Check a VIN

Hyundai Santa Fe steering noise problems

35 of the 7,720 owner complaints about the Hyundai Santa Fe describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
35
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2020
    2
  • 2019
    1
  • 2014
    10
  • 2013
    15
  • 2012
    2
  • 2007
    2
  • 2002
    1

What owners say

Filed Nov 27, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA

Consistently after 10-20 minutes of driving with steering assist or immediately upon driving on cold days (under 50F), the steering wheel generates loud squeaking noises with the steering wheel stiffening and becoming harder to turn, creating a potential safety issue. The change is gradual but required a full stop of the car, shutdown, and restart to remedy. This issue has persisted for months and other Hyundai owners have shared the issue on various forums with Hyundai’s solution to replace the full steering column in some instances. Many owners seem to not be able to get help as dealers are not able to easily replicate this issue without lengthy drives.

Filed May 21, 2025 · Fuel system, Steering · WA

Steering made clicking sounds when turning. Injectors caused the car to run very rough!

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · VA

Engine oil disappear at 2,000 miles. Car dead stop while driving without any warning ⚠️ break fails at 95 degrees curves. Steering wheel loose and make noise. Hyundai dealer refused to fix the issue.

Filed Jun 21, 2024 · Steering · FL

I drive a 2014 Sante Fe Sport. I noticed a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. Initially, I heard it once in a while. I thought it was a one-time event. The clicking noise is more constant, when making a turn while the car is in motion. Sometimes the steering wheel feels 'loose' or uncontrollable. It seems to be an issue with the steering coupler. It seems as this is a safety concern for me and others while driving.

Filed May 8, 2023 · Steering · IL

Steering has clicking noise when turning. I believe this is related to The MDPS (motor driven power steering) flexible rubber coupler. Similar issue exists for certain model of Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, which resulted in extended warranty. I believe the issue is the same part that Hyundai offered extended warranty on. I feel excessive vibration on the steering wheel during 70MPH speed on a highway and going over bumps. I feel unsafe driving my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with this issue. Please investigate. Thanks!

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Steering · NJ

On February 14, 2023 while driving Steering wheel broke (steering component failed) and had to stop at nearest repair station and was told not safe to drive. It was making clicking noise when turning wheel and backing out of a parking space. Next day had it towed to Hyundai and said the steering component in dashboard fell and metal crash bar was completely broken. They suggested I go through my insurance company because they didn’t know how it happened and said it was from a road hazard or pot hole I hit, but that was not the case and the insurance investigator did not see any signs of a collision and said it was probably a faulty part. What concerns me most is that if I was driving at high speeds on a highway it could have been very dangerous to loose my steering and cause a bad accident. I’m not sure how long my steering wheel was broken because I did hear noises but just thought it was the steering adjustment bar wasn’t in the lock position. It’s very disturbing to think I could have gotten killed. Hyundai doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge that it could be a manufacturer default and a safety issue on there part because the car is out of warranty. They don’t what to tell me what caused the problem of the steering column to fall and the metal bar to break. I’m the original owner and the car is kept in excellent condition with no neglect for this safety issue to happen for no apparent reason is very concerning. The repair fix the problem will cost $5,000. I did research the issue and found that there was a safety recall for faulty steering columns on 2017 Santa fe models and could cause a bad accident. I would like to report this issue and find out if anyone else reported the issue with their 2013 model. I would like to know if the following recall on the 2017 Hyundai Santafe could be somehow connected to my steering column issue: Recall 173. the federal safety agency campaign number: 18V11800

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Steering · NY

The car started to make a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel whether straight or turning. The wheel was shaking and there was some wiggle with steering. I was hours from home and did not feel safe driving the vehicle. Left it at a non-Hyundai repair shop. Was told the next day it was an issue with the plastic coupler in the steering column and Hyundai had a recall on it. Drove it home and brought it to my local dealer where we have all our repairs done. Was told there's no recall. After reading the exact same complaint by so many people on here and other online places I was shocked there was no recall for this issue. Others have stated Hyundai did recalls on some of their other vehicles for just this part/problem.

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Steering · AZ

Steering column coupler is failing. If it breaks completely, I could lose control of steering and it could lead to a crash. It is available for inspection and has been inspected by Hyundai and confirmed that it is a coupler failing. The only known problem, that I didn't realize was a problem, was vibration upon braking (I thought that was the rotors needing attention) and vibration when hitting speeds between 65-75 (which I thought was an alignment issue). It was when I tool it in for an alignment that I was asked if there was any "play" or clicking in the steering column and there was, but it was so slight, I had not thought anything of it. I was told there was a recall on this part for two models in 2014, but my Santa Fe was not part of that. There was also a recall for this part on a Santa Fe 2016 forward; again, it excluded my vehicle. The job is expensive, for a $24.00 part replacement. I am told the entire steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $2800.00 and that was from the Hyundai dealer.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · Steering · MD

All incidents, no accidents[Thannk God!] I drive a 2014 Sante Fe Sport. I noticed a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. Initially, I heard it once in a while. I thought it was a one time noise. The clicking noise is more constant, when making a turn while the car is in motion. Sometimes the steering wheel feels 'loose' or uncontrollable. I believe it is the steering wheel or coupler. I am concerned for my safety and other drivers. Hearing this clicking constantly, sounds like the steering wheel is going to break. It is annoying! I am not comfortable driving this vehicle. I have no other means of transportation. I looked on the internet. I saw where customers have listed this complaint. There was a recall for 2018. The recall was shown as 173. This did not include my year, 2014. There was no recall shown. Please review the links listed below! https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/hyundai-santa-fe-steering-wheels-can-fall-off-recall.shtml -39 to 325 complaints https://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/Santa_Fe/2014/steering/steering.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/investigations/https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/hyundai-power-steering-lawsuit-denied-class-action-certification.shtml As of 6.2.2021, Local Dealer and 855.371.9460 [corporate] has no information on recall or complaints. No warning lights or messages appear! HELP !!!

Filed May 29, 2021 · Steering · KY

The steering column makes a loud clicking noise - read online an several YouTube videos that there is a defective part in the steering unit on a lot of these. Steering is very big part of control especially with kids in the car I think there should be a recall to fix the part in hyaundia that is clicking in all the steering very serious problem because it is how u control the car.

Related recalls

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported February 17, 2018 · 41,070 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
Risk
A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.

Recall number 18V118000 · Recall details

Questions about the Hyundai Santa Fe steering noise

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have clunking or noise when steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (15 complaints), 2014 (10 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history