10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,683 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 Hybrid brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #13

Jul 222022

Sonata Hybrid

  • 0 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the local dealer after a recall repair, the brakes were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where a diagnostic test was completed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #12

Jun 242019

Sonata Hybrid

  • 1 miles
Year: 2011 VIN: [xxx] few days ago change new part and installation 6/28/2019 changing the brake ABS assy in millennium Hyundai service center but still have problems check brake warning again my Hyundai Sonata hybrid. When driving the check brake signal comes on and shuts down the car and render it drive less until I shut off the engine and restart it.we still have the same problem check brake signal come on information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Queens, NY, USA

problem #11

Feb 042019

Sonata Hybrid

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata hybrid. While driving approximately 1 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle struck the tire of a heavy truck, bounced off the tire, and struck a parked vehicle. The contact stated that the brakes were inoperable. Prior to the crash, the vehicle switched from hybrid propulsion to gas propulsion. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #10

Dec 312018

Sonata Hybrid

  • 130,000 miles

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

My vehicle "check charging system" warning came upon the start up of the hybrid in the morning 12/31/2018, going to work. This was an issue on a heavy precipitous day in past. However there was not heavy rain, I turned the vehicle back off. It turned on without the warning which 1st appeared in front area and is audible. It started as I approached a stop sign. I live about 6 minutes away from work. The battery life is visible and it was not changed from mid point which has always been same. The tank had gas, no issue, and I drove it to work. I assumed with the car turned off for the 6hour shift I had, that it would possibly be relieved. I started the car to now drive to the store for quick grocery essentials. Within a 15 min time frame from work, store quick shopping there, and home again. The warning came back on. As I braked, or came to a stop for lights the warning would stop. As I pushed on gas pedal it would start. As I was approaching an intersection with traffic lights, I prepared to stop but as I got closer the car would not stop anymore than it had (which was significant) but not stopping, as I noticed the distance, my foot on the brake all the way I heard the vehicle (closing song) which is supposed to be heard when you turn the vehicle off. I looked at the dash in front of me which went blank all across the board and I braced for impact. My vehicle came to a stop because the collision occurred with this malfunction and my car hit the car in front of me. Physically we are ok. I am still paying for this vehicle and it is powerless by the curb at my residence until I can afford to have a tow truck pick it up. The dealership said no warranty, no assistance by them. I have a claim with Hyundai which is slow. You tube has so many vehicles from 2011 and recent models that are reporting same warning issues. I have a recording of it from that day.

- Converse, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 302018

Sonata Hybrid

  • 120,000 miles
While car is in motion, on highway or anywhere at anytime, the check brake warning light comes on display screen, with an beeping alarm, then the brakes drop to floor barely stopping the vehicle with a grudging noise. I went to the dealer, they gave me the option to replace the ABS system but was not sure of the exact problem and tried to sell me a newer car. This company already has lots of recalls and has put many people's lives in danger. This issue is happening to many other vehicles the same as mine and they are not safe for anyone.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #8

Jun 022018

Sonata Hybrid

  • 66,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway at approx. 60 mph and the parking brake suddenly engaged. The dash alarm went off and the car starting making terrible grinding noises and swerving lane to lane. I was able to fight it and make it to the right shoulder. After turning the car off and on again it disengaged and I was able to drive it for a short distance before it happened again. I had it towed to my house and will take it to the dealer on Monday.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 262017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 74,800 miles

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

Takata recall. Today I have an issue with my car that is when I stopped on almost top of a hill on a red signal suddenly the brakes pedal go down and there was a light on saying : check brakes and I began to loss brake power so I pressed on the accelerate pedal to stop drifting back and parked it aside and turned the engine off then on and everything was normal, that issue happened before one month and I changed the rotors and pads for the four tires and everything was fine since as my mechanic said.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 032017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 76,000 miles
Charging system malfunctioned, sensors melted in valve trane, radiator elbow and fill neck blew off, complete engine failure and battery failure. I have had a problem with the "check brake" light and an alarm going off. However, when I stopped driving and had it towed to the dealership they could find nothing. Prior to this incident, I took a photo of my dash, I had 76,499 miles and the coolant meter did not read hot. I had had the coolant system flushed at 65,000 miles, and I had all oil and fluids checked again after this incident. The breakdown: Three hours into a roadtrip, the A/C began blowing warm, simultaneously - the "the check brake" light and alarm came on, and the "check charging system" light came on. I lost power to accelerate (or brake well) and immediately pulled over and took a photo of my dash warnings (76919 miles). The heat sensor was in the "cool" half, the battery gage showed no power. Battery so low key would not start car. I had the car towed. "tech found that elbow and radiator have holes in them vehicle overheated causing engine to blow." Tiffany richardson said "tech believe vehicle was driven with low coolant level causing vehicle to run hot melting sensors in the valve train and the pipes to fail." The tech is wrong, the coolant system was inspected and flushed at 65,000 miles, and was not due for another inspection. I had had coolant levels checked less than 1000 miles ago, and the heating sensor on dash did not read hot, at the point of breakdown or after a road trip 500 miles ago. Others had the problem at 3000 miles! it's the hpcu. The power for both electric motors is routed through hpcu. The inverters allow the A/C motors to be driven by D/C batteries. This caused the "check charging system" error. This is $15,000 and I owe $4000 on the car - 100,000 warranty has denied it & I am original owner.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 202016

