2011 Hyundai Elantra Steering
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
When ever I am turning my steering wheel in either direction there is a clicking noise. It started low and now the noise became loud even when I am going over bumps on the road. I went to a reputable certified shop and I am told it is my steering column bushing and I was advised that there is a recall on it but when I further investigate my car I do not see no recall. This is a problem a lot of people are having with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra .
I am not able to steer my car. I was taking my 5 year old son to school and I was not able to turn onto the street of his school. I had to slow down in traffic an forcably strain and pull the wheel to the right and pull over on the side of the road. I as very scared I was going to be hit or cause and acident. There was a recall for this problem with this car but it ended for cars that where built as of 2010, but ny car is a 2011 and the issue is still happening.
Steering wheel makes clacking noise when turning left or right, especially if making sharp right angle turn or when parking. I think I noticed it first in early November 2024 while parking. Since then it has been occurring with greater frequency as well as both directions. I called a repair shop 2 weeks ago & was told it was a common problem with Hyundai's. I went to a different repair shop last Thursday, Dec 5th, 2024, for a tire repair & asked for estimate on steering issue. They told me it was a really big project to replace some sort of ball like piece & required taking the whole steering assembly apart. He said when it goes I'll loose steering & likely have an accident as a result. He said that as my car has less than 29,000 original miles on it (28,630), I should go to the Hyundai dealer as they should pay to repair it as it's a huge safety issue & shouldn't happen to such a low mileage car. I tried to go there but they'd moved & I didn't have a phone to query new location. At home I called and got VM for a man in service dept. Left msg. No one responded so I called again Fri, Dec 6, 2024 & was put throughto a differentman in the service dept's VM & left another detailed msg, this time incluing VIN#. Now is Monday 12/9/24 & still no reply. I looked online & saw there was a recall for this vehicle from 2008-2010, but nothing came up when I entered my VIN on this NHSTA site. I believe my vehicle should be included and I don't think I should have to wait until an accident has occurred, or have to spend thousands out if pocket to repair an Issue that appears to be more widespread that initially considered. Can you help please? I prefer bring proactive and not incurring any damage to life, limb & property for my self, any potential passengers, or anyone else who might be harmed should I experience power steering loss. Thank you.
The steering coupler started making noises at about 80, 000 miles but I did not know what it was at the time . When I brought the car in at over 100,000 miles, I was informed of the loose couplet, to cost about &400 to fix andit wasn’t covered, because over the 100, 000. I did not have it fixed at that time.(I believe mileage was about 110, 00 at that point). I never received any info on this issue, and feel it should have been covered and that Hyundai should still cover it. There is approximately 128, 000 miles now.
A steering coupler is failing and will eventually cause a loss of steering control while driving. The steering problem was diagnosed at a local Car- X by a certified mechanic. The vehicle is available for inspection. I took the vehicle in for inspection because of a clunking and rattling vibration while driving. The rattling and clunking and vibration caused me unexpected alarm distracting my focus while driving, also I have noticed while turning right or left there's slack or oversteering. The problem started approximately two months ago. There were no warning lights.
The steering wheel recently started making a clunking sound. There is play in the wheel and it feels very unsafe to drive. It does not respond normally while turning. Seems to be a very common issue. My car is a 2011 with 55k miles on it and it is out of warranty. I wish they would make this a recall and fix it.
The steering wheel usually vibrates when using the brake and it dies the same thing when going 60mph or 70mph.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electric power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was repaired, however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,058.
On August 22, 2023, my 2011 Hyundai Elantra steering capacity started feeling loose and now clicks every time I turn the steering wheel - left or right.
My 2011 Hyundai Elantra has a steering problem. Just yesterday, The steering became loose and clicked when initially turning left or right. At a stop, I was able to turn it back and forth very loosely (no resistance) about 1-2" before a click and then the steering felt *closer* to normal (but not normal). The problem is also that the power steering is a little more difficult to turn either way after the click. This was very scary when it happened and thankfully we were close to home and drove directly there very cautiously. After doing some quick research, it seems this is a common problem. It is due to the failure of a cheap plastic gear inside the steering column where it attaches to the power steering motor. I say cheap because anyone can purchase the plastic piece for less than $10 on Amazon (today I can buy 2 steering couplers for only $6.59). There are online videos showing how one can do a self-repair in just about an hour. I received one quote from a local auto repair shop that it would cost around $350. I called another shop (a local shop of a major auto repair chain) who very quickly told me to only get it repaired by the dealer. Evidently, while the part could be done by me or a local auto shop, he informed me that once the steering column is dropped during the repair, it requires the power steering electronic module to be reprogrammed/calibrated and something that only an OEM dealer could perform. He was knowledgeable about the process because he had to refer many of his customers to get this repair done. He indicated that the reprogramming/calibrating would cost an additional $225. So this cheap plastic part will cost anyone approximately $575 to get fixed. Meanwhile, we'e afraid to drive the car with this loose steering and harder power steering (especially at lower speeds). Based upon what I've read online and after talking with the manager at the national auto repair chain store, this seems to be a common repair of these older Hyundai Elantras.
