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:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,315 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #99

Dec 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car airbag light came on. I called the dealership about the remedy that was already recalled under campaign number 18V137000 because my last visit I got told by the dealership that my ACU was bad for the car and that it was going to cost me upwards of $2000 to replace and the dead was no recall on my vehicle and then called corporate and they had told me that this had been taken care of back in 2016 when I did not on the vehicle this time in the second owner and that basically they would not cover to fix this issue and that any warranty that was extended ran out when I only had purchased the vehicle in November 2020 so now they are unwilling to fix the issue because they had stated that it was already previously fixed with the previous owner and then I could either basically pay to get it fixed or they weren-??t gonna do anything about it I feel my safety at risk because in the event of crash airbags will not deploy and basically that they would not fix the problem even though it is under a National recall, and my car was manufactured within the manufacturing dates of the recall I do not feel safe driving this vehicle, and I also do not feel that I have to pay for that has been nationally recalled

- Luthersburg, PA, USA

problem #98

Jul 012022

Sonata

  • miles
in July of 2022 the buttons on the steering wheel like cruise control trip/reset button as well as radio controls eventually all quit working did not become fully aware of this until I was on the interstate and was driving with the cruise control set and when I needed to turn off cruise control it wouldn't turn off by the steering wheel thankfully I know can hit the brakes and the car will shut it off however after this all happened the air bag light came on and stayed illuminated I called my dealer and they insisted that there was no recall on the CLOCK Spring in the steering wheel of my car and wanted me to pay out of pocket for an issue that they claim was non existint as well them also telling me all the recalls were taken care of when I purchased the vehicle in novemember of 2020 and im only the second owner had the car for 3 months and Hyundai stated that my vehicle had the knock sensor update and then a week later the motor went

- Luthersburg, PA, USA

problem #97

Jun 012023

Sonata

  • miles
My brake lights constantly go out new bulbs don't work either...it sems to be a malfunction in the wiring for the lights. The seatbelt on driver side will not latch no matter what. All electrical has issues, dash will go in and out as well as radio and heating/ac lights.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #96

Apr 202023

Sonata

  • 262,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the warning light was cleared; however, the light returned soon after. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #95

Oct 202022

Sonata

  • miles
My vehicle should be covered under a recall for my engine, however Hyundai is denying the claim due to my title being branded as salvage, however according to my research a salvage title does not affect the recall. I believe my engine should be replaced, and Hyundai is refusing to return my calls at this point.

- Wichita, KS, USA

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problem #94

Aug 182022

Sonata

  • miles
I know for a fact that one of the recalls I was told by Green Hyundai they could not do because they did not have a solution for the recall I know in 2019 I had the recall for my seatbelt done and it still comes on buckled I also know because I have one with blue Drive that if you hold the battery for the electric out without turning off blue drive it affects it I did not do this but somebody breaking into my car dead And I-€™m not sure all of the effects it had but I have had motor problems because the same dealer who told me they had no resolution for Yoru fact that there is no recalls that were undone even though are not done even though I was told that one they had no solution for and couldn-€™t do so I know at least one has not been done, also forgot to connect the coolant line resulting in motor damage..

- Rock Island, IL, USA

problem #93

Mar 132022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The driver seatbelt will not stay attached. I'm getting a code to replace steering column and was told the intermediate shaft is bad. Also the torque converter clutch is throwing a code. The engine has been replaced which only has 4k miles on it.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #92

Feb 022021

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving, the seat belt failed to latch properly. The contact's daughter forced the seat belt into the latch to securely latch the seat belt. Additionally, the contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel in the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to apple valley Hyundai (2934 valley ave, winchester, va 22601, (855) 463-5530) to be diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V617000 (seat belts) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Stone Ridge, VA, USA

problem #91

Feb 102018

Sonata

  • 101,000 miles
After purchasing this car in 2018, I learned this vehicle had many recalls. After disagreements and arguments Hyundai, supposedly installed a brand new engine. I was then notified that I would have to pay out of pocket for the other 'recalls' on this vehicle. After more debates and arguments they cleared out all of the 'recalls' on this vehicle as if they were fixed, and they were not fixed. This is a safety hazard and needs to be investigated. I still have many issues with the 'so-called' recalls such as airbags, driver seatbelt and steering column.

