 2 weeks when looked at was told code wasnt active and was told code was in history then told it wasnt in history then told even it was in history they wouldnt do anything, Gave me vehicle back after a week at dealer told it was ok two days later same issue almost hitting bldg wall same code C1290 dealer refusing to look at MY vehicle.4. Vehicle looked at by southshore hyundai valley stream NY.5. Nothing prior lights and code showed up when incident qccured first time Oct 8 2022 second time Oct 29 2022

- Malverne, NY, USA

problem #112

Oct 272022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The power steering stop working and the wheel it's hard to manuver. Very difficult to make turns

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #111

Oct 252022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased a brand new Hyundai Sonata SE in 2017. After 1.5 years, I took a 3-4 hour road trip from Houston to Longview, TX. During that trip, my steering wheel locked and I could not turn the wheel as my traction and steering wheel light lit up on my dashboard. To remedy the problem, I had to turn the engine off and back on. There was no accident but there could have been since I was driving amongst other vehicles on the interstate. This was the first of many scary incidents with my locked steering wheel. I've reported and submitted this complaint to Hyundai but they have done nothing to remedy the problem. The Hyundai dealership explained they cannot do anything unless there diagnostic machine can detect the problem. I explained that it normally happens while I'm driving and that there are several online and Youtube reviews of other 2017 Hyundai Sonata vehicle owners with the same issue. I also showed the traction and steering wheel lights that come on when the steering wheel locks. Still there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is getting increasingly worse as I now must turn it off and on three times before the steering wheel unlocks. This is a danger to myself, my children, pedestrians, and other drivers. The steering wheel locks unexpectedly and without warning. I facilitate large groups and happen to mention my issue with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata today. They were alarmed about the dangers to myself and others while driving the 2017 Hyundai Sonata SE. I explained that it was previously reported to Hyundai and NHTSA but nothing was done to remedy the problem. The group encouraged me to report it again. I'm doing so with little to no confidence that mentioning it will do anything. It may take someone or people being killed or seriously hurt before anything is done. I can't afford another vehicle and need it for transportation. Otherwise I would have purchased another brand of vehicle.

- Hockley, TX, USA

problem #110

Sep 072022

Sonata

  • miles
2017 Hyundai Sonata-??s electric power steering is having an undiagnosable issue. Mechanics cannot figure it out only speculate since Hyundai has no remedies for this issue. The axle has been replaced and suspension inspected and the issue persists. Crunch when turning left usually a hard left at or more than 180 degrees. Vehicle has resistance if not kickback or tension when turning left, but turning right has little to no resistance at all. You could be parked, driving, or backing up and the vehicle makes hard crunch noises to the left. Also, when the sounds and issue becomes frequent (its intermittent) the steering wheel will kick to the right and lock up. There is a traction control light that comes on and a red steering wheel light with an exclamation point that pops on. If you turn off car and turn back on the issue and lights go away. This is extremely dangerous. It has happened to myself and my husband 3 separate occasions, different times of day, different temperatures and roughly a speed under 20 mph. The jolt and locking up of steering wheel is someone-??s death waiting to happen. Extremely unsafe to drive.

- Ahwahnee, CA, USA

problem #109

Oct 112022

Sonata

  • miles
As I am driving, at random times, typically at cruising speeds of about 40 mph or less, the STEERING wheel will lock up and I will be unable to STEER the vehicle until I turn the car off and back on again. There are typically some warning lights (i-??ll try to attach the picture) that pop up and go away once the car is turned off and back on again. No dealership that I have taken it to has been able to diagnose the problem since it does not, to my disdain, occur under their watch (it is not reproduced). This issue puts both my life and EVERYONE in my proximity-??s life at risk as I have NO CONTROL of the vehicle once it locks up. At this point it has occurred for over 2 years that I have had this car. There are some warning signs right before it occurs. First, there is typically a sudden change in the resistance of the steering wheel. Particularly, it will become harder to move the steering wheel left but then turning it right will have NO resistance. As soon as this occurs I start to panic because it indicates that ANY turn at that point will lock the steering wheel. It has occurred this way every single time. Sometimes it happens in the opposite direction and the right side becomes stiff and suddenly any turn in the steering locks it up. This is VERY dangerous and can potentially kill. This model needs to be recalled!

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #108

Oct 102022

Sonata

  • miles

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

While driving the electric power steering locked and I couldn-??t turn while driving. Hit curb and someone-??s personal property. I was so frustrated because there wasn-??t anything I could do. The steering locks up and you can-??t move it.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #107

Sep 072022

Sonata

  • miles
The steering wheel is not responsive when pulling out of parking I.e when turning to pull out of parking. When I attempt to turn left or right the steering wheel pops and makes a noise it distracts daily driving as it makes you think you hit something or were involved in a crash. 09/01/2022 On 09/07/2022 I brought my car in to maxon hyndai in New Jersey and Informed them of the problem I have been having with the steering on my car. I checked my wheels, brakes and suspension and that is not the issue at a mechanic shop 09/01/22 Hyndai moter America whom I bought the car from is always made aware of my issue as I reported my incident to them as well. The dealership won-??t pick up my calls and the Hyundai customer service is not helpful. Hyundai Motor America sent me a correspondence that the car is under warranty for up to 150,000 miles but are trying to give me the run around. I called on 09/07/2022 and spoke with Tiffany the case manager at Hyundai Motor America the corporation and it took her 3 weeks to finally get back to me and to let me know that customer service from Hyundai had forwarded me to the wrong department as her department doesn-??t resolve warranty issues. When I told her this was a dishonest act and that Hyundai is lying about MDPS extended warranty her reply was she-??s only doing what the company told her. Below attached is the official correspondence from Hyundai motor America The invoice concern when I brought it in for service at Maxon Hyundai in New Jersey And last is a picture of my car parked at the dealership on 09/07/2022 after being inspected my Maxon Hyundai telling me there is no defect on the steering on my car while my steering wheel is turned at 180 degree angle and the wheels are still straight I also have a video of the incident if need

