10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,368 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 3 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #254

Feb 242019

Sonata

  • 68,000 miles

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

Electronic steering failure a lot of noise and the steering column rattles when you hit the smallest bumps. This is a major safety issue as it is difficult to keep the steering straight and it is my wife's call driving my family to school etc. It will catch when attempting to turn increasing the risk of accidents in a situation where you need to be able to make quick moves.

- St. Paul, IN, USA

problem #253

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
When I was driving down the road my car would just stop working in the middle of the highway. The engine would just stop. We nearly got on a accident because of it. I have no picture die to it sitting at the shop now for 3 weeks. My husband risks losing his job cause of the engine going out on our 2012 Hyundai Sonata. And it could possibly get repossessed. Then we couldnt drive it anymore. It wont crank or turn over at all. It would it up alot of oil just in one month and we had trouble with the windows wouldnt go down and the locks wouldnt lock. Had alot of electrical problems. Thats our only car to get to and from work, now we have nothing cause we cant afford to get it fixed. No one will help us with this recall on this viechle. We will lose our car if the recall on this car/engine and etc that is recalled on this viechle. Can you please help.

- Mount Vernon, AL, USA

problem #252

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 55 mph there was an abnormal clicking noise detected in the steering wheel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact called blaise alexander Hyundai (1703 w college ave, state college, pa 16801, (814) 234-2886) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Tyrone, PA, USA

problem #251

Jun 062019

Sonata

  • 87,000 miles

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

Noise when turning steering wheel to right or left while driving or turning into parking place. Also my Sonata locks doors by itself. I can be in house and car is in garage and I can hear the doors lock. Sometimes when I leave my house to get in car the doors are locked. Why is that? this has been happening for years. Hyundai service said to bring car in and they would check it out. I did not do that due to needing the car every day. There should be a recall for these issues.

- Goshen, OH, USA

problem #250

Oct 152019

Sonata

  • 125,521 miles
Was changing lanes and tried to pick up speed. At which point my engine locked up and no longer turn over. This caused my power steering to fail, brakes to be applied despite me not pressing them. Then my car began to smell like it was burning. I was going 50 on a highway when this accrued during rush hour.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #249

Oct 122019

Sonata

  • 66,000 miles
Steering column rattles and shakes when I go over bumps/pot holes. My mechanic described the incidents as similar to ones which he has seen on other Sonatas and told me that there is an open recall. Does not appear to be a recall for this model year.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #248

Sep 252019

Sonata

  • miles

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

When driving there is a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel and shaking of the car and when running over man holes

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #247

Oct 012018

Sonata

  • 55,000 miles
My steering wheel sticks in one position while driving. I have asked the dealer I take my car to about it and at first they said there was no issue. I mentioned it again and the lead service tech explained that they were aware of the issue and it is very expensive. Thats all fine except if you are aware of the issue then I am by no means the first person to complain about this problem. I am worried that one day it will finally lock up completely. I notice the issue on the highway the most as there are not as many turns but you can also notice it a lot when on straight back roads/county roads. It has been since I have owned the vehicle that I have noticed this issue, so around 15,000 or so miles now.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #246

Sep 012019

Sonata

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 20 mph, the contact turned the steering wheel left or right and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column universal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #245

Jul 082019

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
When turning the steering wheel left there is a clicking noise if I go over any bumps the steering rattles and shakes.

- Springfield Gardens, NY, USA

problem #244

Aug 092019

Sonata

  • 119,000 miles

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

When driving in huntsville, al on city streets and the highway when I'm turning my steering wheel it makes a clicking noise and the column appears loose. The brakes are sticking and requires me to push down hard to stop my vehicle. I have replaced the front lights and back ends lights numerous times and they continue to go out frequently. I purchased new tires in June 2019 from bentley Hyundai in huntsville, al and while driving the tire tube popped and deflated. There were no nails in the tire. There was a hole in the tube. I almost crashed.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #243

Aug 072019

Sonata

  • miles
Steering where makes loud clicking noise when turned left and right. Also, when going over bumps, sounds like the entire underneath is about to fall out. My mechanic says it is the coupler and he believes there is a recall on it. However, when I look it up, says that the 2011 and 2013 were recalled, but not the 2012. The warranty was extended on this year's model. Also, the dealership is saying that it is safe to drive. I do not feel safe when driving it; I would like to get it repaired, but do not feel that I should be paying for something that Hyundai knows is a defect.

- Columbia, NJ, USA

problem #242

Aug 022019

Sonata

  • miles
When turning the wheel right or left there is a clicking noise. When going over even a small bump there is a clicking noise the car also veers slightly. This can not be safe and Hyundai should really look into this and fix it with a recall.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #241

May 012019

Sonata

  • 113,520 miles
I took it to the shop and they said it may be wheel alignment or ball point when steering. I took it for a 2nd opinion, and the same thing was stated. I called my insurance geico, and they told me ther was a recall.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #240

Feb 052019

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
When turning left or right a loud click can be heard coming from steering column. When driving and drive over a small bump in the road the steering column also makes the same noise.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #239

Jun 262019

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
Steering wheel coupler in steering column is broken.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #238

Mar 012018

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Steering column motor mdps rubber flex coupler repair. Hyundai needs to have a recall on this - steering is off and misguided! dangerous to manuveur car on the road, traffic and on the freeway. Can't judge/guess the steering play if unforeseen happens and driver has to act quick to get car to safety. This is a common problem with the Sonata's and needs to be recalled because the steering column has to be taken apart to fit it.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #237

May 162019

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
My steering is cluncking when I turn my wheel. I brought my car in for 2 recalls and I assumed this would be on the recall list as well. The hyundia dealership that I brought the car to said that this was under warranty but I have exceded the manufacutrers warranty to cover this and it would cost me almost $300 to fix it myself. I know this is a common problem for this vehicle since my son is a mechanic and has told me of several that they have replaced. I would hope that Hyundai would fix the problem for me since I have had this car for 7 years and no compalints. If they don't want to fix this problem I will just trade the vehicle in for a manufacturer that will take care of problems when they happen.

- Myrlte Beach, SC, USA

problem #236

Jun 062019

Sonata

  • 125,000 miles
Have a popping noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Read online 2011 models were recalled for the coupling. How is this not a safety recall on the 2012 model? link below to people with similar problem. M.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/Sonata/2012/steering/clicks_when_turning.shtml

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #235

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • 30,000 miles
After having every recall imaginable including the replacement of my engine recently after it stalled while driving down one of the busiest highways in las vegas, I am stunned that the steering column and the electrical for the brakes hasn't been recalled yet. My steering column is clicking and making noises that have increased in the volume of the sound and it does this every single time I turn the wheel. I see others have already had this fail in their 2012 Sonatas entirely and previous years of my exact vehicle for the same issues have been recalled. I drive a three year old around frequently and I am afraid that soon my column will completely detach itself and cause an accident. I see other consumers have had to pay to have it fixed out of pocket at low mileage as well. Clearly we cannot all be misusing our vehicles. Previous Sonata models have also had the exact same safety recalls for these exact same problems that we are seeing now in this specific year and still they choose to deny it is their fault. My miles aren't even 70,000 yet. I have also replaced my left rear brake light 4 times now, how many more times will I have to do this before I am hit by someone or before someone else's brake lights fail and they end up in an accident that could be fatal? I have already been pulled over for having a tail light out that I had just replaced a week prior. This year make and model should just be recalled and scrapped entirely and owners given their money back. I had a seatbelt recall that was then later on recalled again!! I mean come on Hyundai!

- Henderson, NV, USA

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