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 5 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #317

Oct 032019

Sonata

  • 133,000 miles

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

2011 Hyundai Sonata. My headlights and interior started blinking off and on by themselves while I was driving at night for about a 30 or 40 second interval. Took to dealership and had it diagnosed and they found that the there was an intermittent internal fault with the multi-functional switch. Just got it back so I've only driven it about 50 miles at night so far no problem but it's too early to say for sure if this fixed the problem to my satisfaction. The problem only happened about 3 times but it is unpreditcable when the problem occurs but when it does happen and it's dark, it's not safe so we took it in right away on the third time because this was the longest period of time that the problem lasted. If you're having any problem like this, I suggest you get it looked at right away, very dangerous. It cost me $209 to have it fixed. The vehicle was moving about 55mph when this occurred. Date was 10-17-2019.

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #316

Oct 092019

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
Engine was replaced per extended warranty regarding recall. Vehicle was taken into massey Hyundai on 09/07/2019 and returned with reman motor on 09/12/19. Since then the vehicle has showed over heating and the backup camera displays a white screen on 10/09/19. Called after temp light came on and Hyundai has the nerve to say they will not pay for the tow. On top of that they person who answered the phone explained the wiring harness wasn't replaced. Temp light hasn't came back on due to my son not using the A/C. NHTSA has not held Hyundai or Kia accountable for issues they no doubt knew about. The recall should have been a buy back for these motors. We are not asking for a new vehicle. We just wanted the vehicle working properly. Now my son is stuck with a vehicle with all kinds of electrical problems due to Hyundai flaw. The electrical system was working fine prior to the engine replacement and Hyundai should be held accountable. NHTSA is starting to frustrate

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

problem #315

Oct 022019

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles
The air bag light has come on and won't go off.

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

problem #314

Aug 162019

Sonata

  • miles

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

Acceleration problems car stop on me I got my car towed no codes or nothing showed up try to start car at shop smelled a burning smell needs new starter new starter repaired. Couple of days later I stop for a update entire engine gone will call Hyundai tomorrow I have two kids and this is horrible

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #313

Jul 182019

Sonata

  • 145,789 miles
My brakes acting almost hit the curve when I was trying to stop, the transmission stalled almost causing another car to hit me from behind as I drove down the highway also the engine is using excessive oil afraid the engine will lock up causing an accident.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #312

Aug 102019

Sonata

  • 129,400 miles
Brake lights stay on got a recall on it dealer says they fixed it and now want yo charge me over $200 to fix it agin

- New Madison, OH, USA

problem #311

Jul 102019

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles

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

Recall code 136, brake lights stay on. This does not show up in my history of recalls for my Sonata. The vehicle rear brake lights will stay on after full release of the brake pedal. Brake lights may show off, car is then shut off. 2 minutes later, the car brake lights are on (not all the time, but frequent enough). This is a reoccurring event.

- Manville, NJ, USA

problem #310

Jul 022019

Sonata

  • 126,000 miles
The brake light explodes every couple of months.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #309

Mar 012017

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine failed to function normally. The vehicle was taken to atlantic Hyundai (193 sunrise hwy North service rd, West islip, NY 11795, (631) 587-0700) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). The remedy failed and the check engine indicator illuminated; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle again. In addition, the tail lights shorted out numerous times and the bulbs were replaced more than five times. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the faulty engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was not available.

- Central Islip, NY, USA

problem #308

Jul 152019

Sonata

  • 105,352 miles
The airbag light will not go out. It came on while I was driving on a city street. My daughter was in the front passenger seat. We both had our seatbelts on. I'm concerned for our safety. Not sure what the airbag light is trying to warn.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #307

Aug 112018

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles

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

My front end and break lights continue to go out. No matter how many times I purchased. Had accident. Vehicles I see in my town, with the same year and model have same issues.lights consistently blow out.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #306

Jun 152019

Sonata

  • miles
My engine light is not working. Does not light up when vehicle is turned on.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #305

Jun 202019

Sonata

  • 127,000 miles
The car exploded, burned and is a total loss. As the vehicle was in motion, the engine began to smoke. Gas then began to leave and the stench of gas was strong. Upon pulling over in a parking lot of a fast food resturaunt, a fire started in the engine area and the fire began to rapidly spread. As I got out of the car the car exploded. The dekalb county fire report number is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #304

May 152019

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
The left door lock began to only unlock sporadically when pressing the unlock button. Now only unlocks my door about 35% of the time. It appears to be a poor door lock actuator and seems to be worse when the weather changes. This issue first presented itself about 9 months ago and was very sporadic and now is a very common issue

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #303

Apr 012019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
I pulled out on to a 4 lane highway and the engine stalled and the car coasted across. After a few seconds car regained power and went on but still losing power. When driving on interstate car keeps stalling at high rates of speed. When I cut on lights while driving car stalls/loses power for a few seconds then goes on. Brake lights aren't working all the time plus 3rd brake light keeps sticking. I need answers to this before we get seriously hurt!!!!!

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #302

Aug 222018

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
My radio display and all speakers completely quick working I searched for months here and there when I had time I even upgraded my radio to the factory touch screen radio and the display came on but no sound and finally I took the factory amp apart and it had water damage I was not in a wreck or anything only thing I could think of how it got wet is terrible placement of factory amp on the outside of the frame in the trunk so now I have to ride in silence or with a bluetooth speaker because Hyundai wanted to put and electronic in the worst place possible where it is completely exposed to road degree and in my case rain

- Cherryville, NC, USA

problem #301

Jun 072019

Sonata

  • miles
I have gotten my car in March 2018 since then I had to change my brakes rogers and now I have a knocking noise in steering wheel and when press down on brakes tires double turn at time

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #300

Jan 172016

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Takara recalls after buying several new batteries my Sonata 2011 won't start and continues to do the same over and over again....what is wrong" and is there a recall"

- Canonsburg, PA, USA

problem #299

Mar 082017

Sonata

  • miles
Brake light wires run too hot while car is operating and causes bulbs to burn out a day or two after being replaced. Plastic seems to be melting and may be able to cause a fire. Brake lights go in and out while driving as well which may cause an accident.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #298

May 062019

Sonata

  • miles
My key gets stuck in the acc postion. And will not turn to the lock position after experiencing this after 24 hours I finally was able to get the key out. The next day when I put the key in the ignition it would not turn to cit on.

- Columbus, GA, USA

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