NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
132 reportsClear category filter37,000 miles · Jun 24, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to have her A/C unit serviced; but upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that her EPS(Electronic Power Steering) warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that her steering wheel would jerk upon turning…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to have her A/C unit serviced; but upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that her EPS(Electronic Power Steering) warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that her steering wheel would jerk upon turning the steering wheel in either direction. The dealer was notified of the matter and informed her that the warning light was illuminated prior to service. The contact contested that claim and stated that she would have brought the warning light to their attention if the light had illuminated prior to service. The manufacturer was notified of the matter and gave the contact a case number. The contact was also notified that her vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000(Steering) back in 2015; however, the recall was serviced that same year. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #11422176
34,900 miles · May 27, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power steering assist and it became difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power steering assist and it became difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and declined to offer any additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,900.
NHTSA ODI #11418767
87,724 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHCILE WAS RESTARTED AND WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHECKERED FLAG HYUNDAI WORLD (3700 SENTARA WAY, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452, (7…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHCILE WAS RESTARTED AND WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHECKERED FLAG HYUNDAI WORLD (3700 SENTARA WAY, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452, (757)497-7777) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,724.
NHTSA ODI #11404454
58,735 miles · Jan 31, 2021
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING. TRIED TO TURN DOWN THE STREET WHERE I LIVE AND ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE THE TURN. THE EPS LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I LET THE CAR SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER THE WEEKEND, STARTED IT UP AND THERE IS STILL NO POWER STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #11390894
68,000 miles · Jan 8, 2021
Steering
POWER STEERING KEEPS TURNING OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING IN PARK. HAVE TO KEEP PULLING OVER TO TURN CAR OFF TO RESET IT. I TRAVEL MAJOR HIGHWAY ON A DAILY BASIS AND FEAR I WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO STEERING LOCKING UP.
NHTSA ODI #11387163
100,000 miles · Dec 15, 2020
Steering
STEERING WHEEL IS CLUNKING AND THE EPS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. IT INITIALLY BLINKS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND THEN STAYS ON SHORTLY AFTER. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER RECALLS REGARDING STEERING WHEEL EPS RELATED FAULTS AND THE STEERING SUDDENLY STIFFENING UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE EITHER ON LOCAL ROADWAYS OR E…
Read full complaint
STEERING WHEEL IS CLUNKING AND THE EPS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. IT INITIALLY BLINKS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND THEN STAYS ON SHORTLY AFTER. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER RECALLS REGARDING STEERING WHEEL EPS RELATED FAULTS AND THE STEERING SUDDENLY STIFFENING UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE EITHER ON LOCAL ROADWAYS OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAYS (NOT ONLY ON THE ELANTRA, BUT ALSO ON SONATA MODELS FROM THIS MANUFACTURER.)
NHTSA ODI #11383555
83,000 miles · Oct 15, 2020
Steering
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNS AND STAYS OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A WHILE (HOUR OR MORE). THIS MAY PUT ME IN DANGER. IT HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. IF I AM TURNING OR DRIVING ON A CURVE (HIGHWAY OF CITY STREET) THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY WANT TO GO STRAIGHT. …
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNS AND STAYS OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A WHILE (HOUR OR MORE). THIS MAY PUT ME IN DANGER. IT HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. IF I AM TURNING OR DRIVING ON A CURVE (HIGHWAY OF CITY STREET) THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY WANT TO GO STRAIGHT. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR BUILT INTO THE EPS COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS AT FAULT AND TO FIX IT THE WHOLE COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11364558
80,000 miles · Oct 2, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EBERSOLE HYUNDAI (2101 CUMBERLAND ST, LEBANON, PA 17042) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR COUPLING NEEDED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EBERSOLE HYUNDAI (2101 CUMBERLAND ST, LEBANON, PA 17042) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11362354
66,000 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Steering
09' ELANTRA GLS APPROX. 66K MILES 6/18/2020. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH A LIGHT THAT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN. EVER SINCE THEN I RANDOMLY LOOSE POWER STEERING AND THE EPS LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR (REVERSE AND DRIVE), AND AF…
Read full complaint
09' ELANTRA GLS APPROX. 66K MILES 6/18/2020. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH A LIGHT THAT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN. EVER SINCE THEN I RANDOMLY LOOSE POWER STEERING AND THE EPS LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR (REVERSE AND DRIVE), AND AFTER I START TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PATTERN. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN IN THE 70S/80S. VEHICLE IS ALL STOCK, FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE AND HAS UNDERGONE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPORTED THIS SAME ISSUE AT 35K MILES WHICH HYUNDAI FIXED BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. THAT WASN'T A PERMANENT FIX, AS IM LEARNING THE BEST PERMANENT FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330792
78,000 miles · May 11, 2020
Steering
THE CAR'S KEY PULLS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE GEAR IS STILL IN DRIVE POSITION, WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON OR OFF MODE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE, IF UNINTENTIONALLY THE DRIVER TURNS OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLS OUT THE KEY OFF THE IGNITION, WHILE THE GEAR IS STILL ON DRIVE POSITION. THIS CAN MAKE THE CAR MOVES WHILE UNATTENDED. ALS…
Read full complaint
THE CAR'S KEY PULLS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE GEAR IS STILL IN DRIVE POSITION, WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON OR OFF MODE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE, IF UNINTENTIONALLY THE DRIVER TURNS OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLS OUT THE KEY OFF THE IGNITION, WHILE THE GEAR IS STILL ON DRIVE POSITION. THIS CAN MAKE THE CAR MOVES WHILE UNATTENDED. ALSO, I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE KEY FELL OFF THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2009 WITH 78,051 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324143
Official recalls
4Feb 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Feb 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Mar 15, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
Illustration