general problems of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, noticing an excessive amount of understeer. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.

First incident, Sunday, September 9, 2018. While driving, car suddenly flashed warning lights, with message pertaining to the battery. Car decelerated extremely rapidly and became harder to steer. Pulled car over out of street as it lost power. It stopped. Lights remained on. Turned car off and then turned it back on. It cranked up and could be driven as if the incident never happened. There were no warning lights or warning message when the car was restarted. Second incident, Monday, September 10, 2018. While driving the car to the dealership for diagnosis of the problem, the car suddenly lost power again, the warning lights flashed again, and again it became hard to steer. This time driver was not able to pull the car over; it stopped in the street. Driver turned the car off, then turned it back on and drove to the nearest service station. A tow truck was called and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership stated the vehicle did not register any code that they could detect. They had a technician drive it from work to home each day and the vehicle never gave any problem. They could not find any problem at all with the vehicle that required service or repair. Vehicle was picked up on Saturday, September 16, 2018. The dealership waived the diagnostic fee since they were not able to diagnosis a problem. The vehicle has been traded-in. The issue was reported to Hyundai motor corporation.

I have had to change my break lights 8 times since January. Both my rear left and right brake lamps keep burning out constantly, even though I've replaced the bulbs many times. I have now received 2 warnings about it. I have taken my car into Hyundai and after a lot of frustration they do a temporary fix then it happens again. This is huge safety issue, as brake lights are required by law, and if they aren't working properly, they pose a huge risk to driver and those around. Other sonatas are on recall for this but I am being told my VIN does not qualify. In additions I am having issues with my steering coupler. I have been dealing with this since 96k miles on the car and again my VIN is not covered and they want 500 to fix a $4. 00 part.

Steering wheel make clicking, thumping sound and feels wobbly when steering. Independent garage found steering coupling assembly at fault during a oil change and replaced the parts on 11/19/26. Replace at a cost of over $500. Unit was replace and the symptoms are back again. This looks like a design issue.

Steering is very "loose" and makes alarming clunking sounds on turns or at speeds above 60mph.

We took the vehicle to the dealership for service and when it was returned to us, we were notified that the steering coupler was defective and it would be $250 +taxes and fees to replace. There is a TSB and after investigation of same on the internet there have been several occurrences of failure of this part and it is a safety related part and failure could result in injury or death. I feel that a recall of this part should be considered.