While driving at almost any speed, as long as it is in a fairly straight line, the steering has a catch in it when you try to ease the car to the right or the left. It feels like it is stuck in a rut and you have to turn harder than expected to break it out of that rut. This causes instances of oversteering. This can't be safe at all!!
2012 Hyundai Sonata steering problems
moderate 300 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
300
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
3fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 300 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 300 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Hyundai Sonata in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
My 2012 Hyundai sonata steering is not working properly, it is pulling to the left and requires constant corrections. It is very unsafe at highway speeds and does not want to stay in its lane. It has been in the shop twice in the last 2 months, once for an alignment and once for changing the setting for the electric steering. I informed Hyundai of america about my problem and was told the car…
When the steering wheel is turned either left or right there is a loud clicking noise regardless of when the car is stopped or driving. This is a common issue from everything I've read from people and even the dealership knew exactly what it was. This should be a recall due to safety reasons. If this part goes out there is a chance someone could lose control of their vehicle. *tr
Bought car as new with 6172 miles, car has consistent pull to right, when trying to make correction, car starts to pull harder. Drove car on snowy roads and was unable to keep car in lane at a safe driving speed with traffic, causing me to slow and became a hazard on roadway. Have taken to 2 different dealerships 4 times being told "that this a normal condition and there is nothing wrong". Have…
The power steering has failed to work on multiple occasions and I’m worried that it may happen during a tight manuver and possibly cause a wreck. This is very dangerous. When this power steering stops working it is way harder to turn than a car with no power at all.
The steering clicks when I back the car up and turn the wheel in either direction. This is how the problem started. Now, over a two-month period, it makes the same sound when moving forward slowly and turning the wheel in either direction. *tr
Vehicle has been to dealership 5 times for steering issue. Car pulls to right no matter road conditions, type of road, or speed of vehicle. Car showed excessive tire wear around 3500 miles. In total car has been aligned five times, four new tires put on car, new struts and mounts, and new shocks. Had independent mechanic drive vehicle after vehicle "repaired" fifth time and he said there is…
Noticed knocking sound coming from behind the steering wheel when turning the wheel left/right from center position. The power steering seems to be working fine and able to turn the vehicle while driving. Several forums and online posted videos describe the flexible rubber coupling in the mdps (motor driven power steering) assembly getting worn out which causes the gear tooth to have a…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 300 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 205 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 57,000 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,000; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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/2012/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.