8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
65,550 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. change entire steering column (1 reports)
  3. replace power steering (1 reports)
  4. replace steering column (1 reports)
2009 Hyundai Elantra steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #13

Jan 182021

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering has kept going in and out for months now. Yesterday 4/28/21, the light came on + the malfunction indicator lamp. It's my only car and I need it to get back & forth work, doctor, store etc. I can't afford the dealer's price to hook it to their diagnostic machine when my mechanic only charges half of what the dealer charges. With covid, who can afford to pay overpriced dealer prices? Not me, I can barely afford food.

I spoke to the dealer at Motorworld (worthless people) after several attempts of reaching someone who can help. I called them numerous times because I got tired of waiting for someone to call me back. Appointments are months wait. Why doesn't Hyundai honor diagnosis from an authorized mechanic since they work on their customers car's more than the dealer? Because the dealers are far too expensive, they are very rude, and don't get me started on how they think women are stupid when it comes to their cars!

There have been 3 recalls on these cars already and I think the dealer knows what is wrong with it. They say it has nothing to do with the eps recall but my mechanic has checked my car and put it on the same diagnostic machine the dealer has and found nothing wrong with my power steering. The dealer did not look at my car but told me the entire steering column needs to be replaced at a whopping $1,500.00. Who the hell has that kind of money with all that is going on in this f'ed up world? Not me that's for sure.

Instead of stressing myself out about what is wrong with my Elantra, I am going to sell it the way it is and go back to Chevy. At least there are more than 1 dealer in my area I can take it to. Not going to be stuck waiting months to have my car repaired.

I do not recommend Hyundai cars.

Hope all the Motorworld dealerships go out of business like the rest of the people they are stealing from!

- Paulette V., Forty Fort, US

problem #12

Jan 182021

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

It's obvious there is a problem with the power steering on the Elantras, just by reading all the complaints online.

Hyundai needs to fix these issues, free of charge to the owners, before someone gets killed.

The eps turned off while sitting at an idol. It has turned off numerous times while driving on a very busy highway where it is hard to pull over to shut car off to reset. I have ms and it is very hard to steer the car when it does this.

Is it the sensor, lock bolt, steering column or something else?

I think the dealer knows what it is, and is trying to cover it up for Hyundai.

Fix it free - fix it free - fix it free!!!

- Paulette V., Forty Fort, US

problem #11

Feb 122016

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

It's cold out so I let the car warm up for 15 minutes.. Got in it, put it in reverse and I could feel the steering was VERY tight, I looked down and saw the EPS light is on.. I tried turning it ( the wheel) to no avail. I opened hood looked at power steering fluid it's on the lower side but def enough in there to steer the car. I got on the web and see this is an ongoing problem. I wish I knew this before purchasing the car/ I will update when I find out what it will cost me to fix.. Not a happy girl reading on here it's not covered under the warranty.

- Cynthia P., Wallingford, CT, US

problem #10

Jun 012015

Elantra LX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is really stupid electric steering. Hyundai should have to warranty this for at least 10 years.

- Greg Y., glen mills, PA, US

problem #9

Jan 012015

Elantra GLS 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Bought the car used about 3 months ago with 52000 on the clock. Every now and then when stopped, steering seems to lock up in center position, have to give it a bit of a jerk to move the wheel off center. Driving along seems OK. Went to dealer, of course couldn't duplicate problem. No warning lights or noises when this does happen. Looked through some of the faults described here, could end up with serious problem.

- rnspark, Mulberry, FL, US

problem #8

Jan 012014

Elantra 4d

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,311 miles

Since Jan. 2014 this dangerous safety incident has happened at least 10 times. I am afraid to drive in fear of an accident. EPS light comes on intermittently while driving and shuts off power steering ,vehicle locks up. Have to turn ignition off and restart vehicle.Very nerve wrecking on highway.

Brought to Dealers attention Jan. and March under warranty, couldn't find anything. However, Mechanic wrote on Mar.2014 invoice " if issue persists probably needed new power steering." I also brought issue to an dependent service, said couldn't touch it as up to dealer as car was under warranty. I brought the car again Sept.2014 to dealer, this time not under warranty.Removed car starter and wired to factory setting and said car okay. However quoted that I will need new power steering at a cost of $2,340.00 for parts plus plus plus. I asked why they didn't deal with it when the car was under warranty? Wouldn't answer.

I can't afford this. I have been told that there are several other complaints re EPS light coming on 2009 Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai should be dealing with this defect. This is not good for customer service. This will be my last HYUNDAI....Are they waiting for someone to die first?

