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 19 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #795

Sep 092016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Power steering coupler is failing. Service at dealership told me I would need to have this replaced. From reading the vast number of complaints from other people having the exact same issue, it is apparent that the part in question is defective. When are they going to issue a recall for replacement of this part? Hyundai appears to be knowingly putting the lives of its customers in jeopardy because they don't want to pay to have the problem corrected.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #794

Oct 242016

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. When the contact retrieved the vehicle after a recall repair for the steering, the steering wheel failed to work properly. The steering wheel made abnormal noises when it was turned. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel recall repair was performed without touching the steering wheel system. The failure occurred only after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

problem #793

Oct 262016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
The Hyundai dealer replaced the steering coupler on my 2011 Hyundai Sonata on October 26, 2016. He said when driving the car into the maintenance garage, he heard the steering coupler making noise, checked it, and found that it was faulty and was a safety hazard. The car has 66,000 miles on it and is driven mostly at low speeds in city traffic. In view of the driving conditions and limited mileage, I wonder if the failure of the steering coupler suggests a design flaw.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #792

Oct 232015

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 0 miles

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

The steering wheel felt loose one day after coming home from work. Then my wife used the car and told me that she noticed the car felt like it wasn't responding on the turns like usual" so we had the car like this for a few months but got used to this problem and thought it was just wear and tear. Well one day I had to avoid another vehicle that was creeping out of a driveway and couldn't see me, and when I made that sudden quick half turn to the left the car kept on driving straight so I braked hard locked up the wheels and skidded about 4 feet or so! we immediately took the Sonata in to get it checked and we were then told that we were pretty lucky because the steering column was not held on by the steering flex coupler, had no idea what I was being told. But later I was told by a fleet member there that I was pretty lucky to never have lost control of the car while making a turn or braking hard... wow! I just started wondering how many Sonatas have been in accidents because of something related to this" I just feel that this part was defective and never should of had any problem with my steering column. $474.96 cost for this repair.

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

problem #791

Oct 112016

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
The steering column coupler is clanking and needs to be replaced per Hyundai dealer's service department.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #790

Oct 102016

Sonata

  • 68,000 miles
The steering column seems loose and every time I run over a bump whether small or big there is a rattle that seems to come from the steering column section. And it seems to be getting worse. It is actually described in a recall from 10/2010. Something is loose in there. I have seen that it's more recent to in the complaints. Can the closed recall be reopened?

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #789

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • miles

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

My 2011 Hyundai Sonata recently began having play in the steering column. It has 91,853 miles on it now but started about 1,500 miles ago. When you turn the steering wheel there is movement before the actual wheel assembly is engaged. I am concerned that it may get worse or even fail. Although there are recalls for this model car my VIN is not included at this time.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #788

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the flex coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #787

Apr 012016

Sonata

  • miles
Takata recall. I'm having the same issue as everyone else. The sound of something loose in the steering column and clunking noise has become horrible. Regardless of whether the car is in motion or at a stand still, I can move the steering wheel and hear the noise. I checked the year of production of my vehicle and it doesn't fall under the current recall; however, it seems a little irresponsible of Hyundai to not recall all vehicles that are experiencing the same issue. It is a safety hazard not just a nuisance. This has been happening for a few months now and has only become worse with time. I will be contacting Hyundai to see what can be done. In the instance they refuse to service the vehicle under the current warranty I will be contacting an attorney. Safety hazards cannot be ignored.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #786

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
Crusie control brake lights parking steering engine all records I have with the dealership show the major problems ive have and its yet to be fixed along with the many recalls on this vehicle

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #785

Oct 182016

Sonata

  • 74,000 miles

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

Car makes popping or clicking sound particularly when backing out of a parking space and turning the wheel. Took the vehicle to Hyundai dealership where they said it was a steering coupler that needed to be replaced. Quoted $293.16. Was told this could become a safety issue since it can affect steering and ABS function. Searched the problem on the internet and it looks like a fairly common issue. My car has just under 74,000 miles. Why is this not a recall since it clearly isn't normal wear and tear.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #784

Jul 012016

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and vibrated randomly while driving or making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coupling was loosely connected and caused the failure. The mechanic was to provide further diagnostic testing. The dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 10V457000 (steering), and 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #783

Oct 182016

Sonata

  • 98,000 miles
When turning stearin wheel here clanking noice. Took to Hyundai and told it so steering wheel coupler. Said very commen problem. Should be a recall. It it cost 585 to repair. If the dealership knows it's a big issue maybe it should be a recall and not cost me !!

- Glendale, NY, USA

problem #782

Oct 172016

Sonata

  • 54,000 miles
Steering wheel makes loud clicking sounds when turned or when the vehicle goes over a bump or down a hill. I took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for service today and was told that this is a common problem with the mechanics of the steering column.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #781

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after making a stop from refueling the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel eventually functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was remedied but the service performed was unknown. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 10V457000 (steering) and 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Georgetown, SC, USA

problem #780

Oct 032016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
I would like to bring to your attention, a dangerous situation with my 2011 Sonata. The situation became critical when the steering wheel started to have severe vibrations last week at highway speeds (70mph). The issue which I have asked Hyundai service (hub Hyundai in houston) over the 1 1/2 year, is that the steering wheel had started to develop play when turning. Aside from the loose steering, the rattle in the steering wheel, the rattle (like a nut in a coffee can) when going over rough pavement became noticeably louder. Hyundai states that my car for this issue is not covered in any recall. I just had the plastic coupling replaced by Firestone service (invoice attached). The service mechanic stated that the gear teeth were severely ground away, will ultimately result in destroyed coupling an disengagement of steering, a very dangerous situation. The attached pictures show the coupling, both new and with the gear tooth ground away. I urge NHTSA to mandate that Hyundai initiate an immediate recall of all vehicles with this component. Obviously, the material composition of the original is not engineered for this application. I have the original part if you desire to examine it. If you have any questions, please advise. [xxx] [xxx] katy tx 77450 [xxx] ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #779

Sep 282016

Sonata

  • 55,000 miles
There is a clunking sound in steering column when turning the wheel while stationary and in motion. Also, there is a loud rattling sound in the steering column when going over any bumps at any speed, which has progressively worsened to the point where it sounds as if the steering column is going to disconnect. I was afraid to drive the car for fear of losing control of steering. The dealership said it was the coupler, which is an issue they have been repairing a lot. The part cost $3, but the process is labor intensive, so the total bill was over $300.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #778

Oct 122016

Sonata

  • 51,341 miles
Driving and making turns creates a rattle in the steering wheel and clunking sound stopped at brakes plus and found substance on the outside of thesterring coupler. Was told that should not be there.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #777

Aug 132016

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While turning the steering wheel left or right, it made an abnormal clicking noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #776

Jun 022016

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Steering wheel started to make a small "clunk" noise, which has now progressed to a large "clunk" noise and rattling of the wheel. This began some time ago, perhaps 4 months, and has just gotten worse. I took it in to a certified Hyundai dealership to get it looked at and review for recalls. Well, after having to pay them $100 without previously having agreed to, they tell me the part costs about $3, but with labor would total $310!!!! this should fall under a recall. I have seen so many people post online about the issue. I see where some people got it fixed for free, and others who had to pay! I emailed Hyundai too, prior to taking it in to the shop, and they told me that I had to go to the shop to have it looked at. No help at all. I continue to drive my car, which I paid full price for, with the constant clunking! mind you, I have children in the car and am terrified I will eventually loose control of the wheel and crash.

- Orange, CA, USA

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