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.

2011 Hyundai Sonata seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 20)

problem #400

Dec 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car airbag light came on. I called the dealership about the remedy that was already recalled under campaign number 18V137000 because my last visit I got told by the dealership that my ACU was bad for the car and that it was going to cost me upwards of $2000 to replace and the dead was no recall on my vehicle and then called corporate and they had told me that this had been taken care of back in 2016 when I did not on the vehicle this time in the second owner and that basically they would not cover to fix this issue and that any warranty that was extended ran out when I only had purchased the vehicle in November 2020 so now they are unwilling to fix the issue because they had stated that it was already previously fixed with the previous owner and then I could either basically pay to get it fixed or they weren-??t gonna do anything about it I feel my safety at risk because in the event of crash airbags will not deploy and basically that they would not fix the problem even though it is under a National recall, and my car was manufactured within the manufacturing dates of the recall I do not feel safe driving this vehicle, and I also do not feel that I have to pay for that has been nationally recalled

- Luthersburg, PA, USA

problem #399

Jan 052021

Sonata

  • miles
Dashboard cracked. Completely cracked into small pieces throughout the dashboard.

- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

problem #398

Sep 012023

Sonata

  • miles
The dash cracked in many places.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #397

Sep 272023

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car had engine seized while driving on the road with no warning light prior nor other mechanical issues. When the engine seized, all mechanical powers are have lost power including brakes and power steering in which have almost caused a near accident at an early morning rushed hours. The vehicle's odometer reading at 120,836 and was up to date on all normal tune up performances. Other issues that have arise after purchasing the car are: warning light came on for airbag, real loud clunking sound on roof when hitting a bump on the road and engine will not start because of fuel line system issues. Cruise control had also stopped working after a year of purchased.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #396

Jul 012022

Sonata

  • miles
in July of 2022 the buttons on the steering wheel like cruise control trip/reset button as well as radio controls eventually all quit working did not become fully aware of this until I was on the interstate and was driving with the cruise control set and when I needed to turn off cruise control it wouldn't turn off by the steering wheel thankfully I know can hit the brakes and the car will shut it off however after this all happened the air bag light came on and stayed illuminated I called my dealer and they insisted that there was no recall on the CLOCK Spring in the steering wheel of my car and wanted me to pay out of pocket for an issue that they claim was non existint as well them also telling me all the recalls were taken care of when I purchased the vehicle in novemember of 2020 and im only the second owner had the car for 3 months and Hyundai stated that my vehicle had the knock sensor update and then a week later the motor went

- Luthersburg, PA, USA

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problem #395

Jun 292023

Sonata

  • miles
Starting 6 months ago air bag light is on constantly. Horn stopped working, speed control doesn't work. The whole steering wheel and buttons with horn doesn't work.

- Granite Falls, NC, USA

problem #394

Apr 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

Warning light for airbag continues to stay on, and cruise control does not work at all.

- Mayfield , KY, USA

problem #393

Apr 202023

Sonata

  • 262,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the warning light was cleared; however, the light returned soon after. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #392

Mar 012023

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
The NHTSA has filed a Consent Order (RQ17-004) for a Engine Replacement due to safety concerns while driving the vehicle on the road, Vehicle may stall and cause / be involved in a accident. Please make this recall public so the affected vehicles can be properly repaired as the Consent Order states I have reviewed the Consent Order and I will not continue to drive this vehicle, I will not risk being involved in a accident The Hyundai dealership in Alexandria Virginia has refused to repair this recall under the Consent Order, My vehicle Vin# is [XXX] My vehicle has been at this dealership location for over 3 weeks and I was told that they were not going to perform this recall and I noted that If I pick up my vehicle and drive it away and the engine fails, stalls or stops in the middle of the highway and I survive I will have to file a lawsuit in this matter and the dealership still told me to pick up my vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #391

Dec 042022

Sonata

  • miles
The airbags in my car did not deploy! I was hit so hard through my driver window that it knocked me out both speeds combined together was 110mph with me going 55mph the air bags should have went off the whole driver side back to the trunk is damaged and not even the door airbag had went off. This is a huge safety concern for myself.

