Worst 2011 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Airbags
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 1,162 | 20 | 6 | 61,278 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 960 | 19 | 85 | 100,273 mi | |
| Airbags | 412 | 50 | 5 | 119,427 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 404 | 12 | 28 | 66,835 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 221 | 2 | 2 | 75,013 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 150 | 7 | 5 | 64,750 mi | |
| Brakes | 144 | 15 | 6 | 84,580 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 140 | 1 | 1 | 68,479 mi | |
| Fuel System | 104 | 4 | 14 | 98,055 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 101 | 17 | — | 92,135 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 93 | 18 | 1 | 67,729 mi | |
| Body Structure | 63 | 5 | 8 | 77,575 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 62 | 2 | — | 65,762 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 34 | 2 | 1 | 21,423 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 33 | 4 | 1 | 53,387 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 26 | 4 | 1 | 43,006 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 25 | 1 | 3 | 64,439 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 22 | 1 | — | 6,362 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | — | — | 9,236 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 19 | 1 | — | 27,328 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 15 | — | — | 55,218 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 11 | — | 1 | 110,838 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 | — | — | 6,128 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 8 | 1 | — | 3,859 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 8 | — | — | 72,000 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 8 | — | — | 81,427 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 7 | — | — | 33,152 mi | |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 7 | — | — | 17,578 mi | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | 1 | 14,812 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2011 Hyundai Sonata
14 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~6,000,886 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
+ 4 more recalls
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
2011 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
What are common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
How safe is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99