2011 Hyundai Sonata: loss of power steering

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Steering · WI

Intermittent and sudden loss of power steering nearly caused an accident for both of sons when each one was driving on two separate occasions this past week. "EPS" and traction control warning lights both illuminate on the dash when steering goes out. Sometimes the codes will clear themselves out after restarting the vehicle, but not always. Had it inspected by an independent service center and they cleared out the codes with their scanner. Steering worked fine for a few days afterwards, but then suddenly lost power steering again yesterday. It is very dangerous to drive and it is very unpredictable. I see that there was a recall for this issue for certain manufacture dates for 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but mine was not part of the recall. I believe that it should be part of that recall before someone dies or is injured.

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Engine · 189,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the instrument cluster started showing numerous warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact started smelling a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the hood, and a large cloud of smoke was released. There were no flames, but the contact smelled the odor of melted plastic and rubber. The Fire Department was called but the vehicle did not catch on fire. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had been consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The contact stated he was adding one quart of engine oil per week. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2023 · Steering · CA

EPS sensor indicator light comes on intermittently causes vehicle to lose power steering capabilities. independant repair shop can clear the code to restore, but remains a problem. we took vehicle to Hyndai dealership and was advised this vin number is not covered by recall 143. i believe this is a seroius safety issue. Dealership now wants $3108 to replace column and housing assembly and torque angle sensor harness not covered. vehicle was purchased 5/30/18 from another dealership and was told all recalls were addressed.

Filed Jul 14, 2023 · Steering · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed with the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Steering · 115,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · CA

The car suddenly stopped idling while driving at around 40-45 mph and everything seemed normal until it would not drive but the car was on and then the steering was difficult to pull over to a safe area and the brakes were hard to brake and stop but when it came to a full stop the vehicle dash warning lights were flickering and shut off. When I tried to attempt and start the vehicle it would not start but everything turns on ike normal al the lights except the engine was not on. Also it started smelling like some sort of electrical components were burning or something but I couldn't see any smoke or anything coming from the engine area but it seemed like electrical burn somewhere in the car. The vehicle is very unsafe to drive since there was no kind of warning lights or sounds and just stopped working while driving. The vehicle is well maintained and up to date with maintenance services. It became inoperable and had to be towed home since I ended up stuck in a unsafe spot in the middle of a busy street and waited hours for someone to tow it back to my house because it was already about 1 or 2 in the morning. The next day had hired a mechanic to come and do the diagnostics and repairs and still doesn't start or drive and I had to hire another mechanic to diagnose the problem again and was told that the motor is seized and I would need a new engine and other work done on it as well and so me and my family are stuck without a car which is our only car and no more money to fix the car and have no way to bring my child to school and also take my wife to work and etc etc since this problem and don't know what's wrong with it after spending so much money trying to have it fixed so possibly a lemon car.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Engine, Steering · MI

I was driving home from work & out of NOWHERE the engine seized & power steering was very hard due to it being electric. Hyundai then denied my engine for "Lack of maintenance" AFTER they KNOWINGLY put my life & others t risk for even letting these cars be driving without proper caution or engine replacement.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Engine · 118,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would emit abnormal loud knocking sounds. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption; the vehicle was consuming about 4 quarts of oil per week. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the electric power steering assist and the brake assist were no longer operable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Steering · 44,181 miles · VA

The contact's father owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his father was attempting to make a turn, the electric power steering failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed as a steering column failure. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,181.

Filed Jan 15, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 210,000 miles · WI

Front driver strut coil spring broke while parked . Power steering assist motor coupling gear broke .

Filed Jun 28, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 113,000 miles · CO

I was driving my vehicle downtown and my eps light came on along as well as flickering of my low tire pressure and ABS light which I believe is breaks failing. But I had failure of my power steering for sure. Out of nowhere I could no longer navigate heavy and slow traffic. I turned the car off and back on only to have all of my gears lock up and not allow me to even attempt at moving it, after turning it off the second time car entirely died and will not start at all. We managed to get the gears unlocked after a few attempts with just the battery on and push it off the busy road to call for a tow truck. I see online that the 2011 hyundai sonata has a recall for the power steering failure but my VIN is not covered but I am definitely effected by this recall. The campaign number is 16v190000

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Steering · 89,000 miles · CO

The steering column is making clunking sounds when turning right or left and the vehicle has lost steering response. My own reading tells me that it is the bushing in the column, which has been worn down or broken; long story short - this is not a unique problem to me. The vehicle unsafe to drive at this point.