CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Sonata has a seriously defective engine that seizes without warning. It was awarded the dubious honor of being the first CarTalk / CarComplaints Turd of the Week in late September 2015.

A class action lawsuit was filed in May 2015 against Hyundai that claims the 2.4L Sonata engine is defective. More info here.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,296 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 6 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #294

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicles brake lights continue to have electrical problems. Sometimes the brake light works, and sometimes it doesn't.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #293

Apr 012019

Sonata

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An unknown local dealer diagnosed that the rear brake pads needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Bonita, CA, USA

problem #292

Apr 102019

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
I never received information regarding the recalls on my Hyundai Sonata 2011 vehicle. I was driving my Hyundai Sonata 2011 on 4/11/19, going about 60 miles an hour and the cut shut off. Was in heavy congested traffic and I was almost rear ended with no control of the Hyundai Sonata 2011vehicle. My Hyundai Sonata 2011 was moved to the side of the road where a tow truck was called. Subsequently, Hyundai Sonata 2011was taken to the huntington dealership. Dealer informed me there was 7 recalls of which I not aware of in regards Hyundai Sonata 2011 this could have been a life threaten situation and Hyundai should notified me of all recalls. This is unacceptable and life threating to family friends and community.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #291

Feb 012019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The drivers side rear light bulbs keep on going out. Have changed them about ten times in one year! I cannot change them anymore as the plastic casing has morphed by the heat of the fuse connector to the bulb! there are two bulbs rolling in the casing as they came off when trying to extract and replace. Also I have never had any lights illuminate on my dashboard, even when my engine was knocking due to shavings in engine (that was replaced, thank you). Lastly, had to replace my shocks and struts this year and was told by mechanic at big O tire that they contacted Hyundai directly as they ran into an issue with replacing what should have been correct struts. They were told this particular car with associated VIN has the 'goofy' struts!!! I'm sorry but I didn't pay a goofy price for the car!

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #290

Mar 242019

Sonata

  • 107,825 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. The contact pulled the vehicle over and exited as the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 107,825.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #289

Jan 232019

Sonata

  • miles
"power assist recall/air bag recall" the electrical power steering in my car has created a problem when driving on the interstate. The cost to repair the car is in excess of $1200 new and $600 or more used. The electrical panel in the car is not completely functional either. I have problems with power windows and locks. There have been a total of more than 10 recalls on this particular model vehicle. I cannot afford to repair or purchase another vehicle. When I investigated further this was the latest issue listed. Steering:electric power assist system recall 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. In addition there are several air bag recalls on the vehicle. Including the following: 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.

- Prairieville, LA, USA

problem #288

Mar 032019

Sonata

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving on the freeway when we hear a loud pop. Suddenly the car would no longer accelerate. We pulled over and smoke was coming out of the front of the car. Popped the hood open and some of the wires were on fire. Withing 5 minutes the whole front of the car was on fire.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #287

Feb 212019

Sonata

  • 155,000 miles
My car will stall in the middle of driving. It happens more frequently now and normally happens right after a left or right turn.

- Brooksville, FL, USA

problem #286

Feb 112019

Sonata

  • 97,000 miles
The buttons on my steering wheel sometimes intertwine with other buttons on my steering wheel and as I press one button the other is activated that I did not engage at all.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #285

Nov 302018

Sonata

  • 100 miles
Hyundai dealership replaced engine and starter in my 2011 Sonata in November 2018 got car back radio bluetooth usb electrical and ac didn't work and it cut off on me numerous times as well as tire exploded on me that they 'forgot to tell me about' and have had more problems car does not run and I can't get any answers or solutions! I spent $500 on new fuel injector still won't run! dealership in montgomery, al replaced engine and did sloppy work and didn't value my safety at all! do I have to have it towed back to the same dealership" do I have to pay for towing for a 3rd time that is clearly on them! mechanic told me electrical was hooked up properly and/or wiring burnt when engine seized! also I've had to buy 3 tires when mine were fairly new because the speed wheel sensor is puncturing them, I've seen a lot of people have had same problems is their a recall on the speed wheel sensor" I've been without away to go since November & have spent more money than I have trying to get it to run & paying for a car that don't run! im on disability & don't have money to continue putting in this car that should run as it did prior to engine seizing! im no mechanic but I don't know how they put engine & starter in 3 days or how they released my car without anyone in service in to go over paperwork or tell me about the tire stated on paperwork 'needs immediate attention tire separated ' they said they forgot, tire exploded on me so they definitely didn't care about my safety!! paperwork also stated was test drove, 'if it was' again I don't know how they released it! 2nd time at dealership they were suppose to check & see why my radio, bluetooth, usb, ac electrical didn't work & did prior to engine seizing! when I picked it up they had no answers or solutions why! back at dealer wants $8,000 for problems I never had til they worked on it and for pending recalls with no remedy

