Hyundai Tucson power steering loss problems

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Airbags · 18,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned, causing the driver to lose steering control, and the vehicle struck a concrete median wall. The frontal structure suffered severe damage, destroying the vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver was transported to the hospital via emergency medical services with back and neck injuries, including a fractured cervical spine. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed. The cause of the air bag non-deployment failure was not determined. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified of the incident. The contact also stated that the air bags failed to deploy during a prior crash into a tree stump. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 164,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking aggressively. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and the parking brake was engaged. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the nearest gas station. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Steering · GA

While driving on April 11, 2026 at approximately 1:30 PM on [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a loss of steering response while the roadway curved to the right. The driver turned the steering wheel normally in order to follow the curve. The steering wheel moved freely and felt normal. However, the vehicle did not respond to the steering input and instead continued traveling straight. As a result, the vehicle struck the curb on the driver’s side. The impact with the curb slightly redirected the vehicle, but steering response was not restored. The driver continued attempting to steer the vehicle, and although the steering wheel continued to turn normally, the vehicle did not change direction. The vehicle did not appear to lose traction and was not described as sliding. Instead, it failed to respond to steering input. There were no warning indicators, messages, or prior signs of a problem before the incident. The driver was able to bring the vehicle to a stop in a nearby turn area and arranged for it to be towed. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership for inspection. The dealership reported no diagnostic codes and did not identify any issue with the steering system. No corrective action has been taken. 1)Steering system malfunction (column, shaft, rack, and/or EPS). Steering input was not transmitted to vehicle direction. Vehicle available for inspection. 2)Loss of steering control caused curb impact and risk of collision with vehicles, pedestrians, or objects. Could have resulted in serious injury at higher speed or in traffic. 3)No. Dealer could not reproduce. 4)Inspected by Hyundai dealer. No steering-related codes found. No cause identified. No repair performed. Hyundai Consumer Affairs case opened. 5)No warning lights or prior symptoms. Failure was sudden and without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

Component: Engine / Electrical System / Fuel System Incident Date: February 9th, 2026 Vehicle Speed: 45-50 MPH Description: While traveling at highway speeds on a major roadway, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic and sudden engine stall without any prior warning or dashboard indicators. The engine shut off completely while in motion, resulting in an immediate and total loss of power steering and power-assisted braking. I was forced to perform a high-effort emergency maneuver in heavy traffic to reach the shoulder and avoid a collision. This vehicle is used to transport myself, my coworker and my family whose lives was placed in immediate danger by this failure. Since the start of the financing agreement, this vehicle has a documented history of recurring sensor issues and failed repair attempts at the dealership (Route 1 Hyundai). The dealership has previously attempted to address electrical/sensor malfunctions, but the root cause remains unresolved, leading to this life-threatening stall. I believe this is a significant safety defect in the vehicle’s electrical or fuel management system that poses an unreasonable risk of accidents and injury.

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ME

While driving on a public road, the vehicle experienced multiple simultaneous, dangerous malfunctions: Dashboard Warnings: All lights illuminated, including engine (flashing), ABS, traction control, airbag, TPMS, and parking brake, which stayed on though disengaged. Engine & Transmission: Tachometer fluctuated wildly in park; engine revved without accelerator input. Shifting to drive/reverse caused unexpected “kicks.” Vehicle sometimes failed to move when pressing gas, requiring engine restart. Driving Issues: Speedometer read 0 or jumped inconsistently. RPM continued erratically while maintaining speed without accelerator. Steering became extremely difficult. I immediately determined the vehicle was unsafe to drive and returned home with it, which was only a couple miles away. Follow-Up: Hyundai advised dealership diagnosis; they suggested a backup camera module will resolve the issues I experienced in entirety, but also in the same email stated that they could not guarantee it would resolve all of the issues I experienced. This is the second major engine/powertrain failure: first approximately ~70,000 miles (full engine replacement), current approximately ~95,000 miles (approximately ~25,000 miles post-replacement). Recurrence indicates a serious, unresolved safety defect. I am deeply concerned for passenger safety, including children. Other owners report similar issues; the attorney general’s office advised reporting to the federal safety agency. Summary of Safety Risks: sudden loss of control/power, erratic acceleration, dashboard failures, steering resistance, unpredictable handling, recurrence of major defect. I am submitting this report to the federal safety agency to request investigation of these recurring defects. I do have video documentation of all of this, as well as ALL written communication with Hyundai National Consumer Affairs and the dealership. I am having a hard time uploading them because of the file limits. Please let me know if any of this will be helpful to you.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Steering · NJ

