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.

6.9

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$470
Average Mileage:
72,950 miles
Total Complaints:
74 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace steering coupling (39 reports)
  2. not sure (26 reports)
  3. replace bushing (3 reports)
  4. replace steering column (3 reports)
  5. replace intermediate steering shaft/rack (2 reports)
  6. replace tie rods, axles and an alignment (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #54

Oct 282016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,321 miles

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

My issue is that i went to get headlight fixed and an oil change and when they went to check on the mileage without even moving my car they said i would recommend replacing steering column coupler. The clicking sound you hear is the plastic coupler wearing down for a cost of $312. plus additional time because i have a remote start. First I have never heard the clicking sound they are talking about. Second Why wouldn't this be a recall it would seem the part is defective.

- sullivannj, Margate, NJ, US

problem #53

Nov 012016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

There should be another recall added to the long list for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for the steering wheel problems. With only 47,000 on my car, steering started to click and felt loose and would vibrate on the freeway when going over 60 mph. Very unsafe. I should not have to spend $326 before Christmas to fix a defective steering wheel. Report from dealer said "worn coupler." Doesn't seem right that this part is worn out with this low mileage.

- monachart, Orange, CA, US

problem #52

Sep 012016

Sonata ES 2t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

Steering began to make "popping" or "clanking" noise when turning the wheel a couple of months ago. It has gotten progressively louder and now makes the noise whenever turning. The steering also "grabs" - like the crabbing feel on a 4WD drive on dry pavement.

I checked for recalls but since I did not see one, I am taking it in this week to have it checked and repaired.

- Gary M., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #51

Sep 102016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

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

I think there should be a recall on this!!! There are numerous complaints and warnings on this. I have read on it and it could cause a crash. It is very worrisome to drive and I don't know what to expect. I am a senior citizen on a limited budget and I thought I bought a safe car. I will never buy a Hyundai again. I feel angry and am afraid to take a long drive. My family lives in Orlando...a two hour drive.

Every time I turn the wheel or I go over the slightest uneven part of a road the clicking noise happens. click click click click click...not just a one time thing

- ssalmon, Dunedin, FL, US

problem #50

Aug 012016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Bought 2011 Hyundai Sonata brand new, now only has slightly over 31,000 miles. I have a 10 year/100 m warranty, but was told the steering clicking and wobbling wasn't covered and it would be $240 to repair. Seems strange that they have received enough complaints to know exactly what I was talking about, but not enough for a recall to fix a problem many drivers seem to be having. I've already had all the other recalls fixed, but not this one. I've had all checkups and routine maintenance done up to this point and I'm unhappy enough about this that I doubt I will ever purchase another Hyundai.

- juno1133, Maryville, TN, US

problem #49

Aug 202016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,498 miles

I brought my husbands vehicle in to be serviced and have the recall done on the controller Mod. for steering. When I found out that the steering coupler was broken and needed to be replaced I thought it would have been covered under the recall. We are elderly people who live month to month on our income. This created for me to cancel my appointment for the rest of the month. I want to know why since there are so many complaints about this that there isn't a recall on this part. Why hasn't Hyundai come forward and fix the problem and give the consumers there money back. I feel if that the coupler went do to your manufacturing the product and having a recall done in the same area. So there for you need to reimburse the money back.

- ochal, Hardy, VA, US

problem #48

Sep 052016

Sonata 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,100 miles

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

It's been problem after problem with this vehicle. I was told by too many mechanics that it was in the steering wheel or it could be the rack and pinion which would cost over $1500.00 to repair. I never experience so many problems with this vehicle. I also have an issue with the headlights blinking off while I'm driving at night, which could cause accident.

- valerieholmes, Richmond, VA, US

problem #47

Jul 282016

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,600 miles

click to see larger images

clicking noise when turning clicking noise when turning

Taking a trip, while on I-81 I noticed some intermittent shimmy and notchy feeling in the steering. When we stopped for fuel and I backed up, it was clunking. I thought something was breaking off. With engine OFF the steering felt tight. We continued to our first destination and next morning went to Hyundai of Chantilly. I had already Googled the symptoms and in 4+ hours and $308 later we were on the road again. A simple cheap rubber coupler $2.79 caused this. POOR DESIGN.. POOR CHOICE OF MATERIAL.. I FILED A REPORT WITH NHTSA.

- hans_1300, McDonough, GA, US

problem #46

Sep 012016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

On my 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the steering column makes a horrible rattle sound when going over bumps and also makes a popping noise when you turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. Seems to affect my lights as well as they go off and on when this occurs. Took in to dealer today and they said it would cost $363 to replace the coupling. I see this as an issue numerous time in complaints on this site, so why isn't their a recall on this. This started with approximately 58,000 miles on the car. Car now has approximately 60,000 miles.

