Hyundai Sonata power steering loss problems

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 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 Jun 6, 2026 · Engine · VA

Vehicle experienced sudden loss of motive power while merging onto interstate I accelerated to enter traffic and all dashboard warning lights illuminated at once. Engine shut off immediately with no prior knocking,smoke, or warning. Car coasted to shoulder with complete loss of power steering and power brakes. After incident vehicle will not crank or restart , push -button start activates accessories but engine does not turn over when brake is pressed. Vehicle has Campaign 953\Knock Sensor Detection system update completed on October 14 2020. This failure matches the federal safety agency PE-18-003 and Hyundai TSB 22 -EM-003H for Theta II Engine connecting rod bearing failure.This is a known safety defect causing sudden engine stall at highway speeds .. Dealer inspection is pending Vehicle is currently inoperable...

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine · VA

While merging onto the interstate my vehicle suffered sudden loss of motive power. All dash lights illuminated ,engine shut off instantly with no prior knock or warning.vehicle will not crank or restart.push button start activates accessories only .This matches TSB 22-EM-003H for connecting rod bearing seizure.No crash occured because I was able to coast to shoulder but loss of power steering/brakes at highway speed created a dangerous situation.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Engine · VA

While accelerating to merge into traffic, the engine suddenly lost power and died completely. I lost power steering and power brakes, making it difficult to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. There was no warning light or unusual noise prior to the stall. The vehicle has approximately 138,000 miles. This stall occurred in live traffic, creating a high risk of a rear-end collision.

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 Feb 3, 2026 · Steering · VA

Was just driving and lost steering, basically very hard to turn the wheel. Traction control light and a red steering wheel light came on.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Steering · FL

While driving my vehicle I have lost power steering twice completely. The first time I was in a five-story parking garage turning into a parking space, when power steering went out. The second time I was pulling into my driveway and the power steering went completely out. At other times my car would pull to the right just a little at one point or maybe even harder at other points. I never know when I'm going to have a problem sometimes I don't have a problem, car drives normal this problem has existed for the last 3 weeks. Like power steering sometimes is harder to turn to the left around a curve are a corner. When the steering goes out warning lights do come on one like a hazard sign one like engine light and others. I take really good care of my car my personal mechanic has called Hyundai so he could get information on how to fix my vehicle they have informed him that I have to bring it into them and would not tell my mechanic what the problem was. I would say the problem exists 20% of the time 80% of the time the card drives great no problems but while driving these things change.

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 17, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · TX

Vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Sonata. Current Mileage: 17,804 Primary Safety Defect: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Steering Malfunction The vehicle's ESC system has a severe, intermittent malfunction causing unpredictable loss of steering control. This defect creates an extreme safety hazard. Occurrences include the vehicle veering unexpectedly towards highway medians and losing steering precision during turns and roundabouts, leading to multiple near-collision incidents. The vehicle is currently considered unsafe to operate. Relevant History: This ESC concern was subject to a manufacturer recall. An authorized Hyundai dealership performed the "ESC SOFTWARE LOGIC UPDATE (24-01-065H-1)" on June 6, 2025. Despite this specific recall repair, the severe ESC steering issue has persisted and recurred multiple times since that date, indicating a failure of the repair to permanently resolve the safety defect. Secondary Safety Defect: Inaudible Parking Collision Assistance The vehicle's parking collision assistance system is non-functional. Its audible warnings are inaudible and have never worked as designed since vehicle acquisition. This eliminates a critical safety feature intended to prevent low-speed parking collisions. Finally, The combination of a critical, recurring ESC steering defect, unaddressed by a recall repair, and a continuously inaudible parking collision assistance system, renders this vehicle highly unsafe to drive. Immediate investigation and permanent resolution are required.