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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
110,838 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

problem #11

Jun 142015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake lights had to constantly be changed. The lights were changed at least four times in three years. The vehicle was taken to thornton road Hyundai (669 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga 30122), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was no longer under warranty; therefore, the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #10

Sep 012018

Sonata

  • 193,283 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake light bulbs were fractured and melted, and there was a burning odor. The contact previously purchased several replacement bulbs. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to holler Hyundai (1150 N orlando ave, winter park, fl 32789, (407) 628-4343), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 193,283.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Nov 082018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 135,448 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving various speeds, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to modern Hyundai of concord (965 concord pkwy S, concord, nc 28027, 704-262-4408) who diagnosed that the rear brake lights had fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 135,448.

- French Town, NJ, USA

problem #8

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 171,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the brake lights remained illuminated. When the contact pressed the push start button, the engine started without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to craft Hyundai (2625 lakeside dr, lynchburg, va 24501, 434-455-7060) where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the contact should have an extended warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #7

Jun 192017

Sonata

  • 137,590 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to automax Hyundai (3301 E central Texas expy, killeen, tx 76541, phone number: (800) 430-4607). The contact was informed that there was an open recall on the seat belts, but not the brake lights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,590.

- Killeen, TX, USA

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problem #6

Jun 272017

Sonata

  • 92,209 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was stationary, the rear driver's side brake light malfunctioned without warning. The contact stated that the rear driver's side brake light melted to the point in which it could not be properly replaced. Jim burke Hyundai of birmingham, Alabama was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the brake lights. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,209.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #5

Sep 022016

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated when the vehicle was turned off. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the contact had not been notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Darrow, LA, USA

problem #4

Dec 292015

Sonata

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the exterior lighting, alarm system, front passenger side headlight, and lower brake lights failed. The alarm system activated randomly. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and stated that the vehicle experienced the brake light failures listed in the consequence section of the notice. The vehicle was repaired, but the issue spread to other lighting and electrical components. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 262015

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. The cause of the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was notified. The contact also indicated that the brake lights would erroneously remain activated while operating the vehicle. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Del Ray Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 142015

Sonata

  • 68,683 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway without warning. In addition, the brake light was consistently illuminated, even when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,683.

- Pembrooke Pines, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 202015

Sonata

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that both rear brake light assemblies fractured without warning. The contact replaced the brake light assemblies, but did not take the vehicle to the dealer to determine what caused the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Cypris, TX, USA

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