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:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,832 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 2 of 5)

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problem #80

May 032019

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles

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

I bought this car 3 years ago. Ever since the day I bought the vehicle, it makes loud clicking noises when you turn the steering wheel left or right while in drive and reverse. In the 3 years that I have owned this car, I have had to replace the tires 4 times, the brakes and rotors multiple times per year, tie rods, and cv joints and yet the car still clicks when you turn. I had the engine recall done in may of this year. They gave me the car back a month later. I had to take it back the very next day because it was leaking copious amounts of oil and making a clanking noise that was not present when I left my vehicle with them for a month. They "fixed" the oil leak and told me the noise was from my front brakes yet again. I had to return the car again a few days later because it was still leaking oil! so they "fixed" the leak a 2nd time and again said the noise was from my brakes. Less than a week after that the check engine light came back on. I immediately took it back and was told that it was just a "loose gas cap" which I never experienced prior to the engine being replaced. They cleared the light and sent me on my way. I had brand new brakes and rotors put on, again, and yet the clanking noise is still there. 5 days ago, the car began driving the way it was before the engine recall, same engine failure symptoms and my check engine light came back on a second time 3 days ago. I have not had to fill it up with gas in 8 days so there is no way that it is from a "loose gas cap." My seat belt locks up and stays locked up if I lean forward. I should also mention that when I bought the vehicle I had to inform the manager that the front bumper was only attached to the car because someone drilled screws into it to keep it on. He had no idea!! I made them replace it before I would buy the vehicle. The paint is constantly chipping off of the "new bumper" they put on it.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #79

Jul 162019

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags), but the contact felt that the failure may be related to the recall campaign. South charlotte Hyundai (8525 South blvd, charlotte, nc 28273, 980-224-5870) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #78

May 122019

Sonata

  • miles
Takata recall on my engine and they are saying my steering wheel doesn't have a recall but it's really bad and it makes loud noises and gets louder when you go 70mphg where it shakes really bad.

- Halls, TN, USA

problem #77

Jun 212019

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles

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

I was initiating to park my car and it accelerated on its own and took me and my daughter over a curb. As it took us over a curb, her seatbelt unbuckled and caused her car seat to flip over.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #76

Jan 112019

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
I bought this car in March of 2018. They never told me about the 20 plus recalls that were never fixed. I recently had my engine replaced due to a recall. I also have about 20 recalls on this car that were not fixed. After my engine was replaced the Hyundai dealership cleared out all of my recalls as if they were fixed. They were not fixed or replaced, only the engine and fuel pump. They are telling me I have to pay out of pocket for other recalls on the car. They changed the wording to "extended warranty" when the part is on the recall list. Please look into this seeing they commited a fradulent act on me in the past on another car I bought from them.

- Morris, CT, USA

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problem #75

Mar 082019

Sonata

  • 129,625 miles
The vehicle has been at the dealer for more than 60 days and the manufacturer will not proceed with the repair of the safety recalls.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #74

Mar 082019

Sonata

  • 78,243 miles

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

The vehicle has been at the dealer for more than 60 days and the manufacturer will not proceed with the repair of the safety recalls.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #73

Mar 132019

Sonata

  • 125,025 miles
The vehicle has been at the dealer for more than 60 days and the manufacturer will not proceed with the repair of the safety recalls.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #72

Mar 122019

Sonata

  • 86,579 miles
The vehicle has been at the dealer for more than 60 days and the manufacturer will not proceed with the repair of the safety recalls.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #71

Mar 112019

Sonata

  • 80,848 miles
The vehicle has been at the dealer for more than 60 days and the manufacturer will not proceed with the repair of the safety recalls.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #70

May 182019

Sonata

  • 45,000 miles

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

I was driving South bound on I-355 in dupage county when I was about to switch over from the 3rd from right lane onto the 4th from right lane to exit when the left back of my car got hit causing me to do a 180 spin into the middle of lane two from left hitting another vehicle but no air bags deployed out. Idk if it's ruled a total lost or not. Insurance have to get back to me. Me and my 2yr daughter was in the car

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #69

Jan 172019

Sonata

  • miles
Takata recall. I bought my 2011 Hyundai Sonata last year in March of 2018. I was unaware of the many recalls it had, but figured the dealership wohld have notified me, which they did not. January of 2019 I had my engine replaced, which was on the recall list. Before I had brought the car in they told me they would fix all recalls. They never did. There is a recall on the "cupler" which is in the steering wheel compartment, which I was told they would fix before bringing it in. When I picked the car up it was not fixed and when I asked why not, they told me I was over the limited mileage by 1,000 miles. They now tell me I have to pay $300 for that part. Also, when checked on this website about my recalls it said they have all been repaired, which is a complete lie. Out of the 20 recalls they fixed 2. the engine and the fuel pump which was affected by the motor issue. I have dealt with them in the past, with my 2003 elantra when I needed a radiator, which I paid full price, but they never gave me a new radiator like they told me they were putting in my car. I found out when I later sold my car, years later. I feel this company is fradulent. Hyundai of watertown, ct.

- Morris, CT, USA

problem #68

May 072019

Sonata

  • miles
Airbag dash light stays

- Lemon Grove, CA, USA

problem #67

Jan 152019

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
The engine appears not to performing correctly. And the brakes are making a loud sound. And the steering wheel is sticking while driving.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #66

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 #65

Nov 202018

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
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 #64

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

problem #63

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 #62

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 #61

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

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