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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$660
Average Mileage:
85,350 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace steering knuckle (3 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #3

Jun 142016

Sonata Limited 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

Steering wheel started having some play in it. Got worse over the course of a month. I called the dealer, who said there were steering-related recalls, so I took it to him. They had to take the steering column out to get to the issue. They said the recall was a steering "software" update, which they did, but my problem was not part of the recall. When I mentioned that I didn't think the steering should fail, and would Hyundai rather wait until there was a fatal accident, and then a lawsuit, the dealer service manager immediately bowed up and said he couldn't talk to me if mentioned a lawsuit. I had to pay the nearly $600 for the repair.

- Janelle J., Amarillo, TX, US

problem #2

Jan 152015

Sonata Turbo Limited 2.0L T

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

I have my 2011 Sonata Turbo Limited in for service at Cocoa Hyundai and during the inspection I was told the steering column has too much play and it will only get worse with time leading to an unsafe situation. They said it would cost approx. $350 to replace the bushing. I asked if this is a defect leading to an unsafe situation I would expect it to be covered by the manufacturer. They said it's not the case. At this point, I have elected not to get it fixed and instead am reporting it here in hopes it leads to a recall, which would be the correct course of action for Hyundai considering the number of people on this website with the problem. I can't understand after what GM is going through right now, why Hyundai would elect to look the other way. I thought they were better than this. Up until now, I was considering replacing this Sonata in a year or two with another one, but unless they do the correct thing here they have lost me as a customer. I guess we'll see what happens...

- Terry G., Melbourne, FL, US

problem #1

Aug 152014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

HYUNDAI 2011 STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURE - what's going on here, why would it fail/brake on a car with 70,000 miles? There must be something fishy here that Hyundai is being hush hush on...no recall, no help from the customer service people, comments/thoughts would be appreciated?

- sonata2011, MIAMI, FL, US

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