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.
When stopped, turning the steering wheel left or right produces a thumping sound/feel in the steering wheel. Steering wheel also vibrates at higher speeds, around 70 mph. Dealer diagnosed this problem as a failure in the steering column, w/smart key - 2011 Hyundai Sonata [563103Q400]. dealer quoted $1300 to repair. I am currently asking the dealer to reevaluate the condition to see if this is really a problem with just the steering coupling, Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata [564003Q000]. so far no repair has been made.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate and was loose. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 04/08/16
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph and making a right or left turn, the steering wheel would be difficult to maneuver and emit a loud clicking noise. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, a knocking noise was present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column and the gear box 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 approximately 86,000.
Took car in for engine recall and explained I was also getting a clicking noise in steering column and while turning. I was informed it was the steering wheel coupler at the cost of $10 while the whole repair cost me $200 because he cut me a break! I explained I had been complaining about this for awhile prior to the start of the clicking noise. I was informed at that time that it was normal, no problem with the steering. I explained this to the service rep and was told since we just took over a month ago they can only address what they diagnosed! my car was bought brand new has 46953 miles, I was 6months 9 days out of time warranty. Totally ridiculous and on top of it I still have the clicking noise!
- Vineland, NJ, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The steering column is loose and "clicks" whenever the steering wheel is placed close to the neutral position, causing a feeling of "loose steering" to the driver. The dealer was called and confirmed this has been a recurring problem for Hyundai cars manufactured in my year, yet they said there was no recall for this problem. It is a definite safety issue which seems to be getting worse, affecting the steering and overall control of the car.
When driving, or stopped, and you turn the steering wheel there is a clunking noise and a dead spot in the steering wheel. At highway speeds if you hit that spot on the steering wheel the wheel would start to shake and vibrate as if there was a front end alignment problem. The mileage on the vehicle was 71, 657 when I brought it to the dealer for repair. They informed me that a flexible coupling in the steering column had "worn out" and needed to be replaced. The cost was estimated at $568 which included the cost of the part at $3.53 and the remainder labor and tax. This is ridiculous that a part in the steering column of a vehicle that was purchased new and is primarily driven on highways wears out at this mileage.
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata gls has a knocking in the steering when I turn the wheel it sounds as if something is loose and also knocking when I hit a speed bump. I contacted Hyundai and they said my car is not one the 100,000 VIN numbers that are affected by this recall although my car is having the same issues with what is in the recall. This is a known issue if you take a look at the following website www.aboutlawsuits.com/Hyundai-Sonata-recall-steering-problems-13090/?replytocom=87856 you can see a lot of people with the same issue. The main issue is they are only fulfilling the recall to a small amount of Sonatas made at a specific factory when they are many other cars with this defect. Hyundai is charging over $300 for the repair. As I continue to drive the car it is getting more loose and could eventually cause an accident
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, a clunking noise was present. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the universal joint was loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000(steering), although the contact was experiencing an identical failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 54,500. Updated 03/15/16 the consumer stated Hyundai authorized a warranty repair, the upper connector on the lower part of steering shaft replaced.
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata gls has a knocking in the steering when I turn the wheel it sounds as if something is loose and also knocking when I hit a speed bump. I contacted Hyundai and they said my car is not one the 100,000 VIN numbers that are affected by this recall although my car is having the same issues with what is in the recall. This is a known issue if you take a look at the following website www.aboutlawsuits.com/Hyundai-Sonata-recall-steering-problems-13090/?replytocom=87856 you can see a lot of people with the same issue. The main issue is they are only fulfilling the recall to a small amount of Sonatas made at a specific factory when they are many other cars with this defect. Hyundai is charging over $300 for the repair. As I continue to drive the car it is getting more loose and could eventually cause an accident
While sitting in park or driving the steering wheel clicks and makes considerable noise when being turned either way. From considerable research online I've learned that this problem is very widespread among several year models of Sonata how this issue is not a recall is beyond me. Hyundai customer care said they were not aware of any steering issues with Sonata models I'm calling complete B.S. please NHTSA make this company responsible for defective euipment these vehicles are plagued with.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 60 mph, the steering wheel began to shake violently without warning. The contact also mentioned that there was an abnormal rattling noise in the steering column. The failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. 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 VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the steering wheel shook violently without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it diagnosed that the shaft universal joint connection failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired previously under NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000 (steering), but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
When I took my Sonata to chantilly va dealer for Hyundai recall campaign 132, after inspecting the vehicle, service manager told me that there was some clicking noise starting to happen in steering flex coupling due to wear out. I was quoted an estimate of $450 plus tax to fix it. My car has 61K miles bought in November 2010. I was told that I just passed warranty period. I have been having my vehicle serviced regularly at fairfax Hyundai dealer and was never informed of this problem before.
My Sonata continues to pull to the left. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer multiple times. They checked the alignment and force balanced the tires a few times. Eventually they told me it was my tires causing the problem. So they put a set of 4 brand new wheels and tires from another car onto mine. The problem still persisted. So they didnt know what to do and contacted an huyndai rep who stated the vehicle performed as designed. If the vehicle performed as designed why did your service techs check my alignment and force balance my tires 3 or 4 times" why did they put another set of wheels and tires on my car if there was no problem" its very dangerous because if I take my hand off the wheel it pulls into the other lane. Other consumers have complained of the same thing and some even had their car replaced. I filled a corporate complaint with Hyundai but they agree with the rep that the is performing as designed.
Steering wheel chicked when making turns. Noticable shake when driving. Dealer said not under warrenty. Dealer stated "coupling worn". $315 to repair. Based on complaints, can't understand why not recalled.
I own a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. When you turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel is loose and you notice an abnormal clunk feeling. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a the steering wheel coupler part in the steering needed to be replaced.the vehicle was not repaired. Approximate mileage of the vehicle: 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal noise each time it was turned left or right. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V426000 (steering) and 10V457000 (steering). The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) and the dealer indicated that the parts were not available. The contact was unable to determine when the recall repair would be completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and could not provide a reasonable time frame to send the part to the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise when the steering wheel was turned to the left or right. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V457000 (steering) and 10V426000 (steering). The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) and the dealer indicated that the parts were not available. The contact was unable to determine when the recall repair would be completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and pertaining to the recall they were not able to provide a reasonable time frame to send the part to the dealer. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Middletown, DE, USA