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 4 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1098

May 042020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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).

- Cathedral, CA, USA

problem #1097

Mar 232020

Sonata

  • 147,000 miles
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.

- Sheridan, AR, USA

problem #1096

Feb 222020

Sonata

  • 121,333 miles
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!

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

problem #1095

Dec 022019

Sonata

  • 98,000 miles

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

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

problem #1094

Jan 022020

Sonata

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #1093

Dec 282019

Sonata

  • 48,000 miles
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.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #1092

Jan 012020

Sonata

  • 173,000 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 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.

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

problem #1091

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
Sterring columm shakes when in motion and steering wheel has play ---left to right all driving conditions

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #1090

Oct 072019

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Grundy Center, IA, USA

problem #1089

Nov 012019

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles
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.

- Bloominton, IL, USA

problem #1088

Nov 052019

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles

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

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.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #1087

Oct 112019

Sonata

  • 40,000 miles
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?

- Attalla, AL, USA

problem #1086

Sep 012019

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
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.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #1085

Oct 162019

Sonata

  • miles
Steering column failure - need replacement. Loud clanking when performing any turns. Also causing car to pull foreably to side when brake is applied.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

problem #1084

Aug 132019

Sonata

  • 43,500 miles
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.

- Beverly, MA, USA

problem #1083

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #1082

May 152019

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
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

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #1081

Sep 042019

Sonata

  • 39,000 miles
Steering wheel makes a rattling noise when I drive over bumps

- Carbondale, PA, USA

problem #1080

Sep 232019

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
Steering wheel U-joint under dash binding and causing steering wheel to lock up during driving.

- Alexandria, SD, USA

problem #1079

Sep 062019

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
Steering wheel shakes unconteillably hard and makes a clicking noise as I drive especially over 50 miles approximately. And especially on the freeway

- Teacy, CA, USA

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