Hyundai Elantra Steering Problems
Owners have filed 1,142 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Hyundai Elantra across 31 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (271). The words owners use most often: “steering column” (15% of reports).
- 1,142steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 74mention a crash
- 29mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $820typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 170 of 1,142 complaints (15%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Hyundai Elantra at $820, and half of them between $510 and $3,100.
Based on 80 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 748 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,142 complaints, 74 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 29 an injury.
Hyundai Elantra steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Elantra | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2024 Elantra | 7 | 13% | 21,000 |
| 2023 Elantra | 3 | 3% | 13,653 |
| 2022 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Elantra | 5 | 4% | 376 |
| 2020 Elantra | 20 | 8% | 4,700 |
| 2019 Elantra | 9 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Elantra | 16 | 6% | 5,200 |
| 2017 Elantra | 71 | 9% | 40,500 |
| 2016 Elantra | 19 | 6% | 46,000 |
| 2015 Elantra | 26 | 10% | 40,000 |
| 2014 Elantra | 28 | 7% | 14,000 |
| 2013 Elantra | 271 | 21% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Elantra | 88 | 13% | 67,000 |
| 2011 Elantra | 75 | 17% | 66,000 |
| 2010 Elantra | 195 | 51% | 73,000 |
| 2009 Elantra | 133 | 52% | 78,000 |
| 2008 Elantra | 55 | 18% | 71,405 |
| 2007 Elantra | 34 | 13% | 71,000 |
| 2006 Elantra | 3 | 2% | 32,000 |
| 2005 Elantra | 6 | 4% | 166,780 |
| 2004 Elantra | 5 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2003 Elantra | 16 | 7% | 97,566 |
| 2002 Elantra | 16 | 5% | 94,829 |
| 2001 Elantra | 24 | 8% | 49,500 |
| 2000 Elantra | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1999 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1998 Elantra | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1997 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1996 Elantra | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 Elantra | 6 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2017
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS motor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-243-7766. Hyundai's number for this recall 161.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with threaded portions of the steering gearbox assembly's left and right inner ball joint assemblies that contain internal cracks in the material structure.
Risk: If the inner ball joint assembly was to break as a result of the internal crack, the tie rod end assembly would not longer be attached to the steering gear box. This would prevent steering control of that front wheel by the separated tie rod which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gearbox assemblies on these vehicles free of charge. Owners were contacted by telephone beginning on april 8, 2005, and instructed not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai will arrange to pick up and return their vehicles after repair. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While the contact's wife was reversing at 2 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the failure had occurred in the driveway at the residence. While…
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated during the failure. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the…
Steering keeps locking up steering wheel light light and other lights in my dashboard came on which caused my back camera to stop working took it to dealership got a diagnosis it appeared nothing was wrong which they calibrated it and fixed the problem for a month and it started back to the same…
I am reporting Hyundaiâs failure to complete open Campaign 127/NHTSA Recall 15V-100 on my 2009 Hyundai Elantra. I acquired the vehicle from a family member in late July 2026 after the previous owner died and the vehicle was delayed in probate. I sought recall service immediately after legal…
Power steering assist motor stopped working, leaving the car with hard manual steering. Dealer inspection confirms the issue across several year models, inclding my 2009. There were 2 other year models with the same issue in their shop with mine that day. One was 2018. One was a 2023. Car is very…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Elantras have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,142 owner complaints about steering for the Hyundai Elantra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Elantra steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners report a typical cost of $820 (half paid between $510 and $3,100), from 80 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Hyundai Elantra?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 170 of 1,142 complaints.
Other Hyundai Elantra problems
- Engine problems (1,651)
- Air Bags problems (1,303)
- Electrical System problems (1,034)
- Power Train problems (649)
- Suspension problems (592)
- Service Brakes problems (585)
- Structure problems (486)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (441)
See all Hyundai Elantra problems.