Hyundai is set to recall 139,500 of its new 2011 Sonatas after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found a flaw in the steering system.

The regulatory body found that the wheel could, in some cases, detach from the steering column – not a small issue. Should it do so, the driver could lose control of the vehicle completely.

Hyundai has had eight reports of steering failures, but none led to any accidents or injuries. The NHTSA began investigating the issue in August. The recall will affect all vehicles built between December of 2009 and September of 2010, which is the majority of the 2011 Sonatas currently on the road.

The newly redesigned Sonata has received some strong reviews, but this latest news could put a stumbling block in the way of Hyundai's recent momentum, as it has gained on sales leaders like Toyota and Honda over the past few months. The car has been a hit for the company lately, nearly doubling its sales in August to 21,399, according to the Associated Press.

Drivers looking at the Sonata may want to go with a used Hyundai for the time being, as the vehicles are not known to have the problem. Or, they may want to wait until the 2011 model hits the used market, where it may be available for a reduced price due to the negative publicity associated with such a recall.