RoadVitals

2006 Hyundai Tucson Steering Problems

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.
13
Latest Aug 7, 2022
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 135 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2006 Hyundai Tucson submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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

SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2022

Rear control arm mount broke away from subframe while on the highway going 65mph. Violent shaking and steering malfunction occurred immediately. Passed WV inspection just a few months ago.

NHTSA ID
11478061
Incident
Aug 6, 2022
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 2, 2021

When it rains my steering wheel locks up when I drive thru a puddle I have brought my car to used car dealer where I bought it from and they say nothing is wrong but steering wheel locks when driving that to me is major problem they checked belt water is getting somewhere and causing a short hence power steering to lock it only happens when it rains

NHTSA ID
11442393
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2021

DAY 1:I PULLED INTO A LANE LEADING TO A PARKING LOT. ON A 90 DEGREE TURN, I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE HYUNDAI STILL WAS IDLING WHEN I LOST THE POWER STEERING. I CAME TO A STOP AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THERE WAS SOME WATER ON THE PAVEMENT. DAY 2: SAME AS DAY ONE IN SAME LOCATION ON THE SAME TURN. DAY 5: TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE CENTER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER FOR ERROR CODES AND NONE WERE FOUND. THE CHECKED THE UNDER CARRIAGE FOR LOOSE WIRES, NONE WERE FOUND. THEY CHECKED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND IT WAS ALSO FOUND IN GOOD CONDITION. PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. NO INSURANCE SAFE DRIVING SENSOR WAS PLUGGED INTO THE COM PORT. THERE IS A SENSOR ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS STUCK ON. NO PHYSICAL CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11387267
Incident
Jan 4, 2021
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Oct 11, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY, I FELT MY CAR SHIFT AS IF THE WHEEL HAD SLIPPED, THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES AFTER MAKING A TURN. I RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE TO THE FRONT (STRUT, TIE ROD, KNUCKLE, BALL JOINT) AND AM ALSO IN NEED OF A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I WONDERED IF THIS WAS WHY, SO I CALLED THE MECHANIC BACK, BUT HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY TIRES. HOWEVER THERE IS STILL A FAIR AMOUNT OF TREAD ON MY TIRES, SO I AM NOT SURE IF THATS REALLY TRUE. NEXT THING I KNOW, MY CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF NOWHERE AND WAS ALMOST LIKE DRIVING ITSELF AT 20MPH (THE SPEED IT WAS STUCK ON EVEN AFTER SLOWING DOWN). ALSO WHILE ON THE HIGH WAY IT DID THE SAME THING-- ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND JERKED TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO PRETTY MUCH HURRY AND CATCH THE WHEEL BEFORE SLAMMING INTO ANOTHER CAR WHILE ON A TURN AND GOING ABOUT 55MPH. AT RANDOM TIMES IT WILL ACCELERATE AND PRETTY MUCH DRIVE ITSELF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO APPLY PLENTY OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING WHILE I AM STOPPED. ALSO I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH OVERHEATING. IF I IDLE TOO LONG THE CAR WILL OVERHEAT, EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL. EVEN WITH ADDING MORE IN, THE TANK STAYS WHERE IT IS, IT DOESN'T OVERFLOW. IT'S ALMOST AS IF THE CAR IS JUST DRINKING IT BUT IT'S NOT FILTERING THROUGH THE HOSE IF THAT MAKES SENSE. LASTLY, THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO TURN ON THIS EVENING, AFTER ABOUT THE 5TH TIME I HELD IT LONGER THAN USUAL AND IT FINALLY PUTTERED TO LIFE RELUCTANTLY. I DON'T FEEL VERY SAFE IN THIS TRUCK ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID
11139902
Incident
Oct 11, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed May 23, 2018

WHEN SLOWING OR IDLING THE CAR WILL STALL AND COME TO A STOP, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. AS THE CAR STALLS IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT, ETC). THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND HAS HAPPENED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP WHILE TRYING TO TAKE AN EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11097631
Incident
May 23, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 23, 2012

