2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Steering Problems

The steering left side electrical components quit working at the same time without warning. This is all related to the Air Bag clock spring a serious safety defect that disables the airbag and possibly horn. I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for diagnostics and this is what was found. "Needs immediate attention [Primary]: SSD : STEERING OR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS Air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: CLOCK SPRING HAS SHORTED OUT CAUSING ALL THE BUTTONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL NOT TO WORK This assembly consists of a clock spring, which is a coil that retracts and expands inside its housing as the steering wheel turns. Its function is to maintain electrical continuity for all the components on the drivers airbag.

NHTSA ID

11733693

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was jumping from left to right. The contact stated that the ESC and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the steering column housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, the steering wheel had extensive play. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 6,200.

NHTSA ID

11579443

Incident

May 1, 2023

Mileage

6,200 mi

Steering wheel sticks and will not turn or adjust until forcefully manipulated , then snaps sharply causing a change in direction of the vehicle. Dangerous to our family while driving.

NHTSA ID

11559648

Incident

Dec 9, 2023

The car has a steering defect. The defect causes the car to wonder from lane to lane requiring the driver to constantly make corrections. This is especially dangerous when you are between two vehicles. The car has been back to the dealer numerous times and they state that there is no problem with the steering. Hyundai National claims claims that the defect does not exist.

NHTSA ID

11559181

Incident

May 1, 2023

While driving the vehicle there is a noticeable “locking or sticking” in the the steering wheel while driving. This issue is most notable at a driving speed over 35 mph. Due to the vehicle not having a steering fluid reservoir, it is not possible to see if the power steering fluid is below the recommended levels.

NHTSA ID

11558225

Incident

Nov 27, 2023

My steering wheel locks up when I am driving and making turns.

NHTSA ID

11553832

Incident

Nov 6, 2023

The steering is sticky or notchy, it gets stuck like it moves around grooves instead of being linear. Since its not linear, every notchy movement requires a correction towards the opposite side and that results in over correction and this way the car is zig-zaggy. This becomes very prominent as speeds more than 40 mph, and quite significant on highways. Several time reporting to dealer, over the 6+ years of ownership, they have failed to recognize the issue and provide a fix. Several people have reported the same and can be viewed by searching for sticky steering problem and its not restricted to sante fe models. This is highly dangerous on the highways constantly having to correct and overcorrect and increases driver fatigue. Hyundai fails to recognize this hazardous steering issue and provide a voluntary fix or recall.

NHTSA ID

11520986

Incident

May 8, 2018

The engine throttles while accelerating and leaks oil and a burning smell comes from under the hood. the smell passes through the air vents and fills the car. I am afraid it might catch fire under the hood. The suspension makes noise and can also feel on the steering wheel. I will appreciate the company if they take safety measures in fixing this issue.

NHTSA ID

11511091

Incident

Mar 7, 2023

Mileage

142,609 mi

While traveling at approximately 60mph I decelerated to make a left turn through a busy intersection (evening rush hour traffic). While decelerating, I felt the car give a "shudder" at which point I looked to the dash to see the check engine light blinking, then the battery light illuminated. At this point, while passing through the intersection turning left, the engine shut off, as well as the power steering. The car coasted through the intersection and came to a stop barely out of the crossing lane. It would not restart and I was forced to push the car with my family inside to a safer position. Prior to this event there had been no drivability issues, no other times that warning lights had come on. The only issue of note that I have had for this vehicle is a seemingly excessive amount of engine oil being consumed. The car is at a dealership now and I am told that the engine needs to be replaced, with no explanation for the failure.

NHTSA ID

11460831

Incident

Mar 28, 2022

While driving the steering wheel stutters and moves the vehicle all over the road. Does this at all speeds. Worse was on the interstate and I nearly ran off the road at 70 mph. Dealer says the vehicle needs a new steering column on March 3, 2022. Under 40,000 miles. This is not due to normal wear and tear or operator use. They claim this is not a warranty issue or recall. This vehicle is unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11456751

Incident

Feb 27, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER STEER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL FORD LOCATED AT (7125 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11316544

Incident

Jan 5, 2017

Mileage

10,000 mi

1. STEERING= STICKING STEERING AND PROBLEMS KEEPING CAR STRAIGHT. DRIVING 2. NO WARNING CHIME FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11309720

Incident

Feb 17, 2020

Mileage

14,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING (VEHICLE IN MOTION) THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK REQUIRING ME TO EXERT EXTRA FORCE TO "BREAK" IT LOOSE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I KNOW IT ISN'T MECHANICAL STEARING LIKE I'M USED TO BUT THE SERVO MOTOR SEEMS TO PREVENT ME FROM TURNING THE WHEEL WHEN I NEED TO CORRECT. I CONTINUOUSLY HAVE TO OVERCORRECT FOR THE STICKING/NOTCHY STEERING. VERY ANNOYING AND TIRING AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS ON THIS SITE WHO IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I TOTALLY AGREE THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS ELECTRONIC DRIVE-BY-WIRE STEERING MECHANISM. LIKE OTHERS HAVE SAID, PLEASE LET HYUNDAI KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE. I NOTICE THIS MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND I'M EXPERIENCING THE STEERING ISSUE MORE AND MORE NOW. IF MOST DRIVERS ARE NOT TRULY PAYING ATTENTION TO THERE DRIVING AND THIS STICKING THIS WILL LEAD TO CRASHES AND DEATHS.

NHTSA ID

11297983

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

CURRENTLY 42K MILES, "STICKY STEERING WHEEL" OR "ZIG-ZAG" PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 10K MILES AGO. DEALER SERVICE TECHS I'VE DEALT WITH SEEM TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER VERIFYING THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS REALLY EXPERIENCING THE ZIG-ZAG PROBLEM, I LIFTED THE FRONT OF HER CAR SO THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE OFF THE GROUND. WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING, SLOWLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT WOULD REVEAL THE "STICKY" SYMPTOM, WHICH IS ACTUALLY AT SOME POINT THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS FOR SOME REASON AND THEN IT TAKES INCREASINGLY MORE TORQUE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL IT BREAKS FREE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE RESULT WOULD BE A SUDDEN CHANGE OF DIRECTION. THIS BEHAVIOR IN THE STEERING SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER OCCUR, BUT SHOULD BE SILKY SMOOTH LOCK TO LOCK. THE ATTACHED IMAGE SHOWS THE SYSTEM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CONNECTING SHAFT. I HAVE READ REPORTS THAT THE U-JOINTS IN THE CONNECTING SHAFT ARE THE PROBLEM, OR THAT THE MDPS (MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING) UNIT IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IF I WERE WORKING THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD DISCONNECT THE UPPER U-JOINT AND RERUN THE STEERING WHEEL TEST. IF THE HANGING PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE, THEN THE MDPS UNIT (OR PERHAPS THE STAR SHAPED COUPLING WITHIN THE MDPS) SHOULD BE REPLACED. OTHERWISE, THE COUPLING SHAFT SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR BINDING OF THE U-JOINTS. IF THE JOINTS ARE STICKING, THEN A REPLACEMENT SHAFT IS IN ORDER. IF NEITHER THE MDPS UNIT NOR COUPLING SHAFT ARE AT FAULT, THEN THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM MUST BE SOMEWHERE BELOW THE CONNECTING SHAFT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, AND HYUNDAI DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY DESIRE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR TO EVEN ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I AM A FORMER ASE L1 MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

NHTSA ID

11297914

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

32,000 mi

NOTCHY STEERING, FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, REQUIRING YOU TO USE ADDITIONAL FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES OVER-CORRECTING WITH THE POTENTIAL TO SWERVING INTO OTHER LANES OR OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11291079

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

56,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO GET HARD LIKE STICKY WHEN TURN IT OVER RIGHT OR LEFT, NEEDING MORE POWER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING ME IN RISK WHEN REACH 60 MILES PER HOUR

NHTSA ID

11193004

Incident

Dec 24, 2018

Mileage

13,200 mi

STICKY STEERING WHEEL WHEN TRAVELING ON STRAIGHT ROADWAYS AND HIGHWAYS ABOVE 40 MPH. I NOTICED A SLIGHT STICK TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY OR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ABOVE 40 MPH. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 15,000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO STICK WHEN TRYING TO TRACK STRAIGHT WHICH CAUSES ME TO CONSISTENTLY SWERVE WHILE TRYING TO CORRECT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE AS A BAD MDPS UNIT (STEERING COLUMN SHAFT ASSEMBLY) PART#56310-2W840. WHILE AT THE SHOP, I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN AND FOUND THAT THIS UNIT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN OTHER MAKES AND MODELS AS A BAD UNIT DUE TO A RUBBER COUPLER INSIDE THE MDPS AND HYUNDAI HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART BEYOND THE FACTORY WARRANTY FOR THE 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 YEAR 11 MOS AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 16261 MILES. NOTES FROM DEALERSHIP TECH: " THE STEERING WAS STICKING. THE COLUMN WAS AT FAULT INTERNAL FAILURE. I WAS UNABLE TO ISOLATE WHAT PART OF THE MOTOR DRIVEN STEERING UNIT WAS THE ROOT CUASE OF THE STICKING. ALL PARTS TESTED GOOD BUT I STILL HAD THE ISSUE. I PERFORMED A STEERING WHEEL CALIBRATION AND RESET THE STEERING FEEL ZERO. I REDROVE THE CAR AND NOTED AFTER DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT LEVEL ROAD AND 40-60 MPH SPEEDS THAT WHEN I MOVED THE STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT THAT THERE WAS A NOTICABLE STICKING. BEFORE THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT HAD ASSIST. I REPLACED THE MDPS COMPLETE UNIT RESET THE TOW VARIANT CODED AND DROVE THE CAR AGAIN"

