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.

2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 20 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #775

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 142,000 miles

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

While driving on the long island expressway in queens NY, an extremely busy highway, the control alarm on my front right tire completely snapped off. This caused me to lose control of my car and go across 3 lanes on a major highway with cars traveling 70 mph past me. Luckily no cars were hit and luckily myself or nobody was killed. Whats more disturbing instead of the dealership doing it's job to make sure my car is completely functional, they let me leave the lot with an issue they clearly knew about and just didn't say anything to me. After all they provided a complimentary wheel alignment so they clearly were examining my wheels at the time. And up to this point the car had been driving fine, smooth, no issues. I just had an oil change about a month back and nothing was noted to me by the mechanic then. I spoke with the dealership a few months back and they told me there had been a recall on the rear control alarms, which I know are about the same parts as the front control alarms. My car wheel just snapped off and I almost died on a highway as a result of this car. And I have been reading consumer complaints that similar issues have happened and there were possible recalls on the front control alarms to the wheels. This incident occurred on 10/1/16. It has been 10 days and Hyundai corporate has not contacted me. They are trying to avoid being responsible for a clear safety and road hazard with my vehicle. In addition my engine ceased on fathers day 2014 and they repaired the engine. Then in April 2016 I had metal fragments in my engine and they performed a complimentary wheel alignment. 3 months later my control arm is snapping of my front passenger tire.

- Woodside, NY, USA

problem #774

Jun 152016

Sonata

  • 58,800 miles
With motor running, steering "clunks" when wheel turned in either direction. Most pronounced when stopped or at low speeds. Constant, not intermitant. My guess would be that the bearings in the steering knuckle are shot. Current mileage is 58,800.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #773

Aug 012016

Sonata

  • miles
Took my car in for a for a recall now my steering coupling is broken

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #772

Sep 012016

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 35 mph, the steering column rattled and shook forcefully. The contact also stated that the function buttons on the steering wheel were inoperable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as described in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Santee, CA, USA

problem #771

Jun 012016

Sonata

  • 63,607 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn or driving over a bump, there was a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel. The steering wheel would also vibrate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the a flexible coupler failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,607. The VIN was not available.

- Poplar Bluff, MO, USA

problem #770

Oct 072016

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 2 mph, the steering column made a loud clunking noise. At 40 mph, the contact stated that it was difficult to turn the steering wheel and that the vehicle jerked to the right of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #769

Sep 052016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,500. Updated 04/05/17

- North Brentwood, MD, USA

problem #768

Sep 162016

Sonata

  • 55,000 miles
My car has the same problem described by a lot of other people on this forum. The steering wheel makes a clicking noise while turning and on braking. The car also wobbles at speed > 60 mph. The authorized dealer based in South plainfield NJ is not helpful and shows a list of problems (unrelated to the steering) that requires fixing and costing a lot of money. This may be a safety issues thus not sure where I should take my car for repairs. Independent car service guys like mavis, midas inform that the authorized dealer should fix it for free. Also, I have been told that the power warranty that is extended is only for engine problems.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #767

Oct 062016

Sonata

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While pulling out of a parking space, a clicking sound emerged from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #766

Sep 302016

Sonata

  • 80,714 miles
Takata recall - my fiancee was driving my car in a parking lot, then stopped and accidentally took her foot off of the brake when she put her jacket on the seat and it fell on the floor. Soon after, she hit a building at less than 5 mph since the car slowly accelerated with the foot off of the brake. The airbag deployed and the trip & reset buttons that were on the steering wheel were broken off and became shrapnel that went right past her face. Luckily she only sustained burns and bruising due to the airbag, but it could have been much worse if that shrapnel hit her in the face or chest. I would like to formally make a complaint stating that the airbag should not have gone off when the vehicle is under 5 mph and furthermore the steering wheel should not have shrapnel being created when the airbag deploys.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #765

Sep 262016

Sonata

  • 85,500 miles

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

Clicking noise from the steering wheel while turning, driving, excessive vibrations while driving at speeds over 50 mph and sometimes while accelerating

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #764

Dec 012015

Sonata

  • miles
Car makes a loud clicking noise in the steering column when going over 60 mph and when slowing down. When parked, there is also clicking noises when turning the steering wheel. When in reverse, it makes a clicking noise when turning. Gas gauge doesn't work. It now will run out of gas when there are "60 miles" left until empty. The cruise control button will not work. You have to keep pressing it to come on. Also, the button to see trip miles, trip a, trip B etc, does not work on the 1st try. It takes many pushes to get the screen to change.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #763

Sep 192016

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While turning the steering wheel to the left, a rattling noise was heard coming front the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gear box shaft sector failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Cosseyville, KS, USA

problem #762

Nov 012014

Sonata

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very loose. The contact felt unsafe driving the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions and caused the contact to involuntarily maneuver into other lanes. The dealer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #761

Sep 302016

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
Recently took the vehicle in for a recall on the power steering system and at the same time said the presenting problem with steering was a clicking in the steering column when turned a few degrees left or right from center. They noted this was the steering coupler covered under a tsb 14-St-002-1. the service manager had drawer with a number of worn out rubber steering couplers that he noted was a very common problem and was potentially dangerous. He noted Hyundai had changed to an ABS part for replacement. Based on the flawed design, it appears there would be close to a 100% failure rate at some point on the part.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #760

Sep 252016

Sonata

  • 62,000 miles
Car started making a loud clunking and rattling noise in the steering wheel column driving over bumps or tracks. When the car was stationary and in neutral, the column was very loose when turned. Steering while driving became extremely loose and a safety concern. The problem was diagnosed as a bad flexible coupling which needed to be replaced.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #759

Aug 262016

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving and attempting to make a turn, an abnormal clicking noise emitted from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, details of the diagnosis could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #758

Aug 292016

Sonata

  • miles
It started while driving if you hit a bump in the road, go over rail road tracks, speed bumps ect. It would make a clunk sound. Then it got more frequent. Then it started to make the clunk sound when turning and now it makes the sound while driving and you turn the wheel or sitting still turning the wheel. The sound is made when you first start to turn the wheel moving or stationary. The steering has a lot of play as it has gotten worse. I believe this will become dangerous and loss of control could be possible.

- Kathleen, GA, USA

problem #757

Sep 082016

Sonata

  • 72,000 miles
My driver side tail light fell out of the casing, driving down the highway during the summer of 2015. Luckily, the wires kept it holding on or it would have flown into traffic. Now, a bit over a year later, in September of 2016, and out of warranty, the passenger side has done the same thing. The dealership refuses to do anything since I am out of warranty. According to Hyundai forums, there are a lot of cars that are having this issue. See this link: www.Hyundai-forums.com/yf-2011-Sonata-I45/143267-tail-light-studs-breaking-off.html#/topics/143267?page=3&_K=wuwg5M also, there is an issue with a $3 clip in the steering wheel. I get a lot of clatter when driving down the road, and turning my steering wheel according to Hyundai forums, my car isn't the only one this is happening to. I have been told it isn't a safety issue, and can wait a bit to get it replaced. It is highway robbery for them to charge $237 to replace a $3 part. But, because it is in the steering column, no other auto-repair places will fix it. I cannot document this as I have not had it fixed yet, and I cannot record the sound while driving...

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #756

Sep 122016

Sonata

  • miles
The steering column make a horrible rattle sound when going over bumps and also makes a popping noise when you turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right.

- Blue Ridge, TX, USA

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