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 31 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #555

Jan 222016

Sonata

  • 68,500 miles

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

After taking my 2011 Hyundai Sonata in for engine recall my steering wheel is now making noise and it moves to the left on its own now. Also my right axle is leaking grease and the car has about 69,000 miles on it. I bought it new.Hyundai dealer said the noise is coming from a coupling and would cost $270. They also said it was not part of the recall for steering column intermediate shaft which I took the car in for when that recall came out.I dont know what they do or if they do anything when they supposedly look at your car due to a recall. My car was doing great when I took it in for the recalls until the last time. Also when I took my car in for engine recall my oil dipstick was yellow. But now I have an orange oil dipstick. Back to the part about the steering noise it makes noise sitting still and moving and sometimes it gets louder if the road is not as smooth.also how do they know it is the coupling and not something else such as what the recall was for when they just listened to my car and not inspect it to be sure. The coupling should have been included in the recall and if not it needs to be recalled.this sounds dangerous. The noise also gets louder when I turn the wheel while driving. Sometimes it sound like the car is rattling and sometimes sounds like a shock absorber starting to go bad.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #554

Dec 282015

Sonata

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel made a clicking noise and vibrated excessively. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #553

Nov 022015

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
Had become a frequent occurrence that upon turning the steering wheel whether at high, low or even no speed that you would hear a clicking/clunking noise. This was annoying, but then at high speeds (interstate driving) when braking there began to be an occasional considerable vibrating that went through the steering wheel. I originally thought it might be my rotors causing the vibrating when braking and thought the clicking noise was from a wear in my axle rod which a mechanic had previously mentioned would cause clicking noise when turning (and didn't need immediate care). However when I took my car in for the 132 and 136 recalls the Hyundai service tech immediately knew it was the steering coupler by turning my wheel because he sees it so often. He even had examples pinned up on their board to explain it. He explained the safety risk of not getting it fixed as it could cause shaking of the whole steering column (already was), looseness in the steering making it less responsive to turns, and could even cause the steering wheel not to respond to a sudden turn increasing the risk of a crash. I of course went ahead and had it repaired, since my 3 kids ride in it every day. During my wait in the lobby I googled the issue to see if the $266 I was being charged was reasonable (it was) but I found so many posts about this issue and some people seemed able to have the repair cost covered even when outside of their warranty, so I called Hyundai asking for a refund of the cost. They said since my car had over 60,000 miles they couldn't help me with any compensation. I do have over 100,000 miles on my car, but considering the widespread issue with this part and the safety concern I believe Hyundai should take responsibility. The mechanic had reassured me the replacement part is improved, which also shows Hyundai knows its a problem. (date will be estimate of highway vibrating)

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #552

Feb 022016

Sonata

  • 52,000 miles

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

Knocking was heard when the steering wheel was being rotated either to the left or right when stopped or at slow speed. Brought it to the dealership and was immediately informed it was the steering motor flexible coupling that was worn, loose, or defective. Repair was performed at a cost of $230.42, $2.42 of which was the cost of the defective part. The vehicle was out of warranty due to being a 5 months over the 5 year limit but well within the mileage limit. The vehicle was well maintained, being brought to the dealership every 3000 miles for oil changes and whatever else needed to be done. Since this issue has been well known to Hyundai for several years, I was appalled to see that Hyundai did not replace that bushing under the warrantee during one of my visits to the dealership for service, particularly since it could have eventually resulted in loss of steering, and a potentially fatal accident. I would encourage the NHTSA to have Hyundai issue a safety recall at this time. The affected vehicles are now about 5 years old which, from the number of recent complaints I have seen on line, appears to be life of the flexible coupling. Please do something before some fatalities occur.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #551

Feb 042016

Sonata

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel and it was difficult to keep the steering wheel steady in one position. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that this was a common complaint with the vehicle. There was no recall for the steering failure. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Burmnighand, AL, USA

problem #550

Jan 232016

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
"takata recall" "takata recall" clucking noise in steering wheel. Bad coupler wearing out. This is definetly a safety hazard. Part that was put in when they made the car is very bad. May lose control of steering. This should be recalled. Steering feels very loose.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #549

Feb 142014

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Peachtree Corners, GA, USA

problem #548

Dec 172015

Sonata

  • 59,000 miles
First, this is my 2nd complaint I've filed. My car has been repaired many times for recalls (one is being done currently for the second time) and other warranty repairs. This is the list so far: Idler pully, tensioner arm and belt, steering column (which broke while driving after I had to get 4 new tires and 4-wheel alignment (24000 miles) that they said I had to get), premature starter failure, short block, leather around gear shifter wore hole in it, and my car has now been in the service dept. Since Dec. 17th because the engine failed again. They ordered a long block for it but Hyundai motors America cannot keep up with getting the engines manufactured and sent to all the dealerships fast enough for the recall.I am now the 12th car down on the list. I still have another outstanding recall for the brake stop pad, and I noticed recently the rearview mirror is faded in spots (dark worn areas). I contacted Hyundai motor America public relations hotline. It took them 2 weeks to get back to me. The man that called me asked for information from me, he called the dealership, and then sent me a letter stating they would only reimburse me a portion of my repairs I had to pay for. In the letter, also was a release of liability for me to sign. That's not going to happen!!!! the release would have made them not liable to past or any future situations, including death. How stupid do they really think we are? they've had well beyond an acceptable amount of time to take care of these recalls. It's time to buy the vehicles back and rebuild their image. If not, there will be more recalls or events that could lead to death. Holding them accountable is the only acceptable way to handle this.people are still out there driving unsafe vehicles!!

