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.
Car has been having problems with steering. Originally thought it was due to the need for new tires, however, I bought new tires, and the problem has gotten progressively worse. I called Hyundai on a couple of occasions to have my car looked at, and they could not accommodate me with another vehicle (loaner). They told me they would have their shuttle take me home. Uh, ok! How do I get back, I asked. They didn't have an answer for me.
I decided to take it to my own mechanic to look at it, as I was scared to death to drive the damn thing. I transport my young child to school every day, and I have over an hour commute one way. I was facing a life or death situation for me and my son. My mechanic told me that the problem is the intermediate steering shaft, and to replace it would cost over $300.00. This happens to be an earlier recall on the car.
I called the dealership again and told them what was found, and asked for it to be replaced free of charge due to the Hyundai Recall. They couldn't get me in the same day. They would have to order parts, and would have to wait another five days to bring it in. (chance crashing and killing me and my son?) I was told they would have to diagnose the problem themselves, and the diagnostic fee would be $118 regardless of what was found. REALLY? Why would I give the dealership a dime for something that was caused by the Manufacturer? And then what, take it in to the dealer for them to tell me a) yes, this is a problem and we are going to fix it but we also found this, this, and this which is additional cost... OR b) get it fixed by my own mechanic the same day and know that my son and I are (somewhat) safe again in the vehicle. I opted for choice B.
Now I am out the money, and Hyundai will not issue reimbursement. I owned a Hyundai years ago, got into a bad car accident (totaled it) and my airbag never deployed. Had so many problems with that vehicle I SWORE I would never buy another one!! SHAME ON ME!!! Don't let looks deceive you people, HYUNDAI SUCKS and they don't know what they are doing when it comes to manufacturing cars!!!! Once you buy it, don't ask for support, because you will be as disgusted and frustrated as I have been over the years!!
First of all, I purchased the car from the dealership. Now, the steering column made clicking noises, which became louder and making me nervous to drive. I called the Delership and they looked up my car, year model and let me know that
my car did not have a recall on that part so I had to pay the replacement and labor. They quoted, PART: $894. Labor: 300 and Reprogramming: 350. a TOTAL of 1,554.00. A 5 YEAR OLD CAR!!!!, I went off. My 20 year old Volvo never gave me that problem. My 8 year old Camary never gave me that problem on and on... I went to research about the car on-line. Turns out, there was a RECALL only it covered
the two years prior to mine. 2009 and 2010 REPLACED 140,000 STEERING COLUMNS. Turns out NOT MY year 2011. But here I am with the same problem. I Certainly did not have within my reach capacity to Drop a quick $1,554. So I had to search for a USED PART at 300.
find a LOCAL Affordable mechanic. LABOR at 200. However, they did not have the Machine to REPROGRAM the steering wheel to it.
NOW my Dash Screen dose NOT DISPLAY GAS MILES, ( how many left before more gas is required etc..) ALSO Now shows a light on that was not on before which wont turn off. The button to set tires for SLIPPERY ROAD. NOW, I HAVE TO DEAL with additional cost to This and who know to WHAT TUNE >:( I NEED HELP!!! THEY SHOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE MY YEAR MODEL ON THE RECALL AND REIMBURSE ME FOR MY COSTS.
TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER SOON, HOPING THEY WILL PAY FOR THE FIX, BEEN THERE ONCE FOR THIS ISSUE, COST AT THAT TIME $399.00. THOUGHT I WOULD WAIT A WHILE
Like most people complaining about this steering wheel clicking issue, I am adding my part to it too. The repair took about 6 hours and cost me $500. This is way too much in my opinion but the problem is so bad I really need to get it fixed. I'm hoping that this will turn into an official recall so I can get my money back!
I just got my car back from the dealership. I had to have my engine replaced because it seized due to a recall from Hyundai. I also had two other recalls fixed at the same time. When I got it back yesterday, I noticed that the steering didn't feel right. It was very tight and not very easy to turn. I said it the parking lot at work and turned the wheel back and forth and could hear a clicking sound.
I called the dealership and asked them what I should do since this to me is clearly an issue they should fix since it wasn't an issue before I left my car with them. They told me that it was an issue with the coupling on the steering column and that I would have to pay over $300 to get it replaced. They said it wasn't their issue because they didn't go anywhere near that when they were fixing all the other stuff that was wrong.
After doing research, I see that thousands of other people have had issues with this. I can't believe all the issues this car has had. I will never ever ever buy a Hyundai again!
I have noticed for the last month that when I slightly turn my steering wheel to the left or right there is a clicking noise. I had taken my sonata into dealer for some other recall issues and asked about my steering. I was told it would need the coupling replaced and that it would be about 390.00 to fix. He told me there is a recall on this issue but not in Texas. I can't understand that if there is a problem with this that it should not be nation wide.
Purchased my car new in mid-May 2010 (Sonata 2011). Only drive locally and only have 15,500 miles on my car. Have taken car in several times for other recalls. Have had inspections yearly, had my oil changes. All work done at dealership where I purchased my car (Springfield, PA).
When I had my car in for 3 recall notices (all came at one time), I was told steering wheel was making noises which I hadn't previously noticed. However within the week, it started making horrible sounds whenever I turn the wheel. Dealership said it will cost about $350.00 to repair. I was told coupler needs to be replaced. They said the problem is from wear, but I only have 15,500 miles on my car. Since the car is now almost 6 years old, they said it's not covered. I think this problem should be covered under a recall, since it's obviously a problem many people are having.
I had to pay almost $300.00 to replace a $2.52 rubber part ( 1-56315-2K000_FFF Flexible Coupling ) because the warranty of 60 months or 60,000 miles was passed by about 1 month. The car mileage was 36,144. The dealership said there was no recall, and it could be very dangerous to drive because the steering wheel would become loose and hard to steer as the rubber part ( about the size of a 50 cent coin ) continued to disintegrate, so I had it repaired. I think Hyundai should pay me for this type of repair. I am ticked off.
I hear a clicking noise when I go over a bump or when turning the steering wheel. Ask the dealership and they said there is a bushing in the steering column that was wallowed out and needs to be replaced. They said it would cost $250.00 to do something that will take them 30 minutes. They knew right away of the problem because a lot of people have had this happen, I asked them if it was dangerous and they said no but the noise would just keep getting worse. I think this should have been recalled. I noticed that there are a lot of people who have had the same problem.
Steering column has the issue with the shaft steering joint, which had a recall on them in 2010. I was told that it was no longer covered under the warranty by the dealership. Said that my car was not under the recall, but yet it is HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL ID#10V426000. I was told that I was responsible to fix the issue and it would cost $250.00. I want to know why this is not considered an major safety issue. If this coupling gives the steering column WILL loose control. And when it does I WILL SUE THE CRAP OUT OF THEM, IF I LIVE AND GOD WILLING NO ONE WILL BE INJURED. We should not have to worry about driving a car that is suppose to be top of the line in warranty and yet they won't fix a severe issue that can cause injuries or even death. I personally will tell everyone to never buy another HYUNDAI they do not stand behind their cars.
The clicking problem started out small and then it became worse over time, now it makes a horrible clicking, rambling noise when I hit top speeds, such as pass 60mph. Initially I took it to the dealer and was told nothing bad would happen and it would only make more progressive clicking noises. I took it again as the noise became worse and was told my car was made in March of 2011, but the recalls were for vehicles that were up to Dec 2010. I asked, "Do you think I may have had a defective part also, since my car was built so close to the recall date?"
I was told the problem part was ONLY less than $5.00, but labor would cost me up to $400 due to the two hours they would spend putting my steering column back together. I don't have a warranty on my vehicle and I don't have $400. This is an horrible experience!
I just recently found out about the Stering Coupling issue along with the axels that needs to be replaced. I haven't even had this car two years and all these problems with this car is crazy. I did purchase an extended warranty but it ran out at 71miles, that's all I was offered at Moss Brothers dealership. I have to fix it of course, but I don't feel that I should be the one fixing this issue. This is a major issue and I know the 2011 hyundai Sonata has had major issues with a lot of problems. All I'm asking is that this company takes responsibility before some gets killed due to all there malfunctions on behalf of Hyundai. So this is really two complaints on my behalf axels and the stering coupling. I never been in any type of accident with this car. I truly believe that I was sold A LEMON!
My 2011 has been nothing but a nightmare, we just bought it 4 months ago and have since received an engine recall and every time I turn while going slow or backing up it starts making a clicking noise. We paid for an extended warranty and even with that, the repair will cost over $200.00 so I am assuming without the extended warranty, well over that amount. The car also shakes when going over 65 mph, I am very unhappy with this vehicle and as soon as my warranty expires, I will be trading it even if I have to take a loss. I will NOT buy another hyundai again.
Steering system Flex coupling chewed itself up and slowly began to cause clicking sound when wheel was turned. Started around 35-40K miles. Griped it at 78K during a service visit. Was repaired immediately, but they wanted $350 until I reminded them that I had an extended warranty. They wouldn't tell me what would happen if it completely failed. It was not included in their Recall #10V4260000 for the same problem. I have the failed part.
First of all I have never bought a car that had so many recalls on it or needed so many repairs. I wanted a car that was safe and dependable for myself and my grandchildren. Now I am having issues with noises from my steering wheel, and I am being told that if they take it apart to check a part to see if that was the problem, and that I would have to pay several hundred dollars for labor even if that part wasn't the problem.
R&R OF "failed steering flex coupler" cost $250.80 - after a 10% discount. The part itself was $2.89. Labor was
$207- after discount. Very disappointed in repair cost - and need of repair with 55,900 miles on car. This issue makes this my last Hyundai! We have Two Hyundai's in family now and two before these, but its over for Hyundai's.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Car has been having problems with steering. Originally thought it was due to the need for new tires, however, I bought new tires, and the problem has gotten progressively worse. I called Hyundai on a couple of occasions to have my car looked at, and they could not accommodate me with another vehicle (loaner). They told me they would have their shuttle take me home. Uh, ok! How do I get back, I asked. They didn't have an answer for me.
I decided to take it to my own mechanic to look at it, as I was scared to death to drive the damn thing. I transport my young child to school every day, and I have over an hour commute one way. I was facing a life or death situation for me and my son. My mechanic told me that the problem is the intermediate steering shaft, and to replace it would cost over $300.00. This happens to be an earlier recall on the car.
I called the dealership again and told them what was found, and asked for it to be replaced free of charge due to the Hyundai Recall. They couldn't get me in the same day. They would have to order parts, and would have to wait another five days to bring it in. (chance crashing and killing me and my son?) I was told they would have to diagnose the problem themselves, and the diagnostic fee would be $118 regardless of what was found. REALLY? Why would I give the dealership a dime for something that was caused by the Manufacturer? And then what, take it in to the dealer for them to tell me a) yes, this is a problem and we are going to fix it but we also found this, this, and this which is additional cost... OR b) get it fixed by my own mechanic the same day and know that my son and I are (somewhat) safe again in the vehicle. I opted for choice B.
Now I am out the money, and Hyundai will not issue reimbursement. I owned a Hyundai years ago, got into a bad car accident (totaled it) and my airbag never deployed. Had so many problems with that vehicle I SWORE I would never buy another one!! SHAME ON ME!!! Don't let looks deceive you people, HYUNDAI SUCKS and they don't know what they are doing when it comes to manufacturing cars!!!! Once you buy it, don't ask for support, because you will be as disgusted and frustrated as I have been over the years!!
- Michele E., York, PA, US