2011 Hyundai Sonata

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 66 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1998 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2004 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 2011: 3368 complaints 2011 2012: 1551 complaints 2013: 1895 complaints 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 1123 complaints 2016: 717 complaints 2016 2017: 758 complaints 2018: 364 complaints 2019: 153 complaints 2020: 165 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2022: 88 complaints 2022 2023: 83 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2011: 3368 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199566
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113368
20121551
20131895
2014740
20151123
2016717
2017758
2018364
2019153
2020165
2021119
202288
202383
202441
202515
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 35%

35% of complaints: steering — 1162 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20100802

ENGINE 29%

29% of complaints: engine — 963 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20231006

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, 20230906

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, 20171104

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 414 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
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, 20171106

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, 20120326

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 406 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 222 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20100312 — latches/locks/linkages

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 IN

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 CONTAC

Campaign 10V070000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100827 — PE (closed 20110207)

Steering Shaft Separation

R 20101011 — steering

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 UNIVERSA

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. TH

Campaign 10V457000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101015 — steering

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 UNIVERSA

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. TH

Campaign 10V426000 — check if this car was fixed

2011 — complaint volume: 3368
R 20130422 — exterior lighting

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, 2008-2

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 recall

Campaign 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140912 — power train

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.

Campaign 14V434000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140912 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 14V433000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160106 — engine

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.

Campaign 15V568000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160106 — suspension

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.

Campaign 15V629000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160106 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 15V759000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160718 — steering

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.

Campaign 16V190000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170413 — seat belts

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

I 20170518 — RQ (closed 20211222)

Scope and Timeliness

R 20171106 — seat belts

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

I 20180316 — PE (closed 20190830)

Air bags may be disabled during crash

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20181015 — air bags, seat belts

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

R 20190301 — engine, fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 18V934000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1162 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (963 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (414 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V070000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V457000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V426000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V434000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V433000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V568000 (engine) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V629000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V759000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V190000 (steering) has been completed.
  • 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 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2012 ■ 2015

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.