MYRModel Year Report

2011 Hyundai Sonata

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
3,377
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 3,377 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 87 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 3,377 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2014 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2009 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 3,377 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2013 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2015 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2021 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2011: 3,377 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,377
20121,557
20131,912
2014746
20151,148
2016726
2017764
2018374
2019162
2020178
2021133
202293
202387
202446
202517
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

35% · 1,175 reports

Most commonly citing shaft sector and electric power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that when the driver was driving and attempting to turn, the vehicle would not turn although the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle collided with another vehicle and was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-29

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the contact was unable to turn the wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-08-02

Engine

29% · 967 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, both her and her passenger smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle's cabin.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-06

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that he sold the vehicle to a lady yesterday, and while the lady was driving with her daughter at an undisclosed speed at around 9:00 p.m., the vehicle stalled and the engine caught fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-06

A catastrophic engine failure occurred on the freeway while driving at 70-80 MPH. The first warning was sudden engine noise, a loud ticking or knocking sound.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-04

Electrical system

13% · 446 reports

Most commonly citing horn and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was heading to work when suddenly smoke started pouring from the air conditioning vents, and the ABS and traction control warning lights came on. I hit the brakes to pull over, only to realize I had lost braking power.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-18

Also filed under Service brakes

Air bags

12% · 419 reports

Most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light and driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle independently jerked to the right and clipped a semi truck. The contact's vehicle was pulled under the semi and dragged for 100 yards.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-06

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that the air bag sensor needed to be reprogrammed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-26

Also filed under Visibility

The passenger frontal airbag deployed on its own while the vehicle was being driven, with no collision or impact that the driver is aware of. The driver airbag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-05

Exterior lighting

7% · 251 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and switch.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-03-12Latches/locks/linkages10V070000 Hyundai-Kia has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009 through February 15, 2010. The front inside door lock switch can remain…

    Remedy: Hyundai-Kia will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by replacing latches affected by this recall campaign free of charge. The safety recall began on March 12, 2010. Owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2010-08-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-02-07 Steering Shaft Separation
  3. R
    2010-10-11Steering10V457000 Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-10-15Steering10V426000 Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 3,377 complaints filed for this model year.
  6. R
    2013-04-22Exterior lighting13V113000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra…

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-09-12Power train14V434000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-09-12Service brakes, hydraulic14V433000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 1, 2010.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake hoses with a revised service part, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2016-01-06Engine15V568000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2016-01-06Suspension15V629000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2016-01-06Exterior lighting15V759000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2016-07-18Steering16V190000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 143.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2017-04-13Seat belts17V152000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2017-05-18Recall queryClosed 2021-12-22 Scope and Timeliness
  15. R
    2017-11-06Seat belts17V617000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. I
    2018-03-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-30 Air bags may be disabled during crash
  17. I
    2018-08-21Defect petitionClosed 2019-05-10 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
  18. R
    2018-10-15Air bags, seat belts18V137000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2019-03-01Engine, fuel system, gasoline18V934000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. I
    2019-03-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-12-22 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
  21. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  22. I
    2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
  23. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 1,175 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 967 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 446 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V070000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 10V457000 · Steering
  • Recall 10V426000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V434000 · Power train
  • Recall 14V433000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 15V568000 · Engine
  • Recall 15V629000 · Suspension
  • Recall 15V759000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V190000 · Steering
  • Recall 17V152000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 17V617000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 18V137000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 18V934000 · Engine, fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.