2011 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 Sonata years
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata ranks 1st worst out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 3,376 complaints. Steering (35% of complaints) and Engine (32%) are the top problem areas, with 14 recalls filed and a median failure mileage of 75,000.
- Complaints
- 3,376
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes / fires
- 116 / 112
- Injuries / deaths
- 85 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 34 hwy
Top 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering1,171 (35%)
- Engine1,078 (32%)
- Electrical System616 (18%)
- Airbags418 (12%)
- Brakes230 (7%)
- Other226 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires191 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain173 (5%)
- Fuel System135 (4%)
- Seat Belts106 (3%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel locks up or won't turn while driving, sometimes leading to collisions.
- Engine warning lights and dashboard indicators illuminate suddenly, sometimes with clicking noises and smoke.
- Vehicle stalls unexpectedly at speed, causing loss of control and crashes.
- Brakes fail to engage or don't respond when pressed, even at low speeds.
- Airbags fail to deploy during collisions, including crashes involving trees, poles, or ice.
- Electrical system issues cause loss of power, stiff steering, unresponsive brakes, and smoke or burning smell from wiring.
2011 Hyundai Sonata recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V934000Dec 28, 2018Engine150,730 vehicles
Engine
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. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
- NHTSA 18V137000Feb 27, 2018Airbags580,058 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
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 a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
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.
- NHTSA 17V617000Oct 4, 2017Seat Belts443,545 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
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 injury.
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. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
2011 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Sonata ranks worst among all 16 model years of the Sonata, with a complaint index of 100 and 3,376 complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sonata years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
- Steering issues account for 35% of complaints (1,171 complaints, 21 crashes), and Engine problems account for 32% (1,078 complaints, 86 fires). Electrical System issues follow at 18%.
- Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2011 Sonata, covering components including the Engine, Airbags, Seat Belts, Steering, Electrical System, and Suspension. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2011 Sonata problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 75,000 miles overall, with Steering failures reported at a median of 65,000 miles and Engine failures at a median of 93,000 miles.
- How does the 2011 Sonata compare to other years?
- The 2011 model has the highest complaint index (100) of any Sonata year in the data. By contrast, the 2010 Sonata has an index of 47 (Good) and the 2024 Sonata has an index of 7 (Best).