There is a clunking and or clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel in any direction. This issue caused my car to fail inspection last Thursday. I’m told by the Southern Team dealership advisor, [XXX] , that my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring is oit of warranty and it will cost between $400-$500 to fix this. I never received a letter since I purchased this car in 2015. I don’t recall the approximate date when this started, but it’s been going on for aboit a year at the least. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon driving from a complete stop, the steering wheel emitted abnormal squeaking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had worsened and the steering wheel would shudder significantly while driving over bumps in the roadway. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic test. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
POWER STEERING CLICKING AND GOING OUT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated he received an unknown recall notification for the steering wheel failure; however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the recall repair did not need to be completed on the vehicle. The contact stated the steering wheel became significantly loosened while driving at various speeds and upon starting the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the diagnosis and repair of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
My steering is lose and makes a popping sound. I was making a left turn and almost hit a car because I did not have full control of my steering wheel. It feels like its lose. July 19, 2021 On Thursday the 22 of July 2021 I had a mechanic come out to check it. He told me it was the Steering Coupling, he also said that there was a recall on that. So I called the Dealership they told me I had just missed it by three months. They want to charge me $500. hundred dollars. I don't have that kind of money. I need to go back to work and I need my car. This is a hardship please help me.
Steering wheel is making a noise (rubbing- popping) when steering wheel is turned. Took it in to have it looked was informed that the ESC SYSTEM needed to be repaired and that this is a known issue with Hyundai on the Elantra and other models.
The steering column clicks and pops when you turn wheel. Upon research. I have found this is an issue Hyundai knows about. Has an upgraded replacement part for. But refuses to recall.
Driving on wet roads with all of the play in steering is dangerous, I almost lost control. There is a clunking noise in steering and it is loose.
A COUPLER BETWEEN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND STEERING ROAR IS TORNED OUT AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKE MAY STEERING VIBRATE AND NOICE EVERYTIME I TURN FROM CENTER TO RIGHT OR CENTER TO LEFT..IT'S $ 8 COUPLER BUT TO FIX YOU HAVE TO PAY LABOUR OF $ 300 AND OF DON'T THAN WE MIGHT END UP HAVING LOCKED STEERING ON THE ROAD OR LOOSE STEERING
WHEN I TURN MY CAR I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES WOBBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THIS FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS BUT EARLY WAS ONLY OCCASIONAL BUT RECENTLY HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT. HAPPENS IN SLIGHT TURNS AND WHILE STREET DRIVING. LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WHILE PARKING.
MY STEERING WHEEL "POPS" AND WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MOVES LOOSELY, BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE TIRES. IT ALSO RATTLES WHEN I GO OVER ROUGH AREAS OF A ROAD.
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND ATTEMPTS TO MAKE STEERING CORRECTIONS, POSSIBLY DUE OT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. MANUFACTURER SAYS IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT MAKES DRIVING A HAZARD.
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, 50-70 MPH, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LOSES CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACE. MAKING IT FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR.
FALL 2018 - LOUD BRUSHING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. MECHANIC TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO FIX THE CLOCK SPRING. DID BUT THE SOUND RETURNED WITHIN 3 WEEKS. LIVED WITH IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T AS LOUD AS BEFORE. ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO THE LOUD SOUND RETURNED. TOOK IT BACK TO HYUNDAI WHO SAID THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DID NOT TRUST HYUNDAI. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAYS THAT THERE IS A DAMAGED BEARING IN THE COLUMN. BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON GUESSING IF THE CORRECT BEARING HAS BEEN FOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL MOTOR MAY OR MAY NOT ALSO BE COMPROMISED, I AM ALLOWING MY MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $1600. FYI THE SOUND IS LOUDEST WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO WHEN I AM TURNING IN TO A PARKING SPACE. IT CAN ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE CAR IS MAKING TURNS WHEN ON THE ROAD. THERE IS A SLIGHT GIVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING BUT IT IS MANAGEABLE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO WILL NOT LOCK.
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Quick Summary
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has 47 Steering complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.