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:
20 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
51,010 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 16 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #855

Dec 262016

Sonata

  • 38,886 miles

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

My 2011 Sonata has a lot of play in the steering. I have been told by Hyundai of bowie ( Maryland ) that it is a plastic/rubber bushing in the steering and would be hundreds of dollars to replace. They actually have old ones sitting at the service desk to show customers, as it is so common. The dealership themselves said Hyundai used a poor material and it is degrading away. This is a safety concern, as the steering will just get worse and worse until control of the steering will be greatly effected. My Sonata has less than 40,000 miles and has now had more recalls done on it than oil changes. When turning the wheel, while stopped or low speed, there is no reaction by the steering, and only a clunk. Once this piece fails completely, steering will be greatly effected.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #854

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction a loud knocking noise was present. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering motor coupler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #853

Jul 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Steering wheel makes terrible noise, particularly when driving over any bump or unlevel area in the roadway, and steering is becoming very loose. Dealership says it's the steering wheel coupler that has broken and admits it is a very common issue with this vehicle because the part is plastic. The cost to repair is $400. Hyundai needs to step up and take care of this defective part before someone gets hurt.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #852

Jan 062016

Sonata

  • 10,000 miles

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

I went to the dealership because of the unstable steering. They told me that coupler was broken and it is very common issue with 2011 Hyundai Sonata. But there is no recall on this. Even when the coupler was replaced, the car is still unstable with steering. There is a recall on Hyundai Sonata for electronic power steering system. My car was not included, but I think my car is also affected by the problem. I am afraid this car is not safe to drive. I think NHTSA should extend the eps recall on Hyundai Sonatas to all 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

- La Palma, CA, USA

problem #851

Jun 012016

Sonata

  • 33,000 miles
Steering column problem. When turning the steering wheel left or right, it makes a knocking or clicking noise. It's been analyzed as a steering column shaft coupler, that was assembled at the factory incorrectly or a defective part. There's been no recall on this problem, but there's been dozens & dozens of complaints online about this problem. The local Hyundai dealer advised there's ben hundreds of complaints at the dealer about this problem. The repair for this problem, the dealer advises is $300 or more. My concern is is this vehicle safe to drive? can't understand why there's been no recall for this problem.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #850

Feb 092016

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
Steering coupling problem which has seripus safty issue. I wonder why this problem had not been resolved by Hyundai and how many other faulty couplers had been found while performing the recall. The dealership asked me for 600$ to fix this issue!!. I do feel that the coupler should have been included with the recall

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #849

Jun 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

When wheels are straight ahead, either stationary or moving, turning the steering wheel in either direction causes a thump and a vibration felt in the steering wheel. The garage that the car was taken to said they knew of the problem with Hyundai's but couldn't/wouldn't fix it. The gentleman stated they told all Hyundai's owners to take their cars to dealers. The dealer obviously knew of the problem as with no hesitation quoted a price of $205 to repair. If it is a known problem, and obviously it's widespread, why isn't there a recall to fix it? the lady this particular car belongs to is in her eighties and is living on a fixed income.

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #848

Jan 032017

Sonata

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #847

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the tires would not move when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel gromet needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #846

Jan 032017

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
For over a year, the steering wheel has clicked at the slightest movement, even on flat highway. It vibrates heavily and clicks loudly on uneven pavement, and feels loose when turning. I took it in for other recalls and was told it needed a steering coupler that would cost $338. I know that part is only about $5 and I just watched a youtube video where a guy replaced it in less than an hour. It looked so easy I'm tempted to try and do it myself. There are more complaints about this issue than any other of the many issues this car has. There should be a recall for this problem.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #845

Dec 172016

Sonata

  • miles

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

Dealer was changing oil on car and told me there was an issue with steering coupler. They calmed it was can be dangerous if not fixed. I am expected to pay as there is no current recall for this. Many, many other owners are experiencing the exact same issue. Why is there not a safety recall?

- Alsip, IL, USA

problem #844

Dec 282016

Sonata

  • 158,440 miles
Brought my 2011 Hyundai Sonata to jackson Firestone bryant automotive in jackson, NJ to service brakes. The owner/technician of the service center said he observed a click in the steering when he drove it into the service center garage. He investigated the issue and found the steering column shaft "coupler" was not fastened or tightened as necessary. He warned me (the owner) that it was unsafe to drive the car. He proceeded to fix the breaks and offered to repair the steering issue but suggested I bring it a Hyundai dealership. I brought the Sonata to freehold, NJ Hyundai dealership where they confirmed the problem with the steering. I had the steering fixed at freehold Hyundai and was charged $390.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #843

Oct 122016

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
Any slight turning of my steering wheel results in a harsh clicking sound whether I go left or right. Also if there's a slight unevenness to the pavement, there's a very scary rattling sound coming from the steering shaft. I have seen lots of other complaints online, but heard the original recall does not affect my vehicle. This is a horrible sign and I should not have to pay to fix this issue. This issue occurs in motion stationary on any street or highway. It is all the time and getting progressively worse.

- Spencer, NC, USA

problem #842

Dec 262016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 10 miles
The steering wheel feels loose and when I try to turn the car acts as if your on ice or like I'm loosing control of steering the vehicle, I was advised by discount tire that the from suspension issue are causing my inner tires to wear and the dealership was only trying to sale me tires for $600 and did not mention any issues with the inner tire on that the tread was a little low. I have been driving on the highway and surface streets when the steering problems occur.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #841

Nov 012016

Sonata

  • miles
Like many other reported complaints on the 2011 Sonata, I have experienced loosening of the steering wheel, with the clicking sound when turning. Took to the dealer who charged me $125 to tell me what I already knew - the steering coupler was bad and needed to be replaced immediately. The service advisor indicated it was definitely a safety issue that should be fixed immediately. For $365. Clearly, there is a well established problem with these vehicles and a safety recall should be issued as soon as possible.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #840

Jun 152016

Sonata

  • 35 miles
Steering column makes clicking noise when wheel turns. Malloy service says this is common problem in this model. Plastic coupler is faulty. Cost to repair $350. Car has under 50K miles.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #839

Nov 232016

Sonata

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a very loud noise coming from a steering column or coupler without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #838

Dec 282016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 49,800 miles
The steering on my car is making noise. There is a clicking sound when I turn or when I go over a bump in the road or a pot hole. I took it to a mechanic and they told me the steering coupling probably needed to be replaced, to go to Hyundai that there is a recall. Hyundai told me it's only a service bulletin not a recall. Both seem to agree that it needs to be repaired or I could lose my ability to steer the car at any point while driving. It seems to be related to recall 10V426000 but I don't think my car was included in that recall.

- Dunwoody, GA, USA

problem #837

Nov 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Steering has excessive play and makes a clunking noise when steering left or right. There is also a loud clattering noise when driving over bumps.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #836

Jun 042016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
My Hyundai started with a clicking when I would hit any bumps but then started making more load noises when I would turn the wheel. Then all of the sudden it started rapidly shaking while I was driving down the highway at any speed above 50. It is a driving hazard and should be recalled. It's absolutely crazy that this car is allowed on the road like this. You have no control when it starts shaking. I took it in and they said they repaired it for over $300. Its been a few months and it is doing the exact thing but now they are saying they need to replace the entire steering rack for over $1180. There have been so many recalls on this car for steering, it should all be covered. What is it going to take for someone to take this seriously.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

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