The Lemon IndexClicking or popping in tight turns is a classic sign of a worn CV joint.
Fix soon. Usually drivable for a while, but get it checked soon. A failed CV joint can leave the car unable to move.
A worn outer CV joint (often after its rubber boot tears). Then: worn strut mounts or bearings; worn ball joints or tie rod ends.
Owners describe this in 4,010 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Hyundai Sonata.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 130 | 4% |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 70 | 10% |
| 2007 Toyota RAV4 | 67 | 7% |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | 58 | 2% |
| 2005 Chevrolet Malibu | 41 | 3% |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 Kia Soul | 38 | 7% |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | 34 | 2% |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | 30 | 2% |
| 2004 Chevrolet Malibu | 27 | 2% |
| 2012 Kia Optima | 26 | 3% |
| 2013 Kia Soul | 26 | 4% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2006 Toyota RAV4 · 10% 2012 Toyota Highlander · 8% 2013 Chevrolet Impala · 8% 2012 Kia Soul · 7% 2007 Toyota RAV4 · 7% 2013 Toyota Highlander · 6% 2013 Kia Soul · 4% 2011 Hyundai Sonata · 4%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of clicking noise when turning
- A worn outer CV joint (often after its rubber boot tears)
- Worn strut mounts or bearings
- Worn ball joints or tie rod ends
- A worn steering shaft joint
- Something rubbing in the wheel well
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with a clicking noise when turning?
Fix soon. Usually drivable for a while, but get it checked soon. A failed CV joint can leave the car unable to move.
Get help right away if the noise gets louder fast; you feel a clunk through the steering.
Of the 4,010 complaints describing it, 1% mention a crash and 0.6% say the car was towed.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: steering (67%), suspension (23%), power train (12%), electrical system (7%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 55,400 miles.
Most reports by make: Chevrolet (561), Ford (523), Honda (501), Toyota (381), Hyundai (360).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $500 to $2,000, typical $934, from 157 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Clunking noise over bumps Loose steering wheel Car shakes at highway speed Car pulls to one side Steering wheel hard to turn Steering wheel locked up
Quick answers
What causes clicking noise when turning?
Clicking or popping in tight turns is a classic sign of a worn CV joint. Common causes: a worn outer CV joint (often after its rubber boot tears); worn strut mounts or bearings; worn ball joints or tie rod ends; a worn steering shaft joint; something rubbing in the wheel well.
Is it safe to drive with a clicking noise when turning?
Fix soon. Usually drivable for a while, but get it checked soon. A failed CV joint can leave the car unable to move.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Explorer. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 157 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $500 to $2,000. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup