2011 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems

Intermittent and sudden loss of power steering nearly caused an accident for both of sons when each one was driving on two separate occasions this past week. "EPS" and traction control warning lights both illuminate on the dash when steering goes out. Sometimes the codes will clear themselves out after restarting the vehicle, but not always. Had it inspected by an independent service center and they cleared out the codes with their scanner. Steering worked fine for a few days afterwards, but then suddenly lost power steering again yesterday. It is very dangerous to drive and it is very unpredictable. I see that there was a recall for this issue for certain manufacture dates for 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but mine was not part of the recall. I believe that it should be part of that recall before someone dies or is injured.

NHTSA ID

11755879

Incident

Aug 9, 2026

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!!

NHTSA ID

11751926

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

The steering column gets loose because of a commonly defective bushing. The steering bangs and has free play making full control more difficult.

NHTSA ID

11719724

Incident

Feb 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, there was a grinding sensation coming from the front wheels, and the grinding sensation was felt in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings and hubs had failed, causing the grinding sound. The contact was informed that the rod bearings and hubs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the following day, there was a loud grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The sound also occurred while the vehicle was parked. While attempting to accelerate from 25 - 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle clunked and jerked. The vehicle decelerated, and the contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact became aware that the accelerator pedal was not operating as needed. While on the side of the road, the contact turned off the vehicle and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had failed, and the mechanic recommended the engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer, Capital Hyundai of Greensboro (801 E Bessemer Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), and the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer stated that the maintenance history was not satisfactory enough to warrant an engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11712626

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

Mileage

138,000 mi

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)

NHTSA ID

11672070

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

After taking my mom to the airport the vehicle engine blew up what absolutely no warning at all leave me on the side of the road the key keep getting stuck inside the car

NHTSA ID

11628097

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

My car when turned off locks but when turned back on will stay locked. Normally you can turn the car on and off a couple times and it will unlock itself but for the past couple months it is now impossible and is so unsafe to drive. I saw in 2009/2010 there was a recall for this with Hyundai and I’m pretty sure my car is now affected with the same thing but 2011 Hyundai sonata.

NHTSA ID

11602706

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal rattling sound. While making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 17,742.

NHTSA ID

11586263

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

Mileage

17,742 mi

I started to get engine knocking noises about 6 months after the purchase of the used car. This knocking noise began to increase in frequency as I pressed my foot on the accelerator and the car would not accelerate when I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. Then the car would shut down in the middle of traffic. After waiting about 30 -45 mins, I would try to start the car again and would start and initially run as long as I drove less than 20 miles/hour the knocking noise level would decrease but if I went above 15 - 20 mph the car would shut down. The check engine light and engine oil light would come on. So I would check the engine oil level oil using the dip stick and it showed oil levels were ok. On October 10 2023 while driving to Walmart the engine turned off and would not start after waiting over 1 hour and I was stuck in the mall entrance road. A concerned driver with his passengers pushed the car to a Walmart parking spot where it is currently at. In addition, the traction light kept coming on and I paid the Hyundai dealership $2,800 to repair to keep the car from drifting to the left and to get the light off.

NHTSA ID

11549336

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

Coupler in steering. Making loud clicking sounds and I was scared to drive car. I've contacted recalls I have a case number but get different answers. I just had it repaired a few days ago. Paid over $313. The service dept said they think it is the coupler because they had several complaints that week and sure enough they said it was the same thing . I believe it was a safety problem. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11545238

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

Knocking from steering column indicating internal damage to electronic steering components of the steering column. Recommend replacing steering column. Reviewed by independent mechanic.

NHTSA ID

11535899

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed with the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11532256

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

EPS sensor indicator light comes on intermittently causes vehicle to lose power steering capabilities. independant repair shop can clear the code to restore, but remains a problem. we took vehicle to Hyndai dealership and was advised this vin number is not covered by recall 143. i believe this is a seroius safety issue. Dealership now wants $3108 to replace column and housing assembly and torque angle sensor harness not covered. vehicle was purchased 5/30/18 from another dealership and was told all recalls were addressed.

NHTSA ID

11532254

Incident

Jul 14, 2023

Power steering suddenly stopped working . Tried turning off engine and restarting with no success. No warning lights to indicate anything wrong. Took vehicle to repair garage to investigate. Still waiting for report.

NHTSA ID

11532215

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

Steering column rattles and shakes. Steering wheel makes slight clicking sounds when turning. Concerned that steering may fail. Many steering problems reported on this make and year but I see no recalls for my VIN.

NHTSA ID

11528906

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 161V190000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.

NHTSA ID

11513983

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

Mileage

255,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11506397

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

Mileage

115,000 mi

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11503895

Incident

Jan 26, 2023

EPS and traction light came on when driving around 20mph making the wheel stiff and barely able to turn. Looked up 2011 Hyundai recalls and came across recall 143 regarding the steering column. Took car to dealer and they said no recalls found for my vehicle. I told them about what I found online and that I’m experiencing the same issues so I’m not sure why my 2011 wasn’t affected. They basically said too bad too sad. They still have my car so I’m hoping that they figure out my car should be apart of the recall campaign.

NHTSA ID

11502102

Incident

Jan 4, 2023

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STEERING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11500763

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

My engine has failed, and my steering wheel column has locked. I had the software update on my engine with Napleton that qualified me for a lifetime engine replacement. I submitted maintenance records for my car and pictures of my valvetrain that are well maintained, and hyundai denied my engine claim for exceptional maintenance neglect on Dec8. On December 14th, after reviewing my oil changes, they still denied me for using low quality oil that's obscured. The problem I am having with my car is oil, not being able to get to the pistons inside my engine. It's not fair when the company know they engines have a manufacture defect. Then they blame the customers for lack of maintenance to have an excuse not to replace the engine. Knowing that with or without oil changes in the hyundai sonata 2011 -2012 models the engines will eventually seize anyway.I've reached out to their company over 300 times trying to resolve this matter and I'm still in the same place I started at a month ago. I want to sue for pain and suffering. I've been without a car since nov 9, and it's dec 20. Hyundai has put me and my family life in danger on numerous occasions, with their faulty and defected parts causing two near death experiences. Hyundai sonata has had a recall on every part, and I consider them unsafe and dangerous. I have seven different case reports with Hyundai motor company about excessive oil consumption, and the knocking whining vibrating and shaking. They are very much aware of everything

NHTSA ID

11498399

Incident

Nov 9, 2022

I was driving home from work & out of NOWHERE the engine seized & power steering was very hard due to it being electric. Hyundai then denied my engine for "Lack of maintenance" AFTER they KNOWINGLY put my life & others t risk for even letting these cars be driving without proper caution or engine replacement.

NHTSA ID

11493723

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

The steering column is making a clicking noise, took to independent service center and they reported that the EPS motor will need to be replaced and is currently not a safety issue, but over time could be. I have not had any warning lamps or messages. I did notice that some 2011 Sonatas have been recalled for EPS issues, but my VIN shows no issues.

NHTSA ID

11485809

Incident

Sep 5, 2022

The driver seatbelt will not stay attached. I'm getting a code to replace steering column and was told the intermediate shaft is bad. Also the torque converter clutch is throwing a code. The engine has been replaced which only has 4k miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11458281

Incident

Mar 13, 2022

The contact called for her niece who owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds or while the vehicle was stationary, there was an abnormal clicking in the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11456668

Incident

Mar 14, 2022

Mileage

50,000 mi