Hyundai Elantra steering problems, 2016–2026
143 of the 2,530 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Elantra 2016–2026 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2017 (72), 2020 (20), 2016 (19). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Elantra steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 7 | 11% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 20 | 8% | — | 22 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 16 | 5% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 72 | 9% | 46k | 18 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 | 19 | 6% | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 18 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 8
Across the model years, half of the 47 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 7,000 and 55,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The steering wheel tightens up occasionally when making right turns. Also when turning the steering wheel it makes a clicking turning on gravel sound on occasion. No ESP light is on, on the dash cluster. It is without a doubt 2017 Hyundai Elantra have steering problems that need to be address and recalled
There was a recall on 3/28/2017 on the 2017 hyundai Elantra for a power steering (eps motor) problem. Recall 161 I recently bought a 2017 Hyundai Elantra used. It showed no outstanding unrepaired recalls on the vin number check.
Good morning, I was hearing a rubbing noise every time I turned my steering wheel on my 3020 Hyundai Elantra. I did some research and found a Hyundai service bulletin explaining the worm gear shaft. I brought it to my local Hyundai dealership in Manchester New Hampshire. They confirmed that it was indeed the worm gear shaft.
There has been a noise coming from my steering column. Its sounds a like rubbing or whirring noise. It only happens at low or stationary speeds. I took the vehicle to a local shop in my area. They diagnosed the problem as the Worm Shaft Assembly ( located inside the steering column).
Shaft and steering kopler broken.. No one else can fix it but the dealer. Multiple complains online
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 17V213000 HighMar 28, 2017 · 99 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Feb 28, 2026
- Some Elantra (CN7) vehicles may exhibit vibration in the steering wheel when the cooling fan is operated at high speed. Follow the service procedure in this TSB to inspect and replace the engine cooling fan if this vibration is present.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Elantra
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Elantra problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Elantra years have the most steering complaints?
2017, 72; 2020, 20; 2016, 19. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (11%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Hyundai Elantra?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 17V213000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 26,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 55,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.