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:
15 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,394 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #80

May 302017

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

To my knowledge the recalls listed are for my car. Some I was informed of and some I was not. Reference #'s: 16V190000, 15V759000, 15V62000,15V568000, 14V33000, 13V113000, 13V113000, 10V457000, 10V070000. Once I was fully aware I brought my car to the dealership near me. They said they fixed everything but I am still having the same issues. To date: I have had times when I do not have full control( or it just will not do what I want) of the steering wheel causing me to crash into things which has damaged the passenger side window and the rims ( thankfully so far nothing more serious)/my seatbelt broke while I was driving, just came off. My brake lights are a disaster they either stay on (which has drained my battery to the point I have had to replace it ) or they do not come on at all which has given me a few scary moments because I brake and the person behind me does not realize I am stopping. If I do not put the parking break on every time I park the car will roll even on a flat surface. I sometimes have issues with getting the car to stay locked as it will sometimes unlock itself multiple times in a row. The dealership charged me for some repairs related to these recalls though as I understand it they are to fix them at no charge. I have called the dealership multiple times and I am always told that the person I need to speak with is not there. They then take a message but to date no one has returned a single call. I have had other mechanics ( not working for Hyundai) look at the car as well as have other people drive my car ( they all confirm that they have issues such as above when driving as well) I would really appreciate any help you can give me with these issues. In regards to date below: Multiple issues with multiple dates I listed around when I brought the car to the dealer. If you need to contact me : [xxx]. sincerely, [xxx] 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

problem #79

Nov 122017

Sonata

  • 75,505 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While stationary, the brake lights malfunctioned. While the vehicle was parked and/or in reverse, the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 75,505.

- Merriville, IN, USA

problem #78

Aug 012017

Sonata

  • 96,000 miles
Brake issue, - when I press on brake pad the rear light seems to either get stuck making cars behind me think I am in the stop mode or will be stopping soon, it comes on and off time to time or either stays illuminated. I did youtube something about inserting a penny on the spot under break pedel. Electrical issue - me key gets stuck in the ignition when the car is in park postion, however the only way to dislodge the key is disconnecting my battery to shut down the car then I can turn the key to remove it from ignition, could it be my anti-theft system malfunctioning? steering wheel issue - hear a click in the steering column as if something had loose inside. Door handle/ panel issue- on handle and steering wheel is chipping off

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #77

May 092017

Sonata

  • miles

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

Brake lights do not work when I cut on my lights.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #76

Sep 132017

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
Vehicle would shut off unexpectally while driving on a busy mail road without any warning signs. This iincident occurred mntiple times. I am very concern for my safety for my family

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #75

Aug 252017

Sonata

  • 61,000 miles
Recall campaign #14V434000 was repaired in 2014. The identical problem is occurring now in 2017. I have no idea it the vehicle is actually in park because the indicator lights do not light up, so I always have to use the emergency brake. When I am in drive, I now have to ensure the doors are locked manually because the vehicle does not realize I am in drive and keeps the doors unlocked. On 8/28/17 I requested a service appointment and was told I have to drive this unsafe vehicle until 09/19/17 before I can bring it in to see if they can fix the problem. Also, on 8/15/17 I had a one-time incident where my brakes slipped. Luckily, the brakes have not slipped again.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #74

Jul 312017

Sonata

  • 49,000 miles

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

Defective brake switch stuck in on position caused the car slow down of its own Accord in traffic. Car drove as if you had foot on brake and accelerator simultaneously. Brake lights stayed on after taking foot off brake pedal.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #73

Aug 202017

Sonata

  • miles
I just purchased the car May 2017. I have had no issues with the car. However on Sunday August 20, 2017 my break lights would not go off. After about 2 hrs of trying to get them to go off. Nothing. I then did some research and verified that there was a recall on the issue that I was having. So I took it to the Hyundai dealership. I honestly dont believe that recalls should have "close" dates. Not every purchases that car the yr it was made. None the less even with a recall I am having to come out of pocket originally $101, until I explained my issues with them and then it went to $81. Im still a little annoyed that a recall can expire and leave the new owner with paying for the issue.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #72

Aug 022017

Sonata

  • miles
Had my 2 front tires changed, after they were charged the brake paddle locked up and the push button starter will not start the car and I have no brake lights. The only way to start the car is to press down on the brakes while pushing and holding the starter at the same time for about 60 seconds, the car will not move out of gear unless the shift release lock is pushed. I have no brake lights