- Billy S., Clarksville, TN, US

problem #45

Oct 072016

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

This will be my last Hyundai. 2011 Sonata Limited has 25, 000 miles and a few months out of warranty. The steering would make a clunking noise when turning. I was told at the dealership that this was a safety issue. Of course, a few months out of warranty and Hyundai refuses to pay for the repair. It is a $3 part and $300 labor. All I get from Hyundai is "I understand but no". Will never ever buy another Hyundai product and I suggest you don't either. I have seen hundreds of complaints online about this issue but the company does not want to address it-maybe they will when they have a major lawsuit for people getting killed due to the steering going out on the car.

- Fran R., Columbia, SC, US

problem #44

Feb 032016

Sonata LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,093 miles

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

There is a known clunking sound caused by the steering column bushing. The dealer told me what it was but there was no recall issued on it. He said it would cost $260 to repair and I could have it done and then wait for a recall. He didn't say it was dangerous but it has steadily gotten worse.

- James W., Port Charlotte, FL, US

problem #43

Sep 192016

Sonata 4 Cy

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,229 miles

Brought 2011 Hyundai in for the EPS recall. It has 22,200 miles on it. Service called and said recall was done but that the Steering Coupler was bad and needed to be replaced. Repair would cost over $300.00. I declined. On the way home I noticed a clicking sound when I turned the wheel to the right or left. Never had this problem until the recall was done. I called my cousin who has the same car and asked if he had the recall done. He said he had and the dealer told him the coupler needed to be replaced.......It was a different dealership then the one I went to......they replaced it for nothing and it was over the five year warranty. Seems strange that I didn't have this problem until the recall was done.

- Andrew M., Inwood, NY, US

problem #42

Aug 152016

Sonata ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I have a 2011 Hyndai Sonata, with 57,000 miles, I began getting this clunking sound when I make turn in my steering wheel, the problem did not occur until, I took my Car to get serviced at hyudai dealer in Springfield PA, which I only had recalls to be service, now all of a sudden I'm having problems with my Car, they told me 2 weeks after my service recalls was done, I've beginning getting clunking sound in Wheel and gears start shifting took it back to them told them there was nothing wrong with my car until they touched it, they had a nerve to tell me that I need a steering coupler and input sensor in my Transmission, which will cost me over $1000.00. I have been seeing over 1800 complaints online about Hyundai having this Steering coupler problems and over 18,000 have this transmission problem, they are both very hazardous and and you canbe killed. and the manufacture needs a recall on these issues.

- Karen C., Upper Darby, PA, US

problem #41

May 162015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

There's a clicking in the steering when turning or going over bumps. Got steering recall fixed and thought that would take care of the issue. As soon as I started to drive out of the parking lot I heard the noise. I stopped the car went back inside and asked about the clicking. Was told that the clicking was not apart of the recall. The issue is a coupler/coupling that's broken. Needless to say I still have the clicking while driving.

- jashley650, Sandy Hook, VA, US

problem #40

Sep 172016

Sonata Limited 2.4L Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Now when I turn the wheel I hear a thunking noise. It doesn't happen all the time and it makes me wonder if something is wiggling itself loose and ready to fly...not good.

- duket, Eldersburg, MD, US

problem #39

Sep 152016

Sonata Limited 2.4L Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,030 miles

Now when I turn the wheel I hear a thunking noise. It doesn't happen all the time and it makes me wonder if something is wiggling itself loose and ready to fly...not good.

- duket, Eldersburg, MD, US

problem #38

Sep 142016

Sonata Limited 2.4L Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,900 miles

Now when I turn the wheel I hear a thunking noise. It doesn't happen all the time and it makes me wonder if something is wiggling itself loose and ready to fly...not good.

- duket, Eldersburg, MD, US

problem #37

Aug 102016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Sitting at dealer's waiting room while it's getting fixed ... My car's mileage was actually pretty low - only 40K. Unfortunately the car was 8 months beyond the five-year warranty, so I had to pay by myself.

Yes, the adviser showed me that the cost of the coupler was less than two bucks, but the labor cost was close to $400!!!

THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!

- hu nc, Cary, NC, US

problem #36

Jul 152016

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,951 miles

I have read so many complaints regarding the knocking and clicking noise in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. I don't understand how come this isn't under a recall. Everyone is saying the part is very inexpensive.

- Rena S., Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #35

Aug 052016

Sonata Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

So far this year I have had 8 Recalls on my car not to mention the 3 I had last year. Now my steering is making a clinking noise when I turn and shaking if I drive over 60mph. I have already had it in the shop once this year and twice last year for other repairs. I hear a lot of people are having this issue but they have failed to have it on the recall list. I am not sure how much this repair will cost. I hear they are estimating between $350-$400. Please have a recall most people can not keep repairing their vehicles like this.

- Rachel B., Danbury, TX, US

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