What 74 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Azera

MDPS coupler failure similar to failure included in warranty extensions for Sonatas/Elantras. Since Azera is not part of the recall, I ended up paying for the repairs. Contacted HyundaiUSA and lodged a complaint (case number - 20194065). I was told that reimbursement will not be given. Hence bringing to your attention to get this resolved. Thanks! Bhuvaneswari

NHTSA ODI 11481078

The steering on this vehicle started to have some play in it, including some intense vibrating as I drove down the road. My analysis is that the coupler within the steering motor is made of a flimsy material that breaks down relatively easily. This issue has obviously become clear to Hyundai, as they have created an updated version of the coupler. However, the issue is serious enough that there are many people who have shared about it on forums/YouTube/etc., and is a legitimate danger to drivers, as complete failure of the part could result in failed steering while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11443967

The steering malfunctioned. When we tried to turn the wheel the it would slip and the car would not respond or suddenly would. It was very scary because the car could not be steered properly. We took it to the dealer who said the Steering Coupler had failed and needed to be replaced. This component has been recalled and/or warranty extended to cover in other Hyundai models for the same reason but it has not yet been recalled in the Azera. We discussed this with Hyundai Customer Service who confirmed. It was repaired by Hyundai of South Brunswick NJ for $452.34. There is a Technical Service Bulletin describing the problem. This is a common, dangerous Azera failure and should be remedied as it has been for other models.

NHTSA ODI 11418704

2012 HYUNDAI AZERA, VEHICLE HAS 64,000 MILES. HAS DEVELOPED A CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING LEFT, RIGHT, AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. THE ISSUE CAN BE REPLICATED SITTING STILL OR WHEN DRIVING VIA A PROMINENT CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUND. STEERING HAS BECOME SLOPPY AND DANGEROUS. RESEARCH SHOWS IT IS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COUPLER THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF, WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED BY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, YET HYUNDAI HAS NOT PROVIDED A RECALL DESPITE IT BEING RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT ON OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS USING THE SAME COUPLER.

NHTSA ODI 11397133

CLICKING IN STEERING WHEEL MOVING LEFT AND RIGHT. AS IT PROGRESSED A CLUNKING/RATTLING NOISE WOULD OCCUR ON POT HOLES OR CRACKS IN PAVEMENT. NOISE OCCURS AT ANY POSTED SPEEDS

NHTSA ODI 11375122

STEERING WHEEL CLICKING AND RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS WHILE IN MOTION. CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11374748

HYUNDAI 2102 AZARA. BASE MODEL. NOTED THAT THE STEERING WAS STARTING TO STICK WHILE MAKING A TURN OR MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY. STEERING NOT SMOOTH BUT ERRATIC. BROUGHT TO DEALER, NAPPLETON HYUNDAI, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE STEERING ECU UNIT. MECHANIC TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE CAR AS THE CONDITION WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I LEFT CAR AT DEALER WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT ECU UNIT. CAR WAS AT DEALER FOR 8 DAYS AND THEN REPAIRED. REPAIR COST $1100. TTHE CAR HAD 59000 MILES AND WAS OUT OF WARRENTY. CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH GOODWILL EXTENSION OF WARRENTY .HYUNDAI WARRENTY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE. I HAVE READ SIMILIAR PROBLEMS WITH 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA WHERE THE ECU WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND MOISTURE GOT INTO THE ECU CAUSING STREEING FAILURE. HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL ON THOSE MODELS WITH THE ECU UNIT DURING THE SAME TIME ERA.

NHTSA ODI 11366666

ON MY 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA THE STEERING COUPLER IS WORN OUT, CLUNKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SONATA AND AND TUSCON ARE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PART. THE AZERA SHOULD BE AS WELL!

NHTSA ODI 11349921

STEERING COUPLER FAILURE. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED ON THE AZERA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329797

THE FLEXIBLE STEERING COUPLING FAILED IN OUR 2012 AZERA AFTER 67,000 MILES DRIVEN. STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND AND WOULDN'T BE AS RESPONSIVE AS NORMAL. LEARNED THIS WAS THE SAME EXACT PART THAT ALSO FAILED IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA AND ELANTRA; WHICH HAD RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE. DUE TO LOW SALES VOLUME OF THE AZERA, IT IS MY SPECULATION IT DIDN'T REACH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO GET ATTENTION. HOWEVER, THE PART AND THE PART FAILURE IS THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328148

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARKWAY HYUNDAI (5920 MARKET ST A, WILMINGTON, NC 28405, (877) 250-3183) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,888.

NHTSA ODI 11326490

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. MILLENNIUM HYUNDAI (265 NORTH FRANKLIN STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550, (516) 282-3800) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,591.

NHTSA ODI 11323375

COUPLER GEAR IN STEERING SYSTEM IS DETERIORATING, CAUSING A GOOD AMOUNT OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL AN VIBRATIONS IN STEERING THAT IS VERY SEVERE AT TIMES AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THIS COULD BE SERIOUS AN DANGEROUS SITUATION AT SPEED..THIS IS VERY CONCERNING!!

