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:
20 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
51,010 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.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 25 mph, an abnormal sound emitted from the steering wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown part located in the steering wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,293.
Took my 2011 Hyundai Sonata in to the dealer for the engine seizing recall in April 2016 and they recommended I replace my steering coupler. I had not noticed anything wrong with it at that time so I decided to wait. I am taking it in today to have it replaced because the steering wheel is very loose and is making a clicking noise when I turn it. The car is not immediately responsive to turning in the past few days. I have seen numerous people complaining about the same issue with the same model year car on the Hyundai forums. I checked my VIN and there is not a recall for this. There should be if the car can become unresponsive to someone turning the steering wheel.
There is a clicking or clucking sound when going over a slight bump in the road and the steering wheel makes a clicking noise when turning along with a slight give in the steering wheel.
The steering wheel clicks when turning, doesn't respond well. While in dealership for another issue, was informed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced, and the technician said "it's just one of the 'perks' of living in Florida. The weather here just eats this part away.". problem with his statement is that we just moved here a few months ago and, until then, the car was garage kept in the northeast, so his reasoning doesn't hold water. According to what I've read, thousands of other 2011 Sonatas are experiencing this same issue. Why hasn't this been covered under a recall? I was told by the technician that this is a very dangerous situation and it should be repaired asap...and Hyundai would only charge me $375 to repair it "and most likely save your life"...as per the tech.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, a grinding metal noise could be heard coming from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the flex coupling needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 91,430. Updated 01/11/2017 consumer stated engine failure, starter lever needed to be replaced, steering column coupler needed to be replaced updated 7/5/18
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and vibrated randomly while driving or making a turn. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering coupling caused the failure and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
You turn the wheel from side to side. Excessive shaking and shuddering of the steering wheel when driving speeds of 60 mph or higher. Clicking noise when wheel is turned during backing up. Shaking of the steering wheel is not starting at lower speeds.
Recently I noticed the steering in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata had developed quite a bit of "play" in it. When taking my Sonata in for an unrelated recall I asked the service advisor about it. He said they would check it out. After doing so he informed me that a plastic coupler in the steering column was worn and would need to be replaced. The car only had 40,000 miles on it at that point. I was surprised that a car with that low mileage would need such an important part that could prove to cause loss of steering if it broke. The service advisor said they were "seeing a lot of these come in for repair and was surprised they haven't issued a recall on them". I agree. I believe a car with 40K miles should not be having such problems, especially with safety related equipment. More importantly, I am fearful for the countless folks out there who may not be aware they have a potential problem with their steering, a problem that could cause a fatal crash. This problem needs to be addressed. Thank you.
Steering began to make a clicking noise, then progressed over a few days to a thumping noise, then steering became increasingly less responsive and noisy when driving or going over bumps.
Every time I drive over a bump or turn the steering wheel, it makes a clicking/clunking sound. I just went past my warranty-covered mileage of 60,000 miles.
When I went in for an oil change and brake noise complaint (which is another constant problem), I was questioned if I was hearing clicking in the steering wheel when turning. I hadn't. I was told that this was a problem with the 2011 and 2012 Sonatas' steering coupler, and if I didn't hear the noise, I soon would so I should fix it (~$360). I asked if there was a recall, since it seemed to be enough of a problem that it was a known problem at the dealership. They said there was no recall, but I should get it replaced. I hadn't heard any noises, so I declined the repair. Little did I realize, it would begin the very next day. My steering wheel now rattles and clicks every time I go over even a small bump in the road, or turn my steering wheel, and it is getting worse. I even called Hyundai, and they didn't seem to know what I was talking about. If the dealership has seen this in multiple cars, and there are plenty other similar complaints online, why is this not a recall" why are the owners being responsible for this repair"
Failure of the steering column flexible coupling.- I was driving on the highway when this occurred- this caused my car to lose driving control - I had knocking sound in the steering wheel and it was very difficult to control the driving. The part is a small rubber coupling that is located inside of the power steering assist motor. The part appears to be the manufacturer default (it was made of soft rubber) - Hyundai has developed a new replacement part that is made of a harder rubber the new part # 56315-2K000-fff. Everyone that has a Hyundai Sonata 2011 should have this flexible coupling replaced to prevent losing control of the automobile. At a minimum car owner should be notified of the possibility of this happening when driving. This does not appear to be in normal routine maintenance issue.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering column was improperly assembled. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be re-assembled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000 (steering), although the contact experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The flexible coupling (part # 56315-2K000) failed. Had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership due to lack of steering control. Hyundai refuses to warranty or recall the part even though thousands of people have posted the same complaint on this website. $260 repair for a $6 part ($253 labor). This is unacceptable on their part to not warranty or recall a defective part.
What I thought was just normal 'sound' coming from the steering wheel/column has progressed to loud noise ie turning the steering wheel; going over potholes/bumps at various speeds, but very progressive in low speeds [city driving]. this loud noise seemed to reverberate all the way down to the driver side front suspension. It's like there's 'play' when turning the steering wheel before it engages. 'clicking' sound is very pronounced when turning the wheel from a stop or when backing up, the first time I turn the wheel. Or even if the car is stopped, turning the wheel left/right I can hear a pronounced 'clicking' sound, like something is loose in there. Is this why the car sometimes veer left?I understand there is an active recall but should more VIN be covered with this. Please help.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to veer in both directions. As a result, the contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep it in position. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and it took a longer amount of time for the vehicle to come to a complete halt. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jersey City, NJ, USA