2011 Hyundai Sonata problems
Owners have filed 4,629 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 25% of complaints. Next are engine (22%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 4,629 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 194 and 187
- Injuries and deaths
- 150 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 76,000 miles 3,322 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 | 635 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 248 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 323 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 559 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 504 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 423 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 314 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 147 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 97 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 43 |
| 200k+ miles | 29 |
What the data shows
Of the 3,322 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 76,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 65,000 miles (962 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 194 complaints mention a crash; 187 complaints mention a fire; 150 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 34 model years of the Hyundai Sonata with enough data (2,446 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 14 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.
Fatal accident, lost control of vehicle hitting a tree head on. Air bags did not deploy, engine caught on fire. Steering column air bag and passenger air bags intact. Notified hyundai dealer where vehicle was purchased with 49995 miles, 2nd owner no previous incidents to the vehicle , had approx 80000 miles at time of crash.
On sunday 03/13/2016 at 1957 hours a collision occurred between a 2011 hyundai sonata and 2000 ford expedition. The collision resulted in the death of the driver of the hyundai. The collision was head on in nature at and speeds greater than 40 MPH. The airbags in the sonata failed to deploy. This is an on going felony investigation. [xxx] my name if[xxx] and I am an accident re-constructionist with the omaha police department in omaha, nebraska. I would like someone to contact me[xxx] (cell).
Good afternoon, I am contacting the consumer affairs department regarding the recall 180 hyundai is conducting a safety recall in the united states to confirm the high pressure fuel pipe was properly connected by hyundai dealers to the high-pressure fuel pump outlet when the engine was replaced under recalls 132 and 162.
2011 hyundai sonata se 2.0t steering issues - pulls to left. Vehicle constantly pulls to left regardless of slope or crown of road or traveling speed. Pull is extremely noticeable under the slightest bit of acceleration. Problem is easily duplicated with eco mode on or off, as well as ecs traction control on or off, or regardless of gear car is in. Car has been doing this constantly every day since the day I bought it and drove it home.
The steering wheel feels loose and when I try to turn the car acts as if your on ice or like I'm loosing control of steering the vehicle, I was advised by discount tire that the from suspension issue are causing my inner tires to wear and the dealership was only trying to sale me tires for $600 and did not mention any issues with the inner tire on that the tread was a little low. I have been driving on the highway and surface streets when the steering problems occur.