2011 Hyundai Sonata Problems

3,373 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Steering · verdict AVOID 5/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Steering1170
Engine964
Electrical System441
Air Bags418
Exterior Lighting247
Unknown Or Other213

In the owners’ words

“On the freeway at night when headlights and back lights quit working. Got off freeway and were able to temporarily fix it. A few months later while parked in driveway and not in use for a couple of days, lights came on without our knowledge and drained our battery. Neighbor alerted us to the situation.”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Hyundai Sonata owner
“Intermittent and sudden loss of power steering nearly caused an accident for both of sons when each one was driving on two separate occasions this past week. "EPS" and traction control warning lights both illuminate on the dash when steering goes out. Sometimes the codes will clear themselves out after restarting the vehicle, but not always. Had it inspected by an independent service center and they cleared out th”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Hyundai Sonata owner
“I was heading to work when suddenly smoke started pouring from the air conditioning vents, and the ABS and traction control warning lights came on. I hit the brakes to pull over, only to realize I had lost braking power. I managed to steer to the side of the road as carefully as possible and bring the car to a stop—despite having no brakes and a fire burning under the hood. I tried downshifting to slow the vehicle, b”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Hyundai Sonata owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
28/12/2018EngineHyundai 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
04/10/2017Seat Belts:Pretensioner SAFETYHyundai 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 f
27/02/2018Seat Belts:Pretensioner SAFETYHyundai 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 y
08/03/2017Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage SAFETYHyundai 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
18/07/2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic SAFETYHyundai 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 b
05/04/2016Steering:Electric Power Assist System SAFETYHyundai 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 b
10/09/2015EngineHyundai 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
07/10/2015Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsHyundai 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, originall
16/11/2015Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch SAFETYHyundai 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 releas
18/07/2014Power Train:Automatic TransmissionHyundai 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

Questions owners ask

Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

On the federal record it scores 5/100: 3,373 owner complaints (224.87 per year on the road) and 12 recall campaigns, 8 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Steering, with 1170 of 3453 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata scored 5/100 on the federal record.

Full 2011 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Sonata yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking