Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Hyundai Santa Fe steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 15,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Santa Fe | 95 |
| 2014 Santa Fe | 52 |
| 2015 Santa Fe | 6 |
| 2016 Santa Fe | 3 |
| 2017 Santa Fe (this page) | 27 |
| 2018 Santa Fe | 8 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 12 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 27 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 27 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.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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.
Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing
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
Sticky or notchy steering is the dominant complaint across these 27 reports. Owners describe a steering wheel that hangs or sticks at certain points in its rotation, requiring increasingly forceful input to break free—a pattern that emerges between 10,000 and 20,000 miles. The problem worsens above 35–40 mph and during extended highway driving (typically after 15–30 minutes). The sticking forces constant overcorrection: drivers swerve left and right to maintain lane position, creating lane-wandering and driver fatigue that some call a serious safety hazard.
Several owners report steering wheel unresponsiveness, violent shaking, or jerking side-to-side. One incident involved violent shaking at 60 mph on a freeway ramp at only 1,079 miles. Others describe steering lockup during left-hand turns. A separate failure mode is complete power steering loss while driving—one case traced to a blown fuse on the positive battery cable, causing engine shutdown and loss of brake assist alongside steering failure.
An airbag clock spring has shorted in at least one vehicle, disabling left-side steering wheel buttons and potentially the airbag itself. Steering column noise and rattling has also been documented.
Across the board, dealers have been unable or unwilling to diagnose the sticking-steering complaints during short test drives (the fault emerges after sustained highway driving). One owner found literature linking the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) unit, particularly the rubber coupler inside it, to the failure; Hyundai has extended warranty coverage on this part in other models but not the 2017 Santa Fe. MDPS replacement in one documented case did not permanently resolve the issue.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Sticky/Notchy steering requiring excessive force
Steering wheel hangs or catches at various points in its range, requiring increasing torque to break free. Drivers report the steering feels notchy or grooved rather than smooth and linear, particularly above 35-40 mph on highways and during extended driving (15-30+ minutes). The stickiness forces constant overcorrection, causing the vehicle to drift side-to-side.
When: Typically emerges 10,000-20,000 miles; worsens with highway driving above 40 mph or after 15-30 minutes of sustained driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel sticks or hangs when turned, requires forceful input to break free; Notchy or grooved steering feel, not smooth lock-to-lock; Continuous overcorrection and lane wandering, especially at highway speeds; Driver fatigue due to constant steering input required; Issue difficult for dealers to reproduce during short test drives
Codes mentioned: No specific diagnostic codes typically retrieved
Repairs/costs cited: MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) unit replacement documented in at least one case. Part #56310-2W840 identified as a bad unit due to rubber coupler failure inside the MDPS. Steering column calibration and reset performed in some cases without lasting fix. Coupling shaft U-joints and star-shaped coupling within MDPS suspected as potential sources.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai extended warranty on MDPS parts in some makes/models. No recall issued for 2017 Santa Fe. Dealers unable or unwilling to acknowledge the pattern.
Steering wheel unresponsiveness and violent shaking/jerking
Steering becomes unresponsive or locks up during turns, or steering wheel exhibits violent shaking and jerking motions side-to-side. Some reports indicate steering wheel jumps left to right while driving. Unresponsiveness leads to oversteering and loss of vehicle control.
When: Can occur as early as 1,079 miles; also reported at highway speeds (60+ mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes unresponsive during turns; Violent shaking of steering wheel left and right; Steering wheel jumps or jitters side-to-side; Steering wheel locks up during left-hand turns; Abrupt snap or sharp correction in steering input causing sudden direction change
Codes mentioned: ESC and ABS warning lights illuminated in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One case required passenger-side wheel speed sensor replacement and steering column housing replacement, though failure recurred. Other cases remain unrepaired or undiagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in at least one case; no assistance provided.
Power steering failure/loss of assist
Power steering fails suddenly while driving, leaving the driver with no power assist. In at least one case, this occurred alongside engine shutdown and was caused by a fuse failure on the positive battery cable, indicating an electrical system issue affecting steering system power.
When: At 25 mph in one documented case; vehicle in motion on city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist suddenly lost while driving; Power brakes also lost in one case; Multiple warning lights illuminated (steering, tire, low battery indicators); Engine shutdown followed by no restart (clicking and sizzling sounds)
Codes mentioned: Steering warning light illuminated, Multiple warning lights and letter codes (specific codes not documented)
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause in one case: blown fuse on positive battery cable. Cable and battery replaced by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Assurance roadside assistance dispatched; vehicle covered under warranty repair.
Airbag clock spring electrical failure
Airbag clock spring assembly shorts out, disabling left-side steering wheel electrical components (buttons, horn) and potentially the airbag function. Clock spring is a coiled assembly that maintains electrical continuity as steering wheel rotates.
When: Timing not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Left-side steering wheel buttons cease functioning; Horn may not work; Airbag function potentially disabled; Clock spring assembly shorted out
Codes mentioned: SSD: STEERING OR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS code
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring assembly requires replacement. Dealers flagged as needing immediate attention.
Steering column/assembly noise and vibration
Loud rattling or abnormal noise emanates from steering wheel or steering column while driving. Steering column housing degradation or component looseness suspected.
When: At 70,000 miles in one documented case
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling noise from steering wheel; Abnormal noise from steering column area
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel assembly replacement needed in one case; repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware in at least one case.
Difficult or hard steering at low speeds
Steering becomes hard or difficult to turn, particularly when turning right or left. Requires excessive force from driver to manipulate steering wheel.
When: Becomes problematic around 60 mph in at least one case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hard to turn right or left; Excessive force required to turn steering wheel; Sticky sensation when applying steering input at various speeds
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Notchy steering, feels like the steering wheel sticks, requiring you to use additional force to turn the wheel. This causes over-correcting with the potential to swerving into other lanes or off the road.
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
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 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 10,000 and 32,000 miles, with the median around 15,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 32,000. 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/2017/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
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.