2012 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,557 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 51 involved a crash and 95 involved a fire. 38 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 28, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Campaign 18V934000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerFeb 27, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Campaign 18V137000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerOct 4, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
Campaign 17V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageMar 8, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
Campaign 17V152000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchNov 16, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. 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 136.
Campaign 15V759000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineSep 10, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
Campaign 15V568000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Campaign 14V434000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 24, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
301 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 18, 2016
STEERING COUPLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MAKES LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER NUMBS OR TURNING.SEEMS TO BE AN OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH SONATA 2012. DEALER WANTS $550 TO REPLACE A $2 PART. THAT'S CORRECT A $2 PART LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS AND A SCAM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MADE A RECALL ASAP.
Steering, Aug 13, 2016
ON AUGUST 06, 2016 I DISCOVERED A NOISE EMITTING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. ON MONDAY AUGUST 08, 2016 I WENT TO MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR AN OPINION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN/WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A RUBBER BUSHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COUPLER HAS STARTED TO SHOW SIGN OF DETERIORATION. THIS MUST BE REPLACED AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. FAILURE TO DO SO IN A TIMELY MANNER WILL RENDER THE STEERING UNUSABLE. FAILURE OF STEERING CONTROL WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SUCH ACCIDENT WILL CAUSE BODILY INJURY AND OR DEATH. RESEARCHING THE SYMPTOM AND CAUSE ON-THE-INTERNET, I CAME ACROSS RECALLS AND CONCERNS BY HYUNDAI IN REGARD TO SAFETY ISSUES THAT WILL RESULT IN POWER STEERING LOSS THUS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH TO OTHERS AND SELF. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT HYUNDAI, IN THE PAST, ACTED PROACTIVELY TO PREVENT A RECALL...I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT WILL BE A CASE TO CONSIDER. COMPLAINTS FOR A 2012 YEAR VEHICLE WITH FAILED MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING("MDPS") FLEXIBLE COUPLING. HIS VERY FIRST QUESTION AFTER DESCRIBING MY CONCERN IS "WHAT YEAR IS YOUR VEHICLE". ACCORDING TO THE HARBOR HYUNDAI TECHNICAL WRITER, THIS CONCERN IS NOW BECOMING A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. A COMPARATIVE OF A GOOD AND BAD (CHEWED-UP) MDPS COUPLING WAS SHOWN TO ME. THIS MDPS COUPLING SPACER SITS BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN FEBRUARY 2012. I TRUST, ALL COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN ITS ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PART OF 2011. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE DEALER THAT IS RELATIVE TO MY VEHICLE PERTINENT TO 2011 RECALLS. FEEL FREE TO ACCESS DATA HISTORY FROM HARBOR HYUNDAI, CA. THIS IS A BLANKET AUTHORIZATION TO ACCESS SERVICE, REPAIRS AND CONCERNS REPORTED. IN SOME CASES, THEY ARE STILL OUTSTANDING SUBJECT TO A REMEDY. I HOPE YOU OFFICE WILL CONSIDER THIS COMPLAINT AND START A RECALL PROCEDURE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 12, 2016
LAST WEEK, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE EPS DASHBOARD TROUBLE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE AIRBAG AND ESC LAMPS ALL ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. THANKFULLY, THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AT THE TIME SO WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE TO REGAIN MY COMPOSURE. USING EXTREME CAUTION, I DROVE THE NEXT FEW MILES BACK HOME CAREFULLY AVOIDING ANY SUDDEN SITUATIONS WHERE I WAS FORCED TO MAKE SHARP TURNS. I HAD AN EXTREMELY HARD TIME STEERING. YESTERDAY, I TOOK THE VEH INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS, THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT SOMEHOW IT WAS ALSO CAUSING ALL THE OTHER UNRELATED TROUBLE LAMPS TO LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME!. APPROX. $1200 REPAIR COST. THE VEH IS 2012 WITH 82,000 MILES. I ASKED IF IT WAS COVERED BY THE 100K MILE WARRANTY. THEY SAID NO. AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. I NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE. I WENT ON-LINE AND NOTICED THAT 2011 SONATA'S HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THE YEAR PRIOR AND AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A NATIONAL RECALL TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT PERHAPS THE SAME FAULTY EQUIPMENT WAS PERHAPS INSTALLED IN SOME OF THE 2012'S ALSO.
Steering, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE POWER STEERING FEATURE WAS USED, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,294.
Steering, Jul 19, 2016
MY 2012 SONATA WITH 89300 MILES WAS MAKING CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WAS LOSE. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THE STEERING WHEEL SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING APART MAKING A HARSH METAL CLANKING SOUND. I TOOK IT INTO HYAUNDI AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COUPLER AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY HYAUNDI.
Steering, Jul 15, 2016
CLUNK NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT IS GETTING WORST WHILE I AM DRIVING, TURNING, SPEED BUMPS, STATIONARY JUST TOUCHING THE WHEEL MAKES THE HORRIBLE NOISE. I WAS READING A 2011 RECALL PROBABLY THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Jul 6, 2016
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS LIKE A COUPLER, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT MANY SONATAS PRESENT THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE FIX COSTS APPROXIMATELY 315.00 DOLLARS. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON IN MOST CARS.
Steering, Jul 1, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE AND SHAKE UP/DOWN AND IN AND OUT OF STEERING COLUMN AT 65 MPH (NOT LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN STEERING). IT ALSO MADE A CLICKING NOISE AND VIBRATION WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE CAR EVEN WHEN SLIGHTLY CORRECTING. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI AND THEY FIXED THE THE ISSUE SAYING IT WAS "COMMON". THEY HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 2011. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAME ISSUE/LOANER/AND OTHER FEES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX FOR FREE FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO HYUNDAI AND REQUESTED A REFUND BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM.
Steering, Jun 30, 2016
IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2012 SONATA I NOTICED THAT THE CAR LIKES TO "WANDER" AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT'S A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, HAVING TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE CAR FROM MOVING SLIGHTLY LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT NEVER IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I'VE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO HYUNDAI, AND MENTIONED IT EVERY TIME I HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE ANSWER WAS ALWAYS IT'S THE FACT THAT THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THAT'S THE WAY THE STEERING WORKS. I RECENTLY FOUND A FORUM '' HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/YF-2011-SONATA-I45/163171-2013-SONATA-STEERING-PROBLEM-SOLVED.HTML '' WHICH HAD 43 PAGES OF SONATA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE SOLUTION SOUNDS AS SIMPLE AS A QUICK COMPUTER UPDATE, YET THE SERVICE CENTERS HAVE ALWAYS STATED NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I FEEL IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT HAVING THE ABILITY TO DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE HIGHWAY.
Steering, Jun 10, 2016
AT 105K MILES GOT THE "CLUNK" FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. FOR $411 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COUPLER AND IT DRIVES LIKE NEW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY.
Steering, May 14, 2016
THE STEERING ON MY HYUNDAI SONATA APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND HAS A VERY WEIRD PULL. ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS, IT MOVES TO THE RIGHT AND OR LEFT WHEN LEFT ALONE. MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IMPLIES THAT DRIVING REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING ASSISTANCE CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO DRIVING. I ACTUALLY NOTICED THIS ISSUE ONLY AFTER MOVING TO ANOTHER CITY. I USED TO LIVE ON THE HILLS AND I ASSUMED THIS WAS DUE TO THE TERRAIN. BUT NOW IT IT DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. ON AN ANOTHER NOTE, THE STEERING BEHAVES PERFECTLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT IS ONLY AFTER YOU CROSS 40MPH THAT THIS ISSUE CROPS UP. I HAVE BSERVED IT FOR OVER A MONTH AND I HAVE HAD MY WHEELS BALANCED, TIRES ROTATED AND INSPECTED AT A DEALER.
