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 steering column is rattling and shaking when braking and or reaching a speed of 60. It is causing the balancing of tires worn, and the air bag light has come on and tire pressure light.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the worm shaft flex coupling needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,124.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that an abnormal knocking sound emitted from the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V568000 (engine), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and 16V190000 (steering) however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. When the steering wheel was turned left or right, there was an abnormal noise. The dealer diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 10V457000 (steering), and 10V426000 (steering). The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 20,554...updated 11/21/16 updated 12/13/16.
#1today 9/18/2016 while I was driving down the road my airbag light came on. When I made my first stop the light when off. When I began to drive again the light came on and will not go off.#2 I had to pay over three hundred dollars to have my sterling coupler replaced it started with a little clicking noise when I turn to the right and afterwards began to progress and get louder. While driving the car the steering wheel will shake and vibrate until it felt as if the steering wheel will shake a lose.#3 the lights on my car will flicker on and off while driving it's very obvious at night it is a scary situation. One night they flicker and didn't want to come back on right away until I had to pull over on the side of the road until they came back on. I called my Hyundai dealer and was told that it will be an 118 service charged to look at it because my warranty is up. I then contacted Hyundai usa when they finally contacted me back they pretty much told me the same thing the Hyundai dealer said. The problem with my lights began in 2012 but every time it took the car in the problem could not be detected so they would say and this was when I was under my warranty.
- Louisville, GA, USA
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There's a clicking sound in the steering column. This happens whenever the steering wheel is turned. The clicking occurs also when the car is stationery.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
At around 107,000 miles the motor on my 20111 Sonata shut off on the 91 East freeway while traveling about 70mph. I was forced to pull off on the hard shoulder of the road and the vehicle had no power steering or power brakes. The motor started back up eventually but was making a loud noise and failed completely shortly after. I replaced the motor in the Sonata with a used motor and repaired the damage to the suspension and tires.
My vehicle has about 85K miles on it. I am experiencing a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle steering has also become quite loose/has play while driving at slow speeds. These symptoms are most noticeable while stationary or in motion below 40 mph. The looseness seems to go away when I reach highway speeds. The issue was diagnosed as a bad steering coupler by my Hyundai dealer. Hyundai has issued a tsb for repairing this issue that claims it does not cause any steering issues. Only the clunk sound. This is false. My steering performance has changed. My steering wheel did not used to be loose at any speed. That is definitely a safety and performance issue. Kia uses the exact same part and has the exact same issue and tsb for some of their cars. They have issued an extended warranty to cover their cars for that specific failure. Hyundai needs to do the same thing.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel while driving at any speed. The dealer diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 53,000.
The steering column makes a rattling noise when car is in motion making turns/bumps in road. I feel this is a safety issue/defect that Hyundai should correct at their expense. I have heard of this becoming a major issue with this model. I do not feel this is something to be taken lightly as this is not something that would be considered normal wear. Hyundai is aware of the problem but is not willing to correct this defected part.
I took my vehicle in for a recall in the power steering. A few days later, there was a clunking sound when I turned my steering wheel when car was not inmotion. On the freeway, when exceeding speed of 65mph, my steering wheel violently shook and felt like I was loosing control of the car. Took it back to Hyundai and they said this was not because of the recall work they did and a coincidence. I strongly disagree! they charged me $500 to replace the steering column/coupler.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel vibrated and required force to turn the wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,225.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 10/19/16 the consumer stated a steering correction was peformed prior to the recall. Updated 11/01/16.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, there was a clunking noise when the steering wheel was turned right or left. While driving 60 mph or greater, the steering wheel and dashboard shook. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details could not be provided. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The steering wheel continued to shake after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,200.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel shook abnormally and vibrated at low and high speeds. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who provided an alignment and diagnosed that the steering shaft connector fractured and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 11/01/16 updated 11/02/16.
Power steering recall notice issue and steering coupler/column replacements. Loud noises coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel would shake. Which caused problem during highway driving. Wearing out my tires, absolutely unsafe to drive. It amazes me how many other Sonata owners have the same issue. Hyundai take action and responsibility. This isn't fare to consumers
After having a recall performed campaign 143 I was told that the steering coupling and the clock spring was bad. I left the dealer and drove back in because I heard a noise when I turned the steering wheel with the engine on. Was told it was the coupling. Looked on the web at home. This is a common problem. Should be a recall.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the steering wheel coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Corona C, CA, USA