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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$150
Average Mileage:
88,150 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace air bag controller (3 reports)
  3. repair clock spring (2 reports)
  4. update (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #10

Jul 122019

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

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

A new issue that just occurred - the air bag light stays on as of this past Friday July 12. Not sure if it’s related to the steering wheel push buttons being intermittently non-responsive in the last several weeks - or malfunction issues that started with Cruise Control that started working intermittently sometime last year, but hey...the local dealership service dept started warning me of ALL of these issues several months ago when I first started the Oil Consumption Test for excessive oil burning up. I plan to split all these complaints up, but for now this is the most current complaint and gives a brief summary of where I am now.... OH, and the Fuel Tank sensor hasn’t worked (according to the former owners, my parents) since sometime after 65-75K miles. This means I have to rely on resetting the Trip A or Trip B every time I fill up - but one of the Trips has to remind me to put oil in at 1,500 miles- did I mention the push buttons are intermittently non-responsive now??? It was out of the 5 year warranty period, I do know that. Regardless, Hyundai will be contacted by August. Make no mistake about it. Unless they reach out to me first. :)

Update from Sep 20, 2019: UPDATE: Local dealership replaced the clockspring about two months ago. Airbag light is off and ALL steering wheel functions are operational. See my Engine seized complaint as well. The dealership and Hyundai Corporate have been very accommodating with our needs

- Derek W., Canton, OH, US

problem #9

Dec 012016

Sonata SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Airbag light pops on and once again Hyundai does not stand by their product. Over $1000 to fix and hundreds just to diagnose. Fast forward to today and there is a recall for the airbag light. People have to die to get something done with this garbage company. Worst vehicle ever owned.

- Brian H., Land O Lakes, US

problem #8

Jul 182017

Sonata Turbo 2.0L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

Engine died in early June, 2017, nothing worked, would not respond, coasted off road, VERY DANGEROUS!! engine replaced, car given back to us July 18th. While in the parking lot, service manager noticed A/C issue and made us wait 2 hours before quoting us $1500 to replace A/C compressor. He also had trouble starting the vehicle as did the technician that was diagnosing our car. Since that day, a week ago today, we lost ALL but one headlight, driver side high beam, our car still has the starting issue, air bag light stays on, and the turbo hisses a lot louder than it ever did. Manager said to bring it in tomorrow and leave it, did not offer a rental.

- George C., Westover, US

problem #7

Aug 032016

Sonata SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

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

On my 2011 Hyundai Sonata the SRS airbag notification illuminated on my dash two days ago out of the blue and I wondered why this happened. I checked the internet and low and behold there are many complaints out there for the same issue. This needs to be fixed at no charge by Hyundai. If not I think that we need to file a class action lawsuit to make a statement that we aren't going to take this laying down.

- Larry H., Dallas, TX, US

problem #6

Jun 152016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The airbag light went on somehow and never goes off. I don't know what the problem is but I have never had any accidents before. Anyone ever fixed this problem?

- Zhengya L., West Palm Beach, FL, US

problem #5

Feb 232016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,355 miles

My clock spring was replaced as of notice. But Hyundai wants me to pay for the airbag light, they said it's a high pressure issue.

- Afratisha K., Powder Springs, GA, US

problem #4

Aug 012016

Sonata Limited 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

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

First I would like to rant...My issue began a few weeks ago. My driver's side airbag light came on and would not go off. I had the fuses changed, still wouldn't go off. A few days later I tried to honk at an idiot backing out, my horn did not work. A few more days later...I was filling up at the gas station, hit my Trip button on the steering wheel, the display wouldn't change. I could not figure out why all these things were happening "all of a sudden". I purchased my car (used) at a dealership in Oct, 2015. I also purchased what I thought to be a very good extended warranty. I took my car to Hub Hyundai West. After having it all day they said the clock swing was bad and it was slowly knocking out the functions of the air bag, horn, and trip button. I was also told it "WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS AN "AIRBAG ISSUE". If it is an airbag issue, why should I come out of pocket $361.70? The horn and airbag are safety issues and should be covered. I did not damage these parts, and I wasn't in an accident. After having an unsatisfactory discussion with the dealer, I called Hyundai Corporate. Now on to my happy ending....I spoke with a really pleasant gentleman named Waldon @ (844) 462-5557. After explaining what was going on, he opened up a case for me. He even stated he couldn't understand why it wouldn't be covered, it's an "airbag issue". I was happy someone wanted to listen and assist me. I gave him all the basic vehicle information he requested, as well as the dealership name, phone number, and service manager's name. He advised me he would get the information to the Hyundai Warranty Department for a decision/resolution and would be in contact with me within 24 hours. He called me back an hour later and said THEY WILL COVER IT under Hyundai's warranty. THANK GOD! There are people who care to resolve your issue. My advice, if the dealer can't or won't resolve your issue, if the warranty corporation won't resolve your issue, contact Hyundai Corporate @ (844) 462-5557. Calmly and nicely explain your issue to see if they can help. Hopefully they can. I love my car and I know how frustrating it is so hope you have a happy ending as well. Thx

- M. H., Houston, TX, US

problem #3

Aug 192016

Sonata 2.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,617 miles

Well the dealer says it's all related It all started that the cruise control won't work nor the trip switch. When I ask the dealer he said it's something in the steering wheel and soon the airbag light will show up, which it did this week !!! I rarely use the cruise control and the trip switch I only use it when I change my oil to keep track on the miles. For something that's rarely use looks like Hyundai has a problem, because the dealer says it's been happening a lot. Problem is that Hyundai should take care of this as a recall since there is so many !!!

Very disappointed because it's expensive to fix.

- Peter M., Yauco, Puerto Rico

problem #2

Jun 022016

Sonata GL 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Air bag indication suddenly appeared on the screen. When i took to hyundai service centre they replaced the air bag sensor.

- syednizamuddin, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

problem #1

Feb 102016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,451 miles

Air bag lights on and car has not been into any accident or crash. Fixing it is very very costly and it has happened multiple times to multiple people. In a crash, this could be deadly!!!!

- Telma T., Rockville, MD, US

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