A sensor problem that could cause the loss of power-assisted steering has prompted the recall of 263,000 Hyundai cars in the U.S. and Canada. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the affected cars have a problem with a sensor that could result in the loss of power-assisted steering. Cars would then revert to manual steering, which requires a greater effort to steer at low speeds.

Models affected by the recall are Elantra sedans for model years 2008 to 2010, and Elantra Touring vehicles made between 2009 and 2010. Hyundai has not reported any accidents or injuries in relation to the problem.

Hyundai has reportedly been reviewing the issue since 2010, but initially believed that the level of force necessary to steer a vehicle that had lost its power-assisted steering was within acceptable levels. The company said that their understanding was that, since manual steering control of the vehicle would be maintained, the loss of the power steering assist was not considered a safety-related defect in the U.S.

However, the cumulative claim rate for the assist-related problems increased from 0.25 percent for the Elantra sedan in February 2011 to 1.3 percent as of October 2014. The rate for the Elantra Touring increased from 0.36 percent to 1.9 percent.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hyundai said that the industry has recently begun handling similar issues through safety recalls, and to remain consistent with that trend they have decided to proceed with the same action. Previously, correction of similar problems was to send a technical service bulletin to dealers, telling them how to fix the issue if a customer would complain.