- Greenup, IL, USA

problem #390

Nov 102022

Sonata

  • miles

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

I have had to replace my brake lights, sometimes, every few months. My third brake light only works intermittently. Recently, my brake lights and my door lights failed to shut off after I turned the engine off. Also, my abs light came on on the dash, but after turning the engine off and back on, that light went out. After re-starting my car and repeatedly, stepping on the brake, my lights finally shut off. I checked the internet for similar problems and found out that there had been a Hyundai recall for this issue. I phoned Hyundai customer support. They told me the recall had been repaired on my car by the dealer. Obviously, it had not. (The dealer also claimed to have corrected another recall regarding seat belts, but that too is a lie, since my seat belt dash light is on although I have never been involved in an accident) I believe that the dealer billed Hyundai, but failed to either deliberately or inadvertently failed to perform the recall work. The recall involved replacing the brake stopper pad which engages the brake light switch. Obviously, Hyundai considered this a safety issue since the brake lights are always on, so the driver behind my car never knows what I'm doing. This has also affected the interior overhead light which only intermittently goes off when I close the door, so I have to keep the light in the off position.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #389

Feb 012022

Sonata

  • miles
Aig bag light on, Horn and nearby control panel stop working. Engine noise-€¦da da da-€¦ stater fails-€¦

- Duarte, CA, USA

problem #388

Jun 012021

Sonata

  • miles
Driver air bag light stays illuminated while vehicle is operating.

- Haltom City , TX, USA

problem #387

Jun 022022

Sonata

  • miles
A friend borrowed my car to go to the corner store to get me a couple of things while my husband was getting surgery. My friend ended up in a rollover accident after hitting a tree. All recalls were up to date on my vehicle, he stated that no airbags deployed. Now after the vehicle was rolled back over and taken to the tow yard the insurance adjuster was the first to see and the driver airbag had deployed. I was not there I cannot say when the airbag deployed however none of the curtain airbags deployed. Also my friend stated that the car accelerated just before impact he swerved to miss something in the road and ended up rolling the vehicle after hitting the tree. The car should not have been accelerating but it was like the car had a mind of its own. I thought the recall was to fix the air bags. He could have been killed.. no reason these cars are still on the road. Not to mention all of the mechanical issues. And I'm sorry to say that I'm glad my kids weren't in the car.

- Junction City, KS, USA

problem #386

Dec 222021

Sonata

  • miles
Air bag lights have come on. Unsure of what the exact issue is until I bring it to the shop.

- Marana, AZ, USA

problem #385

Jan 152018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle skidded and stopped. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then sought medical assistance and was informed that she had sustained a left shoulder rotator cuff tear. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was thrown to the right and to the driver's side door. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact was informed by her orthopedist that her left shoulder rotator cuff tear was reinjured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer Bob Johnson Kia (3817 W Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623), where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor. Upon parking the vehicle at her residence, the contact saw smoke coming in through the instrument panel and AC vents. The contact stated that all four doors were then locked. The contact then released the key from the ignition and unlock the doors using the key fob. The contact saw a flame coming through the AC vent just before she exited the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact saw that the front seats were on fire and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene but was unable to

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #384

Mar 252022

Sonata

  • miles
Airbag sensor came on for no reason

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #383

Mar 162022

Sonata

  • miles
My wife was hit on the drivers side door at 45mph and the side airbags didn-€™t deploy. According to the inspection, the side impact shorted the ACU.

- Moscow Mills, MO, USA

problem #382

Dec 022019

Sonata

  • miles
The airbag sensor light will not turn off.

- Caguas, PR, USA

problem #381

Jun 212021

Sonata

  • miles
My airbag light will not go off. return the car back to the dealer. Car in the shop seen July 1 2021 and the dealer change my Sensor out three times, still the light stay on. One time the shop told me the wire harness was the problem, Recall in 2018 was to put a wire filter to help with the problem.

- Converse, TX, USA

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