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #284

Nov 192018

Sonata

  • 10 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

New engine and starter under recall by Hyundai dealership in montgomery, al. I pick my car up no one in service is in my radio bluetooth ac won't work and they all worked prior! car kept cutting off felt like wheels was gonna fall off drove horrible! plug phone in usb start smelling burnt smell, unplug it smoke is coming out, it's extremely hot and cords burnt. Get home look at paperwork says 'tire separated needs immediate attention' no one told me let me drive on it. I had no clue my tires are fairly new. Tire exploded leaving dent in my car. I ask about tire he said 'oh I forgot to tell you' (as no big deal) in fact was! ask which tire he didn't remember! call Consumer Affairs advised to take back. Dealt with service manager rude and denied any fault before ever looking at car insisting they weren't to blame. How would he know if he hasn't ever even looked at it" ask why lights on dash and why'd it not run properly? blamed on my tire. Sold me tire $88 but he'd give me discount for my trouble, he didn't I paid $114. Calls cars ready. I ask if everythings fixed and what was wrong with it" he said no and didn't know what was wrong with it but it wasn't anything they done! honestly don't think he checked he denied blame before looking at it and said it'd be ready in couple hours time to put tire on. Said to take to stero shop and they can pull radio out and might find reset switch behind it to reset radio, he should've. Ask about usb he said 'plugged one in it worked ask if he left in least 10 minutes as I did he said 'don't got one to' can't use one used to test it ask if electrical wiring burnt when engine seized as starter did, says no lights be on in dash, they are, blamed it on tires. 3 mechanics said electrical wasn't hooked back up properly and/or electrical wiring burnt when engine seized. Car wont start problems cycloids not firing and fuel injector too!

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #283

Aug 092018

Sonata

  • 79,000 miles
The car has a major electrical flaw, I keep getting recall letters but the one thing no one has mentioned is the grounding. After numerous electrical issues. I ran a parasitic draw test on the system. The grounds are non existent. The car has no good grounds at every point of ground there's no metal. They grounded the car to painted surfaces. This is a major flaw that is causing I would guess the majority of the issues in electrical failures. My brake lights would not turn off. Ever. No matter if the the car was off or on. The recall work was done by Hyundai and when I contacted them to plead with them to please recheck it they flat out refused saying the work has already been done. I was left with no choice but to try and determine the issue. My car started without pressing the brakes. I could shift and out of park and reverse without pressing the brakes. I drove around with my brakes illuminated all the time. Then they just quit working since the bulbs burnt out when the housing for the bulbs melted. The car suffered the known engine failure issue but the electrical started long before this. The grounding is not sufficient. Period these cars are a major hazard and should all be taken off the road. I have photographs off the electrical bulb holders that melted. I've included photos of the way it's supposed to look and the melted one. The one bulb was so burnt I had to break it out of the holder.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #282

Jul 012018

Sonata

  • miles
Headlights and brake lights, they will not work, put in brand new bulbs, they light up for about five mins. Then stop working, cannot get a bulb to work, it seems the electrical parts of the lights are not working properly. This is bringing me a lot of problems, cops pull me over for no brake lights, but I can't get them to work>>>>>

