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.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$220
Average Mileage:
71,400 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. recode brake sensor (2 reports)
  3. replace brakes (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 282013

Sonata LS 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,227 miles

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

I HATE THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AFTER HAVING THIS CAR ONLY 10MTHS AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE 7 DAMN RECALLS ON IT. MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED WAS 55,227.

- Angelica G., Anaheim, CA, US

problem #4

Sep 102011

Sonata V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,500 miles

Needed a new set of brakes at 7500k a new set of tires, again at 17k miles new brakes and tires, needed new brakes on this car 5 times 3 sets of tires and I've only got 57k on the car. I am the original owner.

- Charlene S., Holbrook, US

problem #3

Aug 082016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.Coming home from work one afternoon, temp outside 95 degrees, I came around a corner on a state hwy at 55 mph and people slamming on brakes because a mail truck was delivering mail. When I hit my brakes I could feel the different wheels brake, let go, at different tires and it was as if the car was losing braking. It was like slow motion I made the decision of what I had to do, and I hit a car in front of me. Thank God no one was hurt. Hyundai put a new motor in my car from the recall and a week later the left front tire fell off. The Dealer left some nuts etc.. off from the motor install (I have pictures) They have to take the whole front drive assembly out to put motor in. Could all this have messed anti lock brakes up? My computer did not illuminate anything, but when motor went out computer never showed anything either. One more thing. My switch that controls inside and outside lights is going out again. This is the 4th time!

My 2011 Sonata problems continue on...... Thanks for listening.

- avolt, Denham Springs, LA, US

problem #2

Jan 182016

Sonata GLS 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,702 miles

LET ME BEGIN THIS IS THE 1ST BLOG I HAVE EVER POSTED. I AM SO PISSED OF AT HYUNDAI THEY LEAVE ME NO CHOICE. AS I WAS DRIVING I APPLIED THE BRAKES, I COULD FEEL THE ABS TRYING TO KICK IN AND THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED SO FAST WHERE I HAD TO DITCH THE CAR INTO A SNOWBANK OR DRIVE RIGHT ONTO A BUSY STREET. WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WASN'T ABLE TO AVOID BARRELING THROUGH A BUSY STREET. A MAJOR ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. NO EXAGGERATION. I HAD TO WAIT TO GET TOWED OUT OF SNOWBANK AND THEN HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI IN FEAR OF DRIVING IT AGAIN.

THIS MODEL CAR WAS ALSO SET TO HAVE 2 RECALLS DONE. THIS 2011 HAS HAD WAY TOO MANY RECALLS. SO I BOUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE 2 RECALLS, DID A VEHICLE INSPECTION FOR NO CHARGE BUT CHARGED ME TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR TO ASCERTAIN THE PROBLEM WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE BRAKE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THEY SAID THEY RE-CODED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND CHARGED ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE NEEDED A DIAGNOSTIC IF THEIR CAR HADN'T MALFUNCTIONED. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO CALL THE HQ TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

AFTER SPEAKING TO 3 PEOPLE AT HQ I SEEMED TO BE SCREWED OUT OF MY FEES. THEY'RE TELLING ME BECAUSE IT'S PAST THE 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES ITS NO LONER UNDER WARRANTY. SO BASICALLY THEY'RE SAYING THAT ONCE YOU PASS THOSE PARAMETERS THAT YOUR ON YOUR OWN. SO I SAID TO THEM THAT THEY MUST BE OK WITH SUBSTANDARD PARTS GOING INTO THEIR VEHICLES IF THEY DON'T REA'T CARE IF THEIR CAR MALFUNCTIONS ONCE IT HITS THE WARRANTY WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE MIGHT GET HURT BADLY, GOD WILLING IT NEVER HAPPENS BUT WE'VE ALL SEEN ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF CARS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING A LOT OF NEEDLESS DEATHS AND INJURIES.

DON'T BUY HYUNDAI BECAUSE AFTER 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES YOUR LIFE IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS.

- Ron M., Ridgewood, NJ, US

problem #1

Jun 132015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,500 miles

I spent all the money I had on this car, I know it was a salvaged title but really 7 recalls!!! Everybody keeps stating the same issues with their cars, why are they still out there? I have no money to fix the problem. It really pisses me off that they don't even back their name. They built it, stand by it. They have millions of dollars so they don't care about us little people. Its not right!!! I need a reliable car to get my boys to school and back, what am I to do??? They don't have an answer for that, do they? Now that I read all these complaints I'm kinda scared to drive my car with my boys inside. I haven't even called the dealer to see if they will fix the recalls because they are safety issues. Just because it has a salvage title shouldn't mean anything. It is still a Hyundai...

- redrogers, Waterford, CA, US

Not what you are looking for?