Engine. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Steering complaints

74 reports

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73,498 miles · Jan 21, 2016

Steering

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I HAVE A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, THE PROBLEM I AM REFERRING TO IS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND POWER STEERING COUPLING. I AM AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FOR OTHER 2011 SONATAS BUT MINE DOES NOT FALL INTO THIS SMALL NUMBER OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM HOWEVER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU MOVE THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH, THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN NOT MOVING AN WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. TENDS TO BE WORSE AT LOWER SPEED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ALREADY AND HE SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING I COULD DO BUT PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET IT FIXED. I FEEL THIS IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SHEER NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI #10821521

58,730 miles · Sep 30, 2015

Steering

THE ELANTRA HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME TO INSPECT CLICKING NOISE WHILE STEERING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR IS CLOSE TO 60 K AND ITS WARRANTY IS ENDING SOON. SO FAR THE RIGHT AXLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, REPLACED BOTH WORN AXLE WASHERS. STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FAILED INTERNAL, ABNORMAL WEAR. REPLACED STEER…

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NHTSA ODI #10778839

50,262 miles · Dec 14, 2014

EngineSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START. CHECKED ALL CONNECTIONS, BATTERY WAS FINE. CONSULTED INTERNET, MANY COMPLAINTS MENTIONED A FAULTY "RANGE SWITCH". HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL. CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. CAR WAS AT DEALERSHIP ON 1/9/14 AT 40,285 MILES. ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. TOOK CAR IN AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP 3/4/2014 AT 41,775 MILE…

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NHTSA ODI #10664139

41,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014

SteeringSuspension

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I WAS TRAVELING TO MEMPHIS, TN. THE REAR END OF THE CAR WOULD CONSTANTLY JERK OUT TOT THE LEFT WHEN I WOULD HIT BUMPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A NORMAL REACTION FOR THIS KIND OF SUSPENSION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT, AND DURING THE WINTER, IT TRIED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL, AND IT IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF OR WHEN IT'S GONNA CRASH. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609439

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ACCIDENTS BUT I HAD MANY ALMOST ACCIDENTS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I CAN'T EVEN GO OVER A BUMP OR LOOK TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT BECAUSE IT STEERS OFF SO BAD. I HAVE TO HOLD IT VERY TIGHT THE WHOLE TIME. I'M SCARED FOR MY LIFE AS WELL AS WHOEVER IS WITH ME. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP JUST SAYS ITS BECAUSE ITS ELECTR…

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NHTSA ODI #10608817

8,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014

Steering

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DROVE THE NEW ELANTRA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SNOW AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL. TRIED NOT TO DRIVE IT THAT WINTER AND THOUGHT WOULD BUY SNOW TIRES THE NEXT WINTER. THAT SUMMER DURING RAINSTORM THE ELANTRA HANDLED POORLY. DISCOVERED PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS BALD. DEALER CHECKED AND ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECS.???? HELPFUL HYUNDAI MECHANIC AGREED SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND SHIMMIED REAREND FOR BETTER ALIGNMENT. COMPANY PAID FOR TWO TIRES. NOW IT HANDLES GREAT. WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED IN CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW HARD IT WAS TO CONTROL ON A ROAD WITH SLIGHT SNOW COVERAGE. DEALER SAW OTHER CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. 2 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576034

25,000 miles · Aug 15, 2013

SteeringVehicle Speed Control

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THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STICKY.WHEN THE WHEEL IS LEFT STRAIGHT, IT WILL GO STRAIGHT BUT A SMALL TURN TO LEFT/RIGHT RESULTS IN VERY JERKY AND UNSAFE RIDE FOR HIGHER MILEAGE SPEED. IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE FOR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND ON ICY ROADS DUE TO DRIVING BEHAVIOR. HYUNDAI SAYS IT IS BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. I DON'T CARE IF IT IS THAT. IT JERKS TO LEFT/RIGHT WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS PAINFUL. I HAVE CHANGED TIRES AND BRAKES THINKING THOSE WERE THE CULPRIT. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS IN A WRECK AND DIE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535657

26,357 miles · Apr 18, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING MY ELANTRA WHEN THE EMS ELEC. STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE AUTO BEGAN TO SHAKE AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND WEATHER WAS REGULAR. IT FEELS AS IF THE AUTO IS DRIVING ON FLAT WHEELS OR ON ICE. I LOSE STABILITY IN MY STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN MY AUTO TO HYUNDAI TWICE. THEY CLAIM THEY THERE COMPUTERS CAN'T FIND ANY ERRORS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT RANDOMLY OCCUR AND CAN'T BE CREATED AT WILL. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WHILE THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN. I'VE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE WITH OTHER ELANTRA 2011 CUSTOMER. HYUNDAI DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508736

22,695 miles · Mar 18, 2013

Steering

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WHEN VEHICLE IS AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING JUST OFF OF CENTER IS A REALLY QUICK JERK. DRIVING STRAIGHT IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL, BUT AS SOON AS ANY CORRECTION IS MADE RIGHT OR LEFT AT ANY SPEED, THE CAR QUICKLY JERKS. ON ICY ROADS, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, AND EXTREMELY TIRING EVEN ON DRY STRAIGHT ROADS. THE CAR IS VERY QUIET TO DRIVE AND GETS GREAT MILEAGE, BUT IS A LITTLE SCARY AT TIMES. I FEEL THERE IS A DESIGN ERROR THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED. THIS WILL KILL PEOPLE... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503477

32,450 miles · Mar 7, 2013

Steering

THE STEERING HAS A STICKY SPOT IN IT WHICH YOU HAVE TO PULL TO GET OUT OF WHICH MAKES YOU SWERVE THE CAR TO DO SO. IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. IT MAKES IT REALLY HARD TO STAY ON THE ROAD. IT "ROAD WALKS" BADLY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR MODEL. I BELIEVE IT IS THE VSM ON THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE IT IS VE…

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NHTSA ODI #10501915

Official recalls

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V393000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

15V871000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Dec 23, 2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.

15V629000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Oct 7, 2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.

13V115000 · Air Bags:side/window; Structure

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Air Bags:side/window

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

EA12008 · Headliner Bracket Detachment

Opened Sep 13, 2012 · Closed Dec 9, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window; Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:side/window

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Unknown Or Other

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