Hyundai Motor America is offering steering wheel locks to owners of certain 2011 â 2017MY vehicles that are not eligible for Service Campaign 993 anti-theft software. This bulletin describes the procedure to provide the steering wheel locks to customers on the dealership service drive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Hyundai Accent steering problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Among the 7 model years of Hyundai Accent in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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.
Hyundai Motor America is offering steering wheel locks to owners of certain 2011 â 2017MY vehicles that are not eligible for Service Campaign 993 anti-theft software. This bulletin describes the procedure to provide the steering wheel locks to customers on the dealership service drive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The electric power steering (EPS) system in my Hyundai Accent 2012 5-door hatchback intermittently stops and starts working, and when it does not work, a dashboard red EPS light comes on. This problem has been occurring on and off for a few months now. When the system is not working, the car becomes very difficult to steer, especially at slow speeds. The problem seems to occur more frequently in…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Hyundai Accent?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 38,183 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.