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The 2009 Hyundai Elantra.
Hyundai is recalling almost 205,000 of its Elantra cars because the power steering could suddenly stop working, making the vehicle harder to turn, according to a report from the automaker posted on Saturday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
The action covers the 2008-10 Elantra and the 2009-10 Elantra Touring. Hyundai said the driver would still be able to steer the car if the power steering was lost but that it would require “greater driver effort,” particularly at low speeds. The automaker did not mention any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
The loss of power steering was not always viewed by either automakers or federal regulators as a serious problem that demanded a recall, primarily because it was still possible to steer the vehicle. Often, it would result in dealers being sent a technical service bulletin, which would tell them how to fix the problem should an owner complain. That was a far less costly tactic because, unlike in a recall, automakers would not have to bear the repair cost for a problem detailed in a service bulletin unless the vehicle was under warranty.
