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.
Having problems with my door locks. I look on forums and its a known problem. My passenger front door lock makes a loud noise, and my drivers rear door will not open from the inside or outside. Any help would be nice
The first problem is about the headlights when turning the car on whether it is stationary or in motion, the headlights intermittently blinking or cutting off shortly which is dangerous when driving in dark. The problem may be related to the multi-function switch. The second problem is related to the battery, the battery on this car, 2011 Hyundai Sonata gls, can not last long and it needs to be replaced every couple of months. The problem is related to parasitic electricity in this model as the dealership told me. It might be caused by electricity drainage on the radio part. The third common problem in this model is the overheating engine. I realized the radiator fan is not working until I stop the car, open the hood, and then give the fan blades a push! also, the fan can turn on by itself only if I turn on the ac on high blowing level.
Tail light burns out after being replaced. Brake lights out; got hit from rear. Window brake light came on in the middle of night while car was parked... I was indoors, happened to notice it while looking out house window, apparently had been on for hours until I went outside and turned key and stepped on brake pedal repeatedly. I'm concerned that there's a electrical issue.
Engine has been replaced 2 times doing 65 mph on freeway loses power in addition air bag light is on when they had car for 3 weeks they gave it back and said they didn't know what was wrong with airbags I had vehicle towed there 2 days ago again and spoke to [xxx] at palm springs Hyundai and he said they were trying to figure out problem with engine they installed and if I wanted him to diagnose airbags problems it would be a 150 diagnosis fee they had the car there the first time for 3 weeks and released it and til my daughter that they could not figure it out airbags issues are dangerous if they are not working correctly and deploy on freeway I told [xxx] service guy this but he giggled and said it would cost 150 dollars diagnostic fee which he said they checked several months ago I lent my daughter who drives my 8 year old grandson my vehicle because I was concerned of their safety I am a cancer patient and need a vehicle to get back and forth to my doctors when I asked [xxx] about a rental he brushed me off and said there were none available at this point I am going to call abc investigative reporters because I am at a wits end I really need help with this matter thank you [xxx] airbags also [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Well, very simply I was merging onto a parkway and pushing down on the accelerator, car was speeding up then I noticed that it seemed like I wasn't getting any acceleration. Looked at the dashboard and saw that it seemed all the lights were on and realized that the engine had shut itself down. Pulled off to the shoulder and tried to restart it (head kind of a whirring noise), but it wouldn't start.
My husband and I are the owners of two 2011 Hyundai Sonatas. Our complaint is based on the fact that we feel that Hyundai has either purposely or in ignorance created an inherent defect in its battery system. Over the course of the past nine years, on a number of occasions, we have had to have our batteries changed or disconnected to repair something else. Each time this happens, when the battery is disconnected or replace by an auto shop other than Hyundai, the check engine light turns on and there is an warning that the map sensor needs to be replaced. There is not enough room to clearly explain the problem here. I have, therefore, attached a letter below. The consumer stated codes P0106/P0605/P2110 appeared.
While in drive and park, brakes lights and tail lights keep going out. Have replaced bulbs 4 times in less than a year. Both seat belt lights constantly flashes even when buckled up. Air bags and tire pressure light will not go out after resetting repeatedly. Dome lights no longer work in automatic
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn and several controls on the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact also stated that the odometer was inoperable. The contact stated that an unknown air bag repair was performed on the vehicle at kendall Hyundai dealer, (15895 S dixie hwy, miami, fl 33157, (855) 510-3093). The vehicle taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the sensor that go to the grounded wire needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2020, I was at a traffic light when someone motioned to speak to me in regards to my driver side brake light being out. I proceeded to drive to my dealership to get it changed out knowing it was probably just a burnt out bulb. The dealership service personnel informed me that the whole socket where the light bulb sits in had melted. This caused alot of erosion in the bulb socket and affected the wiring as well. I feel deeply that this can cause a fire considering the light bulb busted and caused the whole inside of the socket to melt. I payed $150 to repair the socket and wiring to fix the problem for now. I was told it may not last long. I'm hoping this problem doesn't linger and create more problems. I am very concerned on how these light bulbs pop and melt everything. I would like this to be treated as a safety issue. Please help me resolve this issue. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
This is the second time the left rear lamp has failed showing signs of burning. The lamp assembly was replaced by the dealership approximately 2 years ago. When the turn signal failed recently I went to change the bulb and discovered that's a socket showed signs of being burnt again.
I parked my car after coming from work, went back out to change my brake light that was out, after I couldn't change my bulb because its toasted to the harness, I tried starting up my car which it did, but my shift lock was locked on on park and my traction control came on and I have no brake lights.
My radio hasn't worked all year. When I took it to the mechanic he informed me there is a recall on it and the company should fix it. Otherwise it would be appx $1000 just for the radio. Neither of my brake lights are working. Initially, it was just the passenger side. I have replaced it 4X this yr. A mechanic told me he believes it is an electrical problem. My brother informed me this weekend that I have absolutely zero lights in the back. This is dangerous. Asked the dealership twice to check my radio when I had my car there for other work (oil change, etc). The first time they said they forgot. The second time they told me they didn't have time. I feel they know there is a recall on the radio and just avoided checking it out.
My Sonata when I'm driving turns off and I have to be pushing the ignition several times until I can turn it on. I changed the switch battery and it still does.
This issue has been going on for months now. And I have driven around seeing many other Hyundai Sonatas with he same issue. When I hit my brake, the brake lights will not go out. I have finally figured out how to get them to go out (pulling my brake upwards with my foot). This has resulted in my lights staying on and my car dying a few times. It is a very dangerous problem as others are not able to tell when I am braking because my brake lights stay on wihtout putting my foot under the brake and pulling up on it.
In motion car surges and jerks forward randomly. There is a gas smell when driving and car begins to shake when engine is engaged. Backup camera will not engage at random times or car will not turn on with push to start system. Diagnoses engine and electrical issue but Hyundai won't include in their recall campaign.
This vehicle has stalled on me while driving on the highway and streets. I've taken it into the shop for the problem was told the pc module is going out. The price to fix this a $2300. This should be covered on a warranty. They've me told that it's not. This is a major componet for these vehicle it should be cover. This has happened several times prior. When the vehicle accelerated there is smokes for the tail pipe.
Out of nowhere when vehicle is sitting still, the airbag light keeps popping on. It will stay on for a while, but then go off. I went to have my oil changed and event though it was at 3,000 miles, the oil was low, dark, sludgy and metal shavings were found in my oil pan---engine sometimes sputters. Finally my interior lights won't go off, I have to just keep them to the off position versus "door" so that my battery doesn't drain.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbia, SC, USA