# Hyundai Santa Fe power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 35 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (13) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 35 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (13). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Hyundai Santa Fe power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 3 | 339 | 1% | | 2016 | 4 | 308 | 1% | | 2017 | 13 | 1328 | 1% | | 2018 | 2 | 434 | 0% | | 2019 | 6 | 229 | 3% | | 2020 | 4 | 218 | 2% | | 2022 | 1 | 203 | 0% | | 2023 | 1 | 214 | 0% | | 2025 | 1 | 142 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Hyundai Santa Fe recalls related to the power steering warning light **[18V118000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V118000)** (2018 models, reported 2018-02-17): A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Santa Fe owners report - "Consistently after 10-20 minutes of driving with steering assist or immediately upon driving on cold days (under 50F), the steering wheel generates loud squeaking noises with the steering wheel stiffening and becoming harder to turn, creating a potential safety issue. The change is gradual but required a full stop..." -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 - "Despite no active recall for this VIN, the vehicle contained: Mando ABS module, Mando EPS module similar to known defective parts of the same year, and Hyundai Mobis tow hitch harness, all of which have known defect/recall history in similar make/Model equivalent vehicles. This case may involve VIN exclusion errors..." -- owner of a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that..." -- owner of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Santa Fe power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (18V118000) covering 2018 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 13 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Santa Fe with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Hyundai Santa Fe warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-santa-fe): 17 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-santa-fe): 51 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Hyundai Santa Fe - [Hyundai Santa Fe specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.