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:
20 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
50,893 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.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving between 45-60 mph, a knocking noise was heard from the steering column and the steering wheel felt loose. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph and going over a bump, the steering wheel became loose and there was an abnormal noise. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred on twenty occasions in one week. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was repaired for the failure back in 2011 and could not repair it under the same recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was operated, the steering column made an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change and front wheel alignment. The contact was informed that the alignment could not be performed. The technician was informed that the error in the software for the power steering caused an error in their system; therefore, an alignment could not be performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The technician stated that the vehicle fell under NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
The steering wheel and column shake and make a horrible noise anytime I hit a bump in the road while in motion. It is only getting worse. It started out not doing it all the time and now it does it anytime I hit any slight bump in the road.
My steering coupling needs to be replaced, but because I have over 100,000 miles Hyundai is refusing to replace it. I went to the dealership when I was at 70,000 miles with the same issue and no one said that it could be the steering coupling. This has been an on going issue and Hyundai should recall the steering coupling
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While turning the steering wheel in either direction, a clicking noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intermediate shaft universal joint connection was faulty and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
This is a known issue with Hyundai and they still charge to fix it. I took my car in for the 4 recalls that were out on it and the dealership said that I need a coupling. The man in the service department said that the part Hyundai used is faulty and they have made a replacement that doesn't break but they still charge $300+ to fix it. The part only costs about $5. my steering shakes incessantly and makes a very loud clicking and clanking sound while driving and it's getting worse. It's a danger to drive and is hard to control because there is so much play in the wheel. I have called Hyundai and made a complaint but haven't heard back from them yet. They told me that the warranty for the part had been extended to 100,000 miles but my part didn't break until after the 100,000 miles. It's so frustrating, why wasn't this part of the recall since it is also a danger to the driver and passengers?? if I would have known that it was subject to breaking, I would have brought it in before the 100,000 miles - Hyundai should have taken care of this as it is a known problem. This is an issue every time I drive.
"steering coupler is bad" per the second mechanic that has looked at my car, one was from a Hyundai dealership. I know two individuals that have replaced their steering coupler after the steering wheel started shaking, rattling, or clanking noises. If it is not replaced and the coupler breaks, I will loose control of my car.
Takata loud RPM when starting then loud clicking in steering wheel coupler bad now brakes having issues and axles clicking radio goes on and off. Lights keep burning out.
The steering wheel clicks when turning or hit a bounce. It is the motor driven power steering coupling, part # 56315-2K000-ffff. The technical bulletin # 14-St-002-1 states that it takes 1 1/2 hours to replace yet the dealer states it is a 3 hour job. There are numerous complaints about this yet no recall even though it is a piece of crap part.
Air bag lights on all the time the passenger side seat belt light always flashes the over head dome light is burning out and I have also had the front sway bar links replaced 2 times in 2 years in less than 10000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 65 mph, a loud noise came from the engine and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and turned off. Previously, the steering column made a popping noise and the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that nothing could be done. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall was closed and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 113,822.
I felt a "looseness" on my steering column especially when hitting a bump. I put the car in for service with my personal mechanic. He pointed out to me that a plastic gear well in the inside of the steering column had worn down. Almost at same time I received a recall notice from Hyundai entitled "collision risk electric power steering unit may loss" NHTSA code 16V190000. I called the service manager at carousel Hyundai in West chester pa. Where I purchased the car. He told me that the worn plastic gear was not part of recall and it was a separate issue. Implying that I would have to pay for it. This is a safety issue and they will have steering column apart for recall, why can't they replace plastic gear while steering column is broken down. It is hard to reach space. I am taking car to dealer for two recalls tomorrow at 8:00. I will let you know what happens
Steering coupler replaced within 6 months of service for recall 16V190000. Maybe be unrelated to recall repair but from forums read, this has been a stand alone issue and in conjunction with the recall repair
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Burtonsville, MD, USA