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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,639 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 lights problems

lights 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 (Page 5 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #139

Jul 172018

Sonata

  • miles

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

I've been replacing the light bulbs in my vehicle every few weeks... I'm constantly being pulled by the police for having a blower light. Also, my lights flicker on and off.. the lights in the dashboard as well as the lights outside of the vehicle. My gas meter doesn't display the correct amounts of gas it might say 309 until empty then it will say 62 until empty five seconds later and it continuously changes

- Sanford, FL, USA

problem #138

Jun 172018

Sonata

  • miles
Interior and exterior lights flickering in and out. Dangerous at night because the headlights flickering out, when in motion.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #137

Jun 092018

Sonata

  • miles
The horn is a safety feature and it doesn't work all the time. More times not than working properly. Living in atlanta this is a serious issue.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #136

Apr 142018

Sonata

  • 75,548 miles

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

Over the past year I have had to replace all my lights(front, tail and brake lights) consistently without warning. When grease monkey changed them recently, the mechanic stated that the wiring was very hot, and looked melted. Issue #2- when driving my car without notice, my lights inside will come on as I turn a corner or hit a bump. I have to turn them off in order for them not to come by themselves. Issue 3- my horn likes to work sometimes and other time, it will not sound. All my fuses have been checked many times, and no issue can be found. When I try to operate my radio from my steering will it have a mind of it's own. If I hit the volume up, it will activate the bluetooth call. Sometimes if I try to raise the volume to the radio, it lowers. Issue 4- when driving, and once I take my key out of the ignition, it's extremely hot. I really feel that there is a serious electrical problem in this car, and it needs to be addressed before something serious happens.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #135

May 102018

Sonata

  • 0 miles
The brake lights on my 2011 Sonata will not go off. I have contacted Hyundai and they have indicated this is not an open recall however I can not drive my car without brake lights working properly. Stationary, in motion and on a street and highway. The brake light will not go off.

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #134

Apr 202018

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
I have several complaints with my Sonata as it relates to brakes and tail lights. I have had to replace the brake stopper as it was making the car randomly slow down in when I was driving on the highway at speeds in excess of 70 mph.. when this was happening the traction control light also remained on in the dashboard. I also had brake calibers that were locked in place on my front brakes causing an issue having metal against metal. At this same time, my tail lights were remaining on even when the car was off. The stopper fixed this issue but I was also advised that I had to replace the whole rear light module because the wires had melted together this time it was the left side. In October I relaxed the whole right side rear lighting module because the wires had melted together in that light too! all of these repairs took place within a years timeframe. I have documentation but not with me right at this moment. All of these scenarios are pretty scary and put me and my son at risk. Not too mention my car is currently under an oil consumption test becaus we have no idea where the engine oil is going. The car has 140,000 miles

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #133

Oct 242017

Sonata

  • 64,567 miles

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

On 10/24/2017, I took my car to the dealership regarding some recall issues, amongst which was the issue of the car making clicking noise as the car turns. After the car was delivered to me, and driving it, I noticed that the issue was unresolved. I made this known to the dealership and there was no response from them. I did report this to Hyundai usa. It's been several months now, but have not heard from them regarding the complaints. I have been notified of other recall issues since then, but not sure how to go about them, as the first issue remains unresolved.

- Thonotosassa, FL, USA

problem #132

Jul 142015

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact noticed that the passenger side tail light assembly was hanging off the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The dealer (billion Hyundai of South Dakota, 4004 w 41st street, 605-365-1818, sioux falls, South Dakota) was called, but did not repair the vehicle because the manufacturer did not approve the repairs. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact also stated that the driver side tail light assembly was repaired in July of 2014. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Pipestone, MN, USA

problem #131

Mar 252018

Sonata

  • 129,000 miles
Break lights need to be replaced more and more frequently over the course of 6-8 months. Recently they need replaced just weeks apart. Usually both go out at the same time, but not always. Both sockets are now burnt out. New bulbs don't work in either socket, and both sockets appear to be blackened/slightly melted and plastic around the socket easily cracks. Each time they went out, the issue was brought to my attention after being pulled over, in or around the city, and kindly informed by an officer.

