2011 Hyundai Santa Fe: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Engine · NV

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. With no prior indications, the engine seized while driving on side street at 25mph. Engine blew hole in block and dumped engine parts, including piston rod, piston and engine block remnants, and oil on street. Very dangerous as power steering stopped and was unable to turn. Very low miles, 40,680, with all maintenance performed by dealer. Filed a report with Hyundai USA, no action taken.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Engine · SC

I was driving the car on a 4 lane road when suddenly the engine shut off and the car was no longer functioning. I lost power steering and had to coast into a nearby parking lot, otherwise I would have caused a major accident in the middle of a busy intersection with another 4 lane road. Upon taking the car to Hyundai for evaluation, it was declared to be total engine failure. Given the other issues with Hyundai engines failing and the fact that I VERY NARROWLY AVOIDED A MASSIVE COLLISION, I would like the federal safety agency to be aware that this problem may go back farther than Hyundai has addressed so far.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Steering · 67,000 miles · FL

The vehicle was moving about 35mph on a street when the power steering high pressure line failed, we were traveling on a straight road and by the time I heard the whining of the pump, the power steering fluid had leaked out and of course we lost power steering. The failure was due to corrosion of the the metal pipe where the it couples to the flexible hose from the pump. Fortunately this only resulted in having to drive home without power steering. The high pressure line was replace by a local shop. The vehicle has 67k miles on it and has not been used in any extreme corrosive environment. I contacted hyundai to report this as well, waiting for a response.

Filed Nov 18, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 54,000 miles · CA

While driving at a rate of less than 5-10 mpg in heavy traffic on the 105 west freeway. The car suddenly lost power steering abilities and all power in the vehicle without notification lights or any other strange peculiarities. Both the check engine and oil lights went on. I managed to pull over with whatever residual power remaining as not to impede traffic but it was a terrifying struggle. The gears were also locked and unable to shift. I turned off the ignition and restarted the car. All the lights on the dashboard cleared and there are no diagnostics on the computer that reflect this problem. It is unknown what is causing the issue. Months prior (6 months) I was driving at a higher rate of speed (approx 30 MPH) on the same freeway, early morning, and the same problem also happened. This could have caused me to be rear ended badly or worse.

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2011 hyundai santa fe. Consumer writes in regards to while driving vehicle engine shut off and car died. *smd the consumer stated when he slowed down to go around a curve, the vehicle shut off. He could barely get the vehicle to the side of the roadway, because there was no power steering or power brakes. Tech support, recommended replacing the throttle body, since the dealer could not find a problem. However, on march 1, 2014, while driving in a parking lot at 10 MPH, the engine shut off again. The power steering and brakes were not operable. He let the vehicle sit for several minutes before re-starting it. The consumer returned to the dealer, and after a thorough examination, they were unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Nov 1, 2013 · Engine · 19,000 miles · MN

While driving at slow speed 10-15 MPH and braking the car completely stalled, once while turning left and once while going straight. Loss of power steering and power brakes and narrowly avoiding hitting another vehicle. No check engine light came on and no codes stored.

Filed Apr 6, 2013 · Engine · 34,530 miles · CA

Was negotiating a left sided curve on the downhill side of a steep, windy road in a remote area between oakland and moraga, ca when I suddenly lost steering power. I went to hit the brakes and found that my brakes also had no power. I pushed very hard on the brakes and managed to get the vehicle to stop. Had I been unable to stop, my car would've gone directly over a very steep hillside that borders a reservoir. As it was, the rear end of my car was jutted out halfway onto the roadway and only a few yards from a blind curve. This particular spot also has no cell phone coverage. After putting the car in park, I noted that my ignition was still in the "on" position and that all the appropriate dash lights were on, but the engine sound was absent and the tach read zero. I did not notice any error messages on my dash. I turned the car off, then turned the ignition back on. The car started right up with no hesitation. I heard no unusual engine noises or experienced any difficulties with driving the vehicle. I drove to the closest service station approx. 3-4 miles from the incident location. The mechanic did a quick check under the hood, found nothing unusual and suggested I go directly to the hyundai dealership. I took my car to future hyundai in concord, ca. They ran diagnostics the next day, then reported that they "could find nothing wrong with the car." I expressed my fear of driving the vehicle based on very rational safety concerns and what I felt had been a close call on my life the day prior. I also told the service person that a quick look online lead me to find several stories similar to mine. I was told I would need to talk with the service manager the next day as he was not available. I then called hyundai customer service and reported the entire history of this issue. I have been assigned case # [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 19, 2012 · Transmission · 13,300 miles · CA

The engine shut down twice while driving it. First shut down on 5/8/2012: after beginning to accelerate for a left turn after being idle at a left turn red light the car's engine lost power before the turn was completed. Power steering went out. Got honked at as cars behind noticed something wrong. Coasted to the side of the road after completing the turn and had to turn the ignition in the off position to turn the engine back on. Second shut down on 8/3/2012: while turning left in a shopping center parking lot the car's engine lost power. Power steering went out. After coming to a stop had to turn the ignition in the off position to turn the engine back on.