NHTSA ID

11165253

Incident

Dec 15, 2018

Mileage

15,000 mi

WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT WAS IF THE POWER STEERING HAD DISAPPEARED. VERY SCARY. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH GEORGIA, THEY WERE NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. GOING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS FIXED. A GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATED THERE ARE OTHERS THIS HAPPENED TO AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11155481

Incident

Nov 26, 2018

Mileage

22,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROGER BEASLEY HYUNDAI (24795 I-35, KYLE, TX 78640, (512) 262-2020) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11153314

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. I HAVE TO OVER CORRECT THE STEERING AND FORCE THE VEHICLE TO STAY STRAIGHT. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER; IT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. I'M AFRAID FOR OUR SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11152140

Incident

Nov 9, 2018

Mileage

26,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT GETS STUCK WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN STEERING. AS YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT TRYING TO MAINTAIN LANE IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL CATCHES EACH TIME YOU SLIGHTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSES YOU TO OVER CORRECT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN LANE. FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I OVERCORRECTED AND THE CAR VEERED OUT OF ITS LANE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE SO FAR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE SITUATION, EVEN THOUGH I DROVE THE CAR WITH SERVICE PERSON IN IT AND THE "STICKING" OCCURRED WHILE I DROVE IT.

NHTSA ID

11149818

Incident

Nov 6, 2018

I HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS NOW WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN I'VE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE LIGHT SHOWING A VEHICLE ON A HILL POPS ON AND OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT IS REALLY SCARY

NHTSA ID

11085022

Incident

Apr 10, 2018

WHEN DRIVING, AND NOT ALL THE TIME I HAVE TO FIGHT THE CAR TO KEEP DRIVING STRAIGHT. ON HIGHWAYS WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP, THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK, AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM OR FIX. DID NOT START TILL I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. CAR HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11083192

Incident

Jan 2, 2018

Mileage

15,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK REQUIRING ME TO EXERT EXTRA FORCE TO "BREAK" IT LOOSE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. BACK AND FORTH I GO CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO OVERCORRECT FOR THE STICKING/NOTCHY STEERING. VERY ANNOYING AND TIRING AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. FOUND ONE OTHER OWNER ON THIS SITE WHO IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM. I HOPE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON BUT DON'T HOLD OUT MUCH HOPE THAT THEY'LL BE OF MUCH HELP. PLEASE LET HYUNDAI KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE AND I'M THINKING MOST OWNERS MAY JUST BE IGNORING IT AND CHOOSING TO LIVE WITH IT. I NOTICE THIS MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC.I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR AND ONLY STARTED EXPERIENCING THE STEERING ISSUE ABOUT 6 OR7 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ID

11082373

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

Mileage

9,000 mi

AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING AT OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY" AND REQUIRES THE DRIVER "BREAK" THE "STUCK" STEERING WHEEL AND IT RESULTS IN A FORCED OVERCORRECTION THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DRIFT FROM ONE SIDE OF THE LANE TO THE OTHER. THIS IS CONTINUOUS PROBLEM ONCE IT BEGINS AS CONSTANT STEERING INPUT IS REQUIRED TO KEEP A VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. AT A MINIMUM, IT IS ANNOYING AND EXHAUSTING ON LONG TRIPS. THE REAL ISSUE IS SAFETY. THE FORCED OVERCORRECTION IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ON NARROW COUNTRY ROADS AS IT WILL FORCE THE VEHICLE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE OR CLOSE TO THE DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I TAKE IT IN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM ONLY EMERGES AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT.

NHTSA ID

11082270

Incident

Mar 30, 2018

Mileage

15,000 mi