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 3 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1118

Jul 062020

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles

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

Hard to steer and control, there is a clicking sound when in motion. It is constant weather I'm driving in the city or hwy. It's been happen for over 2 mos. But just started to get worse. It doesn't seem to matter what speed I'm going.

- Oregonia, OH, USA

problem #1117

Oct 172020

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
I starting hearing a clicking then the car lost all power, steering was so stiff, brakes would not prss down I was able to get off the road then smoke was pouring out the front. I could smell wires buring we pour water down in the motor but the hoses were still hot to the touch. The car will not restart. I scared me to death in so glad I slowed down. I bought the car less than 1yr ago. Dont dealers have to check these things. I'm so frustrated. Should not be allowed to sell a car if you know theres an open recall. I'm thankful my kids werent with me.

- Iberia, MO, USA

problem #1116

Sep 152020

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
The airbag light has been on and the steering has slowly gotten really loose and making clicking sounds. It now almost hitches when you turn it and our mechanic said it was unsafe to drive. The buttons on the steering wheel do not work either. We had our personal mechanic look at it and he found the extended warranty info from old recalls. He also called the dealer and they confirmed the extended warranty info on both the steering and the airbag. We then took it from our personal mechanic to the dealer and the dealer said it was not covered under the extended warranty due to the incorrect code during diagnostics. The charge is going to be $1950 to fix it as it needs a whole new steering column and coupler and something else. We have had so many recalls fixed on this car that it's getting ridiculous. I love how they "recall" and pay for the little things, but not this big things that is serious and dangerous. We have received a letter stating that the engine could seize so just waiting for that to happen.... not a very happy Hyundai customer at the moment. We will not pay the $1950 and I will for sure keep fighting this battle. Hyundai should stand behind their products and it's obvious something is wrong as so many people have documented the same problems. They need to make this right and fix it before someone gets seriously injured.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #1115

Oct 032020

Sonata

  • 165,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her mother was driving, the steering detached from the steering column. The vehicle was towed to her mother's residence and was later towed to mccombs superior Hyundai located at 4800 nw interstates 410 loop, san antonio, tx 78229, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the linkage from the steering column detached and needed to be replaced. The technician was unable to determine the cause for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that it would be a week to two weeks before someone would get back to the vehicle owner. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1114

Oct 032020

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
Drivers side seatbelt pops lose. It was supposed to be replaced under recall169. It happens when I'm driving. My break lights burn out a lot faster than usual ( 2 weeks). The back passenger side light burned the plastic unit where the light bulb is inserted. There is a crack in my steering wheel cup which seems to be a common problem with this vehicle and I think it should be a recall on that as well.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #1113

Oct 042020

Sonata

  • 141,263 miles
Started to drive on a highway, vehicle cut off in motion. It will not turn back on anymore

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #1112

Sep 252020

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the power steering was inoperable. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle however, the steering wheel failed to turn. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Henderson, NC, USA

problem #1111

Sep 292020

Sonata

  • 122,000 miles
I went to go park and my gear shifter broke, it was stuck in reverse. Once part of dash was removed the cable link that is connected to the shifter broke off. This was a terrible inconvenience.

- Heath Springs, SC, USA

problem #1110

Feb 012020

Sonata

  • miles
Car makes clunking/shaking/rattling sound while driving, more noticeable when going over 60mph or turning the wheel. Does not feel safe. Steering wheel rattles in your hand and vibrates the entire car.

- New Lebanon, NY, USA

problem #1109

Sep 022020

Sonata

  • 87,071 miles
Steering makes a loud "clunk" when turning right or left. It is noticeable when stationary, but quite loud when moving. I am afraid to drive the car.

- Southampton, PA, USA

problem #1108

Jan 292019

Sonata

  • miles

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

The steering wheel has been making this vibrating noise especially when you get up to a speed of 70. It shakes violently and there is always a clicking noise when you turn the steering wheel. It almost feels like the steering wheel is going to come off. If there is a bump or pothole in the road it will shake and just continue shaking violently in your hands. This is a common problem and Hyundai wants to charge around $400 to replace a rubber piece in the steering wheel.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #1107

Jul 232020

Sonata

  • 132,000 miles
Steering wheel makes a noise. When turned. Car ride is bumpy on inspection mechanic said I need steering column replaced and I need left front lower control arm replaced, front sway bar links need replacement. Almost $2000 expense. This car has 132000 miles on it. I took care of car rotate the tires did preventive maintenance.the vehicle has very bumpy ride when turned makes noise.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #1106

Jun 102020

Sonata

  • 10 miles
Eps check engine ABS and wheel lineament lights are all on and my wheels sound horrible hitting a small bump

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #1105

Jul 282020

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
Steering wheel makes noise and has play in it. While jacked up, the wheel makes the suspension shake. Noise is while hitting potholes, making turns and while sitting still turning the wheels. I bought car used. Had regular maintenance and tires just rotated within past month.

- Crandall, GA, USA

problem #1104

Jun 222020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Purchased the vehicle today and odometer reads different than reports. Report show it should 151,000 while the dash shows 92,583.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1103

Jun 022020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Clicking in steering wheel now wobble.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #1102

Mar 012020

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
When I turn steering wheel it makes the loud sound. My windshield only works on fast mode. Try to call the place I got it from they don't know what's going on. They want to keep it over night but can't get ahold of anymore for them to get it. They will not return my calls. The been going on since I got the car.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #1101

May 092017

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
Steering vibrates and becomes erratic when changing lanes or over gravel/rough roads. Dealer tells me it is a function of the speed controlled device, appears to be controlled by computer. Speed up or dwn triggers violent shaking.

- Channing, TX, USA

problem #1100

May 082020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Front axel worn out.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #1099

Mar 102020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
There's a clicking sound in the steering column of my vehicle, first it was a problem with the cruise control system now it's the steering column. Stationary and in motion.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

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