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:
50 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
53 / 2
Average Mileage:
74,310 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 6 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #305

Mar 272019

Sonata

  • miles

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

Air bag light on safety issue being charged to look at and find out why

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #304

Jan 012019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regard safety recall notice and the dealerships inability to perform the recall repair on the vehicle.

- Cayey, PR, USA

problem #303

Oct 012018

Sonata

  • 23,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact heard an abnormal noise progressing from the steering wheel when it was turned in either direction. In addition, all four tires were prematurely worn to the point that they may need to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V434000 (power train), 15V568000 (engine), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 17V152000 (seat belts), and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The contact did not receive any recall notifications. The vehicle was taken to palm springs Hyundai (3919 E palm canyon dr, suite a, 1-(760) 202-8888) where it currently remained for over three weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,800.

- Rancho Mirage, CA, USA

problem #302

Nov 202018

Sonata

  • 124,000 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 vehicle would decelerate without warning. An independent mechanic reset the computer, but the failure continued. In addition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was unable to be safely driven due to the multiple failures. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V568000 (engine), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 17V152000 (seat belts), and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags); however, the contact did not receive any notifications. The contact was also not notified of manufacturer service campaigns: 946 (under body corrosion preventative service and service campaign) and 953 (ECM & cluster update-engine monitoring logic product improvement). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- Kinston, NC, USA

problem #301

Mar 162019

Sonata

  • 136,000 miles
"takata recall"... on March 16th 2019 my wife was driving with a passenger our 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited when an accident occurred at a high speed the airbags did not deploy and the seat belts did not hold them back both were severely injured the brakes also failed to stop the vehicle. I am attaching a picture of the vehicle after the accident I do have the police report however the officer did not mention on the police report to my knowledge about the airbags but when you contact me I can give you the number of the shop that has the vehicle and they can verify that the airbags did not deploy.

- Leesburg, FL, USA

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problem #300

Dec 032015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's vehicle was at a stop, two other vehicles were involved in a crash. As a result, one of those vehicles crashed head-on into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that later required medical attention. The contact's vehicle was damaged and towed to a body shop. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was repaired by the other driver's insurance company. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to folsom lake Hyundai (916-293-4760, located at 12530 auto mall cir, folsom, ca 95630) where the recall repair was completed. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #299

Jan 232019

Sonata

  • miles

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

"power assist recall/air bag recall" the electrical power steering in my car has created a problem when driving on the interstate. The cost to repair the car is in excess of $1200 new and $600 or more used. The electrical panel in the car is not completely functional either. I have problems with power windows and locks. There have been a total of more than 10 recalls on this particular model vehicle. I cannot afford to repair or purchase another vehicle. When I investigated further this was the latest issue listed. Steering:electric power assist system recall summary: Hyundai motor company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the electronic power steering (eps) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist. In addition there are several air bag recalls on the vehicle. Including the following: Frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

- Prairieville, LA, USA

problem #298

Jan 082019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
Before Nov 6,2018, we did not have any issues with our air bag control system. On Nov 6, 2018, we took our Sonata into parma Hyundai on brookpark rd in Ohio and had them perform the airbag control unit recall. They said it was complete despite the NHTSA's website saying the recall is incomplete. A few weeks after said recall was completed by Hyundai our airbag light has come on and has stayed on. We took it back to Hyundai and they refused to look at it without paying $100 something diagnosis fee. We never had any airbag issues with our car until they did this recall. Hyundai completeing said recall caused the reason for the recall in the first place.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #297

Sep 032018

Sonata

  • 0 miles
Airbag light stays

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #296

Nov 012018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the center steering wheel cap that secured the driver side air bag was not properly secured. The vehicle was taken to valise Hyundai (683 East columbus ave, springfield, MA) who indicated the position of the cap was normal. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.. comsumer received recall notice in January 2019 and on February 6, 2019 had the vehicle serviced and consumer inspected the airbag cover immediately. The circular object that was visible in the first set of pictures from Jan 28,2019, was no longer visible to the eye. Consumer stated steering wheel was tampered with. Police officer was called to the scene and officer told consumer she needed to file a civil complaint.

