What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2011 Hyundai Sonata

Typical pattern

10.2% of complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (1139 complaints), typically at 5.3 yr or about 67,000 miles.

Complaints
4,543
Median age at failure
6.1 yr
Median mileage
77,000 n=3254
Crash / fire / tow
10.5% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
1139 reports · 67,000 mi
5.3 yr
2.7%
Engine
967 reports · 100,000 mi
7.6 yr
17.6%
Electrical system
429 reports · 63,000 mi
6.0 yr
10.7%
Air bags
418 reports · 92,800 mi
7.3 yr
13.4%
Exterior lighting
251 reports · 73,000 mi
6.3 yr
2%
Other
212 reports · 99,198 mi
8.4 yr
9%
Power train
171 reports · 50,000 mi
5.0 yr
8.8%
Suspension
147 reports · 67,382 mi
5.5 yr
1.4%
Service brakes
144 reports · 84,000 mi
6.8 yr
16%
Seat belts
106 reports · 101,000 mi
7.8 yr
17.9%
Fuel / propulsion
104 reports · 105,166 mi
8.4 yr
19.2%
Speed control
95 reports · 64,635 mi
5.8 yr
21.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

18V934000 2018-12-28
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

18V137000 2018-02-27
Seat belts:pretensioner

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.

If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

17V617000 2017-10-04
Seat belts:pretensioner

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

17V152000 2017-03-08
Seat belts:front:anchorage

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

16V190000 2016-04-05
Steering:electric power assist system

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.

With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

15V759000 2015-11-16
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Eith

15V629000 2015-10-07
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturin

If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

15V568000 2015-09-10
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise f

Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V433000 2014-07-18
Service brakes, hydraulic

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 1, 2010. The affected vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) due to insufficient seal between the inner brake hose and metal brake line fitting.

If the brake lines leak brake sufficient fluid, the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate and longer stopping distance will be required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

14V434000 2014-07-18
Power train:automatic transmission

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake

In owners’ own words

Service brakes, hydraulic 3,817 mi 0 mo in service crash / fire / tow
BRAKES FAILED WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT RED LIGHT AT EXIT TO PARKING LOT DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MILES PER HR. PRESSED ON BRAKE - DID NOT GO DOWN. NO RESPONSE - CAR KEPT MOVING UNTIL I PUT GEAR IN PARK AND HIT THE TRUCK STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. DRIVING A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA PURCHASED ON 5/31/10. *TR
Service brakes, hydraulic 3,000 mi 5 mo in service
VIBRATION IN STEERING, GRINDING NOISE IN TRANSAXE, LOW TIRE PRESSURE (BY DEALER), REFUSAL TO PERFORM 3,750 MILE MAINTINCE SECDULE (DEALER REFUSED). *TR
Service brakes, hydraulic 24,000 mi 1.0 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON SWITCH FAILED. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND TRYING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering 3,500 mi 0 mo in service
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING FURIOUSLY & I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT STOP EVEN WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN SO I COULD GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS REVVING UP THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 90 RPMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. *TR

Other Sonata model years

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