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #106

Sep 152022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
My wife and I have been having an intermittent but constant problem with our steering mechanism which our dealer says they cannot replicate and therefore cannot resolve. This constant problem is one that MANY Sonata Hybrid owners have reported online. Our experience is having the steering wheel seize, flashing lights during which the red steering wheel icon with an exclamation point remains on. Our experiences have been in our mobile home park when we are turning left. The last two incidents were when we were blocking our street and vehicles could not pass. A prominent feel in the steering wheel of clicking, clunking, and play in the wheel accompanies these incidents. I had to, as others, to turn the car off and restart to carefully, amidst clicking and clunking, to return the car to our driveway where it will sit until we take frontage roads to our dealer. We recently received a notice from Hyundai that the steering wheel mechanisms' warranty has been extended 15 years from the ending date of the original warranty. The notice indicated that our Sonata Hybrid "may exhibit reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power driven steering (MOPS)." We believe this is suggesting that MANY complaints have been sent to various authorities regarding this same issue. We now have a much delayed (due to our dealership's backed up service appointments) appointment to again address this problem which they say is not happening because they cannot replicate it. Many online comments indicate that people are scared that themselves, loved ones or others will be involved in a fatality due to this "intermittent" problem. We could not find a Hyundai Regional Manager with whom to correspond. We feel abandoned by Hyundai but hopefully not by the NHTSA.GOV. We are scared and disappointed. Is Hyundai really "committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value" as its August, 2022, EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION said. Please help. Hyundai dealers won't.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #105

Aug 182022

Sonata

  • miles
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata hybrid is having power steering problems, it has literally locked on me while driving it is really unsafe for me and my husband to be driving with my new born child. I have taken the car to Hyundai dealer to get it -??fix-?? they are never able to do anything! Because the -??problem hasn-??t presented itself-?? so they can-??t fix it. I got a letter from the mail stating a EXTENDED WARRANTY was given to me because my car may exhibit reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power steering (MDPS) I showed this extended warranty to the dealer and they still can-??t do ANYTHING To my car-??I-??ve seen so many videos on this same problem I-??m having others are having it to and nothing is being done by Hyundai dealer to fix it. It seems like we need to crash or hurt ourselves for someone to finally realize and do something-??I-??m surprised there is no RECALL on this no power steering problem. Hope to get it resolved soon-??thank you!!

- Sacramento , CA, USA

problem #104

Jul 272022

Sonata

  • miles
The electronic power steering sporadically fails. This has happened 3 time in the last two months. The frequency of occurrences are now closer. When this happens the car is almost impossible to steer, it would be unsafe to attempt to operate the car on a public road. The majority of the time when this happens it's when the car is started (regardless if the vehicle is cold or warm). It did happen once while the car was moving at approximate 45 mph. Turning the car off and back on will stop the problem. A warning light on the dash appears when the problem happens. We unsuccessfully tried to recreate the problem so it can be diagnosed from the dealer. The dealer stated in conversation that is difficult if not impossible to diagnose a problem when it is not occurring.

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #103

Aug 022022

Sonata

  • miles
Steering has locked up or become extremely difficult to manipulate on 4 occasions. Carried it to the dealership after first time and they said since the code was still not up there was nothing they could do. Has failed 3 more times with latest issue almost causing a wreck with my wife. This is NOT normal wear and tear!

- Pell City, AL, USA

problem #102

Jul 312022

Sonata

  • miles
As I was turning my car into a parking spot the steering locked up on me. I tried to turn the wheel left and right and I simply couldn't do it at all. I turned the vehicle off and turned it back on after a few seconds and it seemed to fix itself. It's been 1 day since this incident happened and I'm afraid it could happen again. Luckily I wasn't on a highway or I could've been seriously injured!

- Shaw Afb, SC, USA

problem #101

Jul 282022

Sonata

  • miles
My steering wheel is locked it-??s hard to turn left or right. I go to school in a different city so I drive back and forth from school to home. While I was turning into the parking lot to park my steering wheel just locked while I was trying to park i almost hit someone-??s car in the process. I had to turn the steering wheel with both hands tightly to one side for the steering wheel to move. I was so scared

- Avon Park, FL, USA

problem #100

Apr 292022

Sonata

  • miles
The power steering system appears to be failing. There is no indication of the failure prior to failing. When making turns the power steering would randomly stop working, all emergency lights would turn on, and the steering would become extremely difficult to control. This becomes an extreme safety issue when I-??m driving around other vehicles. I took my vehicle to a mechanic and they explained that the power steering is electronic, therefore power steering fluid will not fix the problem. Also, there-??s an electrical issue with the windows as well. The passenger window can no longer can be controlled by the driver. Lastly, the AC has failed as well. It blows out only hot air. I-??ve taken my car to the manufacture dealership and they assessed my vehicle for the AC problem, but they stated that it-??s working fine. This is not true because I-??ve continued to have problems with the AC, even after many failed troubleshooting attempts. To summarize my report, I have a total of 3 issues in order of importance, power steering, power windows/electrical, and air conditioning unit. My car is available immediately for inspection upon request. Thank you.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #99

Jul 162022

Sonata

  • miles
Steering Wheel locked while turning. I got a red light on the dashboard. I had to restart the engine again to unlock it. Continued driving for 5 minutes and it happened again.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

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