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.
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T pulls to the left very hard. It occurs at just about any speed, but is worse with highway speeds. In less than1.5 seconds my car would be 1 lane over if my hands are not on the wheel. I have to hold the wheel to the right just to go straight. I have had this addressed twice at the dealership where I purchased my car. The problem has not been fixed.
2011 Hyundai Sonata pulls left. Car has been back to dealer a few times. They have replaced both struts, did alignments, straighttrac, as well as put 4 brand new tires on the car. I still have an issue with the car pull left. This happens all day every day since I purchased the car in January 2011 I dont feel safe driving this car.
2011 Sonata turbo pulls left all the time. Soon as you release the wheel the car will pull to the left and into on coming traffic or a guard rail within 3-5 seconds at highway speeds. You have to always have the wheel slightly to the right to keep the car from pulling left. Called Hyundai and filled a case # but to date nobody has returned my call to discuss the problem. It was at the dealer for 4-5 days and they said the tried everything on the Hyundai tsb and it still pulls to the left.
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata veers to the right. I have to keep more pressure on the left side of the steering wheel in order to keep the car straight. I have taken the car three times to the dealership but the problem has not be fixed. I have been told that the car steering goes slightly to the right but was not guaranteed that it could be fixed.
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T pulls to left at normal speeds during normal driving. This is not a "torque-steer" issue (the tendency of front-wheel drive cars to veer under acceleration due to uneven torque to the front wheels). Even on cruise control, if you don't apply constant "right" correction, the car will veer left. The crown of the road does not stop this, nor is it a wind issue. If you let the wheel go, the car will change lanes to the left (or veer into oncoming traffic!) within 10 seconds. This is an extremely dangerous condition. I have had the car in the shop 3 times and while they are very aware of the issue, have no solution. This is unacceptable and a significant public safety hazard. Please initiate a formal inquiry.
- Overland Park, KS, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The car is pulling hard to the left, it requires my constant correction. It has done this day 1 of owning the car, and as you go faster, it pulls harder. I brought it back to the dealer to have them fix the alignment, but that didn't do anything except now my wheel isn't centered and it's cocked to the right and still pulls left.
I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T on 07/15/2011. During driving on highway speeds, the car is constantly pull to the left and its a quit significant pull. I took it to the dealer on 7/22/2011, their technition test drove it, it was pull to the left but he kept telling me this is normal. A lot of people having this issue and it is a major concern but Hyundai dealers are not recognizing it. Please try to address this issue as soon as possible. Thank you
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 55 mph or more the vehicle pulled to the left. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer four times and made several attempts to remedy the failure. The dealer also performed and alignment to the front end of the vehicle, stated that it was functioning normally and that it was also driving within the specifications of the design. The manufacturer stated the dealer informed them that the vehicle was performing within the correct specifications and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 3,200.
The car pulls to the left and the steering is slightly tilted left in normal driving position. Also have to apply a constant force to keep the car straight. At high speeds the steering feels free.
2012 Hyundai Sonata gls pulls right. Took the car for inspection a few days after purchasing the car. They re-aligned the wheels but the problem still remains. I have contacted Hyundai motor company they have suggested that I take the car to 2nd dealership for 2nd inspection before they can act on the issue. Note:this complaint is for 2012 model. In the pull down menu there was not an option to select 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
2011 Hyundai Sonata has pulled to the left almost continuously since we took possession of the car. The car has been taken back to the dealer 4 times and has never been corrected. It is so constant that my left shoulder hurts after just a few minutes of driving the car.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle would pull towards the left or right while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that he would have to get used to the driving of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continued. Later while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle pulled sharply toward the left and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The brakes were applied and the contact noticed that the power steering was no longer functioning. The vehicle was carefully driven to an authorized dealer where the steering column was being replaced. The failure mileage was 5. updated 09/07/11 the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 09/14/11
It seems more and more Hyundai model cars are exhibiting a very severe shift to the left (or right) when traveling at highway speeds. A recall should be issued. Please see the following example: www.youtube.com/watch?V=kolqvbpp3_A&feature=channel_video_title [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
My car (2011 Hyundai Sonata )starts drifting to the left when going over 60 mph. I contacted the Hyundai dealer where I purchased this vehicle in February and was told "it's a defect in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but Hyundai does not have a fix for it yet."
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 to 65 mph, the vehicle would pull towards the left. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised to have the wheels realigned and the sensors repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43.
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited is pulling right. Noticed it after driving home. Went back within the week to dealer service center. The pulling right is still there, not as severely, but still there. Took it in 3 weeks from purchase, their machinery says there is no alignment problem, but every time road test drive was done, it still pulls to the right. Now, I have been given a rental car and they are keeping it for 2 days just to fix an alignment pulling to right.
There is a problem with the steering in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited. At speeds above about 45 mph, the vehicle drifts randomly left & right. The higher the speed, the worse it is. The vehicle is also very sensitive to wind and even the wake of passing vehicles pushes the car around on the highway. It also is hard to steer on grooved pavement, which causes the car to squirm around erratically. I am constantly "correcting" the steering to maintain a straight track. The vehicle often pulls strongly to the left. This occurs especially when on the left side of a "crowned" highway. Pulls very strongly to the left, but tracks straight when on the right side of the road.
Purchased 2011 Hyundai Sonata ltd turbo in Nov '10. Car pulls to the left when driving at any speed. First service: Dealer performed 4 wheel alignment. Car still pulls. Second service: Dealer checked alignment and balanced on road force balancer. Dealer recommended replacement rim due to mild scratch and tire replacement because it flat spotted. Car now pulls harder than before, dangerously so as to cause the car to change lanes at the slip of the wheel on a straight road. Took car to independent wheel and tire alignment and rotation specialist, inspected "scratched" rim, stated it was balanced and any damage cosmetic. Third service: Dealer and regional field service engineer (fse) re-calibrated steering sensor, adjusted rear camber. Recommended replacement of rear wheel due to scratch. Fse drove the car and was satisfied with the alignment. Car still pulls exactly as before.
Steering on 2011 Hyundai Sonata pulls to the left. Problem is worse at higher speeds. Technician at oil change shop noticed feathering of tires @ ~5000 miles. Took it to dealership and was told the alignment was within factory specs. About 9 months later tire noise and handling were bad enough I took it back. At first, I was told they couldn't reproduce the issue. Complained in survey and dealership called and asked to look at it again. I was told the tires were pretty badly chopped up at this point.
Steering left pull - occured before buying while test driving dealer said it was air need for the tires. At pickup same thing happened brought it back reallignment was done 3 times improved slightly but car feels like 'driving a boat' have to keep realigning.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carol Stream, IL, USA