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Can a Hyundai steering wheel or column really come apart?
Hyundai's steering recalls are few, but two involve parts that can separate while you drive. The 2018 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport were recalled for a steering wheel assembly that may break and come off the steering column, traced to specific production lots. The 2021-2022 Accent was recalled for a lower steering column u-joint bolt that may not have been secured, allowing the column to detach from the steering rack. The third, covering the 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz, is less dramatic: a short circuit in the motor-driven power steering circuit board that kills power assist. Assembly and fastener errors, not wear or mileage, are the common thread across all three.
Warning signs to watch for
- A steering wheel that suddenly becomes very hard to turn, with steering still possible (2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz).
- Steering that stops responding to the wheel, or a complete loss of steering control.
- For the 2018 Santa Fe wheel assembly and the Accent column bolt, the notices describe no advance warning — failure can happen without any.
- Heavy effort during parking and low-speed turns after power assist is lost.
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three notices order owners to stop driving, but they are not equal. The 2018 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport wheel-separation recall and the 2021-2022 Accent column bolt recall both describe a sudden, complete loss of steering control with no warning, so treat them as urgent and have the vehicle inspected before putting more miles on it. The 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz still steer when the assist fails — the wheel simply becomes very hard to turn — so driving while you wait for an appointment is acceptable.
What the free repair involves
On the 2018 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport, dealers check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly and replace it if it falls in the affected range. On the 2021-2022 Accent, they inspect the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt and tighten it as necessary. On the 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz, they replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack. All free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-05 | Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz can lose power steering | high |
| 2022-05-06 | Hyundai Accent steering column may detach while driving | critical |
| 2018-02-17 | Hyundai Santa Fe steering wheel may break off | critical |
Common questions
Will my 2018 Santa Fe definitely get a new steering wheel?
Not necessarily. The recall targets particular production lots, so the dealer first checks the lot number on your steering wheel assembly and replaces it only if it is one of the affected parts. The inspection and any replacement are both free.
Is the Accent recall really just tightening a bolt?
Yes — dealers inspect the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt and tighten it as necessary. It is a small job, but do not skip it: if that bolt is loose, the column can detach from the steering rack and you lose steering control.
What does losing power steering assist feel like?
On the 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz the circuit board shorts and assist stops, so the wheel becomes very hard to turn. You can still steer and still drive, but the sudden change in effort raises the chance of a crash.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.