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 ↗2016 Hyundai Accent steering problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Hyundai Accent we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering failures in the 2016 Hyundai Accent range from complete loss of control to electrical glitches. The most serious complaints describe sudden steering lockup while driving—steering wheel becomes unmovable or barely responsive, sometimes accompanied by a steering fault warning light. One owner reported this at 46,000 miles; another at 50,000 miles, where a dealer identified steering rack and pinion failure as the root cause. A third owner experienced steering freeze after a column replacement, only to have the same problem recur.
Several owners report steering-related electrical issues: instrument clusters showing zero mph while driving, dashboard lights flashing on and off, and warnings for ESP, ABS, and ESC triggered simultaneously. These often affect other electrical systems—wipers and turn signals malfunctioning at the same time.
Some complaints describe handling issues rather than outright lockup—drifting at highway speeds, constant steering correction needed, sloppy feel, and vehicle wandering side to side. One dealer attributed this to the electronic steering system. A separate complaint notes a clacking sound from the steering area when turning the wheel while stationary.
Repairs documented include steering column replacement and steering rack/pinion replacement, though at least one case showed the same failure recurring post-repair. Dealers have struggled to diagnose and reproduce some failures during inspection.
Failure modes owners describe
Steering lockup / complete loss of steering control
Steering wheel becomes immovable or barely turnable while driving, sometimes preceded by a steering fault warning light. One case diagnosed as steering rack and pinion failure at 50,000 miles.
When: 50,000 miles and 46,000 miles reported; also at low mileage (20,000)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel frozen or unmovable while driving; Steering fault warning light illuminated; Vehicle unable to turn or turns with extreme difficulty; Sudden onset while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion replacement documented in one case; steering column replacement in another, though failure recurred post-repair
Steering electrical faults with instrument cluster failure
Steering system failures accompanied by dashboard warning lights (ESP, ABS, ESC) and speedometer malfunction. Speedometer reads zero mph while driving and stops tracking mileage. Associated with electrical system glitches in wipers, turn signals, and dashboard lights.
When: Intermittent onset, becoming permanent over time
Symptoms owners cite: ESP warning light, ABS light, and ESC light illuminated simultaneously; Speedometer drops to zero mph while driving; Mileage tracking stops; Dashboard lights flashing on and off; Windshield wipers malfunction randomly; Turn signals malfunction randomly; Multiple diagnostics unable to resolve issue
Repairs/costs cited: Thousands of dollars in diagnostics performed without resolution; one online source suggested SMART Junction Box replacement
Steering column electrical short
Steering column shorts internally, causing steering to freeze. One owner had column replaced; same failure recurred within 4 months.
When: Recurrence after replacement at 4 months
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column shorts itself; Steering freezes while driving; Dashboard lights flashing on and off post-repair; Speedometer reads zero mph; Recurring freezing after column replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replaced; same failure mode returned 4 months later
Steering drift and handling instability at highway speeds
Vehicle drifts side to side at speeds over 40 mph, requiring constant steering correction. Feels like worn steering components; dealer attributed to electronic steering system design.
When: Above 40 mph, particularly at 55 mph highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Car drifts at speeds over 40 mph; Constant steering correction required at 55 mph; Sloppy steering feel; Vehicle wanders side to side; Behaves as if steering components are worn
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated this is normal for electronic steering and owner will adapt to it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated electronic steering design; no repair offered
Steering noise during low-speed turning
Repeated clacking sound from steering area heard inside cabin only when stationary steering wheel is turned left or right. Possibly related to suspension or strut.
When: When turning wheel while vehicle stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Repeated clacking sound from steering area; Sound heard only inside cabin; Occurs when turning steering wheel left or right while stationary
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Steering froze up while driving - was unable to turn car more than a few inches with great difficulty
This vehicle has totally destroyed and flooded by hurricane maria 09/20/2017.I made claim and insurance did not declared it as " lost" because it has a new vehicle.safety features on steering wheel wont function , dash , radio, floor, seats,rear trunk was flooded. According to the manufacture company , the vehicle lost it's warranty because it has flooded. I don't need an accident and…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Hyundai Accent?
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 2016 Hyundai Accent?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 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 10 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 31,750 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.
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/2016/Hyundai/Accent.
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.