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:
50,849 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. The contact stated that the steering wheel shook abnormally and vibrated at low and high speeds. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who provided an alignment and diagnosed that the steering shaft connector fractured and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 11/01/16 updated 11/02/16.
Power steering recall notice issue and steering coupler/column replacements. Loud noises coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel would shake. Which caused problem during highway driving. Wearing out my tires, absolutely unsafe to drive. It amazes me how many other Sonata owners have the same issue. Hyundai take action and responsibility. This isn't fare to consumers
After having a recall performed campaign 143 I was told that the steering coupling and the clock spring was bad. I left the dealer and drove back in because I heard a noise when I turned the steering wheel with the engine on. Was told it was the coupling. Looked on the web at home. This is a common problem. Should be a recall.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the steering wheel coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Media, PA, USA
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When turning at low speeds, the steering wheel clicks/knocks to the point where it feels as if the steering is not engaging for a moment then reengages. At the point of the click/knock, there is no resistance in the steering wheel. Then as you continue to turn the wheel, the resistance in the steering wheel returns.
I noticed a clunking sound when turing the steering wheel. After researching this problem I found this to be common complaint due to power steering coupling going bad, Sonata has a tsb 14-St-002-1 regarding this problem. The tsb says there is no steering performance issues associated with this condition. I strongly disagree with this statement. The degraded coupler introduced play or wiggle room in the connection between the steering wheel and the front tires. When the car is parked, you can rock the steering wheel back & forth to hear the clunking noise. When this is done, you can tell the steering wheel was moving further than it should without the wheels moving. Also you hear and feel the clunking sound at low speeds turning the steering wheel back and forth. You can feel loose playing in the steering wheel before the tires move in either direction. I believe this issue is very much a safety concern and should be a recall. Also I feel this should have been part of the safety recall for the column shaft ECU replacement since it is a safety concern issue with the steering system
I was originally told of a clicking sound in April of 2016. I was never able to hear the sound until later on. That clicking noise has turned into a loud clunking sound. The steering was loose and a shaking in the steering wheel with rattling sound at 65 mph. I thought the shaking was caused due to an alignment being needed which I had done today 9/6/2016. I hear this sound when backing or parked while turning the steering wheel to the left or to the right. I have an appointment scheduled with Hyundai 9/7/2016.
I am experiencing clicking noise as I turn my steering wheel either direction while driving and stationary. Steering wheel shakes & rattles when I drive over uneven pavement in addition steering wheel vibrates and shakes hard when I reach speeds above 70mph. There is no current recall for steering coupler for 2011 Hyundai Sonata
I purchased my Hyundai Sonata on 12/31/2010. It has 39,000 miles on it now. Hendrick Hyundai of charleston SC has informed me the steering column coupler needs to be replaced and has quoted me a repair cost of $243. I declined their offer of repair, but have become concerned as the steering has begun to exhibit an increasingly loose feeling. Following my inquiry to Consumer Affairs at Hyundai motor America, I have been informed this would have been covered under their 5 year 60,000 miles warranty, but since my vehicle is beyond the 5 year period, the warranty does not apply. As a result of my internet search, I have found this part was part of a recall for VIN numbers not including mine, and that there have been numerous complaints filed with NHTSA about this issue. I suspect the fault with the part failure lies with Hyundai, and I resent having to pay for the repair, which I now intend to have the dealer perform because I am concerned about the safety risk.. I further resent that Hyundai has not been more pro-active about a repair issue that I suspect could be life-threatening should steering be lost at highway speed, resulting in a crash.
My vehicle has approximately 76,000 miles. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, there is severe looseness and clunk that is felt in the steering wheel. Even in park moving the steering wheel to the left or right the loud noise is present.
My vehicle has approximately 61,000 miles. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, there is severe looseness and clunk that is felt in the steering wheel.
Seemingly out of the blue, the steering wheel began to have extra give when turned even slightly. Days later, a rattling sound in the column started, especially whenever I hit a bump in the road or turned corners. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was told it was a broken column coupler.
I noticed a clunking sound when I turned the steering wheel. I also felt like the front tires and steering were very loose. Driving over bumps or pot holes the wheels felt like they were shaking even though the steering wheel was held tight and not moving. After researching this problem, I found that it is a common complaint due to a power steering coupling going bad. Sonata has a technical service bulletin 14-St-002-1 regarding this problem. I have attached the tsb. The problem became noticeable 5 years and 1 month after I bought the car. The tsb says there are "no steering performance issues associated with this condition". I strongly disagree with this statement. The degraded couple introduced play or wiggle room in the connection between the steering wheel and front tires. When the car is parked, you can rock the steering wheel back and forth to hear the clunking noise. When this is done, you can tell that the steering wheel was moving further than it should without the wheels moving. At first I thought my front wheels were loose. I believe that this issue is very much a safety concern and should be a recall. During my last visit to the dealer to fix other recalls, I paid the $275 to fix this problem since I did not feel safe driving the car with this problem. Since it was over 5 years, the dealer would not replace it under warranty. Thanks, wyman
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE with severe knocking and banging in steering wheel and column.my dealership diagnosed this as steering coupler failure. This is a safety issue despite Hyundai and it's dealers denying this fact. Steering is notably harder with low speed driving and feels uncomfortable at higher speeds. My spouse is afraid to drive the car until this is repaired. This issue is common on these early model Sonatas as well as the Kia optima. The dealerships avoid this issue until after warranty period is over, then they tell customer that it's now their responsibility to repair at $400-600.00. They are even telling customers that there is steering column failure and charging them thousands of dollars in replacement. I cannot understand how this is not considered a safety issue due to it being steering related.
Brought the car in for the steering recall and they tell me the steering coupler is bad will cost $400 to replace and is not covered under the recall. I see numerous people are having serious steering issues because of this faulty part. The 2011 Sonata with 68,000 should not be having this issue. Why wasn't this included with the recent steering recall
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel shook. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. Updated 12/01/16 the power steering electric motor coupling was replaced. Updated 12/19/16.8jb
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 5 mph in reverse, there was a loud popping noise coming from the vehicle. Also, the steering wheel felt as if it would detach. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnosed that the shaft joint was separating from the steering column and a repair was needed. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or making left or right turns, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a steering boost needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. However, the remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering) was performed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,467.
Takata recall issues with steering after recall-steering coupler issues with seatbelt lamp after recall-clockspring issues with lighting-interior malfunstions issues with turbo feed line issues with A/C lines leaking
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Claremont, NC, USA