2011 Hyundai Sonata: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata: 14 recalls, 3377 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
14 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #10V070000 · 2010 · 5,893 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #10V426000 · 2010 · 138,354 vehicles
What's wrong: On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections May have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #10V457000 · 2010 · 60 vehicles
What's wrong: On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections May have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V113000 · 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V434000 · 2014 · 883,000 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable May detach from from the shift lever pin.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V433000 · 2014 · 133,075 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Engine Vehicle recall #15V568000 · 2015 · 470,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Suspension Vehicle recall #15V629000 · 2015 · 28,157 vehicles
What's wrong: Road salt May corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
Why it matters: If a front coil spring fractures, it May contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V759000 · 2015 · 304,900 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #16V190000 · 2016 · 173,000 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the electronic power steering (eps) circuit board May be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.
Why it matters: With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the eps control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2016.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #17V152000 · 2017 · 977,778 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts May detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.…
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #17V617000 · 2017 · 443,545 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts May detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags, Seat belts Vehicle recall #18V137000 · 2018 · 580,058 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018.
Engine, Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V934000 · 2018 · 150,730 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 112 mention a fire, 85 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (1171): the most common themes are steering problems (1005), noise or vibration (559).
- Engine (967): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (388), noise or vibration (299), warning light on (221).
- Electrical (443): the most common themes are electrical failure (127), stalls / loses power (83), warning light on (70).
- Airbags (419): the most common themes are warning light on (134), fails to deploy (60).
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has 3377 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 37 Sonata model years for complaints (7.8× the average Sonata year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (570 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (345 complaints, 2 recalls), 2012 (1557 complaints, 8 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 34 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems?
Owners have filed 3377 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (1171), engine (967), electrical (443).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 6-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Hyundai Sonata repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.