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #71

Jul 172017

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
When parking, the vehicle did not always go in park when shift lever was moved to "park". shift lever position indicator on dashboard shows blank. When returning to vehicle, car would not start. Took vehicle to dealer, there was previous recall on Hyundai Sonata for shift lever problem but was told my vehicle has different problem. Dealer replaced "inhibitor switch" to try and correct problem. Looks like original recall did not correctly address the problem.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #70

Jul 012017

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles

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

Was getting onto the highway when my power steering gave out, was able to pull onto the side of the road away from traffic. My engine started knocking and I was unable to keep my car running. I had it towed to Hyundai in clarksville Maryland, where they stated I had engine failure and that it needed to be replaced. They are now telling me they can't replace it although it is under a recall and under the cut off mileage. They are not communicating with me about the repair of my car and have yet made any attempts to get me into a new car. At this point I don't want my car repaired, I would rather them buy my car back or put me in a new car. The car has 5 recalls that I an aware about including the engine, power steering, front seat belt latches, my brakes pedal, and front coil springs.

- Eldersburg, MD, USA

problem #69

Jul 032017

Sonata

  • 119,000 miles
2011 Hyundai Sonata is very unsafe. I have had to have brake light recall fixed at least 3 times and the brake lights are still going out. The horn has completely gone out. The engine shuts off at random times leaving me stranded in unsafe situations. The takata airbags still have not been replaced. Car is very unsafe to drive; Hyundai needs to buy back all these vehicles.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #68

Jun 232017

Sonata

  • 105 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact heard an abnormal noise progressing from the area of the engine. The dealer (gurley leep Hyundai, 5302 grape rd, mishawaka, in 46545, (574) 258-7700) was notified of the failure and diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact experienced the failure related to the unknown manufacturer's engine recall, but the dealer refused to provide a solution because the vehicle was excluded. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V340000 (air bags), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and 16V190000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 105. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #67

Jun 222017

Sonata

  • 133,411 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake lights were constantly illuminated, even with the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was taken to volume Hyundai located at: 2520 N. columbia street, milledgeville, ga 31061 to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake actuator located under the brake pedal failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,411.

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #66

Nov 152016

Sonata

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 5 mph, the engine stalled without warning. On another occasion, while the contact's daughter was driving 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to stop. On another occasion, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on four occasions. The vehicle was at the dealer for three months. The entire engine was replaced along with other unknown parts. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 39,000.

- South River, NJ, USA

problem #65

May 042015

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times. There had been multiple failures concerning the six manufacturer recalls that the vehicle was included in, and the contact was uncertain of when the dealer would provide a remedy and the parts. The steering wheel made an abnormal noise and the engine had an internal failure, in which metal fragments were released, and there was a loss of oil. The contact was unable to determine what caused the oil to lower and the premature failure of the engine. The engine assembly was replaced by an independent mechanic. The dealer had been unclear as to when the remedy and parts would be available. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 17V152000 (seat belts), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 15V568000 (engine), 14V433000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 10V457000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

problem #64

Dec 292016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. When the brake pedal was depressed at 30 mph, the vehicle hesitated to respond and the pedal traveled to the floor. The failure recurred on two separate occasions without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 06/13/17

- La Porte, IN, USA

problem #63

Mar 012017

Sonata

  • miles
Takata loud RPM when starting then loud clicking in steering wheel coupler bad now brakes having issues and axles clicking radio goes on and off. Lights keep burning out.

- Big Spring, TX, USA

problem #62

Dec 282016

Sonata

  • 143,000 miles
I was driving down fm 2410 in harker heights, Texas going about 50 miles an hour the speed limit. Came upon a curve and started to apply my brakes to slow down. As I was applying my brakes I heard a scrapping sound and the brake pedal seemed not to be functioning as required. The brakes locked up (as evidence looking at the skid marks some 15 to 20 feet long) the car seemed to be accelerating instead of slowing down. At the same time, I was trying to take my foot of the break and turn my steering wheel to regain total control of the car. The car turn slightly to the right as shown by the skid marks went off the road thru the ditch on the side of the road thru a field fence with barb wire on top and into a cedar tree as shown in the enclosed pictures.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #61

Nov 142016

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance and an oil change, the technician stated that the vehicle needed three recall repairs for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and 15V568000 (engine). Shortly after the dealer's repairs, smoke emitted under the hood near the front passenger side of the vehicle while driving 60 mph. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road and the fire department extinguished the flames. The fire department filed an incident report. The vehicle was towed to a yard and then to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer and the manufacturer to determine what caused the failure. The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was not available.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

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