NHTSA ODI 11323253

STEERING WHEEL HAS CLUNKING NOISE AND STEERING IS LOOSE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, JUST LIKE ALL OF THE OTHERS ON THIS SITE. POWER STEERING COUPLER IS BAD, AS IDENTIFIED BY FIRESTONE AND HYUNDAI DEALER. HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPLACE IT AS IT WAS NOT PART OF THE SONATA AND ELANTRA RECALL FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11299734

OWNER AND INSPECTION MECHANIC NOTICED AND OBSERVED STEERING WHEEL CLUNKING AND BANGING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS AND USE THE SAME PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE! 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA STEERING COUPLER IS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACED PER HYUNDAI DEALER AND WOULD COST US $282.00 PLUS TAX. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE PART WHICH IS AROUND $10.00 BUT WANT A LOT OF MONEY FOR LABOR. THANKFULLY WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WE STILL SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY FOR A FAULTY PART. ITS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS THAT USE THE SAME PART. CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE FEELING THE BANGING WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STOP. HAD CAR REPAIRED AND..WOW NO MORE BANGING..VIBRATIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11279389

THE STEERING ON MY CAR IS MAKING CLICKING CLANKING NOISES, THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT OTHER AZERA OWNERS ARE REPORTING A DEFECTIVE STEERING COUPLER.

NHTSA ODI 11277180

HAD MY 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA IN FOR PA STATE INSPECTION AN WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER WAS GOING BAD I HAVE AROUND 35000 MILES ON THIS CAR. HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON OTHER MODEL CARS OF THIS YEAR BUT NOT THE AZERA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM STEERING PART

NHTSA ODI 11267223

CLINKING AND CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED BY OTHERS. SONATA AND ELANTRA HAD A RECALL TO REPLACE THE PART BUT IT WAS NOT RECALLED FOR AZERA. PROBABLY BECAUSE NOT AS MANY AZERA'S HAVE BEEN SOLD; BUT UNFAIR THAT WE ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT FIX IT. THE NOISE HAPPENS WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN A BUMP IS HIT WHILE DRIVING. SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO HAPPENS AT DETAIN SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11255477

STEERING HAS DEVELOPED DELAY BEFORE ENGAGING TURNING MECHANISM. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN ELANTRAS AND SONATAS. THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE REMAINS FOR THE 2012 AZERA. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR AZERAS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11246117

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD "THUNK" WHEN TURNED SIDE TO SIDE, AT A STOP. SEEMS LOOSE ??

NHTSA ODI 11244478

THERE IS 'SLOP' OR 'PLAY' DEVELOPING IN THE STEERING. YOU CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT IT ENGAGING THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING, YOU MUST MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FARTHER TO CHANGE DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. OTHER HYUNDAI'S HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT NOT THE AZERA AND THEY ARE THE SAME PART DOING THE SAME FUNCTION AND FAILING THE SAME WAY. HYUNDAI SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO COVER ALL THEIR MODELS WITH THIS SAME PART. IT CAN BE FELT FAILING WHILE SITTING STILL AND MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL AND IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11229279

THE STEERING WHEEL "CLANKS" WHEN MOVING SIDE TO SIDE WHILE SETTING STILL. UPON RESEARCH, AND TALKING TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT MY HYUNDAI DEALER, IT'S THE "STEERING COUPLER". I WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WERE UNDER A "RECALL", BUT NOT THE AZERAS??

NHTSA ODI 11223030

REPORTING ANOTHER POWER STEERING MOTOR COUPLING ISSUE JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS LISTED FOR THE AZERA. MY CAR HAS THE SAME CLANKING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND INTERMITTENT VIBRATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT JUST COMES AND GOES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME PART IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE FOR EVERY MODEL THAT HAS THE DEFECTIVE PART. WHEN A DEFECTIVE PART IS IDENTIFIED, EVERY MODEL WITH THAT PART SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR WARRANTY RECALL REPAIR / REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AND NOT JUST THE ELANTRA AND SONATA.

NHTSA ODI 11183301

THE STEERING IS MAKING CLICKING SOUND WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH, THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATING TO THE STEERING MOTOR COUPLING ISSUE. THE NOISE OCCURS RATHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STILL. THE ENGINEER MUST BE RUNNING. THERE'S BEEN SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE EXACT ISSUE ON OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS WITH THE SAME PARTS NUMBER, SO NHTSA, WHY HASN'T NHTSA ISSUE, OR CAUSE TO BE ISSUE, A SAFETY RECALL ON THE AZERA? WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE, INJURIES AND/OR DEATHS? HOW MANY? THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 31,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11153453

MY AZERA IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE STEERING COUPLER IS WORN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VEHICLE (ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE) IS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPAIR THE WORN STEERING COUPLER WITH NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER OR AT LEAST DISCOUNT THE COST OF REPAIR FROM THE OUTRAGEOUS $500.00 PRICE QUOTED TO ME. THE PART IS LESS THAN $20.00 TO PURCHASE. MY STEERING COLUMN CLUNKS OVER BUMPS AND VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MILES/HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11120960