2016 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 5%of 728 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of the 728 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering wheel locked failed during cold weather. Steering wheel lock would not release when trying to turn key, even though I was able to turn the steering wheel while trying to turn key. Worried wheel lock could fail while driving. Also, I see this car had other recalls which I never received info from Hyundai about, I am second owner of vehicle bought from Hyundai dealer in northhampton, ma.”
NHTSA complaint #11171256, filed 2019-01, 60,000 miles“I had a power steering fail. While driving I lost my power steering, power steering light came on, and due I was able to get my car into the emergency lane. The traction control light came power steering..”
NHTSA complaint #11353897, filed 2020-09, 86,000 miles“My cars engine has completely shut down while driving several times. If I turn the car off and restart it fixed the issue for the time being. The second issue is my steering wheel has locked while I've been driving making it impossible to control the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11052146, filed 2017-12, 13,771 miles“While driving I notice that the steering wheel seems to stick slightly so that you have to turn the wheel either left or right slightly then it resumes steering properly for few seconds then it sticks again. It doesn't do it all the time but when it does it makes me think that the steering wheel is getting ready to lock up. I notice this mostly on highways and it really wears you out trying to drive and worrying that the steering might lock up. This happens a lot.”
NHTSA complaint #10985645, filed 2017-05, 17,000 miles“I purchased this auto in sept 2917 used, a few weeks later my wife was driving on a city street when the electric steering assist failed and a red steering wheel indicator appeared on the dash she managed to drive it home, when I turned the car off and restarted it everything was ok. On 11/12 2017 the same thing happened to me as I was turning onto a side street from a city street I was so surprised I didnt turn fast enough and almost hit 3 teenagers on a sidewalk. …”
NHTSA complaint #11046616, filed 2017-11, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235524Apr 10, 2023The warranty coverage for certain 2015-2017MY Sonata (LFa) and Sonata Hybrid/Plug-in (LF HEV/PHEV) vehicles exhibiting reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power…
- 10235349Apr 10, 2023The warranty coverage for certain 2015-2017MY Sonata (LFa) and Sonata HEV/PHEV (LF HEV/PHEV) vehicles exhibiting reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power steering…
- 10207802Jan 13, 2022The warranty coverage for certain 2015-2017MY Sonata (LFa) and Sonata Hybrid/Plug-in (LF HEV/PHEV) vehicles exhibiting reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power…
- 10207815Jan 6, 2022The warranty coverage for certain 2015-2017MY Sonata (LFa) and Sonata HEV/PHEV (LF HEV/PHEV) vehicles exhibiting reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power steering…
- 10186825Jan 28, 2021The rack-mounted dual pinion Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system components can be replaced separately from the complete assembly. This bulletin provides information on the…
- 10180981Sep 9, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
- 10179244Aug 10, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
- 10170896Jan 3, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
- 10160106Apr 22, 2019This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
- 10144430Aug 30, 2018On some Sonata (YF, LF), Sonata Hybrid (YF HEV, LF HEV), Santa Fe (NC), and Azera (HG) vehicles, a yoke noise may develop in the steering rack. This bulletin provides information…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 173 | 23% |
| 2016 | 33 | 5% |
| 2015 | 74 | 6% |
| 2014 | 65 | 9% |
| 2013 | 342 | 18% |
| 2012 | 301 | 19% |
| 2011 | 1,171 | 35% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 26 | 6% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 12 | 2% |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 5% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 12% |
| 1992 | 2 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
452 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsExterior lighting
38 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology