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Hyundai Sonata steering noise problems

524 of the 16,121 owner complaints about the Hyundai Sonata describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
524
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$394
typical mileage
75,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Airbags, Fuel system · CA

I purchased fgis car from a used car dealership, for over $6,000.00 , which is not a ton of money, but plenty enough to not have instant issues. Since my purchase in june 30, 2026, i have already had all of these issues occur. There is white smoke coming from the left tail pipe, it is sluggish when you push on the gas, there is black soot constantly on my rims that is extreamly hard to remove, the high pressure fuel pump jas failed, I can tell because the oil is higher then it was when o had the oil freshly changed, and it smells of gasoline.inside the oil. The exhaust has stron smell of gasoline. My steering wheel has a loud clinking noise everytime I go over a speed bump on pull into my driveway. Just so many items consistently needing repair or replacement, even though I just had the fuel system cleaned, the oil changed, and filters, and.oil filter too. I checked to see if any of my issues are covered by a recall warranty, because they all are recalled items for my car year, make, and model, but apparently Hyunfai is only covering these dangerous recall items for ul to 10 years. These items shkuld be covered longer, because my carfax states that at least one of these recalled items had already been changed in 2018, and is already broken again!! Hyundai should have covered these extreamly high wear out car parts for a longer period of time, or for the life of the vehicle, if every 5 years your replacing a $1000.00 part, not including labor, like the (HPFP) I was quoted by auto zone for over that price point!! "Ridiculous"! Another item is the air bag cover on the driver side windows area, of the body frame it is loose and keeps un-clipping, i am afraid that it is going to possibly just go off and kill me or something!! Very disappointed right now, that i cannot get any of these recalled items replaced by the manufacturer!!

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Transmission · CA

2019 Hyundai Sonata Sport. (Original owner). Problem: Transmission. [XXX] (9,912 miles). Lack of power, vehicle did not move when trying to merge onto freeway. Very unsafe. Also, hesitation and jerking. [XXX] (10,619 miles). Lack of power, hesitation, jerking. Hyundai tech performed TSB, TCU updates, ECU update for knock sensor performance, reset engine & transmission updates. [XXX] (41,332 miles). Harsh shifts, hesitation, jerking, clunk sound, gear grabs, bursts of power, lack of power. Unsafe to drive. February 2, 2026 (41,751 miles). Hyundai tech found leak at case seal. Hyundai replaced transmission. [XXX] rough start, vibration in pedals. March 9, 2026 Hyundai tech found transmission fluid leak at case seal. Hyundai replaced transmission. March 25, 2026 Hyundai service advisor voicemail said, have to submit to Hyundai another transmission replacement because new transmission is not good. Issues shifting in reverse, hard slams, loses gears. [XXX] picked up vehicle from Hyundai service dept. Harsh shifting, hesitation, jerking, clunk sound, gear grabs, bursts of power. Clunk sound in steering wheel when turned back-and-forth. Front end vibration & wobbly. Vehicle unsafe. May 26, 2026. I notified Hyundai Motor America. Case #[XXX]. June 10, 2026 (43,000 miles). Hyundai service dept. informed me of right and left front axle replacement, universal steering joint replacement. Vehicle unsafe. [XXX] (43,000 miles). Test drove car with Hyundai tech. Verified front end vibration & shaking. Vehicle unsafe to drive. Hyundai service manager said that Hyundai should recall the transmissions. To date, my car is still at Hyundai service dept. Hyundai's service manager said that the Hyundai service dept. will have a meeting regarding my car and include Hyundai's service director, etc. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Airbags · IL

The vehicle’s airbag warning light is illuminated. The steering wheel also makes a clicking noise, which appears related to an internal clock spring/coil connector failure. This defect may prevent the driver airbag from deploying properly in a crash, creating a serious safety risk. I contacted O’Brien Hyundai of Normal on 4/23/2026 and was denied repair assistance solely due to vehicle mileage. The vehicle has been well maintained, and this issue involves a critical safety component that should not fail under normal use. I am submitting this complaint due to concerns about airbag system failure and occupant safety.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Steering · 79,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after driving over a pothole, the steering wheel became difficult to handle, with a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Lights, Steering · IL

I find replacing the light bulbs for head lights and brake lights and flood lights more often than any other cars I have owned. The steering wheel makes a noise when turning left. And a noise is getting louder not sure what it’s related to.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Airbags, Steering · AL

I am having an issue with the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly in my 2014 Hyundai Sonata. I see that there is a recall on the 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, 2011-2013 Sonata vehicles, and 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid vehicles for up to 15 years, but my 2014 Sonata is having the same issue. My car is not a hybrid, but what do I need to do in order to get this covered? Everything that the recall is describing is going on with my vehicle. The airbag light stays on, a non-functional horn, and/or inoperative steering wheel controls, the steering column makes a noise when turned.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Steering · CT

Steering wheel is making a clunk noise like somethings loose

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Steering · OH

My wife and I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS in August of 2013, which is now over eleven years ago. In late September 2024, with still fewer than 100,000 miles on the car, I noticed a snapping sensation/clunk sound in its steering column when changing the direction of steering (from left to right/right to left.) I researched this symptom and, with the confirmation of a Hyundai Dealer's Service Manager, diagnosed the problem as a failing soft coupler between the car's steering column and "Motor Driven Power Steering" motor. the federal safety agency is aware of the problem, and Hyundai was compelled to issue an elusively brief warranty extension. Having taken delivery of the car over 10 years ago, that warranty extension does us no good, and I'm being told that at the Hyundai Dealer, the job will cost us between four and six hundred dollars, including a complete wheel alignment they say will be made necessary by the repair. I found that a modestly skilled, able bodied, and properly equipped "shade tree mechanic" can buy an aftermarket replacement of this soft coupling for less than fifteen dollars and, with care and a little luck, can complete the repair for ostensibly less than that. (...Unless the job truly creates a need for a wheel alignment.) Since learning all of this, while I've considered whether my bad back is up to the cost-saving job, we've needed to keep driving the car. I estimate we've put another 1,600 miles on it and, especially lately, the coupler's deterioration has obviously been accelerating. My wife and I have agreed I'd best not tackle this as a DIY project so, at Great Lakes Hyundai in Streetsboro, Ohio, we have an appointment for its replacement and subsequent wheel alignment, but we worry about it lasting until then. We feel lucky to be able to afford the ESTIMATED costs, but shouldn't have to. This is a premature and DANGEROUS component failure. A recall should be issued. Hyundai should pay for all of it. ~ [XXX] , Ohio INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Steering · PA

Steering makes nocking noise when turning the wheel. Steering has locked up while driving losing all control of steering the vehicle.

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Lights, Steering · MI

The steering wheel makes clicking and grinding noise. Steering wheel coupling may be broken. And sometimes head and interior lights turn on and off when I make turns

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported April 5, 2016 · 173,000 vehicles affected
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 sectorReported October 1, 2010 · 60 vehicles affected
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 sectorReported September 20, 2010 · 138,354 vehicles affected
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 noise

Which Hyundai Sonata years have clunking or noise when steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (302 complaints), 2012 (94 complaints) and 2013 (92 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Hyundai Sonata?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $394 (median of 67 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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