2009 Hyundai Elantra Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist system
  2
• Column
  1
• Electric power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  88%
• 25k–50k
  1716%
• 50k–75k
  2120%
• 75k–100k
  3432%
• 100k–150k
  2221%
• 150k+
  44%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering with the EPS warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the tie rods, spark plugs, wiper blades, cabin air filter, driveline belt, transmission coolant, throttle, oil plug, struts, and control arms, and performed an alignment; however, the failure recurred with the EPS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who ordered the EPS sensor and was awaiting the replacement part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to have her A/C unit serviced; but upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that her EPS(Electronic Power Steering) warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that her steering wheel would jerk upon turning the steering wheel in either direction. The dealer was notified of the matter and informed her that the warning light was illuminated prior to service. The contact contested that claim and stated that she would have brought the warning light to their attention if the light had illuminated prior to service. The manufacturer was notified of the matter and gave the contact a case number. The contact was also notified that her vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000(Steering) back in 2015; however, the recall was serviced that same year. …

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the red "EPS" and "EST" warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electric power steering assist had failed, and that the EPS module needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic about NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) which was associated with the VIN, and to take the vehicle to a dealer for the recall repaired. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the EPS module needed to be updated; however, the recall was only for an update to the EPS not a replacement. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …

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 vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to continue driving, although the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, the power steering assist failed as the EPS (Electric Power Steering) warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a power steering assist failure which was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The vehicle was then towed to dealer where she was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the electric power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel but was unable to do so. The contact stated there were other unknown warning lights illuminated, that were unrelated to the failure. The vehicle was at the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 311,500.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while his daughter was driving the vehicle at approximately 45 MPH, the "Electronic Power Steering assist" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter was able to safely drive the vehicle to her residence where the vehicle remained parked. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist, with the EPS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact stated that an unknown recall with a similar description of the failure was completed in 2023. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power steering assist and it became difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and declined to offer any additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,900.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Elantra years