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 35 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #475

Sep 012015

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles

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

Steering column clicks loudly when turning steering wheel left or right while stationary or moving. Steering column makes a loud rattling noise when when going over any bumps or if at a high speed. Vehicle was manufactured 1 month after a recall was issued for the same issue at the same manufacturing facility but my vehicle is not included in the recall. Problem started at about 75,000 miles.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #474

Oct 222015

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
When making a moderate to slow turn in either direction there is a knocking/thud/clicking sound emanating from the steering column, with a slight jerk. Also, during acceleration onto a highway I experienced a vibration and jerk in my steering wheel. I am scheduled for a service at my local dealership tomorrow.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #473

Oct 092015

Sonata

  • 63,369 miles
Every time I hit a small bump in the road my steering makes a loud rattling noise. Even if my car is sitting still, if I turn the wheel to the left it makes a clunking noise. This has been an ongoing problem that I feel needs to be addressed.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #472

Sep 182015

Sonata

  • miles

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

Loud clicking coming from my steering column when vehicle reaches between 65 and 75 mph. Steering wheel shakes as well.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #471

Aug 122015

Sonata

  • miles
The steering wheel click and rattles when driving the vehicle. The rattling noise is extremely loud and when turning the clicks are consistenly happening.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #470

Jul 132015

Sonata

  • 82,500 miles
On a two lane surface street driving on a straight course at 35 mph the steering wheel suddenly began to shake back and forth so violently that I could barely hang on and keep the car on the road until I could get it to stop on the road's shoulder. It continued to shudder until the engine was turned off. Upon proceeding at about 20 mph to a phone to call for a tow to a dealer it happened again and jerked the car into the oncoming opposite lane. It could not be driven safely at any speed. It happened a third time when loading the car onto the tow truck. The violent shaking of the steering wheel continued well after the engine was powered off. The dealer's service mechanics were able to replicate this violent shaking condition in their shop with the engine both running and with the engine off. They submitted a video on it to Hyundai engineers. The diagnosis was "internal failure of the power steering pump /module that is built into the steering column." A replacement module was ordered and replaced in about four days and $1033.92.

- Owosso, MI, USA

problem #469

Oct 162015

Sonata

  • 87,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the upper steering column universal joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Hamden, OH, USA

problem #468

Sep 012015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Both when the car is in motion and stationary, the steering wheel makes a loud knocking sound when you turn it left or right.

- Morgan, GA, USA

problem #467

Aug 312015

Sonata

  • 69,009 miles
8/31/15 took my car for service at a Hyundai dealership. Was told the steering coupling needed to be replaced. When I asked the mechanic how was this determined, he stated by listening as he turned the steering wheel. I was given the cost as $360. On 10/19/15, I returned for an oil change and was reminded about the steering coupling. I purchased this car in October,2012. I can't believe this is happening. I have read other drivers have had similar problems. I would like to see this investigated. It makes no sense that we are having such problems and the car isn't 5 years old yet. This will be my last Hyundai.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #466

Oct 122015

Sonata

  • 64,000 miles
Steering wheel started vibrating when driving. Then, a clicking noise could be heard when turning the wheel left or right. Was told the entire steering column and electric power steering motor would need to be replaced at a cost of about $1200. Car only has 64,000 miles on it.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #465

Oct 172015

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles

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

Exhibiting exact same issue as described in NHTSA campaign number: 10V-070 Hyundai dealer said my car was built in March and will not make the repair. Also exhibiting issues described in NHTSA campaign number: 10V-457 and dealer refused to make repair. The excessive shaking in the steering wheel has caused my SRS (safety restraint system) to kick a code that says my steering wheel air bag may not deploy in the event of a crash. SRS lite stays on. Hyundai dealer refused to make repair on NHTSA campaign number 13V-113. I currently have a piece of folded cardboard zip tied to my brake switch. Car exhibiting issues relating to NHTSA campaign number 14V-434 even after having the dealer use their (clip) remedy.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #464

Jul 152015

Sonata

  • 83,808 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel shook violently without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,808.

- Long View, TX, USA

problem #463

Mar 022015

Sonata

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was parked, a clicking sound was heard when the steering wheel was turned. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel vibrated severely and the clicking sound became severe. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connector was improperly assembled and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000(steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #462

Oct 152015

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
Every time I hit a small bump in the road my steering makes a loud rattling noise. Even if my car is sitting still, if I turn the wheel to the left it makes a clunking noise. This has been an ongoing problem that I feel needs to be addressed.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #461

Aug 172015

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
When driving the vehicle on even a slightly bumpy road, the components inside the steering wheel rattle violently. There seems to be a lot of play in it and as time goes on, it has gotten worse. Sometimes there is clicking when making a turn and always when turning the wheel while the car is stationary. I spoke to someone in the service dept at my local dealer and was told it was a known issue but Hyundai will not cover the cost of repair. In researching this issue I also see where there had been a previous recall on this problem but it has since closed. We bought the car used after the fact. I think it's kind of shady that if Hyundai is having recurring issues on the same makes and models even years after the original recall, then maybe they ought to issue another. My VIN # may not have been included in the original recall, but obviously they haven't adequately addressed the issue to prevent it from happening to future vehicles. It also seems that I'm not the only 2011 Sonata owner who's dealing with it. Makes me wonder why there isn't a class action going yet.

- Moreland, GA, USA

problem #460

Oct 062015

Sonata

  • 73,000 miles
At 73,000 miles my steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning the wheel. Also if I go over a bump. I contact Hyundai and there was a recall but my car manufacturer date was 2 months past the recall. I think that is wrong after reading several other complaints regarding this same problem.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #459

Jul 152015

Sonata

  • 41,000 miles
The vehicles steering wheel violently shakes at interstate speeds (65+mph). The vehicle also started making lound noises from the steering column when I turn or travel over bumps, even how minor the bumps on the roadway may be. Mileage is 41K.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #458

Feb 012015

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
Steering column clicks loudly when the steering wheel moves left or right. It does not matter if the vehicle is moving or in park. The problem occurred about 100,000 miles. The vehicle is no longer under warranty, and I have noticed there are lots of other cars out there with the same problem. Also, when travelling at a high rate of speed and the brakes are applied the steering wheel shakes violently. No, it doesn't need an alignment.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #457

Oct 082015

Sonata

  • 72,983 miles
On 10/8/2015 as I was driving my car the steering became very loose and is now making a loud knocking sound in the steering location due to this I was almost hit by another car because the steering wheel would not turn completely unless I made a sharp turn to the steering wheel

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #456

Mar 092015

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the steering wheel shook uncontrollably without warning. The contact also stated that an abnormal noise could be heard while the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Kenly, NC, USA

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