Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jul 24, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 99 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Hyundai Accent submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 24, 2025
The Emergency brake light, ABS light, and esc light all come on while driving & speedometer goes to 0. The speedometer also stops tracking mileage when these lights come on. This used to happen on & off, but now it’s almost permanent. Hundreds are reporting the same exact issue online, but mechanics cannot figure out what the problem is. Me and countless others have taken the vehicle to mechanics multiple times with no resolve and thousands of dollars worth of diagnostics that are incorrect and don’t resolve the issue. It is dangerous because we don’t know how fast we’re going, and we don’t know if your abs, emergency brakes, & esc are all working properly. This issue is impacting Hyundai Accents years 2015, 2016, & 2017 based on the multiple threads & posts online. I think it’s related to electrical issues too because my windshield wipers & blinkers will randomly malfunction while this is happening. A random online user said that it is a “SMART Junction Box” issue that needs to be replaced. Please look into this and issue a recall because thousands of people are spending thousands of hard-earned dollars with no resolve.
NHTSA ID
11676043
Incident
Jul 24, 2025
Steering
Filed Apr 22, 2022
My steering wheel column was replaced 4 months ago because it was shorting itself - steering froze up while driving - I was unable to steer vehicle in any way - after total replacement I am having issues with dash board lights flashing on off - MPH states that I’m driving at 0 miles per hour and steering wheel froze up for a moment. SAME as before.
NHTSA ID
11461807
Incident
Apr 7, 2022
Steering
Filed Nov 15, 2021
Steering froze up while driving - was unable to turn car more than a few inches with great difficulty
NHTSA ID
11440432
Incident
Nov 8, 2021
Steering
Filed Aug 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ESP warning light suddenly illuminated and moments later the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Dealer admitted and wrote car was a factory defect.*JB
NHTSA ID
11430494
Incident
Aug 19, 2021
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Mar 29, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported
I'M NOT SURE.*DT*JB
NHTSA ID
11405316
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Steering
Filed Jul 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE STEERING FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEBB HYUNDAI MERRILLVILLE (1000 81ST AVE, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410) HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ID
11339684
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
46,000 mi
AirbagsFuel systemSteering
Filed Oct 12, 2018
THIS VEHICLE HAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND FLOODED BY HURRICANE MARIA 09/20/2017.I MADE CLAIM AND INSURANCE DID NOT DECLARED IT AS " LOST" BECAUSE IT HAS A NEW VEHICLE.SAFETY FEATURES ON STEERING WHEEL WONT FUNCTION , DASH , RADIO, FLOOR, SEATS,REAR TRUNK WAS FLOODED. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE COMPANY , THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAS FLOODED. I DON'T NEED AN ACCIDENT AND EXPERIMENT AIR BAGS FAILURE, ALL MEDIA SYSTEM DON'T WORK TO KEEP MY HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ID
11140041
Incident
Sep 20, 2017
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 9, 2018
WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY; TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND/OR RIGHT CAUSES A REPEATED CLACKING SOUND ONLY HEARD WHILE INSIDE THE CABIN. POSSIBLY SUSPENSION OR STRUT PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
11092685
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
11,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND JERKED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFFERSON CITY HYUNDAI IN JEFFERSON CITY, MO, BUT THE FAILURES WERE UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURES PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ID
11030513
Incident
Sep 1, 2017
Mileage
20,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2016
THE CAR DRIFTS AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH AND AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION DUE TO STEERING DRIFTING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT'S THE ELECTRONIC STEERING. AND THAT I WILL GET USED TO IT. THE CARS ACTS AS IF IT HAS WORN STEERING COMPONENTS. AT HIGHER SPEED THE STEERING IS SLOPPY, THE CAR WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
NHTSA ID
10884816
Incident
Jul 6, 2016
Mileage
100 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own