2015 Hyundai Sonata: loss of power steering

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Engine · CA

Engine / Short block assembly / Connecting rod bearing seizure. The engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic seizure while I was actively driving on a steep incline mountain road with a cliff on one side and forest on other. The vehicle experienced an immediate, total loss of motive power, forcing an emergency maneuver onto the shoulder in 5 seconds with no power steering or power brakes, creating an extreme collision hazard on a high-speed incline. The rod bearing melted due to a manufacture defect and could have also possible caught fire in heavy fire country. The fuel pump was also leaking recently and just replaced. They are nearly $1800 for a new pump because of price gauging because they are in "high demand". The Check Engine Light was solid (not flashing) for a thermostat code (P0128) due to extreme internal friction/heat from the failing bearings. There were no flashing KSDS warnings or physical signs of engine overheating. My car was denied a new engine under a Federally Mandated Warranty explicitly stating the exact symptoms of internal engine defect that happened in my car under "owner neglect" even though I have changed my oil regularly and even before the manufacture recommended time frames to do so. I've changed the valve covers, 02 sensors, thermostats, and plenty more on this car than any other car I have ever owned proving I'm actually an exceptional owner. I remained nice to all corporate staff during this process while they denied my car proper care under a Federal Mandate. I bought this car to believe that Hyundai was a superior company in regards to warranties, price, and function as opposed to the more expensive counterparts of the same class. Which in the end has cost me way more, and almost my life. This car is dangerous and the company has done everything in their power to try to cover it up while placing blame on the very consumers that are believing in them to do better.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Component/System Failed: Engine – connecting rod bearing failure consistent with Hyundai Theta II engine defect subject to federal recalls and Consent Orders. The vehicle previously received Recall Campaign 953 (KSDS software update), intended to detect premature rod bearing wear. The engine is currently knocking and has been diagnosed as requiring replacement. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Rod bearing failure can cause sudden engine seizure or stall while driving, creating a significant crash risk due to loss of power steering and braking assist. Engine failure DID occurr despite prior recall software update, indicating potential recall remedy ineffectiveness. Sudden stalling in traffic placed myself and others at risk of collision. Dealer Confirmation: Hyundai of North Charleston confirmed through warranty history a prior engine replacement request (PA) was submitted by a previous owner but denied. The recall repair was never performed. Current diagnostic findings indicate engine failure consistent with known recall defect. However, Hyundai has refused to perform further inspection or goodwill repair solely due to the vehicle’s salvage branding. Inspection History: The vehicle has been inspected by a Hyundai dealership. No engine replacement was completed. Hyundai Customer Care has updated case notes but is declining remedy based on title status rather than mechanical condition. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: The vehicle previously received KSDS software update. Engine knocking developed consistent with rod bearing wear. The software did not provide effective prevention of engine failure. The engine now requires replacement. Hyundai is refusing recall-related remedy due to salvage title (predates my wonder ship by many years), despite federal recall obligations applying to the vehicle VIN. This complaint concerns potential failure of recall remedy effectiveness and denial of defect-related inspection.

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Steering · CA

While driving a EPS light came in and the steering was extremely hard to drive. I was on the highway so I had to pull over to turn off the car and then turn it on. After turning it on it worked ok for a little and then messed up again and I couldn’t turning the steering wheel again. While driving in the highway my safety was at risk because I could have crashed into another car and hurt my self or other people driving. The car can be inspected at any point in time because it is at a Hyundai dealership where it got fixed a few months before. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has not been impounded and a selected dealer. The EPS warning light and key not detected light came on. Hyundai has multiple issues with their staring and wiring with multiple different Hyundais, including elantra and Sonata, but directly with the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. There are multiple warranties for recall 14325000. I bought this car in November 20 24 and went into the shop December 30 of 2024. It stayed in two shops, including a Hyundai dealer from December 2024 to April 2025 it had been out from April till August and went back into the shop in August. His car I believe is defective and shouldn’t be on the road whatsoever. In logically how does a whole steering column go out and need to be replaced at only 109,000 miles?!

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 65,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while her son was driving the vehicle at approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the driver pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated after the driver turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, the steering wheel responded as needed. The contact stated that the message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the loss of power steering assist was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V325000(Steering, Electrical System). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering assist motor and unknown related parts needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V325000(Steering, Electrical System); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · MO

Power steering failed, car diagnosed with code C2412 & Hyundai refuses to take accountability

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Steering · 92,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel and the contact observed that the steering wheel had become very difficult to turn. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that before the power steering failure, the engine had been replaced by a dealer. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Steering · NJ

While driving, I was in the middle of a left turn and had a reduction of the power steering assist system. I had to hit the brakes before entering the opposing traffic. I had to muscle the steering wheel to get out of the middle of the road.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Steering · AZ

The power steering went out on two different occasions. The power steering assist light came on (red steering wheel light in the lower left corner of panel). The car was extremely difficult to drive. Once the car was shut off the system reset and the steering was normal. I brought the car to the dealership twice and they told me they could not duplicate the problem and could not repair the car unless they could duplicate the problem. Hyundai USA basically told me the same thing; even though there must be a known issue because they have extended the warranty on the power steering assist system. The dealership and Hyundai's only solution was to have the car inspected at another dealership. This is a ridiculous solution since the problem seems to be an intermittent issue. Having the car inspected by another dealership will not solve anything. I believe this issue makes my car UNSAFE to drive! Hyundai will not reply to my questions such as: why an error code was not recorded when the power steering light is triggered? Hyundai should pay for the repair of these issues as they are reported by the owner and not only when it is occurring at the dealership.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Steering · VA

The electric power steering suddenly failed while making a turn on a neighborhood road shortly after beginning a drive. The incident also triggered warning lights for the Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, and Smart High Beam System. I was able to return the car to a safe location and turn it off. When I turned the car back on later, power steering and other systems worked normally. The service center was unable to recreate the issue. They recommended replacing the steering column for a cost of $3,000+ but did not perform the service due to the issue not recurring. Approximately 10 days later, the electric power steering failed again while backing out of a parking space. It worked normally again after turning the car off and back on. It is unclear if this issue is connected to the known problem with the steering coupler in this vehicle. (My specific vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the coupler issue, but has demonstrated the steering catch/clunk that is the hallmark of that problem.)

Filed Sep 22, 2022 · Steering · NY

My vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering a few days ago, with approx 52,000 miles on the odometer. At the time it happened, two warning lights came on and remained on: a red steering wheel with an exclamation point, and an orange ESC control (icon: car with squiggles underneath) light. For a few days if I turned the car off and back on, the power steering would return and the warning lights would turn off. However today the car started with the lights on and no power steering and it appears to be permanently failed at this time. There is a recall issued for 2015 Sonatas for a power steering issue that sounds identical but my VIN does not appear to be included. My local dealership has no appointments available until November 8th and I have been informed that new power steering components will cost over $2500.

Filed Aug 2, 2022 · Steering · TX

Power steering stopped working. 2 icons came up on instrument panel. A red steering wheel with an exclamation point and a car skidding. I was making a turn and was unable to turn the car back straight. Luckily I was going slow and was able to get stopped. I was able to get the car home without power steering. After restarting the car the power steering came back. Now I can't trust the car.

Filed Mar 14, 2022 · Steering · 56,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would intermittently fail as the reduction in power steering assist would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that his vehicle would shut off while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle would independently accelerate as the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to stop the acceleration. The dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.