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:
12 / 27
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,916 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #377

Oct 242022

Sonata

  • miles

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

I really don-??t know what the problem is. I got my break lights change and they keep blowing out every two to three weeks. I have been changing the bulbs for more than a year now. Every shop I went to say it have wiring problems.

- Marion, AR, USA

problem #376

Nov 172022

Sonata

  • miles
No heat only A/C and will not turn off. Engine light on and low tire light on but no other information is provided on screen.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #375

Oct 242022

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle dash and center console lights flicker and/or dim between bright and dim lights while the headlights temporarily turn off at random intervals while driving. This random, but frequent occurrence happens often when applying the turn signal in either direction. The problem generally exist between 1 to 5 seconds, causing impaired driving during nighttime operation. The turn signal appears to work as expected during the electrical issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This safety issue can impair nighttime driving visibility which can result in an accident, distracted driving to the primary vehicle driver and other motorists, and false driving signals to other drivers. This issue has been reproduced by an authorized Hyundai dealer and other drivers with similar Hyundai Sonata GLS model years. The following online forum is 1 example that provides driver examples and descriptions of the same issue with the same model and year as well as other vehicle model years: https://The vehicle has been used as a daily driver under normal driving conditions and has been maintenanced and inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership for recalls, service, and the mentioned electrical issue. There are no warning lamps prior, during, or after the electrical issue occurence.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #374

Sep 232022

Sonata

  • 174,000 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 the engine was previously replaced. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the driver's side rear window and passenger's side front and rear windows were unable to roll down with the air bag warning illuminated. Additionally, the overhead light was unable to be deactivated, causing the battery to drain. The key fob intermittently was unable to unlock the doors and was stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electrical system wiring was faulty. The mechanic reconnected the passenger's side rear brake light harness; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Flowery Branch, GA, USA

problem #373

Sep 012020

Sonata

  • miles
All the electrical on the drivers side conti ues to fail. The blinker on the driver side only works if the headlights are on and the brake/blinker lights constantly go out even though the bulbs are fine.

- Rosamond, CA, USA

problem #372

Sep 132022

Sonata

  • 53,100 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not immediately start. Additionally, there was a burning electrical odor present inside the vehicle. The cause of failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that previously the key fob, alternator, starter, and battery were replaced due to the continued failure. The failure mileage was 53,100.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #371

Feb 132019

Sonata

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle would accelerate whenever the volume for the radio is turned up. The vehicle would suddenly accelerate inadvertently when other functions of the vehicle were activated. The vehicle also suddenly stalled at various speeds, causing the contact to turn off and then restart the vehicle several times to regain normal functionality. The brakes also failed intermittently. The vehicle displayed a warning light however, the contact was unsure of the meaning. The failure mileage was unknown due to odometer fraud that was linked with the vehicle. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #370

Aug 182022

Sonata

  • miles
I can-??t drive my car in the dark. This has been on going since I bought the car and has just gotten worse. Everytime I turn my lights on all of my rear lights stop working and if I-??m driving and the back light stop working my gas peddle also will not let me accelerate until I let my foot off and go back on to it but at this point I have no tail lights or brake lights.. I-??ve tried so many things to fix this but this is a serious issue I had another friend who bought the same car and sold it a week later because of the same issue. I also can open my trunk and wiggle the wires and it-??s a whole light show back there.

- Lebanon, IN, USA

problem #369

Aug 062022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the vehicle on the interstate, crossing the expansion joint on an overpass, the check engine light illuminated. Immediately following, smoke began coming from under the hood. Pulled off the side of the road to check, and flames were coming out of the car. Quickly removed what personal items that were possible while the car started becoming engulfed in flames. The car burned until the fire department arrived and put the vehicle out. While we cannot be certain, it is believed that the high voltage wiring chafed and arced leading to the fire. If it wouldn't have been possible to immediately pull to the shoulder, the car would have been engulfed while rolling and could have lead to death. The car is a total loss.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #368

Jul 172022

Sonata

  • miles
We broke down in the middle of the highway where there wasn-??t a emergency lane available. A another vehicle struck the car in the rear.

- Baltimore , MD, USA

problem #367

Jul 222021

Sonata

  • miles

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

The taillight socket is melting disabling the effective use of the brake system to alert other drivers the vehicle is stopping. The light works but can not be reinserted into the given space because it has melted close on the tailight cause my entire tail light to have to be replaced. The light bulb then melted into the trunk space and could have caused a fire but luckily we smelled it and moved the placement. I have almost been rear ending multiple times cause long the oncoming driver to swerve off the road to avoid hitting me because they were not able to see I was stopped. I have been stopped by law enforcement and given a warning thankfully. I have sent a complaint to hyundai and have seen multiple complaints and myself seen multiple sonatas on the road with no tail light/brake light issues. My dealer wants to charge over $600-1000 to repair this imperative issue. There was no indication they were malfunctioning until they had melted into the socket. On both lights. I have read multiple complaints on this same issue. This is an important part of the car that needs to be fixed for driver safety.