- Havertown, PA, USA

problem #130

Mar 022018

Sonata

  • 89,000 miles
Steering wheel making a cracking noise when turning or hitting a bump. Also driver side rear parking and brake light wiring is loose. This is happening on both my daughter's 2011 Hyundai Sonatas right now.

- Wall Township, NJ, USA

problem #129

Feb 252018

Sonata

  • 110,810 miles

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

I have been trying to communicate with Hyundai in regards to my electrical with my lighting, I have informed them that my back brake lights have went out at least every month changing them no less than twice a month a long with the head lights, now the part that holds the bulb has totally melted and you can smell the burning and they said that is not covered I have burned myself on this trying to evaluate the situation so I guess I will have to burn in the car after the wiring has completely melted everything else in the vehicle.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #128

Jan 012013

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai Sonata 2011 brake lights. We bought our car new. We have had to change out brake lights a few times a year. Now, the signal, brake or tail lights don't work. Before, at the service department, we had the lights fixed. They said, "there was a shortage in the wiring, and had burned." We had to pay for it. We have had continual problems with the brake lights. The lights no longer work. The rear window lights remains constant. Never goes off unless car in off. We can't drive our car. Now, they are telling us recall "136" is not suitable for our situation. Also, they are implying that recalls are not extended beyond an expired warranty. Service department is charging us $800 to fix a problem that is not our problem. We are out of a car and money we don't have to fix Hyundai's problem. We have been having problems with our lights for over 5 years is not more.

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #127

Jan 012013

Sonata

  • miles
Complaint number: 11067179 modification: Signal lights do work

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #126

Jun 152017

Sonata

  • 83,000 miles
Airbag light wont shut off. No collision involved

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #125

Dec 072017

Sonata

  • miles
I've replaced my both my headlights and brake lights at least 4 times within the last 6 months and have been told by the faulkner Hyundai dealer that there is not an issue. There is no way that I should be replacing it so many times, there has to be something with either a fuse or electrical issue.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #124

Nov 282017

Sonata

  • 139,990 miles
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 #123

Nov 192017

Sonata

  • 83,000 miles
Headlights went out while driving 70mph on interstate 126.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #122

Nov 132017

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
I have replaced more bulbs than I can count on my car, headlights, brights, brake lights, it seems like I have replaced a light every week just about, long with my lights randomly cutting on/off, flashing, blinking, not working at all. My horn also will sometimes go off uncontrollably sometimes when my keys are not even in the car. My battery is constantly dead. These are huge safety issues and have been blown off buy the dealership every time I have tried to get the issue fixed. Have had multiple recalls for these issues and each time the problem has gotten worse. I have been pulled over several times for lights being out and have been stranded at night because of no headlights. Seems to be a huge issue with these cars and I have been treated rude and made to feel stupid every time I have contacted Hyundai about the issue.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #121

Sep 112017

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
Both my rear left and right brake lamps keep burning out constantly, even though I've replaced the bulbs many times. Every time I change them, it is very hard because the connector seems to have melted to the housing lamp. When I talked to a service rep from the dealership, he told me the wiring harness was poorly designed, and I would need a new one, which isn't even covered under warranty. This is a huge safety issue, as brake lights are required by law, and if they aren't working properly, they pose a huge risk to driver and those around him. If the wiring harness is really to blame, Hyundai should own up to their mistake and replace it under warranty, or the NHTSA needs to make them do a mass recall for the sake of everyone's safety. I cannot keep changing the bulbs and replacing the wiring harness systems with faulty designs and risking getting fix-it-tickets. I've even tried buying more expensive led bulbs that produce less heat, and they still go out after a short time. A short search from other reports shows many others with the same issues

- La Mirada, CA, USA

problem #120

May 092017

Sonata

  • miles
Brake lights do not work when I cut on my lights.

- Killeen, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?