2011 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA: I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE DOOR LATCH RECALL ON MY NEW SONATA VIA NEWS REPORTS. I PURCHASED THIS SONATA ON FEB 16TH,2010. SO,I CALLED AND THE DEALER(ST.AUGUSTINE HYUNDAI)SAID I WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE DOOR LATCH RECALL. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS 2 BULLETINS ON MY SONATA ANYHOW. #1,THE IGNITION WIRE NEEDS REROUTING OR IT COULD BECOME AFRAID. #2,THE ECM COMPUTER NEEDED RE-PROGRAMMING AT THAT TIME WITH AN EXPLANATION THAT SOME NEW SOFTWARE FROM HYUNDAI WHEN IT ARRIVED TO THE DEALER,THEY WOULD CHECK THE PARAMETERS OF THE ECM COMPUTER…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10320556 at NHTSA ↗

I OWNED THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WHIPPED TO THE LEFT AND PULLED ME INTO THE OTHER LANE. THE WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND DIDN'T WANT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO FIGHT TO BRING IT BACK OVER, AND HAD TO USE ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO KEEP IT OVER. THANK GOD THERE WEREN'T ANY ONCOMING VEHICLES. THEN THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I USED MY CELL PHONE TO VIDEO THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING AND JERKING TO THE LEFT WHILE IN PARK. IT WAS SUNDAY, SO THE DEALE…

Owner-reported narrative. 326 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322666 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES PULSATED AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT FIVE MINUTES, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 470. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220.

Owner-reported narrative. 220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326949 at NHTSA ↗

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. INSERT KEY TO START ENGINE. WHEN I WANT TO TURN OFF ENGINE, THE KEY WILL NOT GO PAST ACC. I PUSH IN THE KEY AND TRY TO TURN KEY INTO THE LOCK POSITION, IT WILL NOT GO INTO THE LOCK POSITION. I HAVE TO FIDDLE AROUND WITH THE RELEASE SWITCH, AND SHIFTER ON THE SHIFTER ARM. EVENTUALLY I CAN GET THE KEY OUT. THE ENGINE DOES SHUT OFF, BUT CAN'T LEAVE CAR, BECAUSE IT CAN BE STARTED AGAIN. I CAN'T LEAVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE CAR CAN BE STARTED WITHOUT ME BEING THERE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS ALMOST EV…

Owner-reported narrative. 23 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327508 at NHTSA ↗

JUST PURCHASED A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I WAS BESIDE A TRACTOR TRAILER WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO MY LANE. HERE IS THE PROBLEM AS I LAID ON THE HORN I NOTICED IT'S NO LOUDER THAN THE ROAD RUNNER ON DISNEY CHANNEL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO HYUNDAI ATTENTION ASAP. THIS HORN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO AN APPROPRIATE SOUND LEVEL SO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CAN BE AVOIDED. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THE BELIEVES HYUNDAI SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS I NOW SEE MANY COMPLAIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327799 at NHTSA ↗

WE TOOK DELIVERY OF OUR 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA ON 4/29/2010. AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME A CAR ON THE LANE NEXT TO US ON MY RIGHT HAND SIDE STARTED SHIFTING ONTO MY LANE. I BLEW THE HORN BUT HE STILL CUT ME OFF. AT THE LIGHT I ASKED THE PERSON WHO CUT ME OFF IF HE DIDN'T HEAR ME BLOWING MY HORN AT HIM AND HE SAID NO I AM REALLY SORRY BUT I DIDN'T SEE YOU AND I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR HORN EITHER. WHEN I GOT HOME I GOT INTO MY OTHER CAR AND STARTED IT WITH THE AC ON AND NO RADIO I ASKED MY WIFE TO PRESS THE HORN ON THE SONATA AND I CAN BARELY HEAR IT AND WE W…

Owner-reported narrative. 19 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328355 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA AND NOTICED UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE THAT THE HORN IS VERY WEAK. I HAVE USED THE HORN ON THE FREEWAY AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR DID NOT EVEN HEAR ME. THIS IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IF YOU WANT TO ALERT SOMEONE ON THE ROAD. I HOPE THIS GETS REPLACED SOON. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328635 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED ROAD, IN LEFT LANE. DRIVER OF LARGE PICKUP TRUCK ON MY RIGHT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. I HONKED BUT DO NOT BELIEVE MY VEHICLE'S HORN WAS AUDIBLE TO THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WAS ABLE TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID TRUCK WITHOUT COLLISION. THE HORN ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY WEAK AND REPRESENTS A GLARING SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330408 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-03-02 (March 2, 2010)

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 THE UNLATCHED POSITION.

Consequence: 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.

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 CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Reported: 2010-09-20 (September 20, 2010)

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 UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN EITHER IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence: IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Reported: 2010-10-01 (October 1, 2010)

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 UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN EITHER IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence: IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT 1-787-999-3333.

Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 1, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 1, 2010. The affected vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) due to insufficient seal between the inner brake hose and metal brake line fitting.

Consequence: 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, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 122.

Reported: 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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 unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.

Reported: 2015-09-10 (September 10, 2015)

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 injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.

Consequence: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.

Reported: 2015-10-07 (October 7, 2015)

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 registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Consequence: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.

Reported: 2015-11-16 (November 16, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2016-04-05 (April 5, 2016)

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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: 2018-12-28 (December 28, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.