Hyundai Sonata steering problems, 2016–2027
215 of the 2,997 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Sonata 2016–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2017 (181), 2016 (33), 2020 (1). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Sonata 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | 37 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | 39 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 181 | 21% | 55k | 49 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 33 | 4% | 40k | 28 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: 2 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 18 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 54 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 4
Across the model years, half of the 80 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 17,000 and 75,000 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.
Driving the vehicle, I was turning right on exit , the steering wheels turn extremely hard. It turn so hard have to pull over on side of the road. Steering light and traction turn on. Cycle the key and vehicle reset light nothing happen. Vehicle do not give fault code after key was cycle
Total loss of power steering while driving, wheel locks up randomly. Hyundai dealer said the battery was old, I put a new hyundai battery in it and the steering locked up leaving the dealership. VERY DANGEROUS
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.
Driving on dry road, in middle lane of three lanes going 65 MPH. Suddenly, right rear tire "poofed" but I kept control, started to look right to get off road. Took foot off gas, did not put on brake.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNothing filed under this heading on these model years.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Sonata
Source: the same files- engine problems
- fuel system problems
- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Hyundai Sonata problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Sonata years have the most steering complaints?
2017, 181; 2016, 33; 2020, 1. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (21%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Hyundai Sonata?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do steering problems show up on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 45,200 miles across the model years; half of them between 17,000 and 75,000. 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.