2011 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls

THIS BEGAN AS A INTERMITTENT HESITANT CLUNK, BOTH DURING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION IN TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ELECTRIC MOTOR / GAS ENGINE. IT HAS PROGRESSED INTO AN UNEXPECTED PHYSICAL JUMP WHILE GOING FORWARD AND REVERSE. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT WAS LURCHING FORWARD AT A CROSSWALK WITHOUT CONSCIOUSLY STEPPING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. EMAILS HAVE BEEN SENT TO HYUNDAI WITHOUT A RESPONSE ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, WHERE COMPONENTS UNRELATED TO THE SYMPTOMS WERE REPLACED AND A MANAGER SAYING "THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, …

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533053 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS COMING OFF OF AN ON RAMP TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND DUE TO TRAFFIC I HAD TO LET OFF THE GAS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT A SCHOOL CROSSWALK AREA. I LIGHTLY PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF CAUSING MY HEAD TO WHIP BACK AND ME TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE. NEARLY HITTING KIDS AS THEY CROSSED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10545285 at NHTSA ↗

AS I WAS GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO FLASH AND CHIME. I SWERVED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND PLOWED THROUGH SOME PLANTS ON THE SHOULDER PRIOR TO COMING TO A STOP WITH MY PARKING BRAKE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547877 at NHTSA ↗

WHILST DURING DOWN HIGHWAY REAR PORTION OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH LOUD BANG. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED COULD HEAR GLASS CONTINUING TO CRACK. OBSERVATION SHOWED HOLE IN ROOF APPROXIMATELY 2X4 INCHES, WITH EDGES BOWED UPWARDS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554110 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PEDDLE BECAME SLACK. THE PEDDLE FELL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. AFTER A MOMENT THE BRAKE WARNING STOPPED AND THE BRAKES WORKED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE VIDEO OF BOTH INCIDENTS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT IS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR FOR 5 DAYS. IT WILL HAVE TO REMAIN PARKED AS I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 48,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556920 at NHTSA ↗

ON OCTOBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE TRACTION, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE & DECELERATE AT RANDOM AND VEHICLE JERKED (INTERMITTENTLY) ALL MENTIONED LIGHTS THEN STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SCAN TESTED & FOUND STEERING ANGLE SENSOR CODE IN HISTORY, THEN RECALIBRATED STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED FOR RECALL REGARDING LOWER CONTROL ARM (REPLACED). 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 10/22/13. I STARTED CAR IN THE MORNI…

Owner-reported narrative. 42,561 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558420 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT DURING ACCELERATION AFTER ADJUSTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT DURRING ACCELERATION WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPORTED. I FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I AM TURNING TO YOU BECAUSE THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A FLAT TIRE AND RUINED RIM AS A RESULT OF HITTING A CURB. THE VEHICLE HAS NO BENT OR DAMAGED S…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568413 at NHTSA ↗

THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED CHIMING LOUDLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP, A SECOND LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH AND A WARNING MESSAGE THAT SAID TO CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM APPEARED ON THE CONSOLE. THE CAR BECAME NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE: LIMITED ACCELERATION, JERKED REPEATEDLY TRYING TO STOP IN A SAFE LOCATION, LOST POWER TO AC SYSTEM....DANGEROUS SITUATION IF OTHER TRAFFIC HAD BEEN NEARBY. THE CAR IS NOW INOPERABLE AS WE WAIT FOR A TOW TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579596 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-03-08 (March 8, 2017)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

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. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.

Reported: 2017-10-04 (October 4, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2018-02-27 (February 27, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2020-07-02 (July 2, 2020)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

Reported: 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 22, 2023)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.