2016 Hyundai Sonata: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Steering, Wheels · 144,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact was able to push the vehicle to a parking space with assistance. The vehicle was then pushed on to a tow truck and was towed to a Cadillac dealer but was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to Goose Auto Repair, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driver's side wheel hub had fractured, causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2023 · Steering · 84,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized upon turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle then stalled with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering module. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Steering · 36,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while turning into a parking spot, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the steering shaft and steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2023 · Steering · TX

I want to report a safety concern to the federal safety agency in regards to the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. In 2019, I took my Sonata in for repair work because the steering wheel locked up while I was driving the vehicle on the city streets. I was able to get over to the side of the road with a great amount of effort, turn the car off, turn the car back on, and the steering wheel was working again. Towards Oct/Nov time frame of 2019, my 20 year old son was driving the Sonata on a city street. He had the steering wheel lock up on him while he was driving. He, too, was able to manage to come to a stop and force the steering wheel, with a great amount of effort, to pull over into a parking lot. We were able to acquire control of the steering wheel again after turning the car off and turning it back on again. While my son was driving the car, in college, he had the same thing happen again. He was able to get it corrected and immediately get it to a Hyundai dealership where he was going to college. While the auto technician was driving the car, he too experienced the same problem. The technician was able to guide the car to a slow stop and eventually get it back to the dealership. I have all the paperwork stating this. Eventually the dealership was able to narrow down the problem to about 2-3 steering wheel angle sensors. Those were replaced, fortunately under warranty, and we were able to move on. The car was repaired in December of 2019. Just this week, on January 10th and 11th of 2023, I was driving the Sonata to and from work. On my way home from the hospital that I work at, the steering wheel locked up on me again while I was on an overpass in the city. I was able to manage getting the car home, but it took all my effort to be able to control/manipulate the steering wheel in to turning motions. I am a 6'5" / 226# man and it was extremely difficult for me to control the car and the steering wheel. This problem should not be recurring after 3 yrs from previous repair.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Steering · AZ

While turning onto the freeway the steering locked up and would not budge. Power steering light and traction control light came on. Turned car off and back on and it Went away for a few days. Almost crashed into the side railing and other cars on freeway. Dealership said it was the battery and replaced it. A few weeks later the same thing happened pulling out of the garage. Steering locked up and lights came on. Dealership said they could not duplicate the issue. It is locked right now but would need to be towed to a shop.

Filed Dec 31, 2020 · Steering · 37,660 miles · VA

At stop sign to turn left, started and steering wheel would not turn. Felt like loss of power steering. Fortunately, no other cars around, I put gear in reverse to back up before hitting ditch on other side of road. I turned off car, restarted and wheel worked. Stopped on major highway to turn at light, happened again. Manage to get car to pohanka hyundai svc dept.. Next day, was told it was a sensor. Car drove ok for a couple of days and then happened again, two different times. Waited until after christmas to call pohanka but decided to research recalls on this model. Dec 30th, stopped to turn left onto street, steering locked up, almost went in ditch crossing over 2 lanes. Cut off engine with key, restarted car, backed up and managed to get off road to keep from being hit by oncoming vehicles. Researched to find many complaints with steering since 2017! This is dangerous and want hyundai accountable. I want to know what the problem is and if it can be fixed or if car needs to be replaced.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Steering · 104,000 miles · IL

I was trying to back into a park and the steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn. An indicator light with a steering wheel inside of a circle with a ! Came on along with traction indicator.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Steering · 60,000 miles · MA

The steering wheel locked failed during cold weather. Steering wheel lock would not release when trying to turn key, even though I was able to turn the steering wheel while trying to turn key. Worried wheel lock could fail while driving. Also, I see this car had other recalls which I never received info from hyundai about, I am second owner of vehicle bought from hyundai dealer in northhampton, ma.