There are 50 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
car will drift under acceleration to the left really hard then go straight when let off the accelerator scary feeling and all suspension parts look ok no one can figure it out and is scary
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at about 35 MPH, The steering wheel was seized on a winding road; the steering warning light had also appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to veer to the right direction as the contact forcefully steered the vehicle back to the left direction to avoid hitting a fence. The vehicle then spun into the opposite side of the road before hitting a curb. Once the vehicle hit the curb, the vehicle flipped three times before the vehicle came to a halt. All air bags deployed during the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic but was later towed by her insurance for an investigation. All three passengers were taken to the hospital by a family member where they were treated for various injuries. One passenger sustained temporary ringing in both ears after the accident and the other passenger suffered temporary back pain. The contact sustained a head injury and a muscle strain to both their neck and back. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle had lost power causing the vehicle to decrease in speed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed where it was informed that the failure was due to a faulty rod bearing. The vehicle had not been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
On February 14, 2023 while driving Steering wheel broke (steering component failed) and had to stop at nearest repair station and was told not safe to drive. It was making clicking noise when turning wheel and backing out of a parking space. Next day had it towed to Hyundai and said the steering component in dashboard fell and metal crash bar was completely broken. They suggested I go through my insurance company because they didn’t know how it happened and said it was from a road hazard or pot hole I hit, but that was not the case and the insurance investigator did not see any signs of a collision and said it was probably a faulty part. What concerns me most is that if I was driving at high speeds on a highway it could have been very dangerous to loose my steering and cause a bad accident. I’m not sure how long my steering wheel was broken because I did hear noises but just thought it was the steering adjustment bar wasn’t in the lock position. It’s very disturbing to think I could have gotten killed. Hyundai doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge that it could be a manufacturer default and a safety issue on there part because the car is out of warranty. They don’t what to tell me what caused the problem of the steering column to fall and the metal bar to break. I’m the original owner and the car is kept in excellent condition with no neglect for this safety issue to happen for no apparent reason is very concerning. The repair fix the problem will cost $5,000. I did research the issue and found that there was a safety recall for faulty steering columns on 2017 Santa fe models and could cause a bad accident. I would like to report this issue and find out if anyone else reported the issue with their 2013 model. I would like to know if the following recall on the 2017 Hyundai Santafe could be somehow connected to my steering column issue: Recall 173. NHTSA campaign number: 18V11800
The car started to make a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel whether straight or turning. The wheel was shaking and there was some wiggle with steering. I was hours from home and did not feel safe driving the vehicle. Left it at a non-Hyundai repair shop. Was told the next day it was an issue with the plastic coupler in the steering column and Hyundai had a recall on it. Drove it home and brought it to my local dealer where we have all our repairs done. Was told there's no recall. After reading the exact same complaint by so many people on here and other online places I was shocked there was no recall for this issue. Others have stated Hyundai did recalls on some of their other vehicles for just this part/problem.
August 2020 , dealership repairs under under warranty 'Steering coupler' . Wheeling when engine on making 'Clunky' sound, and vibrations . Hyundai has current Recalls on other makes and models of their line, but not 2013's , or my year AND model This is a Safety issue. Please advise Hyundai to extend and issue a Recall The dealerships wants hundreds of dollars to repair.
Hyundai has a problem with the steering coupler in numerous vehicles, including our Santa Fe. Problem is caused by deterioration of the plastic coupler between the electric power assist motor and the steering column. Hyundai has not recalled this item on other Hyundai models, but is doing an EXTENDED SERVICE REPAIR for 15 years unlimited mileage if you bring it in and ASK FOR IT TO BE FIXED. However, they are NOT doing this for the Santa Fe, as they say "they are not seeing a problem with this model", even though it has the same defective part that is being replaced in other Hyundai models. My vehicle is showing signs of this defect and has a definite "BAD SPOT" in the steering when you drive the vehicle. It is very dangerous and WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IF IT IS NOT FIXED as soon as possible. However, Hyundai, at the dealership level and at the Hyundai North American level refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with the Santa Fe, using the same parts as the other models that they admit have a defect. There have been no repairs of modifications to the steering system of this vehicle. It was purchased new and used as a daily driver since purchase in May of 2013. Hyundai is refusing to replace the rubber steering coupler that is defective.
I own a Hyundai Santa Fe 2013 GLS, at about 78,000miles. There is currently a loud clicking noise that occurs when you turn the steering wheel, also steering wheel vibration when you apply the brakes. There is a play when you turn the steering, from my review and research, it is caused by a disintegrated rubble coupler in the steering motor. I called Hyundai customer support, and also when to the dealership, and I was told that it is not covered under warranty. This seems to be common problem with a number of Hyundai cars. I expect that Hyundai to announce a recall on this as its a safety issue, rather, they don't seem to care.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel was loose. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an insulator pad for the power steering to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The MDPS (motor driven power steering) assembly contains a flexible rubber coupling which wore out and causes a “thud” type noise when turning the steering wheel. Steering is affected by this. Problem has ben reproduced by service center.
Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe had a steering coupler failure at about 35,000 miles that resulted in a loud clunking sound in the steering wheel and less responsive steering, which is unsafe. Hyundai and Kia have extended warranties for many of their models for this exact same problem, but for some reason they have not offered extended service for the Santa Fe. I believe the defective coupler that very commonly falls apart is identical to the one in the vehicles that did receive extended coverage.
STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO HAVE PLAY IN MOVEMENT. LATER DEVELOPED THUMPING AND KNOCKING WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS. ATTENDANT AT DEALERSHIP MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO WEEKS LATER STATING IT COULD BE THE STEERING COUPLER AND THERE MAY BE A RECALL. SHE DID NOT CONFIRM THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM HYUNDAI. PROBLEM BEGAN IN MARCH 2021 AND CONTINUES. REPAIR IS DUE TODAY AT DEALERSHIP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANT FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, BRAKING, TURNING, OR STOPPING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINEHURST TOYOTA (10760 US 15 501 HWY, SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387, (833)267-2310) AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER FOR HYUNDAI, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
THE MDPS (MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A FLEXIBLE RUBBER COUPLING THAT WEARS OUT OVER TIME RESULTING IN A 'CLICKING' OR 'THUD' TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS, WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, TURNING CORNER, MORE NOTICEABLE AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IS A CLICKING NOISE & ALMOST FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NOT SURE IF IT HAS TO DO WITH ADAPTABLE STEERING (SPORT, COMFORT, NORMAL) CONTROL'S, OR THE MAIN CONTROLS OF THE STEERING.
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK FROM MY RESIDENCE, I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL, AS WELL AS EXPERIENCING EXTENSIVE "PLAY" IN IT AS WELL. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN MY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH HAS VERY CLOSE TRAFFIC, AND MADE RESPONSE TO MY STEERING ACTIONS SEEM DELAYED BECAUSE OF SAID PLAY. EVEN ON NORMAL CITY, SURFACE STREETS, IT WAS NOT HANDLING CORRECTLY, AND TOOK EFFORT TO MAINTAIN MY DESIGNATED LANE, AS WELL AS MAKING TURNS AND RESPONSE TO OTHER TRAFFIC WHERE MY STEERING WAS PERTINENT. THE ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED TO THE POINT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT IN HYUNDAI VEHICLES, AS WELL AS THEIR KIA VEHICLES. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL, BUT DID SEE WHERE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON KIA VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND AVOID THE RECALL. SO WHY NOT ON THE HYUNDAI VEHICLES AFFECTED WITH THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.
SINCE THE VEHICLE MADE THE 110,000 MILES THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CONSTANT VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MOVING IN EITHER DIRECTION AND WHEN DRIVING AROUND 60 TO 85 MPH, *TR
1. SPEED SENSOR- REPLACED BY RECALL AND CONTINUE TO FAIL. 2. REAR GLASS IN HATCHBACK, JUST BROKE ORIGINATION FROM WIPER HOLE IN GLASS WHILE THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED SITTING NOT MOVING A A PARKING LOT. 3. STEERING RATTLES BECAUSE A SHOCK DAMPER WEARS OUT PREMATURELY. 4. SEATS- ELECTRIC CONTROL BUTTON CONTACTS TARNISH WITH USE AND QUIT WORKING.
STARTED OUT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL HAVING A LOT OF PLAY AND SMALL CLICKING NOISES WITH SHARP TURNS, THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IF I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP OR EVEN SLIGHTLY ADJUST THE WHEEL IN STREET TRAFFIC THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ON A SMALL HIGHWAY WHEN I ACCELERATE TO 65MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS BACK AND FORTH TO THE POINT OF NEARLY LOSING CONTROL AND THERE IS A CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE.I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS A PLASTIC COUPLER WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH ON LINE AND I AM VERY UNSETTLED WITH WHAT I READ. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS ISSUE YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL ISSUED ASAP.
STEERING WHEEL HAS TOO MUCH PLAY AND CLICKS WHEN MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN FIRST TURNED. NOT A CONSTANT CLICKING SOUND, BUT RATHER A MECHANICAL CLICK INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. PER RESEARCH, THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO A WELL-DOCUMENTED FAILURE OF A RUBBER OR PLASTIC COUPLER INSIDE THE ELECTRIC STEERING MODULE. DANGEROUS, AND A COSTLY REPAIR. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026