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 1 of 58)

problem #1158

Apr 012021

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car when turned off locks but when turned back on will stay locked. Normally you can turn the car on and off a couple times and it will unlock itself but for the past couple months it is now impossible and is so unsafe to drive. I saw in 2009/2010 there was a recall for this with Hyundai and I-??m pretty sure my car is now affected with the same thing but 2011 Hyundai sonata.

- Whippany, NJ, USA

problem #1157

Jan 052024

Sonata

  • 17,742 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal rattling sound. While making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 17,742.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1156

Oct 102023

Sonata

  • miles
I started to get engine knocking noises about 6 months after the purchase of the used car. This knocking noise began to increase in frequency as I pressed my foot on the accelerator and the car would not accelerate when I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. Then the car would shut down in the middle of traffic. After waiting about 30 -45 mins, I would try to start the car again and would start and initially run as long as I drove less than 20 miles/hour the knocking noise level would decrease but if I went above 15 - 20 mph the car would shut down. The check engine light and engine oil light would come on. So I would check the engine oil level oil using the dip stick and it showed oil levels were ok. On October 10 2023 while driving to Walmart the engine turned off and would not start after waiting over 1 hour and I was stuck in the mall entrance road. A concerned driver with his passengers pushed the car to a Walmart parking spot where it is currently at. In addition, the traction light kept coming on and I paid the Hyundai dealership $2,800 to repair to keep the car from drifting to the left and to get the light off.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1155

Aug 152023

Sonata

  • miles

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

Coupler in steering. Making loud clicking sounds and I was scared to drive car. I've contacted recalls I have a case number but get different answers. I just had it repaired a few days ago. Paid over $313. The service dept said they think it is the coupler because they had several complaints that week and sure enough they said it was the same thing. I believe it was a safety problem. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #1154

Aug 012023

Sonata

  • miles
Knocking from steering column indicating internal damage to electronic steering components of the steering column. Recommend replacing steering column. Reviewed by independent mechanic.

- Colorado Springs , CO, USA

problem #1153

Jun 142023

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed with the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #1152

Jul 142023

Sonata

  • miles

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

EPS sensor indicator light comes on intermittently causes vehicle to lose power steering capabilities. independant repair shop can clear the code to restore, but remains a problem. we took vehicle to Hyndai dealership and was advised this vin number is not covered by recall 143. i believe this is a seroius safety issue. Dealership now wants $3108 to replace column and housing assembly and torque angle sensor harness not covered. vehicle was purchased 5/30/18 from another dealership and was told all recalls were addressed.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #1151

Jul 122023

Sonata

  • miles
Power steering suddenly stopped working. Tried turning off engine and restarting with no success. No warning lights to indicate anything wrong. Took vehicle to repair garage to investigate. Still waiting for report.

- Fredericksburg, PA, USA

problem #1150

Jun 262023

Sonata

  • miles
Steering column rattles and shakes. Steering wheel makes slight clicking sounds when turning. Concerned that steering may fail. Many steering problems reported on this make and year but I see no recalls for my VIN.

- Braintree, MA, USA

problem #1149

Mar 272023

Sonata

  • 255,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 161V190000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #1148

Feb 012023

Sonata

  • 115,000 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 while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Lecanto, FL, USA

problem #1147

Jan 262023

Sonata

  • miles
Unknown

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1146

Jan 042023

Sonata

  • miles
EPS and traction light came on when driving around 20mph making the wheel stiff and barely able to turn. Looked up 2011 Hyundai recalls and came across recall 143 regarding the steering column. Took car to dealer and they said no recalls found for my vehicle. I told them about what I found online and that I-??m experiencing the same issues so I-??m not sure why my 2011 wasn-??t affected. They basically said too bad too sad. They still have my car so I-??m hoping that they figure out my car should be apart of the recall campaign.

- Garland , TX, USA

problem #1145

Nov 092022

Sonata

  • miles
My engine has failed, and my steering wheel column has locked. I had the software update on my engine with Napleton that qualified me for a lifetime engine replacement. I submitted maintenance records for my car and pictures of my valvetrain that are well maintained, and hyundai denied my engine claim for exceptional maintenance neglect on Dec8. On December 14th, after reviewing my oil changes, they still denied me for using low quality oil that's obscured. The problem I am having with my car is oil, not being able to get to the pistons inside my engine. It's not fair when the company know they engines have a manufacture defect. Then they blame the customers for lack of maintenance to have an excuse not to replace the engine. Knowing that with or without oil changes in the hyundai sonata 2011 -2012 models the engines will eventually seize anyway.I've reached out to their company over 300 times trying to resolve this matter and I'm still in the same place I started at a month ago. I want to sue for pain and suffering. I've been without a car since nov 9, and it's dec 20. Hyundai has put me and my family life in danger on numerous occasions, with their faulty and defected parts causing two near death experiences. Hyundai sonata has had a recall on every part, and I consider them unsafe and dangerous. I have seven different case reports with Hyundai motor company about excessive oil consumption, and the knocking whining vibrating and shaking. They are very much aware of everything

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #1144

Oct 152022

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving home from work & out of NOWHERE the engine seized & power steering was very hard due to it being electric. Hyundai then denied my engine for "Lack of maintenance" AFTER they KNOWINGLY put my life & others t risk for even letting these cars be driving without proper caution or engine replacement.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1143

Sep 052022

Sonata

  • miles
The steering column is making a clicking noise, took to independent service center and they reported that the EPS motor will need to be replaced and is currently not a safety issue, but over time could be. I have not had any warning lamps or messages. I did notice that some 2011 Sonatas have been recalled for EPS issues, but my VIN shows no issues.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #1142

Mar 132022

Sonata

  • miles
The driver seatbelt will not stay attached. I'm getting a code to replace steering column and was told the intermediate shaft is bad. Also the torque converter clutch is throwing a code. The engine has been replaced which only has 4k miles on it.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1141

Mar 142022

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
The contact called for her niece who owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds or while the vehicle was stationary, there was an abnormal clicking in the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Islip Terrace, NY, USA

problem #1140

Feb 172022

Sonata

  • miles
Driving down highway the car just stopped going. The steering wheel got increasingly harder to turn. Once on side of road, I noticed a bunch of the warning lights lit up the dashboard. I turned off the car and tried turning it back on, however, it would just make a weird clicking noise and not start. I scheduled an appointment with a Hyundai dealership, so I-??m not sure what is wrong with car.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #1139

Jan 102022

Sonata

  • miles
Was driving fine for a few minutes, made a stop at a light then when I proceed to make my left turn, my steering wheel was completely hard to turn. A light EPS came on right away and I was able to move forward but made it completely hard to turn towards my destination. Drive my car home at 10 mph I could not steer my steering wheel

- Dekalb , IL, USA

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