- Wesley Chapel , FL, USA

problem #366

Jun 022022

Sonata

  • miles
A friend borrowed my car to go to the corner store to get me a couple of things while my husband was getting surgery. My friend ended up in a rollover accident after hitting a tree. All recalls were up to date on my vehicle, he stated that no airbags deployed. Now after the vehicle was rolled back over and taken to the tow yard the insurance adjuster was the first to see and the driver airbag had deployed. I was not there I cannot say when the airbag deployed however none of the curtain airbags deployed. Also my friend stated that the car accelerated just before impact he swerved to miss something in the road and ended up rolling the vehicle after hitting the tree. The car should not have been accelerating but it was like the car had a mind of its own. I thought the recall was to fix the air bags. He could have been killed.. no reason these cars are still on the road. Not to mention all of the mechanical issues. And I'm sorry to say that I'm glad my kids weren't in the car.

- Junction City, KS, USA

problem #365

Jun 202022

Sonata

  • miles
I have replaced my front driver door actuator, the back driver and front passenger side 3x and it-??s still having issues. I replaced all fuses an wiring harness. Front headlights keep blowing out after about a week of putting in new ones.

- Littlerock, CA, USA

problem #364

Jan 152018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle skidded and stopped. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then sought medical assistance and was informed that she had sustained a left shoulder rotator cuff tear. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was thrown to the right and to the driver's side door. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact was informed by her orthopedist that her left shoulder rotator cuff tear was reinjured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer Bob Johnson Kia (3817 W Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623), where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor. Upon parking the vehicle at her residence, the contact saw smoke coming in through the instrument panel and AC vents. The contact stated that all four doors were then locked. The contact then released the key from the ignition and unlock the doors using the key fob. The contact saw a flame coming through the AC vent just before she exited the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact saw that the front seats were on fire and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene but was unable to

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #363

Mar 132022

Sonata

  • miles
The driver seatbelt will not stay attached. I'm getting a code to replace steering column and was told the intermediate shaft is bad. Also the torque converter clutch is throwing a code. The engine has been replaced which only has 4k miles on it.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #362

Jan 152022

Sonata

  • 99,000 miles
All the lights appear os dash. Tpms, taction control, maintenance check engine, , brake malfunction message power steering light. Car start beeping alarm. Transmision weard beheaving. Brakes weard, acceleration. Scare moments, stop the car. Dangerous driving. After 5 mjnutes problem desapear and afret 10 more milles problem appear again. Bring car to the dealer february 10th for diagnostic they charge $457.38 dolars fr diagnostic. Almost a month after they found anything nothing. Feel robbed by dealer.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #361

Mar 032022

Sonata

  • miles
The connection between the brake light and the socket is very poor and the motion of the vehicle often causes them to go out. I have replaced the bulbs and sockets multiple times and I find myself routinely conducting this same repair. This is a safety issue as functioning brake lights are a crucial safety feature for night time driving. I have had this issue diagnosed and repaired by an auto service professional a year ago and I am still having the same problem recur. No warning lights come on when the brake lights fail so I am required to routinely check them myself.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #360

Feb 152022

Sonata

  • miles
My husband took car to Rainbow City, AL location to have some recalls fixed. 2wks later we go to pick up the car & as we go to to leave, me following behind him, I noticed passenger brake light out. I call & tell him, then I notice the middle brake light isn-??t going off at all- it-??s staying lit. I then notice, when he adjusted the headlights the passenger brake light came on & driver side brake light went off. But middle brake light wasn-??t going off, it continued to stay on. I looked it up & it-??s a known issue with this model. I then look up for any further recalls and yes there are but my vin isn-??t attached to this recall as it obviously should be. We took it back to dealer & call then go rounds with them and they blame it to be cold weather, absurd, but looking into this issue it could result in an accident if driving because I nearly rear ended my husband not knowing if he was on the brakes or not on his way back to the dealership service center. I also know if the car recognizes the brakes to be pressed while actually driving it could easily jump out of gear! Being that the lights no matter if altering sides when on stated off as if someone we-??re staying on the brakes. This needs to be added to your recall listing immediately! I-??m afraid of driving it! I-??m definitely not putting my children in this vehicle! Please help! You may respond to me via email traci688@gmail.com. Thank You, Traci

- Steele , AL, USA

problem #359

Feb 172022

Sonata

  • miles
Driving down highway the car just stopped going. The steering wheel got increasingly harder to turn. Once on side of road, I noticed a bunch of the warning lights lit up the dashboard. I turned off the car and tried turning it back on, however, it would just make a weird clicking noise and not start. I scheduled an appointment with a Hyundai dealership, so I-??m not sure what is wrong with car.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #358

Jan 212020

Sonata

  • miles
Everything worked good until I had to take my car to the dealer for knock sensor, air bag check, software update, and my engine was also part of the affected engine recall... well ever since then I have had to replace my car battery a few times and now I just invested in a battery charger because now my cars battery gets drained whether or not I use it" I asked the dealer on a couple of occasions to check out why my dash and lights flicker and shut off and come back on seconds later when I turn my lights on at night? also told the service writer that I noticed this happening when I used my turn signal, because I could notice the dash lights and head beams behave erratic and most dangerously? I know I was told more than once that they could not find nothing wrong and there were no codes either" I have to disconnect my battery now because of this dangerous issue and just gets very frustrating that now I have a car that sits there in my car port more than its driven nowadays but because car prices are high I really need my car repaired so that it could work safely like it used to before. I'm afraid that my car will catch on fire because of this and just wished that Hyundai Motor Corporation would look into this matter more seriously and more importantly find a solution for this big safety mater. I just finally got tired of all this that I have to go through and still probably wont ever hear of a safety recall for this big problem...

- Covina, CA, USA

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