2017 Hyundai Sonata: steering wheel locks up

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Steering · CA

While driving around 45 mph, the steering wheel locked up and car came to a hard stop. Luckily cars swerved to avoid me. This was the second time it happened. The first time I was in a parking garage and the steering wheel locked up. After restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel worked again. The dash showed no fault codes or engine light. I found out there is a service bulletin and took it in to the dealer. Once there, the confirmed it was the power steering and is covered by the service bulletin and extended warranty. However, because the bulletin requires the dealer to clear code to try and reproduce it, I have to pick up vehicle because they could not reproduce the fault code. So now I have to drive the vehicle knowing their is a service bulletin for the problem and have it happen again before it is fixed. There is an extremely high likelihood of injury considering you lose all power at wheel and car continues to move.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Steering · 59,011 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH in a parking lot, the steering wheel seized. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle became sluggish and snagged while driving to the residence. The steering wheel symbol in red was displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,011.

Filed Aug 17, 2025 · Steering · CA

- I was reversing from a car space, and do a K-turn, the steering wheel locked when moving forward. When the steering wheel locked, the red steering wheel light on the dashboard is on. I have to turn off the engine to reset the power steering. It's available for inspection upon request. - I cannot move the car in the parking lot. The other drivers in the lot do not know what happened. - I don't know exact step to reproduce the problem. - The 2015 Sonata may have a faulty EPS (Electronic Power Steering) motor, or a failed torque sensor. It would be helpful for Hyundai to confirm the 2017 Sonata model does not have these issues/recalls.

Filed Oct 3, 2024 · Engine, Steering · PA

My engine burns oil like crazy. At least 1 qt every 1,000 miles or less. Took to dealership and was given a hard time about it having an issue. Now my power steering light keeps randomly coming on. I'll feel the steering start to get hard to steer. Thought I needed belts so I replaced both serpentine & water pump belt but it still happens. When my power steering light comes on and steering wheel locks up, I have to put the car in park & rev the engine to get the light to turn off. Mechanics said all pulleys are in good shape so not sure what's doing it. My lights also start to flicker when power steering light comes on. I have a new altenator and battery so it's not caused from that. I have no idea what's causing it but it's extremely dangerous!!

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Steering · TX

Complete steering column replacement is required (COLUMN & SHAFT ASSY-STEERING 56310-C2700). When turning all the way, like to turn 90 degrees or enter a parking space, the steering wheel locks. Car must be turned off and restarted. Sometimes you have to do this a couple of times for the steering wheel to unlock. Hyundai dealer agrees that the steering column has to be replace, unsafe to drive vehicle. It is June and have been waiting six months for Hyundai to provide the part. Hyundai USA corporate says they don't know when the part will be available, they will not provide a date, could be next year according to some employees at the Hyundai dealer. Hyundai says it is not a manufacturing defect, even though there are many comments on line, and previous models have issued recalls for this same defect.

Filed Apr 29, 2024 · Steering · TX

Power steering stops working while driving. Feels like steering wheel locks up while driving, extremely dangerous and frightening. It's a intermittent issue and hard to duplicate at the Hyundai dealership. This is a known issue and Hyundai is making it difficult to people to get their cars fixed and safe again because their mechanics cannot duplicate the issue at will at the shop. This excuse is not acceptable. This serious issue is legitimate and will cost someone their life.

Filed Dec 31, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · CA

Problem 1: I made a right turn at a red light. As I turned my power steering light turned on and my steering wheel locked up and I lost control of the vehicle. After stopping and turning off the vehicle, I restarted it. At this point I was able to regain control of the car. A few days later the same thing happened again as I made a right turn from a parking lot into the flow of traffic. One again I stopped the engine and restarted the car, then I regained control of the car. Problem 2 (May be related): My passenger side headlight was replaced a year ago. Recently the light went out again. I took the car in to a mechanic to repair it. It was repaired so I thought. Two days later the light went out again. The mechanic believes their may be an electrical issue. Problem 3 (May be related): My driver side brake light was replaced about a year ago as well. It has now gone out again. I have had my vehicle serviced twice by a Hyundai dealership at least twice since the first incident.

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Steering · NY

Steering wheel froze/would not turn, and Shift selector and Ignition key were also frozen on Three occasions. Once while backing out of parking space, and Twice after being parked. Vehicle is available for inspection. Frozen steering wheel while in motion could have caused accident. Car was inspected by Dealership, but Service Representative stated " could Not determine problem unless it was happening at time of their inspection" and " they are having this problem on other Hyundai models." Only inspected by original Dealership. No prior warning to any of the three incidents.

Filed Jun 28, 2023 · Steering · MS

While turning right my steering wheel locked up. I was able to turn it enough to get on the side of the road, I turned it off and turned it back on and it was fine for about a week and then it started to lock up again. I tried turning it off and turning it back on but it has continued to lock up every time and I am unable to drive it without it being a danger.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · Steering · CA

I’ve had my 2017 Hyundai Sonata for approximately 1 year, purchased through a Carmax dealership. With no explanation, while making a left hand turn the steering wheel locked for about 1-2 seconds and all lights related to the steering and braking system appeared on the dashboard, they instantly disappeared and my steering wheel was usable again. This same incident happened an hour later making a right hand turn, as well as a third time going straight over a speed bump: This issue is intermittent, occurring fairly rarely, however it’s terrifying and extremely dangerous to drive the car now. The vehicle is full on power steering fluid and hasn’t been in any accidents. I’ve talked to numerous people with this same issue. This will kill somebody if it isn’t addressed as a recall. Most people can’t afford to have intermittent problems diagnosed, due to most auto shops / dealerships not being able to help unless there are warning lights on the dashboard. Please help

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Steering · CA

The system malfunction would be the power steering. As I turned the car on and then proceeded to go in reverse out of my driveway, my steering wheel locked up as I made a left. A red steering wheel with exclamation mark popped up on my dashboard and steering wheel was locked. I believe the outcome would have been extremely unsafe If it would have happened on the road, because I had no control of steering

Filed Oct 26, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · TX

I purchased a brand new Hyundai Sonata SE in 2017. After 1.5 years, I took a 3-4 hour road trip from Houston to Longview, TX. During that trip, my steering wheel locked and I could not turn the wheel as my traction and steering wheel light lit up on my dashboard. To remedy the problem, I had to turn the engine off and back on. There was no accident but there could have been since I was driving amongst other vehicles on the interstate. This was the first of many scary incidents with my locked steering wheel. I've reported and submitted this complaint to Hyundai but they have done nothing to remedy the problem. The Hyundai dealership explained they cannot do anything unless there diagnostic machine can detect the problem. I explained that it normally happens while I'm driving and that there are several online and Youtube reviews of other 2017 Hyundai Sonata vehicle owners with the same issue. I also showed the traction and steering wheel lights that come on when the steering wheel locks. Still there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is getting increasingly worse as I now must turn it off and on three times before the steering wheel unlocks. This is a danger to myself, my children, pedestrians, and other drivers. The steering wheel locks unexpectedly and without warning. I facilitate large groups and happen to mention my issue with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata today. They were alarmed about the dangers to myself and others while driving the 2017 Hyundai Sonata SE. I explained that it was previously reported to Hyundai and the federal safety agency but nothing was done to remedy the problem. The group encouraged me to report it again. I'm doing so with little to no confidence that mentioning it will do anything. It may take someone or people being killed or seriously hurt before anything is done. I can't afford another vehicle and need it for transportation. Otherwise I would have purchased another brand of vehicle.