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.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel shook violently. When the vehicle accelerated while making a right turn, the steering made a clicking noise. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering axle and bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,884. Updated 05/20/16
2011 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering column coupler issues. The consumer stated the part was made out of a flimsy piece of plastic that could potentially fail at any time.
While in motion I noticed that I started having extra play in my steering. I took the car to get the alignment checked out. After repairing 2- tire rods the ase certified technician informed me that the play still existed and that it was a recalled item that Hyundai would repair. I then called Hyundai care and set-up an appointment to get the repair completed. When I arrived at the pohanka dealership they advised me that the repair had been completed in 2010 and that I would be required to pay for this repair. The service advisor did so without inspecting my vehicle.
While driving the car the steering wheel makes a clacking sound everytime I make a turn, driving the car. This is a hazard and I am afraid of a catastrophe waiting to happen everytime I drive the car.
The steering column started to make a noise about a month ago. The noise sounds like something is loose and has gotten worse over time. The car is now pulling to the left. The noise happens when the car is in any gear. Also, the car steering will vibrate sometimes at higher speeds.
When attempting to start the car yesterday normally, the car did not start. After reading the owners manual I discovered how to insert the smart key into a slot within the center arm rest compartment and the car starts normally. However the car cannot be locked or unlocked with the smart key anymore. The car was in the garage on the day of failure. Also when moving in reverse, and turning the steering wheel, there are clumping sounds from underneath the vehicle and that's getting louder. Unfortunately we owner's do not get any type of resolutions on these issues. Hyundai needs to step up and rectify these concerns. Ooh they got their money already....
My steering flex coupler needs replacing. Every time I turn the steering wheel I get a clunk noise. This has been a problem in almost all of the Hyundai Sonatas, but for some reason my Sonata is not falling under the recall for this. It will cost me almost $500 to fix. This should be taken care of by Hyundai!
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering ability seized when the vehicle started. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column had to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 100,500.
2011 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to NHTSA's campaign number 15V-568. Consumer states that vehicle was repaired but the issue still exist. The consumer stated the brake light switch was replaced several times, and there was clicking sound coming from the steering wheel.
My steering column has began to rattle and come loose affecting the steering of the vehicle, a noticeable clunk and play is felt in the steering wheel and vibrates bad over bumps causing the car to jerk. The dealership immediately knew what I was talking about but stated there was no recall. I find this troubling being that they didn't even need to look at the car to know exactly what is wrong and told me continued driving will result in an accident. Symptoms started early 2016 car only has 70K miles
My steering wheel has become increasingly loose and shaky over the past months when driving or stationary. There is a very distinct (and getting worse over time) "clicking" or "knocking" sound when I back up and turn my wheel either way. I was told by my mechanic that something is wrong with my steering gear box/shaft sector and possibly some of my axles. He told me this was dangerous, and that the recall campaign number 097 should cover me. However, I was told by Hyundai that my specific car does not fall under this recall, even though I my car has the exact symptoms of the recall. I was also told that because of recent recalls, my warranty would be extended. However, Hyundai has now told me that my warranty extension only covers the sole engine, and not the axles though they are part of and covered by the initial engine warranty. Hyundai has told me there are "kits" to fix these problems, but I have to pay over $1000 for the kits to fix, even though these were faulty parts by Hyundai. The Hyundai service manager I spoke with told me flat out that my car had faulty parts, but that the kits could fix them. I asked him whose fault it was that they were faulty, and he said that all car companies deal with this and it wasn't because of my driving. But even still so, I have to be the one to pay for Hyundai's faulty parts and non-existent recall help. I'm beyond frustrated after reading so many reviews and forums online of people with the exact same car symptoms as mine who are unfortunately also not covered by the recall. If I cannot get a better response and answer from this, I will be contacting the main lawyer who others have also contacted about this and filing an official lawsuit. I expected way better from Hyundai and am disgusted and disappointed at the lack of service, truthfulness, and integrity from this company at this point.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, a noise emitted from the steering column. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure millage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and when turning to the left or right, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering coupling assembly failed and needed to be replaced as well as the steering gear assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V457000 (steering) and 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 04/20/16 updated 05/30/18
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel shook violently as an abnormal noise came from the steering wheel. The failure lasted for five minutes and stopped. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air compressor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 60 mph, the steering wheel became very loose and vibrated. As a result, the contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 100,000.
2011 Sonata experienced steering difficulties: Shaking at higher speeds on highway (70 mph), clicking in steering wheel at low speed and simply when turning wheel when car is in park, loose steering, and, at times, quickly jerking in a direction while at high speeds-steering wheel seemed to lose control. Car was bought used and was serviced under 2010 steering column shaft recall. Hyundai dealership today says its the couplar and that is not included in the recall and offering to split the cost with me. It appears Hyundai is aware of this issue, as the service manager said it was couplar without even speaking with the tech yet.. I'm concerned this is a serious problem among 2011 Sonatas and Hyundai continues to sweep it under the rug while forcing customers to pay out of pocket for something that should have been fixed in 2010.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal banging noise could be heard while driving. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 05/11/16 updated 05/24/18
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and became difficult to steer. The dealer was aware of the failure and stated that it was not a recall issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Atlanta, GA, USA