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.
3.1
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,175 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.
I just purchased my 2011 Hyundai Sonata from a previous owner. Several recalls repairs have been performed on the vehicle prior to my purchase. The issue I'm reporting - the driver's side seat is stuck in the recline position and the seat will not go back up or move forward to incline position. I'm driving with no back support. The other driver's power seat controls work except for the one that raises the back of the seat. In the event of a crash, the seat could inadvertently recline and increase the risk of a very serious injury or fatality. More power seat failures have been reported on the Hyundai forum: Https://www.Hyundai-forums.com/threads/power-seat-failure-help-needed.107030/
Airbag light illuminated, dealership says sensor needs replacing which requires replacement of front passenger seat track assembly. Sensor is part of assembly and can't be replaced separately. Cost with tax will be $975. Another code came up along with this one. One on steering column was covered by Hyundai so can't understand why this one shouldn't be as well. Seems asinine to have sensor integrated into seat track and not replaceable on its own.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver's seat back panel fractured and the wires to the seat were exposed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (mccafferty Hyundai 1106 E. Lincoln hwy, langhorne, pa,19047) where it was diagnosed that the back cover failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 21,600. Updated 08/24/17
I've had consistent problems with my engine. Problems range from the check engine light coming on several times over the past 2 years, twice since 2017 started, 2). I've complained to the dealer about the abnormal amount of engine oil the car uses in less than 20,00 miles. 3). engine will not start, even when there is no alternator or battery problem. 4). car doors lock with key fob inside. 5) shaky steering wheel, that I've complained about since I owned the car. 4) seats are suppose to be leather, "leather" is cracking in the front around the base of the seat. (dealers says it's normal wear and tear. I've had leather seats before and none of them cracked).
Airbag light illuminated. Dealership claims that passenger seat track assembly needs to be replaced for upwards of $900. Car is out of warranty, but this is critical part of safety systems. Hyundai does not stand behind these safety systems.
- East Bridgewater, MA, USA
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Air bag light came on at 66700 miles. Took to local Hyundai dealer for maintenance and to check air bag light and was told passenger seat bottom and track needed replaced. Would cost approximately 850 dollars. This is a manufacture defect and I have kids and can't even trust driving this car due to safety issue with the airbags likely not deploying!!!!! this needs recalled!!!! I need to be able to trust my cars safety. Especially with my 3 kids. Recall this asap please....... I have read this is a problem with most 2011 Hyundai Sonatas from people's complaints all over the internet. Obviously a defect and a huge safety issue!!!!!
Airbag light came on at 66800 miles. Took car to Hyundai dealership being told driver seat needs replaced because sensor went bad!!!! says it will be like 800 dollars to get a new seat. So airbags won't work unless I buy a new seat. There should be a safety recall done on these 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited with this problem!!!! I have read that lots of people who own these cars have the same problem!!!!
Front passenger weight classification sensor failure. Dealership says the only why to fix it is to replace seat for $1800. Dealership cannot tell me if SRS will work when needed. After doing so research online this looks like a big problem with hyundal cars throughout many model years. Hyundai has failed to remit this problem and is selling vehicles to the public with faulty air bag systems.
Sensors cause air system light to illuminate. System needs to be reset at dealership to clear. Technician said airbag won't deploy while this fault occurs. I have had this issue 4or 5 times. When I google Hyundai Sonata airbag issues I see many similar experiences with other people. This could be a potential safety hazard. I was told it was caused by a seat sensor. Yet under warranty they did not replace. No car is out of warranty.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side headrests could not be adjusted. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the headrest could only be set to the highest position. The contact stated that the headrest setting made it uncomfortable to drive. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 15,000.
The passage seat shakes when the car reaches 70mph. Since bringing it to the dealer in may it has been there 2 more times, the second time they actually saw what they call a vibration. Now the passenger seat, drivers seat, steering wheel, and console all shake, not vibrate at 40mph. Hyundai has had my car for 3 days and every time I call for a status check they have some excuse. This is why I did not list the VIN number because the car is not in my possession. Just an fyi: There is no problem mechanically with the wheels, tire rod, etc. Everything has been checked but the car still shakes.
Purchased car on May 10, 2011 at local dealership. Didn't have new car window sticker in car or at dealership. I was told I wasn't looking hard enough for it. Dealership got me one in July. I have pictures of test drive with no window sticker. Found hail damage on car after the paperwork while still at dealership--finally fixed in July. Found out while doing paperwork the car had 1500 miles on it--didn't know that until then--should have stopped then---in my book not new!!!! car pulled to left real hard on way home from dealership--realigned front end--still pulling left. Dealership service dept. Admits to recall and doesn't have equipment/tools to repair. The car had deep scratches on front passenger side bumper at delivery--finally fixed somewhat--you can still feel and see the scratches if looking for them. Drivers seat fraying apart at material at 2900 miles. Trim damaged by hail repair person--still waiting on that repair. Just left dealer complaining to manager about everything and found paint flaking off of rear drivers wheel. Strong smell of burnt charcoal coming from trunk area---manager in service dept. Said that's a normal smell. I have purchased 5 new from same dealership and none of the others have had that smell. I purchased a 2011 tucsan the same day--no problems. Owner of dealership said that they are allowed to sell new cars without "new car window stickers", I looked it up--it's illegal. Also told there was communication problems about the sale of my car---not telling me everything--like the scratches, hail damage, replacement of parts. The manager today said he did not know anything about the Sonata's pulling to the left---I told him to google it. I have never had so many problems on a new car or even a used one. Current mileage is 3100 miles. Just did a carfax and found no repairs from dealer? I guess they are beyond the law of reporting it.
The passenger seat is to low and the shoulder harness of the seat belt will lays across the neck of anyone 62 inches or shorter. The seat belt shoulder harness will not adjust to a person of 62 inches or less forcing them to use a cushion of some type to position them higher in the seat for the harness to be effective.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the passenger seat was positioned extremely low adding the risk of injury to the passenger if a crash occurred and the air bag would deploy. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that was the design of the seat and they were unable to make changes to the design. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 492.
Windshield is defective in several areas of the windshield. View is distorted through these sections of the windshield, especially the lower 1/3 area and areas near the posts. People have complained of car sickness looking through the glass. The passenger seat is lower than the driver's seat and my wife has looked through the windshield and thought I was going to crash or at least go off the road. The dealer replaced the original but the replacement glass is worse. All the Sonata's on their lot are as bad or worse. It appears Hyundai's supplier of windshields is manufacturing distorted windshields. It appears all Sonata's are being manufactured with this distorted glass in the windshields. There is distortion looking out the rear glass through the rear view mirror but we can live with that.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Antioch, TN, USA