2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
NHTSA has received 145 complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and 28% of them involve engine. After that come brakes (12%) and steering (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 145 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 11 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 86,000 miles 120 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 34 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 16 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 21 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 120 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 86,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 94,000 miles (37 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 11 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 9 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with enough data (46 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. While driving 27 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard. The contact observed smoke coming from the steering column as the air bags started to deploy from the steering wheel. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not fully inflate. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence.
The air bags did not deploy in my accident that happened on 03/09/2018. The accident happened on I-20. The vehicle was stationary in traffic when the accident occurred. Medical staff and police officers wonder why the air bags did not deploy. The car is more likely to be totaled from the accident.
I was driving my 2011 sonata hybrid down a interstate at 75 miles an hour when it stopped accelerating/working. I had my 3 year old daughter in the car with me at the time. I had to swerve to avoid an accident and was able to find a safe spot to park. I waited for 1/5 hours for a tow truck to come. After dropping my car off with the hyundai dealership I was told my engine seized and I would need a new one for $9,000. This is completely ridiculous. My care has $75,000 and I am the second owner.
Metal shavings in engine oil pan causing engine failure, knocking, lose of power while driving, manufacturing defect on small block engine but not on the small block hybrid... We were told by the dealer but the hybrid still has the same defect as the none hybrid same exact issues metal shaving in oil pan defects from manufacturer. The none hybrid was recalled but a recall was never issued for the hybrid stated by employees at global auto mall in new jersey.