Steering, May 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE), THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A RING IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 25, 2016
LOUD NOTICEABLE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT. DECREASING AND ACCERLATING SPEEDS CAUSES THE STEERING COLUM TO SHAKE UNCONTRALABLY AND HARD TO STEER. STEERING COLUM DOES NOT STOP WHEN TURING YOU CAN TURN IT COMPLETELY IN A CIRCLE.
Steering, Mar 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AT FULL SPEED AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND CV AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK GREATER EFFORTS TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THE STEERING RESTORED, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Steering, Feb 9, 2016
LOUD NOTICEABLE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CLICKING NOISE APPEAR WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON UNEVEN ROADS, SPEED BUMPS OR ON CITY BUMPY ROADS. THE ALARMING CLICKING NOISE IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE WE'VE NOTICED IT, FEW MONTHS AGO TO THE POINT THAT THE CLICKING NOISE IS MUCH LOUDER NOW AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE STEERING PROCESS. WE TOOK THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER WITH NO LUCK ON IDENTIFYING THIS PROBLEM. A WEB SEARCH ON THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM YIELD MANY RESULTS AND COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS AND CAR OWNERS. I LEARNED ON THE SAFETY ISSUE THAT OUR CAR HAS AND ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #14-ST-002-1) THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURE TO REMEDY THIS HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURE HAS ADVISED THE DEALERS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) COUPLING, THE ONE THAT WAS INITIALLY INSTALLED IS DETERIORATING. I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL ISSUED YET TO WARN DRIVERS FROM A CHANCE OF TOTAL DETERIORATION OF THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) COUPLING. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ONLY WAY I LEARNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS BY SEARCHING ON THE WEB AND MATCHING THE STEERING FAILURE WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE DEALERS WE WENT TO COULDN'T PINPOINT THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
****BUYER BEWARE*****PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEB 2014 WITH ONLY 230MILES ON IT AND IN SEPT 2014 I PULLED OUT OF MY HOME TURNED RIGHT AND HAD NO ISSUES...ALTHOUGH ABOUT 50 FEET LATER I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WITH MID TO HIGH TRAFFIC, I STOPPED AND ONCE IN MOTION, IMMEDIATE MY ETS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND MY STEERING COMPLETELY FROZE UP AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. I WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT YET UP TO THE 45 SPEED LIMIT. THERE WERE CARS ALL AROUND ME AND I HAD TO PHYSICALLY FORCE MY CAR TO RIGHT WITH MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. I WAS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON MY WAY TO GET MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL, OR AFTER. OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION. THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION, HAS REFUSED TO BUY BACK THEIR DEFAULT DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE AND HAD THE NERVE TO OFFER A "MONTH CAR PAYMENT". MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM ME AND THEY ONLY OFFER A PAYMENT. NOT ACCEPTABLE. BUY BACK YOUR KNOWN DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD FOUR RECALLS ON THIS CAR IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS OF PURCHASE.
Steering, Dec 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND FELT ABNORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Dec 16, 2015
STEERING CLICKING, GFETTING WORSE. AFRAID TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR ON HIGHWAY AND CRASH. POSSIBLY PART # 56315-2K000-FFF REPLACEMENT MIGHT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Dec 10, 2015
STEERING COLUMN HAS STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE ARE MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE $300 PLUS TO FIX THIS PART ESPECIALLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS 89000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED NEW.
Steering, Dec 7, 2015
WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR OTHER REPAIRS. THE DEALER NOTIFIED US THAT THE CAR HAS KNOW STEERING ISSUES THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS ON THIS MODEL AT ABOUT 70000. THE DESCRIBED IT AS A STEERING COUPLER THAT GETS WORN OUT AND CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS STEERING PROBLEMS.
