YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 301 steering complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 19% of its 1,556 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,900 and 6 crashes reported. There are no related steering recalls listed for this year.

Steering complaints
301
19% of 1,556
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
72,900 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle pulling hard to the right, sometimes even on flat ground, that persisted after multiple dealer alignment attempts.
  • Some drivers said the power steering failed suddenly at speed, causing the steering wheel to turn on its own and resulting in loss of control.
  • Several complaints describe the steering wheel locking up entirely during turns or while braking, in some cases leading to a collision.
  • A few owners noted the pulling issue was present from very low mileage, in some cases under 800 miles, suggesting a factory alignment or component problem rather than wear.
  • Dealers reportedly told some owners the alignment measured within specification even though the pulling continued.

When 2012 Hyundai Sonata steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 21, 2011, latest Jan 18, 2026.

2012 Hyundai Sonata steering complaints: complaints filed per quarter262011 Q32013 Q22015 Q22017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q42026 Q1
301 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2026 Q1; peak 2016 Q4 (26).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20056 (4%)
  2. 200635 (3%)
  3. 200712 (2%)
  4. 20086 (1%)
  5. 200926 (6%)
  6. 201015 (4%)
  7. 20111,171 (35%)
  8. 2012301 (19%)
  9. 2013341 (18%)
  10. 201465 (9%)
  11. 201574 (6%)
  12. 201633 (5%)
  13. 2017173 (23%)
  14. 20189 (2%)
  15. 20196 (4%)
  16. 20207 (4%)
  17. 20212 (2%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20232 (2%)
  20. 20242 (4%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Are steering problems common on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes. NHTSA records 301 steering complaints for this year, which is 19% of all 1,556 complaints filed for the 2012 Sonata.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata steering issue?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the steering complaints on this model year.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 72,900 miles for steering complaints on the 2012 Sonata, though some owners reported issues at very low mileage as well.
Did the steering problems cause any crashes?
NHTSA lists 6 crashes and 2 injuries tied to steering complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, out of 301 total steering complaints.
How does 2012 compare to other Sonata years for steering complaints?
The 2012 Sonata's 301 steering complaints and 19% share is lower than the 2011 model's 1,171 complaints (35% share) but similar to 2013's 341 complaints (18% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.