repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
2011 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 3,380 owner complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the steering. It is covered by 14 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-934 the manufacturer reports only 56% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 26, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has problems
3,380 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,171Steering26 crash/fire/injury
968Engine99 crash/fire/injury
444Electrical system40 crash/fire/injury
419Air bags55 crash/fire/injury
249Exterior lighting
173Power train
149Suspension
145Service brakes
107Seat belts
57723 other systems77 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1171 | 26 |
| Engine | 968 | 99 |
| Electrical system | 444 | 40 |
| Air bags | 419 | 55 |
| Exterior lighting | 249 | 5 |
| Power train | 173 | 13 |
| Suspension | 149 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 145 | 22 |
| Seat belts | 107 | 18 |
| 23 other systems | 577 | 77 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
14 recalls
2011 Hyundai Sonata recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Air bags
Risk. If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of…
repaired · 2019 Q1
Front: anchorage
Risk. If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of…
repaired · 2018 Q3
Front: anchorage
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Show 10 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q4
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Brake lights: switch
Risk. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing…
repaired · 2017 Q2
Springs: coil springs
Risk. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Engine
Risk. Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. If the brake lines leak brake sufficient fluid, the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate and longer stopping distance will be required,…
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Gear box: shaft sector
Risk. IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT…
no report yet
Gear box: shaft sector
Risk. IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT…
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. THE DOOR MAY NOT BE IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
65kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 958 steering complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
270under 30k miles764under 100k miles194100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
111 owners mentioned a cost$365median
Middle half: $300 – $462
Engine
43 owners mentioned a cost$3,620median
Middle half: $1,100 – $6,000
Air bags
37 owners mentioned a cost$900median
Middle half: $300 – $1,200
Exterior lighting
12 owners mentioned a cost$275median
Middle half: $236 – $412
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Sonata year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata median. How we score
11162922263662349491242762053201992021651,0476964254603453,3801,5591,9217501,157730769375162183135988848173
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings
2011 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Latest Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 19V-120
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
- Steering Shaft SeparationLed to recall 10V-426
- Air bags may be disabled during crashLed to recall 18V-363
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 20V-520
- Scope and TimelinessLed to recall 19V-063
In owners' words
What Sonata owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I was driving down the road going the speed limit and all of a sudden it felt like I hit a brick wall my car staked out and I was stuck in the middle of the road for about 20 minutes and finally I got it to start and drove home it did it again 2 months later
Intermittent and sudden loss of power steering nearly caused an accident for both of sons when each one was driving on two separate occasions this past week. "EPS" and traction control warning lights both illuminate on the dash when steering goes out. Sometimes the codes will clear themselves out…
I purchased fgis car from a used car dealership, for over $6,000.00, which is not a ton of money, but plenty enough to not have instant issues. Since my purchase in june 30, 2026, i have already had all of these issues occur. There is white smoke coming from the left tail pipe, it is sluggish when…
Own a 2011 Sonata?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.