Sonata Hybrid

  • 613,012 miles
I was driving my car with 20 to 40 mph on the speed meter, suddenly the sound of the break alarm turned on and a statement on the small screen says check break the indicator light of the break was on and the breaks starts to do a very noisy sound as the car slowing down, I but the gear shifter on N and I pulled over then I changed it aging to P then I turned the car off and waited for a while then started it again, and the alarm was turned off and no statement on the screen, I derived carefully with low speed after that then when I stopped for the traffic lights and switched the gear shifters to N and no acceleration was happening as I pushed the break in to hold the car the break alarm turned on again and the statement check break was displayed I did the same procedures pulled over, switched to P and turned it off, the car traveled distance is 61,302 mi when this problem happened, I toke the car next day to the mechanic the detector showed a code C 1237

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #4

Sep 062014

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
Took car in for repair of malfunctioning stop lamp switch all the same issues as in NHTSA campaign 13V113000 even though my model year was covered in recall they said my VIN was not covered I was charged a fee to diag the vehicle and for parts and labor.

- Sunbury, PA, USA

problem #3

Oct 112013

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 42,561 miles

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

On October 11, 2013 I was driving vehicle at about 30 mph. The traction, brake, and check engine light started flashing. The engine started to accelerate & decelerate at random and vehicle jerked (intermittently) all mentioned lights then stayed on constantly. Vehicle was driven to dealership. Dealership scan tested & found steering angle sensor code in history, then recalibrated steering angle sensor. Vehicle was also serviced for recall regarding lower control arm (replaced). 2nd incident occurred on 10/22/13. I started car in the morning, and all the lights came on. Vehicle was shut off and then towed to same dealer. Service technician could not "duplicate" code. I was told by service that car was fine/operable. 3rd incident occurred on 10/23/13. I was driving and vehicle brake light, & trac light came on. Car was again jerking/surging and accelerating and decelerating at random. Vehicle scanned by technician and multiple "can" codes and steering angle sensor communication code found in history. Technician called technical assistance and was advised to replace motor driven power steering unit, replaced steering column with power steering unit, all ok after repairs (per dealer). Rental car charge incurred totaling $26.28. 4th incident occurred on 1/2/14. I was driving vehicle and traction control lights, brake light, and ABS brake started flashing. Trac light then stayed on constantly. Car began jerking (again) and accelerated/decelerating. Vehicle taken to different dealership. Service writer test drove car while I was in vehicle, and stated there was something definitely wrong w/vehicle and that it wasn't safe to drive. Rental car obtained. Technician looked at car, called support, and was told to charge hybrid battery. Service writer called back and stated that car was ready to be picked up. I refused to pick car...

- Wind Lake, WI, USA

problem #2

Dec 202013

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 48,500 miles
While coming to a stop at a traffic light, my brakes malfunctioned. The brake warning light came on and the peddle became slack. The peddle fell to the floor. I was able to stop the car before entering the intersection. After a moment the brake warning stopped and the brakes worked again. This happened again as I was parking my car in the driveway. I have video of both incidents. Dealer has been notified, but is not able to schedule a repair for 5 days. It will have to remain parked as I am concerned about safety.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #1

Oct 132013

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
As I was gently applying my brakes in heavy freeway traffic, going about 50mph, the brake pedal became soft and dropped to the floor. The brake failure warning light also started to flash and chime. I swerved off to the side of the road to avoid hitting the car in front of me and plowed through some plants on the shoulder prior to coming to a stop with my parking brake.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

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