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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,639 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 4 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #159

Jun 262019

Sonata

  • miles

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

Takata recall it started like 3 weeks ago sounds like the motor is knocking. Then a week ago my airbag like wont go off.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #158

Aug 112018

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
My front end and break lights continue to go out. No matter how many times I purchased. Had accident. Vehicles I see in my town, with the same year and model have same issues.lights consistently blow out.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #157

May 202019

Sonata

  • miles
Tail lamp assembly melted at bulb insertion area, frequently needs bulb replacement. Has become a nuisance and hazard.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #156

Jun 152019

Sonata

  • miles

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

My engine light is not working. Does not light up when vehicle is turned on.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #155

Jun 012016

Sonata

  • miles
Brake lights assembly is messed up. I am having to replace both tail lights.

- Keller, TX, USA

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problem #154

Apr 012019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
I pulled out on to a 4 lane highway and the engine stalled and the car coasted across. After a few seconds car regained power and went on but still losing power. When driving on interstate car keeps stalling at high rates of speed. When I cut on lights while driving car stalls/loses power for a few seconds then goes on. Brake lights aren't working all the time plus 3rd brake light keeps sticking. I need answers to this before we get seriously hurt!!!!!

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #153

Mar 082017

Sonata

  • miles

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

Brake light wires run too hot while car is operating and causes bulbs to burn out a day or two after being replaced. Plastic seems to be melting and may be able to cause a fire. Brake lights go in and out while driving as well which may cause an accident.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #152

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the driver side headlight failed to work. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the headlight needed to be replaced. The contact called red mccombs Hyundai (4800 nw loop 410, san antonio, tx 78229, (210) 593-3658) and notified them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Castroville, TX, USA

problem #151

Jan 012019

Sonata

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

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #150

Feb 012019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
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 #149

Jan 042017

Sonata

  • miles

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

The break light keep goin out pluz keep smelling a burning smell

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #148

Oct 232018

Sonata

  • miles
Tail light always keep going out and head light engines keep acting funny my seatbelt don't lock or keep me in place

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #147

Aug 152018

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
I've had problems with all front and rear lights. Mainly the headlights, tail lights and brake lights burning out. Since I got the car I've had problems with my brake lights not lighting up on one side, the tail light will work fine but once I press that brake my passenger brake light won't light up. Also I had my passenger side brake light heat up and melt the socket and housing of the taillight. All lights burn out way too soon like the car is providing too much juice and frying the bulbs.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #146

Oct 112018

Sonata

  • miles
While driving at night, the headlights, as well as interior dash and radio lights, would flicker. Most of the time this is triggered by using the turn signal. At times the lights may turn off altogether and have to be turned back on by jostling the turn signal. This happens while the car is in motion.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #145

Oct 172018

Sonata

  • miles
Tail lights constantly burning out due to melted tail light assemblies in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata. I could change the bulb and it would only work for a short period of time. Tail light assemblies had to be replaced at a cost of $448.81. Numerous complaints posted online for the same issue. I have also emailed Hyundai directly. This is a major safety issue.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #144

Oct 152018

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
While driving on the street and highway. The headlights flicker, and the radio/clock lights flicker on and off when the turn signals are used.it seems like mostly on right turns.I noticed a similar compiant when reading the complaints for the same exact car. I had my car in for an unrelated issued and I mentioned it to the service center. I found out about another recall that I did not know about. Why are there so many recall..

- Berkeley, IL, USA

problem #143

Oct 032018

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles
Driver side tail light assembly melted causing brake light to not turn on when depressed. No reasonable explanation provided by the Hyundai dealership that would explain why components melted. I.e., 'riding the brakes'. for the most part my commute is rural, few stops, minimal braking. Replacing the assembly does not address the question as to why it melted. Maintenance is done as recommended and the vehicle is in good to excellent condition. The instrument panel does not alert driver to this problem thereby posing a problem of rear end collision during night driving and/or pulled over by the police for faulty tail light.

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #142

Sep 072018

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
My brake lights remained illuminated when I was not pressing the brake. I discovered this after they stayed on even while the car was off and parked, and drained the battery so the car would not start. The mechanic replaced the brake light switch and rubber stopper pad.

- Washingotn, DC, USA

problem #141

Aug 032018

Sonata

  • 49,000 miles
When lights are on in auto mode, the lights flicker (high add low beam) randomly. Dash lights flicker as well. This occurs when not touching the light switch, but also occurs randomly when using the turn signals or switching between high and low beams. This issue occurs while moving and while stationary.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

problem #140

Jul 012017

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
When the headlights are on at night, when turn signals are engaged intermittenly the cabin lighting, including the gage cluster lights flicker and sometimes completely turn off. When the auto function of the headlights is on the headlights often completely turn off along with the interior cabin lights and gauge cluster lights intermittently when the turn signals are engaged and also when they're not. The problem seems to mostly be linked to the use of turn signals, but does also happen when they're not used.

- Orange City, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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