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.
Hyundai Sonata steering lock-up problems
148 of the 16,121 owner complaints about the Hyundai Sonata describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 148
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 69,878
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 40Power steering loss 11Loss of power 8Check engine light 7Stalling 6Jerking 4Warning lights 3Steering noise 3
Trouble codes mentioned
C2700 1
What owners say
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.
The steering column locks up. When start vehicle and make turn to get on road the steering locks up and cannot turn the wheel. This is safety concern and not safe to drive.
- 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.
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.
My EPS light comes on and my steering wheel locks up the dealership says that isn’t a recall but I can pull it up and it says my car was affected by the sonata electric power steering control module recall . It’s on [XXX] it’s a very unsafe for me and other drivers because I don’t know when it will come on and it comes on when I’m driving at random times INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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!!
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized, and the electrical system became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) nor 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Steering wheel locked with skid slip lines and red steering wheel and exclamation mark lights on. Steering wheel locked up while driving. The car will no turn and is not drivable because the wheel will not turn.
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.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.
- Risk
- With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 143.
Recall number 16V190000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall began on october 11, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer service center at 1‑787‑999‑3333.
Recall number 10V457000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 10V426000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Sonata steering lock-up
Which Hyundai Sonata years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (57 complaints), 2011 (28 complaints) and 2015 (13 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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