- Morris, CT, USA

problem #90

Jul 102018

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side front seat belt released while driving. The vehicle was taken to red rock Hyundai (2162 highway 6 and 50, grand junction, co 81505) where the contact was informed that both seat belts operated as designed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #89

Dec 022020

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles

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

Sometime when I switch from reversed or drive the car bounce forward a bit.

- Irvington, NJ, USA

problem #88

Apr 052020

Sonata

  • 129,000 miles
Seat belt warning light luminated on dash board, does not go off.

- Haltom City, TX, USA

problem #87

Oct 032020

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
Drivers side seatbelt pops lose. It was supposed to be replaced under recall169. It happens when I'm driving. My break lights burn out a lot faster than usual ( 2 weeks). The back passenger side light burned the plastic unit where the light bulb is inserted. There is a crack in my steering wheel cup which seems to be a common problem with this vehicle and I think it should be a recall on that as well.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #86

Jun 022020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Clicking in steering wheel now wobble.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #85

May 122020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
The airbag light turned on and doesn't go away I have kids and I don't feel safe driving with this light on.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #84

Jun 102019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The airbags have been disabled for an unknown reason. The warning light will not turn off. The car has not been involved in an accident. This began in approximately of June 2019 and the car had approximately 110,000 miles. Another issue is the seat belt locking mechanism does not latch properly to secure the seat belt. It usually requires multiple efforts to be secured. Additionally, the seat belt does not retract properly either. That also takes several efforts to get it retracted. This began when the car had approximately 32,000 miles on it. I had an extended warranty on the vehicle and due to personal circumstances, was unable to bring it to the dealer until the car had approximately 37,000 miles. The dealer refused to address the issue under the warranty. The first issue occurs when the car is started and the airbag light stays on until the car is turned off. The seat belt issue occurs when putting the seat belt on and taking it off.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #83

Jan 172020

Sonata

  • miles
1) seatbelt latch will unlatch while driving. 2) the fule light indicator is never correct show empty all the time. Will go to full and back to empty while driving. 3) while fueling the pump will jump off before soon as gas starts going into tank. 4) struts are not working all 4 are out and down hitting the roads hard while driving. 5) paint is peeling off al th sides back panels while driving.

- Coldwater, MS, USA

problem #82

Feb 162020

Sonata

  • miles
The air bag warning has become constant randomly and doesn't go away after seatbelt are buckled

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #81

Jan 202020

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles
Vehicle rollover crash occurred Monday, 1/20/2020 while driving approx 45 mph after missing a curve in the road. No airbags deployed (driver, passenger, nor side) nor did the seat belts properly restrain occupants (driver nor 3 passengers).

- Paragould, AR, USA

problem #80

May 032019

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
I bought this car 3 years ago. Ever since the day I bought the vehicle, it makes loud clicking noises when you turn the steering wheel left or right while in drive and reverse. In the 3 years that I have owned this car, I have had to replace the tires 4 times, the brakes and rotors multiple times per year, tie rods, and cv joints and yet the car still clicks when you turn. I had the engine recall done in may of this year. They gave me the car back a month later. I had to take it back the very next day because it was leaking copious amounts of oil and making a clanking noise that was not present when I left my vehicle with them for a month. They "fixed" the oil leak and told me the noise was from my front brakes yet again. I had to return the car again a few days later because it was still leaking oil! so they "fixed" the leak a 2nd time and again said the noise was from my brakes. Less than a week after that the check engine light came back on. I immediately took it back and was told that it was just a "loose gas cap" which I never experienced prior to the engine being replaced. They cleared the light and sent me on my way. I had brand new brakes and rotors put on, again, and yet the clanking noise is still there. 5 days ago, the car began driving the way it was before the engine recall, same engine failure symptoms and my check engine light came back on a second time 3 days ago. I have not had to fill it up with gas in 8 days so there is no way that it is from a "loose gas cap." My seat belt locks up and stays locked up if I lean forward. I should also mention that when I bought the vehicle I had to inform the manager that the front bumper was only attached to the car because someone drilled screws into it to keep it on. He had no idea!! I made them replace it before I would buy the vehicle. The paint is constantly chipping off of the "new bumper" they put on it.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

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