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.

2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 17 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #838

Dec 282016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 49,800 miles

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

The steering on my car is making noise. There is a clicking sound when I turn or when I go over a bump in the road or a pot hole. I took it to a mechanic and they told me the steering coupling probably needed to be replaced, to go to Hyundai that there is a recall. Hyundai told me it's only a service bulletin not a recall. Both seem to agree that it needs to be repaired or I could lose my ability to steer the car at any point while driving. It seems to be related to recall 10V426000 but I don't think my car was included in that recall.

- Dunwoody, GA, USA

problem #837

Nov 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Steering has excessive play and makes a clunking noise when steering left or right. There is also a loud clattering noise when driving over bumps.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #836

Jun 042016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
My Hyundai started with a clicking when I would hit any bumps but then started making more load noises when I would turn the wheel. Then all of the sudden it started rapidly shaking while I was driving down the highway at any speed above 50. It is a driving hazard and should be recalled. It's absolutely crazy that this car is allowed on the road like this. You have no control when it starts shaking. I took it in and they said they repaired it for over $300. Its been a few months and it is doing the exact thing but now they are saying they need to replace the entire steering rack for over $1180. There have been so many recalls on this car for steering, it should all be covered. What is it going to take for someone to take this seriously.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #835

Dec 192016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 86,000 miles

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

I was driving and all lights began flashing on dashboard, steering wheel jerked and I lost power steering, was able to pull off road into a parking lot, turned the car off and it would not start back up.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #834

Dec 022015

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
When I received my car from the dealership after having the engine replaced, I noticed a ticking noise when driving over bumps and turning my steering wheel. This noise is getting louder and the steering wheel almost feels loose! after doing some research, I found that a few hundred others had the same issue and had to have the steering coupling replaced! why isn't there a recall when the dealerships know this is a common issue with this car? I'm nervous driving it! I've been dealing with it for about a year, and today the noise got noticeably louder and the steering is a little looser. I took a video but I'm not sure I can upload it here.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #833

Dec 142016

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
This car just run 57000 mails, the power steering got "click noise". Hyundai dealer ask $340 to fix it, said it is "steering coupler" problem, a piece of rubber part defective. I saw there bunch of complain about this, said more than 1800, we think Hyundai should recall this problem to fix their fault.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #832

Nov 172016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

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

There is a clicking and rattling going when turning (or when going over a bump or driving on any uneven road). There is also a slight pull from the steering wheel at certain degrees of its rotation, and the alignment is always off (even after having it realigned). This is definitely a potential safety issue. I was told by my personal mechanic and a mechanic at Hyundai that it originates with the steering coupler. I have done quite a bit of online research and everything that I have found shows this to be a widespread known issue with this model/year. The part shows to be no more than $5 but, to get the part replaced I have been quoted by Hyundai a price of almost $500. However, there has been no recall issued yet" curious, how many complaints does it takes for this to finally get fixed"

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #831

Oct 072016

Sonata

  • miles
Steering wheel coupler going bad per dealer. Had noticed the steering wheel clunking while turning. Per dealer no campaign and over $400 to replace. The vehicle has 84,000 miles.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #830

Aug 172016

Sonata

  • 38,000 miles
I unfortunatley have the sonora with the engine recall which to me is asking why Hyundai just isn't replacing engines regardless of failure? there is no resale in a car with this open recall.my other issue I need to have addressed is my steering was upgraded and approximatley a month or so after I heard a clunking noise in the driveway when I turn the steering wheel from side to side, I called my dealer ( Hyundai 112 in medford, N.Y ) and it was almost scripted, I was told it's a bushing or something he said and it's not part of the recall. I have to pay for this. If you check online you will see it's a major failure, why it would be such a flimsy plastic gear in steering " I hope you can remedy this as a recall. My car had no noise until the steering was quote upgraded by Hyundai, again plastic piece in a steering motor"

- Stony Brook, NY, USA

problem #829

Dec 082016

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
When turning steering wheel in either direction, it makes a thud with each turn. Happens on all occasions. After checking complaints, I noted the same complaint was made on 12/06/2016 and 12/07/2016. Please take this problem seriously and notify manufacturer.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #828

Nov 282016

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized. The vehicle stalled and restarted on its own. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #827

Dec 012016

Sonata

  • 119,000 miles
Steering wheel in 2011 Hyundai Sonata started clicking when turned side to side. Mechanic said it was a plastic power steering coupler/bushing that needed replacing. If broken/worn down enough, the steering could seize up. According to some youtube views, this is a very well known problem. Part is only a couple of dollars, but labor is several hundred. Not sure why they used plastic, and why no recall, as this is a safety issue.

- Tahlequah, OK, USA

problem #826

Nov 062016

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Whenever the steering wheel was turned, a loud clicking noise was heard from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was a known issue and recommended that the steering column be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #825

Oct 182016

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
There is a clicking and ratteling in the steering column when turning (or when going over a bump). And there is a slight grip or pull from the column onto the steering wheel at certain degrees of its rotation. Definitely a potential safety issue. I believe it originates with the steering coupler. Online search reveals this is a widespread issue with the model, however there has been no recall.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #824

Aug 012016

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
Recently I have heard a knocking noise in the steering wheel and can feel this knocking as well. I have taken the vehicle to the closet Hyundai dealer for looking at and repair, they describe it as the steering coupler that needed to be replace and was very costly for repair. This noise and feeling appears below 5 mph and when the steering wheel is being turned left or right.

- Spring Lake, NC, USA

problem #823

Aug 172016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,706 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact had not experienced power steering failure until a dealer completed a recall repair for the steering. Immediately after the dealer's repair, the steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified that the remedy caused a failure. The contact was waiting for the manufacturer to determine a repair solution. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 01/23/2017 updated 7/12/18

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #822

Nov 102016

Sonata

  • miles
I have taken my car into Hyundai 3 times for the same repair on the steering column. I have clicking and chunking in the steering wheel and now my key will not release. I was told this time by Hyundai that it would cost me $150 for diagnostic and thousands if it isnt a related issue. This car is a lemon, and im stuck with it.

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

problem #821

Nov 232016

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles
Car stalled and engine shut down while trying to cross over a 4 lane highway came within 5 feet of a major collision with 2 approaching vehicles there is also another issue with the steering column. Hyundai chose to use a plastic bushing in the steering column that has completely failed at 65000 miles. The dealerships, 2 separate ones, state that this is not covered by the multiple other recalls with the steering. The bushing is hard plastic, about the size of a nickel and costs 2.00 at the dealership. But they want $300 labor to install

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #820

Nov 012016

Sonata

  • 63,000 miles
I have excessive free play in my steering wheel while the car is stationary and my steering wheel vibrates and shakes while I drive the at high speeds or changing lanes. Also my suspension feels loose when going over bumpy roads.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #819

Nov 142016

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance and an oil change, the technician stated that the vehicle needed three recall repairs for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V190000 (steering), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and 15V568000 (engine). Shortly after the dealer's repairs, smoke emitted under the hood near the front passenger side of the vehicle while driving 60 mph. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road and the fire department extinguished the flames. The fire department filed an incident report. The vehicle was towed to a yard and then to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer and the manufacturer to determine what caused the failure. The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was not available.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

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