Hyundai has announced an extended warranty for the motor driven power steering (MDPS) coupling on the following vehicles: ? 2011-2014 Sonata (YFa), 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid (YF HEV) ? 2007-2015 Elantra (HD, MD/UD), 2009-2012 Elantra Touring (FD) The MDPS been extended to 10 years from the date of original delivery or the date of first use, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This warranty extension applies to all original and subsequent owners of the affected vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Hyundai Sonata steering problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2010 Sonata report a wide range of steering system failures. Several describe total power steering loss accompanied by engine shutdown while driving at highway speeds, making the vehicle nearly impossible to steer and creating immediate safety hazards. Others report intermittent steering stiffness or seizing that occurs unpredictably; in one case a dealer said the vehicle lacked an internal stabilizer and could not be fixed.
The steering coupler (a plastic part costing under $10) emerges as a common problem. It loosens, creating noises and steering wheel wobble, yet labor costs $200–$600 to replace. One owner was charged labor twice after the coupler problem was found only after the steering column was already reassembled.
Additional complaints include steering that pulls or drifts to one side despite repeated realignment, causing uneven tire wear and violent shake on highways above 55 mph. One brand-new vehicle (6,800 miles) arrived with a loose, noisy steering wheel. A few owners report steering lockup when passing through standing water, with battery lights illuminating at the same time. Several note they found online evidence of widespread similar complaints across multiple model years and Hyundai/Kia vehicles, yet they remain skeptical a recall will address the 2010 model.
Same Hyundai Sonata steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power steering loss / engine shutdown
Power steering shut down completely during normal driving, sometimes accompanied by engine stall. In one case, vehicle shut down twice in five minutes; in another, stalling at highway speeds made steering nearly impossible to control.
When: At various speeds including expressway entrance, highway merge at 55+ mph, side streets at 35 mph; first complaint at 53,215 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure with complete loss of assist; Engine stall or shutdown; Sudden stop; Recurrent failures; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (unspecified codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replaced; power steering rack and pinion, gear and linkage assembly replaced; 4-wheel alignment performed
Steering coupler/coupling failure
Lower steering coupler or coupling bushing (described as plastic) deteriorates, causing loose steering wheel connection, thudding noises, and steering wheel shake. Part costs under $10 but labor costs exceed $200. Multiple revision iterations of this part indicate ongoing design problems.
When: At 105,000 miles; steering column reassembled without initial coupler diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel loose or wobbles; Thudding noise when moving steering wheel with car off; Steering wheel shakes while driving; Loose coupling in steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Steering coupler/coupling replacement; repair cost $600 labor plus $3–$10 part cost; one owner had to pay labor twice after coupler found after column reassembly
Steering stiffness and seizing
Steering wheel becomes abnormally stiff or seizes unpredictably during driving at various speeds. One dealer attributed this to missing stabilizer with no repair option; another case involved squeaking noise and difficult-to-turn wheel with check engine light.
When: At 400 miles (new vehicle); 65,000 miles; various speeds including highway merge at 65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff or difficult to turn; Steering wheel seized; Intermittent stiffness without warning; Squeaking noise from steering; Check engine warning indicator illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer stated vehicle could not be repaired due to missing stabilizer in original design; no repairs completed in documented cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised failure was due to vehicle designed without stabilizer and unable to be overridden
Steering wander and alignment issues
Vehicle pulls or drifts to one side (right or left) during driving, requiring constant correction. Uneven tire wear and vehicle shake occur even after realignment. Intermittent nature suggests recurring mechanical play or alignment instability.
When: 70,000 miles (one complaint); intermittent since purchase at 29,000 miles (another); 162,000 miles (wobble over bumps)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls to right requiring left-side steering correction; Vehicle drifts to left at higher speeds; Uneven tire wear; Vehicle shake/vibration on highway above 55 mph in curves; Steering wheel wobble over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment performed; repeated realignment did not resolve shake and tire wear in one case
Steering wheel noise and looseness from factory
New vehicle (6,800 original miles) exhibits rubbing, crackling, and popping sounds from steering wheel. Steering wheel is physically loose and can be rocked side to side without turning.
When: 6,800 original miles (very early in vehicle life)
Symptoms owners cite: Rubbing sound from steering wheel; Crackling sound; Popping sounds when driving; Loose steering wheel that rocks side to side; Noise occurs during normal driving
Steering lockup in wet conditions
Steering locks up when vehicle passes through standing water or during heavy rain. Battery light illuminates simultaneously, suggesting possible electrical failure triggering steering system shutdown.
When: During heavy rain events; triggered by 2–3 inch puddle of water
Symptoms owners cite: Steering locks up in water or heavy rain; Battery light illuminates; Recurring when wet conditions present
Codes mentioned: Battery light warning
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai sonata. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to merge into a second lane to avoid a vehicle from crashing into her when the steering wheel became abnormally stiff. The contact stated that the failure would occur sporadically without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians advised that the failure was caused due…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 53,215 and 88,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,215; a quarter make it past 88,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Hyundai/Sonata.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.