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2011 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 3,378 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the steering (35% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Sonata model year since 2000 and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems
Steering
1,171 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: gear box, electric power assist system, column, steering wheel/handle bar.
2011 Hyundai Sonata pulls heavy to the left. This has not created an injury to date but it pulls so much to the left I have to be sure to apply pressure to the right to counter-act the pull into the lane to my left. I have had it back to the dealer and after doing everything they say they can do (alignment, etc.) it…
I started the car in the parking garage and a high pitched whine was produced while the esp light was flashing. I turned the motor off and restarted and the issue went away, later that evening after leaving a restaurant I started the car and the loud high pitch whine started again with the esp light flashing. Of great…
Engine
1,012 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
My spouse was driving on interstate 280 southbound in the bay area during the morning commute when an engine rod came loose and punctured a whole in the engine causing catastrophic engine failure. The engine failure LED to loss of power to the steering and brakes and the car coasted off the interstate exit ramp and…
I am reporting a second incident that occurred after the date of the first incident I previously reported in my earlier complaint. As noted in my earlier complaint, the car had experienced catastrophic engine failure. I had the car taken for repair to the Hyundai licensed dealer and automotive repair service center…
Electrical
443 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, ignition, starter assembly, instrument cluster/panel.
2011 Hyundai Sonata failed to start. I tried several times and the key light was lit on the dash panel. Tried several times and press brake pedal was screaming at me as I pressed the darn thing. Tried the key bob in the slot in the storage area and same result. Got out of the car and closed and locked the doors. Back…
The car does not start. I enter the vehicle, put on my seatbelt, then depress the brake and the ignition button. The console will state "press brake to start engine". My foot is very firmly placed on the brake. This occurred intermittently but now occurs 50% of the time.
Air bags
419 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
I have been having problems with my airbag light. Initially when I would start my car up the airbag warning light would come on but then it would go off after a couple of minutes. Now it has come on and will not go off. It has been on for about two months. I went to the dealership and they informed me that it was not…
Airbig light remains illuminated when the car has not been in accident, large or small, nor any other conditions (ie electrical) to cause it to remain on
Lights
249 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights.
I was driving over the bridge when I heard noises from the rear of my car . The car behind me was honking. When I was able to pull over I saw my taillight was hanging on by wires.
After driving down the interstate I pulled up at my hotel to valet my car. When I walked to the back of my car I realized that my driver's side tail light was hanging by the wires. After further inspection I was able to determine that all of the plastic mounting tabs were broken. The dealership indicated they had seen…
Other or unspecified
213 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles.
While driving 45mph I experience my steering wheel shaking and it leaves the vehicle hard to control and it pulls to the right. I then started to experience my car not starting after sitting for not even 5 minutes and this has been occurring for 2 days. I took my car to the local dealership and was advised that I…
While driving on highway 91w, vehicle began to make a very loud rattling noise from engine. All dashboard lighting began to flash, then vehicle shut off. I managed to stop in an emergency section of highway. The vehicle electrical components turned on but not the engine. I shut off the vehicle completely, called…
Transmission
173 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
When driving to work I had just gotten on highway when I felt a thud and transmission jerked. I first thought that I hit something on the road but hadn't. I noticed my speed was reduced to 55mph and the RPM,s increased to 3500 from the previous 2000 RPM.I had had this problem twice now and read online that by pulling…
While backing up my car at a slow speed the car abruptly stopped as if I hit a brick wall and made a loud crashing sound. The indicator letters in the dashboard were blank and the shifter gears letters were not illuminated. Car was able to get into drive and was parked, I turned the motor off for a few minutes and…
Brakes
173 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
There are open factory recalls on this car and I have not received a letter to fix the deficiencies before it gets to become an issue of potential physical harm on the roadway. Driving down the road the front spring just broke a section off about a foot long, now drives dangerously brakes, transmission, engine, head…
The brake does not release. As you drive the brake smokes and rubs causing you to step harder on the gas to move forward. Eventually you hear the brake release and it drives normally. I had a new caliper , rotor and brake pad put on 2 weeks ago for the same issue.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 1, 2019. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: 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.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began october 15, 2018. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk: 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.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began november 6, 2017. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin april 7, 2017. Owner's may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the eps control unit, free of charge. The recall began may 30, 2016. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 143.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on january 6, 2016. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on november 17, 2015. The recall began on january 6, 2016. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.
Full defect summary
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 fracturing.
Engine
Risk: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, hyundai motor america will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 sonatas manufactured at hyundai motor manufacturing alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on october 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may con
Full defect summary
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 from the engine and possible engine failure.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake hoses with a revised service part, free of charge. The recall began in september 2014. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 122.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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 is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in september 2014. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 22, 2013. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor company (hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 accent, model year 2007-2011 azera, sonata and sante fe,2006-2011 tucson, 2009-2011 elantra touring, 2007-2010 elantra, 2008-2011 veracruz, 2009-2011 genesis, 2010-2011 genesis coupe, 2007-2008 entourage, and 2006-2008 tiburon vehicles. Originally, in april 2013, hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 accent and tucson, model year 2007-2010 elantra, model year 2007-2011 santa fe, model year 2008-2009 veracruz, model year 2010-2011 genesis coupe, and model year 2011 sonata vehicles. In september 2013, hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to
Steering: shaft sector
Risk: Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall began on october 11, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer service center at 1-787-999-3333.
Full defect summary
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
Steering: shaft sector
Risk: Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Full defect summary
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: The door may not be in the locked position and may open while the vehicle is in motion, possibly resulting in injury to the driver or passenger.
Fix: Hyundai-kia will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by replacing latches affected by this recall campaign free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Full defect summary
Hyundai-kia has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009 through february 15, 2010. The front inside door lock switch can remain in the unlatched position.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles equipped with theta II and lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field data of other hyundai vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this pe, hyundai has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-746 and 21v-727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain hyundai vehicles
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. Odi reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (my) 2011 hyundai sonata, my 2012-2013 kia forte and forte koup vehicles. Odi also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, zf-trw (zf), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (acu) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai motor america (hma) issued recall no. 18v-137 for my 2011-2013 sonata and my 2012 sonata hybrid vehicles. Kia motors america (kma) issued re
Scope and timeliness
Summary
Nhtsa opened recall query (rq) 17-004 to investigate the timeliness and scope of hyundai?s theta II gdi engine recalls (recall nos. 15v-568 and 17v-226), and hyundai?s compliance with reporting requirements. On november 23, 2020, the agency entered into a consent order with hyundai to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with rq17-004. Nhtsa?s assertions included that hyundai may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including the untimeliness of recall nos. 15v-568 and 17v-226, inaccuracies in hyundai?s recall reports, and that a required report describing potential safety-related issues contained certain inaccuracies or omissions.under
Steering shaft separation
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of 7 complaints and field reports and 10 warranty claims on the subject vehicles that allege the intermediate steering shaft became loose or in some cases separated from the upper steering column and/or the steering gearbox, causing (or potentially causing) the hand wheel to become mechanically de-coupled from the road wheels resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.the reported causes include excessive free play or separation of the intermediate steering shaft upper and/or lower universal joint cross shaft/yoke; missing, loose or damaged universal joint pinch bolts; improperly assembled intermediate steering shafts with misaligne
Questions about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (1,171 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); engine (1,012 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles); electrical (443 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 28, 2018 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Hyundai Sonata?
- It is the most complained-about Sonata model year since 2000, with 3,378 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.