Steering, Nov 16, 2015
STEERING WHEEL FLEXIBLE COUPLER (P/N 56315-2K000) WORN OUT CAUSING A MILD 'LOCKING' FOLLOWED BY A DULL SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE 'STRAIGHT' POSITION DURING LEFT/RIGHT/U TURN AT CITY SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP QUICKLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM (INDICATING THAT IT IS VERY COMMON) AND QUOTED $375 + TAX FOR THE REPLACEMENT WITH AN UPGRADED PART, WHICH COSTS A MERE $2. THE FACT THAT HYUNDAI HAS AN UPGRADED PART INDICATES THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ORIGINAL PART IS PROBLEMATIC. HYUNDAI IS FOLLOWING A DIRTY PRACTICE OF SELLING CARS WITH SUBSTANDARD PARTS AND THEN CHARGING AN EXORBITANT LABOR FEE TO REPLACE IT WITH AN UPGRADED PART WHEN IT EVENTUALLY WEARS OUT.
Steering, Nov 16, 2015
THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO RATTLE A WEEK AGO CAUSING A HARSH SHAKE AT THE HANDS AND A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME IT'S A DEFECTIVE BUSHING THAT MALFUNCTIONS AND A LARGE MAJORITY OF SONATAS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. HE SAID IT'S HAPPENING SO MUCH THAT THE MANUFACTURER CAN'T KEEP UP WITH PRODUCING THE PART SO THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY ON FIXING IT. I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND HE INFORMED ME THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT'S SAFE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A WEEK AND A HALF OUT, DUE TO THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF THE PART. DURING THIS PERIOD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND IT WOULD OCCUR EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY THE STEERING DETERIORATED SO QUICKLY NOT ONLY DID THE STEERING WHEEL START TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUDDER WHILE DRIVING IT. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON AN UNGRADED DIRT ROAD AND THE RATTLE WAS INCREASING LOUD OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND HARD TO HANDLE AS THE STEERING WOULD SWAY. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE LOOSE AND UNCONTROLLABLE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO SAFE OPTIONS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THERE ARE VERY FEW VEHICLE ISSUES MORE DANGEROUS AND DEVASTATING THAN LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE. THIS IS ROUGHLY A $5 DOLLAR BUSHING THAT TAKES AROUND 2 HOURS TO FIX. A DEFECT THAT IS THIS SIMPLE TO FIX BUT IS EXTREMELY DEADLY GIVES PLENTY OF CAUSE FOR A RECALL. ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT A RECALL IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE WIDESPREAD OCCURRENCES. HOPEFULLY THIS DOESN'T CONTINUE TO UNANNOUNCED UNTIL MAJOR ACCIDENTS HAPPEN BEFORE THEY FIX THIS MAJOR DEFECT. PLEASE REFER TO THE SAFETY RECALL COMPENDIUM WHERE THIS FITS THE CRITERIA FOR THE NHTSA. HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS/DOCUMENTS/RECOMPENDIUM.PDF
Steering, Nov 15, 2015
PURCHASED MY SONATA WITH 40K MILES. AT AROUND 70K MILES IT STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AT LOW SPPED. IT HAS ONLY GOT WORSE, IT NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE METAL TO METAL HITTING SOUND IS MADE AT EVERY LEFT TO RIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCH IT IS FOUND TO BE THE INTERNALS OF THE EPS, ALSO THE PLASTIC BUSHING INSIDE THE COUPLING. WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE WHEEL WILL SHAKE HARD AND SOUND AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN HAS BROKE AND WILL FEEL A POP IN THE WHEEL AS IF IT HAS COME OUT OF THE JOINT THEN POPS BACK IN AFTER HITTING A BUMP. NOTICED ONLINE THERE ARE 100S IF NOT 1000S OF HYUNDAI SONATAS AND ELANTRA DRIVERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SORT OF ISSUES.
Steering, Nov 7, 2015
THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING COUPLING IN MY SONATA WAS TORN TO SHREDS. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (14-ST-002-01) & A REVISION HAS BEEN ISSUED TO THE PART (THE COUPLING WILL HAVE A "4P" STAMPED ON IT), YET THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE PART. I MARKED THE DATE IT HAPPENED AS TODAY'S DATE (11/07/2015), BUT MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING THE THUD NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS.