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.
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.
Engine has been replaced 2 times doing 65 mph on freeway loses power in addition air bag light is on when they had car for 3 weeks they gave it back and said they didn't know what was wrong with airbags I had vehicle towed there 2 days ago again and spoke to [xxx] at palm springs Hyundai and he said they were trying to figure out problem with engine they installed and if I wanted him to diagnose airbags problems it would be a 150 diagnosis fee they had the car there the first time for 3 weeks and released it and til my daughter that they could not figure it out airbags issues are dangerous if they are not working correctly and deploy on freeway I told [xxx] service guy this but he giggled and said it would cost 150 dollars diagnostic fee which he said they checked several months ago I lent my daughter who drives my 8 year old grandson my vehicle because I was concerned of their safety I am a cancer patient and need a vehicle to get back and forth to my doctors when I asked [xxx] about a rental he brushed me off and said there were none available at this point I am going to call abc investigative reporters because I am at a wits end I really need help with this matter thank you [xxx] airbags also [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Was driving about 30 mph when the car began accelerating without me applying pressure to the gas. I was coming to a light to make a red turn and when I applied the brakes they would not slow down my vehicle so my speed increased. The steering wheel then locked and before I knew it a car had collided with me crossing in front of me. My car was totalled.
I was driving on a side street, heard loud noise coming from left front wheel area when I heard a grinding sound and car was riding rough. Called for help.instructed not to drive vehicle till it was looked at by a mechanic. Mechanic who evaluated and repaired vehicle said he has never seen "pitted wheel bearings" in 30 years of operation. He gave me back the faulty bearings and told me I should contact you and the corporate area of Hyundai, because this is a serious safety issue and warrants an alert or recall. The driver side lower ball joint and bearings had to be replaced. Please review asap, as this is a serious safety concern for the rest of the population. Thank you!
Steering wheel is very lose, when you hit a bump or the car shakes and the steering shakes and feels very lose like its going to fall off, extremely bad on high ways and bumping roads or speed bumps
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Car loses power steering at random times, but mostly on the highway. Recall campaigns 143 and 097 are related to the issue and were looked at by the dealership and "fixed, " however, I believe this to be a repeat campaign. I have taken the car to bill dube Hyundai in wilmington, MA and they said I would need a new steering column, and that it is not related to either recall. I spoke with Hyundai Consumer Affairs as well, and opened a case. Hyundai Consumer Affairs called the dealership, but the dealership told them the same thing they told me, that what is happening is not related to the recalls. I then had my local mechanic at king's auto in reading, MA look at the car. He believes that the car does need mdps assembly 56310-3Q200-qqh. Research tells me that it seems a lot of other Hyundai Sonata owners have experienced the same problem with losing the power steering, which is obviously very dangerous. I believe Hyundai is not acknowledging the ongoing problem, and should fix this at no charge. Thank you.
Click sound in steering that is a spur like non metal gear which fractures that has existed in these vehicles for the past 10 years models. Is there a danger in any of these vehicles like mine that frequently have this, steering wheel movement sound problem. Loudest while stationary with engine not operating in my garage.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was extremely loose and an abnormal noise was coming from the steering wheel. The contact reached out Hyundai of South brunswick 3905 us-1, monmouth junction, NJ 08852, (888) 622-0707, by phone and informed the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering) or 10V457000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became loose and there was a hesitation between the wheels and the movement of the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that similar vehicles were subjected to NHTSA campaign number: 10V426000 (steering) and 16V190000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The steering developed significant play in the wheel over a very short time. This was due to the deterioration of the steering coupling, a $5 part that was clearly under-engineered. Hyundai has recognized this by extending the warranty, but the item has not been recalled, leaving significant numbers of owners operating vehicles with compromised steering units.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving various speeds, the steering wheel felt extremely loose. The vehicle was taken to Hyundai of auburn (823 opelika rd, auburn, al 36830, (334) 321-0777) where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 16367606. The contact was informed to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 70,000.
1. steering feels tight and unresponsive. Have hadthis checked as a complaint at service center with no help. 2. gear sticks in park. Recently was in service for another recall and was told for 130$ they would look at it. Very next week I was stuck for 1.5 hrs until I could get it to move. Both problems hqve been reported numerous times with no repair. It only has 40000 miles. Do not call me with offer to look at it. They have seen it and problem is not addressed. Your service is just as important as the sell.. how can anyone recommend this kind of service?
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle violently vibrated and an abnormal rattling noise was heard. In addition, the horn did not work. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the steering column intermediate connections needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V457000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I was driving my car when suddenly the steering wheel started making a loud clicking noise any time turned the wheel or went over a large or small bump. The noise is so loud that it will occasionally set off the "check engine" light but this will eventually go off on its own.
While stationary or driving, the steering wheel feels like it clicks or has play. The bushing in the steering wheel shaped like a sprocket goes bad and breaks apart. It is called the steering wheel coupler.
Head lights go out when directional is touched, front end bottom out going over dips in roadway, steering has lots of play when turning wheel left and right
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Valdosta, GA, USA