Steering. Review the 271 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

93 crash reports31 fire reports48 injury reports

Steering complaints

271 reports

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Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2019

Steering

I HEARD A SOUND WHEN I STARTED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, LEFT OR RIGHT DIRECTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS MODEL CAR HAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11268107

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2019

Steering

COUPLER

NHTSA ODI #11266762

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2019

Steering

WHENEVER I START MY CAR, I RECEIVE A MECHANICAL ERROR IN THE DISPLAY. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING, AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 76 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11258770

41,000 miles · Sep 24, 2019

SteeringSuspension

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WHENEVER THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER SLIGHT BUMPS, OR INDENTATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE CAR UNSETTLES AND PUSHES RIGHT. WITH INCREASE IN TRAVEL SPEEDS, THE REAR END GET MORE UNSTABLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT BECOMES SO BAD THAT WHENEVER THERE IS ANY SLIGHT BUMPS OR SURFACE IMPERFECTION, THE REAR OF THE CAR HOPS RIGHT VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT OR STARTS TO FISHTAIL AND SOMETIMES BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. SPECIALLY ON WET SURFACE. IT IS HARD TO GET THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN NOT CAREFUL AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR AND FATAL ACCIDENT. WHICH CHECKING FOR THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS COMMON ISSUE AMONG ELANTRA OWNERS. IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DRIVING, MY CAR FISHTAILED SO VIOLENTLY THAT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL. FEW TIMES, THE CAR FISHTAILED AND ENDED UP IN RIGHT SIDE LANE WITHOUT ME WANTING IT TO DO THAT. THESE ALL HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT IS LESS SEVERE ON CITY SPEEDS BUT STILL NOTICEABLY BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11257586

60,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019

Air BagsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE TIMING SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI OF ANDERSON (1925 PEARMAN DAIRY RD, ANDERSON, SC 29625, (864) 642-0900) MENTIONED THAT THE SPRING WAS A…

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NHTSA ODI #11256319

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019

Steering

WHEN MOVING STEERING FEEL LIKE ALOT OF PLAY IN IT. WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT THERE IS A CLICK NOISE ALSO. FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG ON INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN . THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN DRIVING AND IF YOUR JUST AT A STAND STILL IN MOVE STEERING

NHTSA ODI #11255559

125,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019

Steering

WHILE STATIONARY LOUD POPPING NOISE HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND NO MATTER YOUR SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11254594

35,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019

Steering

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MY (AND MY SON'S) 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS BOTH HAVE BEGUN EXHIBITING THE FAILURE PROCESS THAT WILL INEVITABLY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE "ELECTRONIC ASSIST" POWER STEERING. OUR HYUNDAIS NOW HAVE A VAGUE DEAD-SPOT IN THE STEERING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED OFF CENTER AT ANY SPEED. YOU CAN FEEL IT THE MOST WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE "DEAD-SPOT ANGLE IS GETTING WIDER AND WIDER AS THE RUBBER SLIP-JOINT PART INEVITABLY DISINTEGRATES THIS RUBBER BUSHING IS A SHEAR DEVICE BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL STEERING SHAFT AND AN ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT POWERS THE HYUNDAI'S STEERING RATHER THAN TRADITIONAL HYDRAULIC PUMP POWER STEERING FOUND ON MOST CARS. MY NEIGHBOR'S HYUNDAI WENT FULLY THROUGH THE FAILURE PROCESS THAT RESULTED IN NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF THIS $1.25 (RETAIL) PART IS SO COMMON IN MANY HYUNDAI MODELS LIKE THE ELANTRA, THAT THE PARTS DEPARTMENT KEEPS A BOX OF THEM CONSTANTLY ON HAND FOR THE INEVITABLE FAILURE OF THIS PART IN EVERY HYUNDAI MODEL THAT USES IT. IT'S A HUGE PROFIT PRODUCER FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO REDESIGN THIS PART. HOWEVER, I CAN'T CURRENTLY AFFORD THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF LABOR CHARGE THAT HYUNDAI DEMANDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED PART, SO I DON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE SHE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REACT TO THE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AT HIGH SPEEDS. I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 2010 MODELS BUT ENDED THE RECALL WHEN THEY PROBABLY TOLD THE NHTSA THAT THEY CORRECTED THE PART. IN ACTUAL FACT, THEY DIDN'T FIX THE INHERENT DEFECT AND IF YOU DO A SEARCH ONLINE YOU WILL SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING ENDANGERED BY THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11252894

72,000 miles · Sep 1, 2019

Steering

MY STEERING WHEEL HAS STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND STICKS QUITE OFTEN NOW. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IF I TURN IT TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. SOMETIMES IT MAKES DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. IT DOES THIS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN YOU START TURNING THE WHEEL TO TURN AND WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11252645

80,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019

Steering

STEERING WHEEL RATTLES AND MAKES NOISES WHEN TURNING. FEELS LIKE THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING. WORRIED ABOUT HAVING ISSUES OF SAFETY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES. WHEN SWERVING TO AVOID ANIMAL FELT LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11251992

Official recalls

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

17V769000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Nov 30, 2017

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.

16V574000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Aug 2, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

Consequence & remedy

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.

13V115000 · Air Bags:side/window; Structure

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Air Bags:side/window

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

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

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio. The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires. In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines. The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS. It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension. For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied. Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates. To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years. In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires. Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · 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.

EA12008 · Headliner Bracket Detachment

Opened Sep 13, 2012 · Closed Dec 9, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window; Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:side/window

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Unknown Or Other

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