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #281

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • miles
Since I bought this vehicle, they had replaced the engie due to, the recall, they had to, replace my fual sensors, steering column piece, and another part. But since they replaced my engine, my electrical in my car is, mever accurate. Speed sensoer is wrong, the radio shorts all the time, and my cruise control doesnt work. The problems countniue to get worse especially with the electrical. This car has costed me 1000's of dollars and it just countniues to have problems. I have taken it to Hyundai in redlands ca. They have all documentation on the vehicle.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #280

Oct 012018

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver's side window failed to go up and down when the function button was pressed on the door. The contact had to apply force to the area near the window to get it to slowly go up and down. In addition, a chime was heard each time the front driver and passenger seat belts were secured, and a warning indicator illuminated for the seat belts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V617000 (seat belts) and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags) as well as service campaign number: 953 (ECM & cluster update-engine monitoring logic product improvement). The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #279

Dec 102018

Sonata

  • 174,000 miles
We have had nothing but problems with our 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Less than a year ago our engine completely died while driving the vehicle. The dealership replaced the engine and since then we have had starting and electrical problems. When we went to pick up the car it didn't start right away and they told us we needed a new battery. We bought a new battery and about a week later it still wouldn't start on and off. Since we had the engine replaced, we have had to change the headlights and brake lights 4 times! we believe that when the engine died it caused an electrical issue. Fast forward about 9 months and now the car has 3 engine codes. P0017 P0014 and P0560. Crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and a system voltage malfunction. We will never buy a Hyundai again! they claim they totally replaced the engine but now I wonder if they salvaged old parts in the new engine and what exactly happened to the electrical system when the car shut off while driving.

- Westover, AL, USA

problem #278

Dec 152018

Sonata

  • miles
I drove my 2011 Hyundai Sonata on the highway, while trying to accelerate my vehicle to match the flow of traffic I noticed that the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 mph. I pulled my vehicle over to the break down lane and engaged hazard lights. I released the hood latch and opened hood to engine compartment. I saw smoke and could smell burning plastic. I checked my oil levels and did a quick inspection of fluid levels. When I tried to restart my car the vehicle would not start. I had the car towed to a mechanic, the mechanic stated that the starter was burned out. He replaced the starter and when attempting to start the car the new starter began to smoke as well. He stated that it was good that I pull the car over so quickly cause the car could have caught on fire. This happened recently and he has stated it will require further investigation but he is pretty sure the engine has seized.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #277

Dec 032018

Sonata

  • 250,000 miles
Driving home my mom asked me to stop by the local gas station. I pulled into the parking space my mom got out & went in the store. A guy at the staion started screaming at me to get out because my car is about to blow up he could see the fire coming out the front of the hood & grill of the car. By the time I understood wht he was saying the car had a big boom hood blew up & went bk dwn during that the locks were locking & unlocking. I had to manually unlock tge door & push my way out with young man assistance. After I was out of it for 3 seconds the fire started raging & popping. The firemen finally made it they were very helpful & understanding. What I don't understand is why I didn't get some type of warning my car was mot running hot. Im thankful to my heavenly father because although this was a very scary situation for me but it could always be worse. Very grateful. But is Hyundai gonna replace my car or pay for the damages" will my insurance cover this tyoe of claim"

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #276

Nov 292016

Sonata

  • 126,803 miles
On November 29, 2016, while sitting at a stop light at West chester pike in West chester, pa. I noticed a flash and spark on the passenger side. One more blink and a stream of fire shot across the top of the hood of the car. Within in minutes, the entire car was engulfed in flames giving me seconds to get out of the car. While traffic was stopped, the police and fire departments were called to distinguish the fire while attending to me on the side of the road. The engine was part of a nationwide recall and was replaced "new" on June 10, 2016 which I satisfied including the extension of the warranty that was issued to me after getting it replaced.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #275

Nov 192018

Sonata

  • 82,000 miles
The engine has seized. The brake lights were always on and it melted the harness the holds the bulb in the receptacle area. I cannot place the bulb in the seating for it anymore and then successfully place in the area for it. The area just beneath the glove box began emitting smoke and I smelled rubber melting. The language of the car is in spanish cannot be changed back to english. The buttons don't control what they are intended to. The center instrument panel, radio, A/C and the other functions occasionally are not operable, no light nothing.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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