MajorCommonFluid Leaks

Hyundai ix35: Hydraulic Power Steering Rack Seal and Pump Leak

Hydraulic Power Steering Rack Seal and Pump Leak is a common fluid leaks fault on the Hyundai ix35 on the 2004–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $600 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 41 documented faults on the Hyundai ix35.

Vehicle: Hyundai ix35
Years: 2004–2013
System: Fluid Leaks

This page covers the Hyundai ix35 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Hyundai ix35 faults41 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Steering rack yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

JM and early LM Tucson models equipped with hydraulic power steering (HPS) develop fluid leaks at the steering rack input shaft seals and piston seals as the vehicle ages. The power steering pump can also develop seal wear leading to fluid loss. Low power steering fluid causes heavy or erratic steering, particularly at parking speeds, and a sustained whining from the pump when turning. If the reservoir runs dry, the pump can be damaged by cavitation. In NZ and AU conditions, aged rubber seals deteriorate faster due to UV and temperature cycling.

What you would notice

Power steering fluid pooling or dripping under the front of the vehicle
Heavy, stiff, or jerky steering especially at low speeds
High-pitched whining from engine bay when turning the wheel
Power steering fluid reservoir consistently low

How to check it

Where to look. Power steering rack under front subframe and hydraulic pump on engine

Check the power steering fluid reservoir level and inspect the fluid colour — dark or contaminated fluid indicates a neglected system.
Look under the front of the vehicle for drip marks on the driveway.
Inspect the steering rack gaiter boots for fluid weeping or staining.
With the engine running, turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock and listen for a sustained whine from the pump, indicating low fluid or pump wear.
Look for staining on the pump pulley and surrounding hoses.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$600 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the power steering fluid been topped up recently or does it drop?”
“Has the steering rack or pump ever been replaced or resealed?”

Now check the Hyundai ix35 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Hyundai ix35 buyer questions

Is hydraulic power steering rack seal and pump leak serious on a Hyundai ix35?

We rate it major and common on the Hyundai ix35. JM and early LM Tucson models equipped with hydraulic power steering (HPS) develop fluid leaks at the steering rack input shaft seals and piston seals as the vehicle ages. The power steering pump can also develop seal wear leading to fluid loss. Low power steering fluid causes heavy or erratic steering, particularly at parking speeds, and a sustained whining from the pump when turning. If the reservoir runs dry, the pump can be damaged by cavitation. In NZ and AU conditions, aged rubber seals deteriorate faster due to UV and temperature cycling.

How much does it cost to fix on a Hyundai ix35?

$600 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Hyundai ix35 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2004–2013 Hyundai ix35. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check the power steering fluid reservoir level and inspect the fluid colour — dark or contaminated fluid indicates a neglected system. Look under the front of the vehicle for drip marks on the driveway. Inspect the steering rack gaiter boots for fluid weeping or staining. With the engine running, turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock and listen for a sustained whine from the pump, indicating low fluid or pump wear. Look for staining on the pump pulley and surrounding hoses. Look here: Power steering rack under front subframe and hydraulic pump on engine