2011 Hyundai Sonata Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 616 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 18% of all complaints for the year, with 32 fires, 14 crashes, and 11 injuries reported. Two related recalls cover the brake light switch and stop lamp switch. Median mileage at failure is 63,167 miles.
- Electrical System complaints
- 616
- 18% of 3,376
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 32
- Injuries reported
- 11
- Median mileage
- 63,167 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power while driving, with all warning lights illuminating and the engine shutting off unexpectedly.
- Multiple complaints describe smoke or an electrical burning smell coming from the dashboard or engine area, sometimes followed by fire.
- Some owners report the vehicle catching fire while idling in a driveway or parking lot, with flames coming from under the hood.
- Several complaints mention the car losing power after warning lights activate, leaving steering and brakes difficult to operate.
- Owners report electrical problems appearing alongside other issues, such as engine fires and cooling/heating system malfunctions, within the first two years of ownership.
When 2011 Hyundai Sonata electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 26, 2010, latest Sep 3, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
- NHTSA 15V759000Nov 16, 2015Electrical System304,900 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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 accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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 number is 110.
Electrical System complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
- NHTSA lists 616 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 Sonata, which is 18% of the 3,376 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to electrical problems on the 2011 Sonata?
- Yes. Recall 15V759000 covers a brake pedal stopper pad that can affect the brake light switch, and recall 13V113000 covers replacement of the stop lamp switch. Neither is a park-outside or do-not-drive recall.
- Did the 2011 Sonata's electrical issues cause fires?
- NHTSA data shows 32 fire reports and 11 injuries tied to the Electrical System category for the 2011 Sonata, along with 14 crashes.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2011 Sonata?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2011 Sonata is 63,167 miles.