- Palmer, MA, USA

problem #295

Mar 012018

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 stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (air bags) was received in March of 2018. After contacting the local dealer (jones junction Hyundai, 1713 harford rd, fallston, md), the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the defect were not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Phoenix, MD, USA

problem #294

Jul 102018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 20 mph, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to secure the contact properly. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). Pugi hound (1866 ogden ave, downers grove, il 60515, (630) 964-9500) performed the recall repair. After the repair, while driving 15 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Woodridge, IL, USA

problem #293

Oct 012018

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver's side window failed to go up and down when the function button was pressed on the door. The contact had to apply force to the area near the window to get it to slowly go up and down. In addition, a chime was heard each time the front driver and passenger seat belts were secured, and a warning indicator illuminated for the seat belts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V617000 (seat belts) and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags) as well as service campaign number: 953 (ECM & cluster update-engine monitoring logic product improvement). The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #292

Jun 152015

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
Takata recall notice, steering control box, seat belt tensioer, dip stick, engine metal in crankcase, six recall to date, 12/25/2018, and the safety recalls have not been repaired due to "part not available" per dealer. Note-steering control box is irradical and loose. 130 miles rt to dealer and rental car while waiting ovenight for under carriage coating to cure.this car is a lemon, bought @ hart motors, dalhart, tx, 2015. Dealer put me into wells fargo finance at 8% (credit score 810) other banks charge 4% atm. This veteran got screwed and still paying.amarillo tx dealer does not have parts to repair safety equipment. How long can this go on? not safe to drive! 100usd/mo insurance wasted but required by dealer. Possible wreck damage indicated by wheel alignment. Et al in motion. Docs available on request.

- Channing, TX, USA

problem #291

Dec 242018

Sonata

  • 118,244 miles
Takata recall iva conduciendo Y al frenar en una luz SE me dispar la bolsa de aire Y el cinturn de seguridad SE qued trabado esto me ocurri en la ciudad que vivo que ES hialeah 33018 el da 24 de diciembre

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #290

Nov 072018

Sonata

  • 1,500 miles
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata' recalled engine seized while driving and was replaced by Hyundai motors America free of charge in August 2018, no one was injured. However, in less then 2 months the newly replaced engine once again seized up but this time on the freeway causing the vehicle to be hit by another driver traveling at 80 mph. The airbags, also recalled did not deploy. Fortunately, for myself, I was not driving the vehicle when the second engine seize up. The driver at 6'4 and 220 lbs suffered 10 fractured ribs, stitches in both front & back of the head as, well as, possible future back related issues. The drivers ribs and head hit the steering wheel at full force, myself at 5'7 and 145 lbs surely would have slammed my face into the steering wheel with such force, leaving little chance of survival. Hyundai motors America needs to be held accountable for replacing their faulty recalled engine with another of the same (faulty engine), failing to remedy the recalled airbags at the time of repair, removing these "death traps" off of the streets immediately, as well as, full compensation for the vehicle. Currently the other driver was found at fault for driving to fast and the vehicle has been stored and is being examined by all parties involved, insurance companies, as well as, several attorneys. I hope that this will help to ensure that this will never happen to another motorist, again. Thank you for your time. Pictures attached

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #289

Sep 012018

Sonata

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 50 mph, the contact crashed into a median. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The driver and passenger sustained unknown injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to all star Toyota of baton rouge (9150 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70815, (225) 925-2525) where the vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the details were unknown. The contact also heard an abnormal grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to all star Hyundai of baton rouge (10313 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70816, (225) 274-0071) where it was diagnosed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the dealer stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 11577274. The failure mileage was 153,000.

- Melville, LA, USA

problem #288

Aug 022018

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
I have been in contact with dealership that I bought my car from expressing about the air bag recall and my air bag light being on. I travel for work and if an accident was to occur the air bag may not work properly. Every time I call, they say that the manufacture haven't sent in the part yet to fix it. This have been going on for several months.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #287

Nov 262018

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
I recently was driving my vehicle 'Hyundai Sonata 2011' on interstate 95 highway, and then randomly the car stopped on me while accelerating.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #286

Nov 052018

Sonata

  • 111,886 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that none of the components on the steering wheel worked. The horn was damaged and would not sound and the phone console components failed. In addition, the seat belt warning indicator did not illuminate. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V137000 (seat belts and air bags) and 17V617000 (seat belts). The contact planned on calling lehman Hyundai (21400 nw 2nd ave, miami, fl 33169, (866) 647-4751) regarding the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 111,886.

- Miramar, FL, USA

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