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:
50 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
52 / 2
Average Mileage:
74,989 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.
My air bag light is on and will not go off, I searched up recalls and it's not on there but I do not feel safe driving my disabled children in this vehicle!
The red airbag warning light came back on again and stayed on at all speeds and when parked. We have completed all previous recalls reference the airbags and I am beginning to believe this vehicle is not a top rated safe vehicle but is a flawed vehicle unsafe at any speed.
My airbag light stays on. Also my horn does not work. I've changed fuses with what I thougt could be burnt out associated with the horn but still does not work. I was in driving mode when I noticed both the airbag light on and the horn not working.
Out of nowhere when vehicle is sitting still, the airbag light keeps popping on. It will stay on for a while, but then go off. I went to have my oil changed and event though it was at 3,000 miles, the oil was low, dark, sludgy and metal shavings were found in my oil pan---engine sometimes sputters. Finally my interior lights won't go off, I have to just keep them to the off position versus "door" so that my battery doesn't drain.
2011 Hyundai Sonata. My headlights and interior started blinking off and on by themselves while I was driving at night for about a 30 or 40 second interval. Took to dealership and had it diagnosed and they found that the there was an intermittent internal fault with the multi-functional switch. Just got it back so I've only driven it about 50 miles at night so far no problem but it's too early to say for sure if this fixed the problem to my satisfaction. The problem only happened about 3 times but it is unpreditcable when the problem occurs but when it does happen and it's dark, it's not safe so we took it in right away on the third time because this was the longest period of time that the problem lasted. If you're having any problem like this, I suggest you get it looked at right away, very dangerous. It cost me $209 to have it fixed. The vehicle was moving about 55mph when this occurred. Date was 10-17-2019.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,633.
Acceleration problems car stop on me I got my car towed no codes or nothing showed up try to start car at shop smelled a burning smell needs new starter new starter repaired. Couple of days later I stop for a update entire engine gone will call Hyundai tomorrow I have two kids and this is horrible
This started in July 2018. Airbag light on. Took to dealer scanned for error for front impact sensor. Rescanned to repair and no error code so reset light. Drove less than 5 miles and light back on. Took again to dealer March 2019. Scanned for error front impact sensor. Ordered part and replaced so far have over $400 invested. Next day returned to dealer as light back on. Rescanned need to replacesrscm airbag module assembly at $779 to fix maybe. Frustrated contacted Hyundai opened case 15629286. Basically was told out of warranty so they can do nothing, take up with dealer. So since then afraid to Transport front passenger since was told that airbag may not deploy in a crash. I find it difficult to believe that Hyundai will not stand behind their product with all the bad press and recalls regarding airbag issues. I have diligently kept up with the numerous recalls on this car.
I bought this car in 2013 for the Hyundai dealership in gurnee il. Since then I have had nothing but recalls, and issues. All of the recalls for this year and affected my car as in the warning they way may happen actually happen to me. My engine seized up while I was driving with 2 kids in the car on a busy street and I was almost re ended as a result only to have the dealership tell me it wasn't the recall! then later they had to fix it after I work to corporate because it was the 132 campaign recall. The 3 dealership I have dealt with are all rude none want to actually fix your car or help you because its recall work not actually work that they make money off of. Now as of today my airbag light has come on after the "fixed" the newest safety recall, when I called the dealership they informed me they fixed the issue so I will be charged $139.99 for them to even look at it. When will Hyundai be actually held responsible for all of these car issues they are all safety. So far the recalls have been for the engine, seat belts, brakes, air bags, body corrosion, and so on! I thought there was lemon law in place to remedy this, Hyundai product faulty vehicles with the model year 2011 and the consumer if the one lose and spending out of pocket. I had even called corporate before this to try and remedy the issue myself and was told they are sorry some will call in 3-5 days. At this point I am a mother driving around with children in a vehicle that may or may not pop the air bags whenever it feels like or they will not deploy if I do get in an accident. Something needs to be done with these cars they are not safe to be driving at any given time another recall can cause a major safety related crash or death at this point. I have had way to many close call with myself or my kids lives at risk due to Hyundai lack of care for their consumers.
Takata recall, my vehicle was in motion when my airbag warning light came on 3 week ago while driving on city street and have not come off since then. I have also looked at the car history and have noticed 14 recalls on this vehicle including the airbags. While in motion, my doors unlock by themselves. Lastly, the transmission shift gear sometimes disappear from the dashboard as well as the shift gear which in most case the car wouldnt start or jerks when it disappear while in motion
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags), but the contact felt that the failure may be related to the recall campaign. South charlotte Hyundai (8525 South blvd, charlotte, nc 28273, 980-224-5870) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
The airbag light will not go out. It came on while I was driving on a city street. My daughter was in the front passenger seat. We both had our seatbelts on. I'm concerned for our safety. Not sure what the airbag light is trying to warn.
Air bag light stays on, never had an accident. Had the engine replaced because of failure. Hyuundai replaced engine but now have air bag problem. Car was moving when light came on.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving in the rain, the contact lost control of the vehicle. She attempted to regain control, but the steering wheel would not stop shaking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be installed and the air bag was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Magnolia, NJ, USA