2017 Hyundai Tucson SE vehicle mileage approx. 54,000 miles Was driving on a Highway doing approx. 65-70mph within 30 minutes of the 1hr and 1/2 drive I had lost complete POWER STEERING. Wheel stiffened up and was scary and difficult to lane change to a slower lane or attempt to pull over at 11:00PM due too safety and could not pull over for over an 1 hour until I was home safely. Had to hold the wheel tightly for an hour. It was very difficult to turn and enter my double wide driveway and took 3 times to get car straight enough and pull in without Power Steering. Turned vehicle off and I had looked into possible issues with the (EPS) Electric Power Steering and read possible loss of Power Steering check MDPS Fuse in vehicle Interior Fuse Panel for blown fuse and all was Fine with that Fuse.. Then checked MDPS Fuse Panel in engine compartment near battery and found no issue on the long circuit fuse for the MDPS. After researching 2017 Tucson EPS issues I ran a test by Turning Key on and turn Wheel all the way too Right and leave it there for a minute then turn wheel all the way too the Left and leave there for a minute ,then turn steering wheel till wheels are straight and turn key off. Then start car and see if Power Steering comes back when turning steering wheel in which it did but I'm still skeptical if that was the Fix. Hyundai Car dealership wants to charge me $250 too run tests and diagnostics with computer system. Why should I have to pay for this since there have been numerous recalls on 2017 Tucson and the failure rate on some of the Electronics and Safety features and Engine issues and was originally in for a New Paint job for the Recall. And I just received a notification for the Anti-Theft Ignition Cylinder Protector hardware too be installed Free of charge for the ignition and hardware to be added. I have read and seen MDPS assembly issues causing sudden loss of Steering Assist on many of the sites and on these internet Hyundai Blog complaints.

Filed Sep 7, 2025 · Steering · OH · 1 injury

On [XXX], while driving a 2023 Hyundai TUCSON SEL, the steering wheel suddenly and completely detached from the steering column and ended up in the driver's lap. This sudden and absolute loss of steering control is a catastrophic failure of a primary safety system that placed the driver's life and potentially the lives of others in immediate and extreme peril. It was only due to sheer luck that the vehicle was brought to a stop without an accident or injury. Following the incident, due to fear and anxiety, the driver is now in treatment and has been unable to work. The vehicle was transported to Ron Marhofer Hyundai on the same day. The following day, the driver was met with a profound lack of respect and professionalism from the service advisor, Declan McCready. The driver and her mother were implicitly told they did not know what they were talking about and were treated with a profound lack of respect. The service advisor initially asserted there was no warranty coverage for the issue and that it would cost nearly $500.00 to fix. He also claimed his entire shop of mechanics looked at the car and found nothing was broken. However, the very next day, the dealership abruptly reversed their diagnosis and instructed the driver to get a rental car, stating they would now be fixing the vehicle under warranty. The repair order confirms the technician's findings: "verified concern steering column separated stopped bracket bent and separated replaced column housing operating normal". The vehicle had 14,479 miles at the time of the failure. There were no prior warnings or symptoms before the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · IL

The vacuum pump cap was diagnosed as the issue. All the lights came on the dash. I lost power steering and speedometer. There has been recalls for other years.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Steering · IL

The power steering of the vehicle suddenly stopped working. We had the car towed, and after inspection we were told that the steering column had failed. We were expected to purchase a new original part from Hyundai, which we did. After waiting a week, we were told that the replacement that was sent did not work and was defective. This has happened again and again, and we are currently waiting for our 4th part from Hyundai. Hyundai corporate told our auto shop that they "opened a case" to see why these parts are defective. I'm hoping that they eventually get to the bottom of this and can fix our Tuscan. We were lucky that our steering column failed on the driveway at our home, but I would imagine it could case quite a bad accident if power steering went out suddenly on someone else.

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Steering · OH

Purchased a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson, approx. 79,000 miles. A few weeks later I noticed a rattling in the steering column when driving over railroad tracks, rough roads, etc. When sitting stationary, I could rock the steering wheel back and forth and got a clunking sound. Took to the dealership, they wanted $250 just to diagnose. Did my own investigating. With the car turned on I would hold the steering wheel with one hand and hold the steering shaft with the other and work them in opposite directions. This replicated the clunking and knocking noise I would hear while driving. I determined it was a faulty upper pinch bolt. Replaced the bold and all noise went away. Fast forward a few months later and the sound returned. Slightly at first, then the sound became very pronounced again. Tightened pinch bolt again, went away. Seems to either be a problem with the shaft itself or the upper pinch bolt. Either way, my fear is the steering shaft is going to loosen and fall off of the steering column resulting in a loss of steering and potential accident. Hyundai dealership seems to act clueless about issue.