2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 95 |
| 2012 | 153 |
| 2013 | 105 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 130 |
| 2017 | 79 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
41% of complaints: engine — 39 distinct reports on file.
FIRE19% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.
17% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH14% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
AS I WAS GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO FLASH AND CHIME.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131014
11% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
I WAS COMING OFF OF AN ON RAMP TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND DUE TO TRAFFIC I HAD TO LET OFF THE GAS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT A SCHOOL CROSSWALK AREA.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130925
THIS BEGAN AS A INTERMITTENT HESITANT CLUNK, BOTH DURING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION IN TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ELECTRIC MOTOR / GAS ENGINE. IT HAS PROGRESSED INTO AN UNEXPECTED PHYSICAL JUMP WHILE GOING FORWARD AND REVERSE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130801
SAFETY TIMELINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017.
Campaign 17V152000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge.
Campaign 17V617000 — check if this car was fixed
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Campaign 18V137000 — check if this car was fixed
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020.
Campaign 20V393000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS).
Campaign 20V746000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Pedestrian alert sounds
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell,...
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024.
Campaign 23V651000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V152000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V617000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V137000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V393000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V746000 (engine) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.