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:
12 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,296 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 9 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #234

Dec 022017

Sonata

  • 127,000 miles

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

2011 Hyundai Sonata. Car was in motion in busy traffic and engine seized without warning. Right before started hearing noise upon acceleration. Took car to get a diagnostic done, 11/29/17 nothing. Was sent on my way 12/02/17 car seized at busy intersection. Car had to be towed. Mechanic states the bearings are bad and engine needs to be replaced. We have had recalls and issues since purchased date 03/05/15.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #233

Dec 052017

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was operable after it was restarted. After reaching her destination, the failure recurred. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Marion, AL, USA

problem #232

Jun 202015

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
2011 Hyundai Sonata limited 2.4L. Backup camera started going in an out at 80,000 miles. At 85,000 miles it became a blank blue screen and hasn't worked since. The cruise control stopped working at 118,000 miles. And now the buttons to the radio sometimes stop working.. always something with this vehicle.

- Linton, IN, USA

problem #231

Nov 282017

Sonata

  • 139,990 miles

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

2011 Hyundai Sonata limited 2.4L. Left brake light out for the forth time.. but, this time the new bulb replacement wouldn't fix the problem. I had to have all the recalls fixed, so I made an appointment with the closest dealership an hour away in terre haute, in. The very next day. After they fixed one of the recalls they had to reschedule me for the following day to do all the rest, as they stated it would take most of the day to do. So, the next day my partner following behind me noticed that now both my brake lights were completely out! we again reported the brake light situation to the dealership upon arriving at 8am and dropped off the car. At 5pm that day we called to check on their progress and they stated that they were finishing up on the recalls but that the wiring harness on the brake lights had all melted together on both sides! and, they were unable to fix it until the next day. Ugh.. then, quoted me $523.23 to fix it! I've read countless people complaining of this same issue and wonder how many accidents this has caused. Dangerous and absolutely ridiculous! this should be covered in a recall.

- Linton, IN, USA

problem #230

Aug 182016

Sonata

  • miles
I've had my car since August 17th 2016, ever since then I have replaced my front and back lights over 40 times. Now this happens with me turning my automatic lights off ( if I'm saying that right) or even with leaving them on. It's seriously the most annoying thing ever. And yes I'm putting the lights in correctly even getting mechanics to put them in as well just to make sure!!!!!!

- Dinwiddie, VA, USA

problem #229

Aug 012017

Sonata

  • 96,000 miles
Brake issue, - when I press on brake pad the rear light seems to either get stuck making cars behind me think I am in the stop mode or will be stopping soon, it comes on and off time to time or either stays illuminated. I did youtube something about inserting a penny on the spot under break pedel. Electrical issue - me key gets stuck in the ignition when the car is in park postion, however the only way to dislodge the key is disconnecting my battery to shut down the car then I can turn the key to remove it from ignition, could it be my anti-theft system malfunctioning? steering wheel issue - hear a click in the steering column as if something had loose inside. Door handle/ panel issue- on handle and steering wheel is chipping off

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #228

Oct 052017

Sonata

  • 0 miles

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

My airbag light came on with no reason. I did not hit my car, nor got into any accident at all. I took to dealership who charged me $165 for diagnostics and advised that my front passenger seat airbag module / sensor is bad and will cost $980 if I wanted to get it fixed. I have received recall notice from tk holding that states my car is part of the airbag fix / recall but dealer refuses to fix without almost thousand dollar.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #227

Oct 172017

Sonata

  • miles
The battery dies every night. I cut off all the lights, the radio, and etc. Yet I continuously wake up to a dead battery! something is draining my battery.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #226

Mar 082017

Sonata

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving straight at various speeds, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel and the low tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

- Edgewater, MD, USA

problem #225

Sep 142017

Sonata

  • 107,000 miles
The buttons and horn on the steering wheel are not working, nothing happens when you push any of the buttons. Cruise control, odomiter reset, trip button, volume, bluetooth, radio station change, and horn do not work. The horn not working is a huge safety issue, I cannot let anyone know I am near or they are too close to me. While driving and while in parked mode