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #547

Feb 012016

Sonata

  • 79,000 miles
Steering wheel shakes violently when driving on the highway. The wheel feels loose.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #546

Jan 282016

Sonata

  • 70,500 miles
My car was in the shop to resolve NHTSA campaign numbers 13V113000 and 15V568000 - Hyundai campaign numbers 132 & 136. I was told that - unrelated to the recall issues - a $3 bushing needed to be replaced in the steering column at a replacement cost of about $257. I advised that neither I nor a very frequent passenger in my car had ever heard a clunking noise as described by the service advisor or had noticed any other problem with the steering regardless of speed and/or terrain. Thus, I refused to have the service performed. I then checked out the NHTSA.gov site and found a huge number of complaints regarding this issue. I then called Hyundai motors and advised that I was not experiencing a problem but clearly a problem was being anticipated. Hyundai motors said they would document my file but put me on hold several times. I am convinced Hyundai motors communicated and conspired with the repair shop and that sabotage is involved because when I later returned to pick up my vehicle, the service advisor demonstrated a distinct sound upon turning the steering wheel - a sound not so subtle that both my frequent passenger and me would have missed it. I told the service advisor I had never heard that sound before but still felt compelled to pay for the repair. NHTSA should make this an across the board recall and require Hyundai to reimburse owners for the cost of repairs. After all, I was told by a Hyundai service advisor that it is a safety concern.

- Columbiana, AL, USA

problem #545

May 152015

Sonata

  • 89,260 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor driven power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,260.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #544

Jan 272016

Sonata

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), the technician informed the contact that the power steering flexible rubber coupler was deteriorating and fractured and needed to be replaced. In addition, the technician stated that there was a possibility that the power steering would fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #543

Dec 172015

Sonata

  • 60,500 miles
Steering column shaky and making clunks, with intermittent loss of control of steering when going over bumps and pot-holes. Creates a rattling noise and shakes the steering wheel vigorously.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #542

Jan 252016

Sonata

  • 40,400 miles
Recently the steering has a little slack and when I hit a bump, it sounds and feels like the steering wheel will end up in my lap. My wife doesn't want the kids to ride with me. This car has very few miles- only 40,400 miles- and shouldn't clank and rattle when you encounter minor bumps. I took the car for other recalls and was told the Hyundai recall 097 & NHTSA #10V-426 wasn't for my car and I'm out of warranty (under 60,000 but past 5 years as of 5 months ago). It was going to cost a little over $300 to fix (mostly labor) as the part was $2.99. When I asked if it was a safety concern, I was told no, only nuisance issue. I'll say so- it jars my eye teeth. Re-entry from space is probably smoother.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #541

Jan 262016

Sonata

  • 67,000 miles
Dealer states steering bushing needs to be replaced at 67,000 miles due to clicking when turning the steering wheel at low speeds.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #540

Jan 112016

Sonata

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was being serviced under an unknown recall, the technician informed the contact that the steering wheel shook violently. The dealer diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #539

Jan 232016

Sonata

  • 84,000 miles
While my car is in motion there is a loud knocking noise coming from my steering column and the steering wheel will also shake.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #538

Jan 152016

Sonata

  • 106,829 miles
I took my car in to a Hyundai dealer for campaign #133, 136, 132, and was told that there is a problem with the steering column, it will be $400 to fix. Upon further research, I learned of a old recall in 2010 for this same problem, but only on certain VIN numbers. There are to many complaints for this not to be reopened with all VIN numbers included. Obviously the manufacture continued to make the same mistake on all vehicles.

- West Helena, AR, USA

problem #537

Jan 202016

Sonata

  • 60,246 miles
During a visit to the Hyundai dealership to address current recall issues with my vehicle, I was told the steering coupler needs to be replaced and it is out of warranty. I asked what will happen if I don't get it replaced and I was told "nothing, the noise will just drive you crazy". my research tells me that some Sonatas have been recalled for this same issue and that failure to get it replaced is a safety issue. I am learning that this issue is affecting vehicles that were not part of the Hyundai recall several years ago. What am I to do? mileage is 60,246.

- Opelika, AL, USA

problem #536

Jun 012015

Sonata

  • 55,000 miles
There is a significant amount of slack in the steering when turning, both stationary and in motion. This slack/sound started a number or weeks back but has progressively gotten worse. When the vehicle encounters an abnormality such as bump or pothole, the steering wheel makes a noise that sounds like the steering wheel may come off. I have brought the vehicle to the dealer and immediately the mechanic knew what the problem was even before looking at it and stated they are aware of this issue but has their hands tied because the manufacturer will not acknowledge this widespread problem as their responsibility and if I want to fix this problem it will be out-of-pocket. I am uncertain if the problem stems from the coupler in the steering but that is what the representative at the dealer told me. I do not understand why a potential life threatening problem as such is not recalled. Some of the other 2011 Sonatas with exactly the same issue has a recall campaign so why not all of the 2011 Sonatas with this problem? please help.

- Edmond, OK, USA

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