- savagesam, Ottawa, ONT. .., Canada

problem #7

Jul 152013

Elantra 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car was taken in for different recall. Wanted steering problem fixed while I was there. I live 50 miles from closest dealer. Said it was my battery, charged me $266. Next day, EPS light came on again. No steering again. Called mike at cape Hyundai, he told me to bring it back. Had to wait till following Monday (my day off). Got there, they couldn't do anything unless EPS light was on. So the next Monday, the light comes on. I take it back. So now its steering column. Have to bring car back when part comes in. Go back the next monday, gave me a loaner, sent me home. Finally, the next Monday, I call him to see if my car is ready. It was, so I go get it. Looked like it had been sitting on a dirt road for how dirty it was. By next morning, didn't have power steering again! Gave up hope, didn't know what else to do. So a lot of times I still don't have power steering.

- Wanda P., East Prairie, Mo, US

problem #6

May 142014

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I was driving down the road on my way to work when my EPS light came on. I lost almost all steering and I was 500 feet from a school, school children and the crossing guard. I was scared to death. I thought the Emergency brake was on.....but it wasn't. The car was slow to turn and I was afraid I'd kill a child.

I didn't know it was a known problem and that there is a "possible fix" by way of Hyundai Dealerships doing an update. I bought the car second hand from a reputable dealer but once I did my research things look even more bleak. It's not a fluke. Everything I have read says the steering column will have to be replaced if the problem continues. I drove the Hyundai Accent 2002 for 7 years and it was the best car I ever had. This model ..NOT SO MUCH. In six months I have lost both headlights and then both fog lights. I can't replace a headlight/fog lamp ever few weeks plus labor costs!!!

- joelibgnn, Scranton, PA, US

problem #5

Apr 082014

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,158 miles

Ok - I had the 'update' done to the car on 3/21/2014 and now my power steering went out again. I was in busy rush hour traffic and WHAM - GONE!!!! By time I was able to get my car home I was in major pain!!! My arms and shoulders were in severe pain. I went to the dealership to check out the EPS / steering again - they did their little Hyundai update again and told me it probably wouldn't last but maybe another week again. Their suggestion - GET AN ENTIRE NEW STEERING COLUMN SHAFT!!! The shaft plus labor will cost $1600. and is not covered under the warranty. They said there is an "Electrical shortage that is causing the steering to be faulty". And this isn't a RECALL??? I did my research and see that the Hyundai Sonata has the same issue - but it is under a recall. So why not the Elantra???? Still driving without power steering....can't afford it....and ready to go to massage therapy soon for the pain I am in from driving my car like this!!!

- Teresa P., Columbus, IN, US

problem #4

Mar 212014

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

EPS light came on, power steering went out. I went to a Hyundai dealership to fix the problem. They did a service update to the car. The update fixed the EPS / steering problem for approximately one week.

- Teresa P., Columbus, IN, US

problem #3

Nov 252013

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering has been a problem in the Sonatas. However the problem also exists in the Elantra. The company has a recall for the Sonata, but not the Elantra. That does not seem fair. Also, when I purchased this car, it was advertised as bumper to bumper coverage for 10 years. I have not had it for that long and I am told that this is not covered under the warantee. That is false advertising. This is my second purchase from Hyundai, but I can assure you it will be my last.

- Mary B., Miami, FL, US

problem #2

Jun 172012

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,495 miles

The EPS light came on in my vehicle and once again I was unable to steer. Just had this issue "fixed" less than a month ago at Hyundai. I called to let them know the issue was still persisting and they informed me they don't know how to fix it, and even the new ones do it. I told the guy I almost cause an accident each time this is occuring and he laughed and said I know it's pretty scary hey. I almost wished the car was totalled in one of these instances as then I could actually get a new car, except it will never be a Hyundai again.

- Stacey F., Regina, SK, Canada

problem #1

May 022012

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,185 miles

While trying to make a left hand turn during rush hour in a busy city, my steering suddenly stopped working, I barely got myself out of having an accident as I was trying to turn while oncoming vehicles almost hit me. The EPS (electronic power steering) light was on. I called Hyundai, booked it in and had it "fixed." Just a few weeks later the same thing happened again and I was outraged, I called the Hyundai dealer and they notified me they actually don't even know how to fix the issue and even the brand new ones do it. I told him each time this happens it almost causes a crash and he laughed and said I know it's pretty scary hey.

Never again will I buy a Hyundai.

- Stacey F., Regina, SK, Canada

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