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #224

Aug 272017

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 25 mph, the power steering made an abnormal vacuum sound. The contact stated that the sound was more prominent while making right turns. The contact also stated that the steering lock failed to operate as intended. The contact also stated that there was an issue with starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel had to be turned to the left simultaneously while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Hatchett Hyundai West (757 N tyler rd, wichita, ks 67212, (316) 440-8400) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Plevna, KS, USA

problem #223

Aug 292017

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
Airbag light comes on randomly and will go off and come back on again randomly, worried that airbag will randomly deploy

- Hiram, GA, USA

problem #222

Aug 182015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was stationary, the steering wheel and the ignition switch seized without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent over a period of two years. The contact was able to unlock the steering wheel and the ignition on her own. West broad Hyundai in richmond, Virginia was made aware of the failure and could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #221

May 032017

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
The vehicle is equipped with push to start. The vehicle can suddenly be started without pushing non the break. The vehicle can also shift gears without having your foot on the break therefore causing a safety concern. Traction control light spontaneously goes on when this happens.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #220

Jul 222017

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,800 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving, the vehicle started to smoke under the hood. The contact's daughter pulled into a parking space. Upon further inspection, the contact's daughter's boyfriend lifted the hood when the engine compartment suddenly caught fire without warning. The contact stated that a general manager of a nearby store extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained and a police report was not filed. The insurance company had the vehicle inspected and diagnosed that the fire started behind the engine due to a shortage in the windshield wiper wiring. The contact called jim shorkey uniontown Kia (724-317-0282 located at 1050 pittsburgh rd, uniontown, pa 15401), but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,800. Updated 10/24/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was believed to have had a fuel leak between the engine and windshield. Updated 10/26/2017

- Fredericktown, PA, USA

problem #219

Jul 222017

Sonata

  • 114,000 miles
While driving the car, it stalled and I struggled to turn into a parking space. I had a difficult time turning the steering wheel, then immediately on my dashboard, the eps light appeared. The car wont start immediately, it does not lock w/ the key, I have to manually lock it- when done manually the car does not start. However, when the key works the car starts. The entire dashboard has to be reprogrammed bc of the eps issue. I researched the eps issue and found the recall on Hyundai for this issue. When in a stationary position, when the car does not start, I wait a moment and try several times and then it starts. My business involves traveling and this is very concerning as many times I am traveling alone.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #218

Jul 122017

Sonata

  • 81,779 miles
The same bulbs go out in my tailight and headlight 3X a year and the dealership keeps telling me it's not electrical it's just bulbs don't always lay long. My SRS light pops

- Va Beach, VA, USA

problem #217

Jun 152017

Sonata

  • 73,301 miles
2011 Sonata, car burns oil to black immediately. Took car in on warranty service for front knocking noise that appeared to generate from steering wheel. Replaced left transaxle, still noise took it back they replaced right transaxle. The issues with electrical still exist they've replaced the left side buttons on steering wheel even though I complained none worked correctly. Now cruise control is nonexistent. The airbag light came on at 73000 miles. Seat doesn't go all the way down. There is a definitive rattle originating from the engine and at times the rear end seems to have drag and shake. They inspected car for recall and of course they said my vehicle is unaffected but who knows how thorough their inspection actually is. I mean they represent Hyundai so why would they want to say it was bad prior to any breakdown. Right. I feel like this severe of an issue should have an independent inspection.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #216

Jun 022011

Sonata

  • 1,250 miles
Rear tail lights keep blowing out bulbs

- West Warwick, RI, USA

problem #215

Jun 012015

Sonata

  • miles
Fuel gauge and fuel pump sending unit. Safety issue with the fuel gauge as it will not accurately show fuel level and will sometimes show empty because of a faulty fuel pump sending unit. The warranty on this vehicle should be extended to repair this safety issue. This started approximately two years ago and has gotten progressively worse.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

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