WHEN TURNING RIGHT ON A RAINING DAY, LOSS OF POWER - NO STEERING OR BRAKES. 2006 TUSCON WOULD RUN RADIO WOULD BE ON - BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON - 10 SECONDS AFTER MANAGING TO GET OUT OF TRAFFICS WAY - CAR WOULD MOVE. HYUNDAI FOXED THE CAR BY REPLACING SENSORS AND SOME OTHER WORK RESULTING IN OVER A $1000. PRIOR MAJOR SERVICE WAS SERPENTINE BELT AND CHAIN REPLACEMENT ON SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS - HAD NO ISSUES BEFORE THE CHAIN WAS REPLACED. EVER SINCE - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO RESET FOR HESITATION BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH AND THE ADDITIONAL SENSOR WORK. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY WARRANTY WORK AS MY 6 YEARS HAD JUST EXPIRED. I AM TAKING THE CAR BACK IN TOMORROW FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING TODAY IN A SUDDEN DOWN POUR - THE FIRST ONE SINCE I HAD THE CAR FIXED THAT I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE IN AND THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN EXCEPT THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING AND NOT TURNING. WATER SEEMED TO GET UNDER THE ENGINE AND SOMETHING IS GETTING WET. I REQUESTED A RENTAL CAR AND I AM LEAVING FOR VACATION ON SATURDAY TO THE SHORE. IF ITS NOT FIXED THIS TIME - I MAY HAVE TO CONSIDER A NEW CAR AND I JUST PAID IT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472103
Incident
May 31, 2012
Mileage
50,500 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10459096
Incident
May 2, 2012
Mileage
72,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2011

WHILE TURNING INTO MY CARPORT, MY ENGINE STALLED. RIGHT BEFORE I TURNED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR HESITATED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF MY CAR STALLS ON THE ROAD AND SOME OTHER DRIVER REAR ENDS ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438036
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
EngineSteering
Filed May 26, 2011

CRANKSHAFT BALANCER/PULLEY SEPARATION CAUSES SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ON SEVERAL HYUNDAI MODELS WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE APPEARS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. THE PULLEY IS MADE OF AN INNER AND OUTER METAL RINGS JOINED WITH AN ELASTOMERIC COMPOUND. WHEN THE ELASTOMERIC COMPOUND FAILS THE OUTER RING SLIPS AND WORKS OFF THE INNER PULLEY CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO BIND AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK A OR ACCESSORY MOUNTING BRACKETS RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IN ALL CASES THE FAILURE RESULTS IN A LOSS OF DRIVE TO ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS ARTICLES/BLOGS ABOUT THIS ISSUE INCLUDING THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE WWW.YOUTUBE.COM /WATCH?V=X5KZZ1TMJ8Y . *TR

NHTSA ID
10402889
Incident
May 24, 2011
Mileage
6,275 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT, HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN TO THE LEFT. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE ROTORS WERE INSPECTED BY THE OWNER AND THERE WERE GROOVES IN THEM AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HAD ALSO LOCKED UP. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED BEING AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CALIPERS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOUND WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED TO REPAIR IT AS A GOOD WILL REPAIR, WHICH WAS DONE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,474.

NHTSA ID
10354913
Incident
Jul 24, 2010
Mileage
28,474 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY AND COME UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY CHANGED ALL FOUR TIRES ON THREE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL SHAKES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,108 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID
10236126
Incident
Jan 2, 2008
Mileage
23,000 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsSteering
Filed Oct 30, 2007

2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON WITH SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, AND OTHER THINGS. *KB THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN.*JB

NHTSA ID
10208248
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWELVE OCCASIONS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER DEACTIVATED THE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT SEAT AND ONE REAR SEAT TRAC COVER WERE REPLACED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,617 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35. UPDATED 10/25/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10205734
Incident
May 21, 2007
Mileage
35 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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .