What are the most reported problems on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

Steering has the most complaints with 1,189, then engine with 1,053. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 7 describe pulling to one side. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 9 say the horn is too quiet.

Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 17 recalls for this model year in our data. They cover engine bearings (15V568), steering (10V426, 16V190), seat belts (17V152), the air bag control unit (18V137), the shift cable (14V434) and more.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

The EPA rates the gas versions at 22 to 24 MPG city and 32 to 34 MPG highway, and the Sonata Hybrid at 34 city and 39 highway.

Which Sonata model year is best?

Our data does not rank model years, and counts are not adjusted for sales. It does show 2011 with the most complaints (3,474) and recalls (17) of any year, while 2019 has 172 complaints and 0 recalls.

What are the 2011 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings?

NHTSA lists overall 5 stars in three entries and overall 4 stars in one, with side and rollover at 5 stars in all of them.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls and MPG

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has more owner complaints and more recalls than any other Sonata model year on file, with 3,474 complaints and 17 recalls^[1]^[2]. Every recall remedy in our data is free of charge, so a used buyer's job is to check which repairs were done.

3,474owner complaints^[1]

17recalls^[2]

26–36MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

4–5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 3,474 owner complaints on file for this model year^[1]. They are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Of the total, 122 mention a crash, 117 a fire, 90 injuries and 3 deaths^[1].

Here are the biggest component groups:

Steering: 1,189 complaints, median mileage at failure 65,685 miles^[5].
Engine: 1,053 complaints, 89 of them mention a fire (the highest fire count of any group), median mileage 96,000 miles^[6].
Electrical system: 460 complaints, 29 mention a fire, median mileage 60,000 miles^[7].
Air bags: 427 complaints, 54 mention a crash, 58 mention injuries and 2 mention deaths, median mileage 93,000 miles^[8].
Exterior lighting: 249 complaints^[9].
Brakes: 190 complaints^[10].
Power train: 183 complaints^[11].
Unknown or other: 222 complaints^[12].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in each of the top groups. The sample is small, so it shows what owners describe, not how often a problem happens.

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 7 describe the car pulling or drifting to one side so the driver has to keep correcting^[5]. 6 describe a sudden loss of power assist or a stiff, shaking wheel while driving^[5]. One text fits both.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 4 describe stalling or hesitation when accelerating, 3 describe a check engine light that kept coming back, and 2 describe the car suddenly speeding up^[6].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 9 say the horn is too quiet for other drivers to hear^[7]. 3 describe trouble starting the car or removing the key^[7].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 8 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash or ask why they did not^[8]. 3 mention an air bag warning light^[8]. Recall 18V137 below covers a fault in the air bag control unit^[13].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. They are best used to compare model years of the same car, which we do below.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 17 recalls for this model year in our data^[2]. Newest first. Every remedy below is described as free of charge. Some recalls cover only certain build dates or only the Sonata Hybrid, so ask a dealer whether a specific car is included and whether the repair was done.

Brake system module (23V651). The ABS module can leak brake fluid inside and cause an electrical short, which can start an engine compartment fire. Dealers replace the ABS fuse. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until it is done. This recall names the Sonata Hybrid^[14].
Connecting rod bearings (20V746). The bearings inside the engine can wear early, which can damage the engine, cause a fire or make the engine stall. Dealers inspect the engine and replace it if bearing damage is found. They also install a software update with a knock sensor detection system. This recall names the 2011 to 2013 Sonata Hybrid^[15].
12V accessory outlet (20V393). The outlet can overheat, which raises the risk of a fire^[16]. Dealers replace the outlet plug with a wiring kit that connects directly to the battery. This recall names the Sonata Hybrid^[16].
High pressure fuel pipe (18V934). On cars that already had an engine repair under earlier recalls, the fuel pipe may have been damaged or badly tightened. It can leak fuel, which raises the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the pipe and replace it as necessary^[17].
Air bag control unit (18V137). The control unit can short circuit, so the front air bags, seat belt pretensioners and side air bags may not deploy in a crash. Dealers install an external wire filter kit^[13].
Seat belt linkages, repeat repair (17V617). For cars already repaired under 17V152, the front seat belt linkages can still come loose from the pretensioners. Dealers check the connection again and add a warning label^[18].
Seat belt linkages (17V152). The linkages for both front seat belts can come loose from the pretensioners, which raises the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers inspect the connection and repair it as necessary^[19].
Power steering circuit board (16V190). Cars built from December 2009 to October 2010 can lose power steering assist, so the wheel takes more effort to turn, especially at low speeds. Dealers replace the control unit^[20].
Brake pedal stopper pad (15V759). A worn pad can leave the brake light switch extended. The brake lights may stay on, and the car may shift out of Park without the brake pedal pressed. Dealers replace the pad^[21].
Front coil springs (15V629). Road salt can corrode the front springs on certain early cars sold or registered in listed cold-weather states. A broken spring can puncture a tire. Dealers replace the springs. Cars once registered in those states and now registered elsewhere can also be inspected and repaired^[22].
Crankshaft debris and engine bearings (15V568). Metal debris left in the engine may block oil flow to the connecting rod bearings. Signs are a metallic knocking noise, and the engine can fail and stall. Dealers inspect the cars and replace the engine assembly as necessary. Hyundai also extended the engine short block warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles for original and later owners of the covered 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter engines^[23].
Shift cable (14V434). The shift cable can come off the shift lever pin. The gear shown may not match the gear the car is in, and the car may not be in Park when it seems to be, so it can roll away. Dealers inspect and repair the connection^[24].
Brake lines (14V433). Brake fluid can leak from two lines near the master cylinder. A warning lamp comes on and stopping distances get longer. Dealers replace the brake hoses^[25].
Stop lamp switch (13V113). The switch can fail, so brake lights may not light, cruise control may not turn off when braking, and the shifter may move out of Park without the brake pressed. Dealers replace the switch. This recall covers many Hyundai models, including the Sonata^[26].
Steering shaft joints (10V457). Joints in the steering column may be badly assembled or loose, which can cause a loss of steering. Dealers inspect them and update the power steering software. This one lists only 60 vehicles^[27].
Steering shaft joints (10V426). The same joint problem on a larger group of 138,354 vehicles^[28]. Same remedy.
Door latch (10V070). The front inside door lock switch can stay unlatched, so a door may open while the car is moving. Dealers replace the latches on 5,893 vehicles^[29].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four ratings for the Sonata and Sonata Hybrid^[30]^[31]^[32]^[3]:

2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd: 24 city, 34 highway, 27 combined MPG^[30]. Estimated annual fuel cost $2,500^[30].
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd: 22 city, 34 highway, 26 combined MPG^[31]. $2,600 a year^[31].
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd: 22 city, 32 highway, 26 combined MPG^[32]. $2,600 a year^[32].
Sonata Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd: 34 city, 39 highway, 36 combined MPG^[3]. $1,850 a year^[3].

All four use regular fuel and front-wheel drive. EPA fuel cost figures use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists four 5-Star Safety Rating entries for the 4-door front-wheel-drive version, and one of them is for the Sonata Hybrid^[33]. Three entries show overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars and rollover 5 stars^[4]^[34]^[33]. One entry shows overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars and rollover 5 stars^[35]. Rollover risk is listed as 9.7% in each entry^[4]. Our data does not say which versions the entries belong to.

Engine and size

Horsepower comes from the EPA test car list. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 274 hp^[36]. The 2.4L 4-cylinder is rated 166 to 200 hp depending on version^[37].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars^[38].

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
4DR Sedan 2.0T / 2.0T Limited^[38]	190 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,344 lb
4DR Sedan GL / GLS / Limited^[39]	190 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,206 lb
4DR Sedan Hybrid Standard / Limited^[40]	190 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,483 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sonata model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	66	2
1996	23	1
1997	49	2
1998	49	1
1999	170	4
2000	276	4
2001	205	3
2002	320	7
2003	199	6
2004	202	1
2005	165	1
2006	1,047	9
2007	696	5
2008	425	3
2009	460	2
2010	345	2
2011	3,474	17
2012	1,712	11
2013	2,024	11
2014	778	8
2015	1,207	12
2016	886	9
2017	879	5
2018	383	2
2019	172	0
2020	197	4
2021	189	4
2022	113	3
2023	103	2
2024	55	1
2025	28	0
2026	6	1

The 2011 model year has the most complaints and the most recalls of any Sonata year in NHTSA's table. It has 3,474 complaints and 17 recalls^[2]. The next highest for complaints is 2013 with 2,024, then 2012 with 1,712^[2]. The next highest for recalls is 2015 with 12, then 2012 and 2013 with 11 each^[2].

For comparison, 2010 has 345 complaints and 2 recalls, and 2014 has 778 complaints and 8 recalls^[2]. Later years such as 2019 (172 complaints, 0 recalls) and 2025 (28 complaints, 0 recalls) have far fewer^[2].

These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show how much NHTSA has on file, not how likely a single car is to have trouble. Several recalls above also cover later years. For example, 18V137 names 2011 to 2013 Sonatas^[13].

Should you buy a used 2011 Sonata?

The 2011 Sonata has a heavy record of complaints and recalls compared with other Sonata years^[1]^[2]. The recalls come with free repairs, so the key step is to confirm they were done, especially the engine, steering, seat belt and air bag control unit recalls^[23]^[20]^[19]^[13]. Owners of cars covered by the engine recall also got a longer engine short block warranty of 10 years or 120,000 miles, so ask about it^[23]. Fuel economy is 26 to 27 combined MPG for the gas versions and 36 for the Hybrid^[30]^[31]^[32]^[3], and NHTSA's overall rating is 4 or 5 stars^[4]^[35]. A careful buyer will want service records and an inspection, since complaint counts alone cannot say how often any one problem happens.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most reported problems on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?: Steering has the most complaints with 1,189, then engine with 1,053^[5]^[6]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 7 describe pulling to one side^[5]. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 9 say the horn is too quiet^[7].
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 17 recalls for this model year in our data^[2]. They cover engine bearings (15V568), steering (10V426, 16V190), seat belts (17V152), the air bag control unit (18V137), the shift cable (14V434) and more^[23]^[28]^[20]^[19]^[13]^[24].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?: The EPA rates the gas versions at 22 to 24 MPG city and 32 to 34 MPG highway, and the Sonata Hybrid at 34 city and 39 highway^[30]^[31]^[32]^[3].
Which Sonata model year is best?: Our data does not rank model years, and counts are not adjusted for sales. It does show 2011 with the most complaints (3,474) and recalls (17) of any year, while 2019 has 172 complaints and 0 recalls^[2].
What are the 2011 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings?: NHTSA lists overall 5 stars in three entries and overall 4 stars in one, with side and rollover at 5 stars in all of them^[4]^[35]^[34]^[33].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 3,474 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata (122 mention a crash, 117 a fire, 90 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Sonata model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 39 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
1,189 complaints name the steering component group (21 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,685). NHTSA vehicle records
1,053 complaints name the engine component group (21 crashes, 89 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
460 complaints name the electrical system component group (15 crashes, 29 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
427 complaints name the air bags component group (54 crashes, 6 fires, 58 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
249 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,344). NHTSA vehicle records
190 complaints name the brakes component group (22 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
183 complaints name the power train component group (7 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,060). NHTSA vehicle records
222 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 16 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V137, filed February 27, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V651, filed September 22, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V746, filed December 1, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V393, filed July 2, 2020: Equipment › Electrical. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V934, filed December 28, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V617, filed October 4, 2017: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V152, filed March 8, 2017: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V190, filed April 5, 2016: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V759, filed November 16, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V629, filed October 7, 2015: Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V568, filed September 10, 2015: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V434, filed July 18, 2014: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V433, filed July 18, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V113, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V457, filed October 1, 2010: Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V426, filed September 20, 2010: Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V070, filed March 2, 2010: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 34 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Hyundai Sonata with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Hyundai Sonata with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 166 to 200 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SONATA 4DR SEDAN 2.0T/2.0T LIMITED: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,344 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SONATA 4DR SEDAN GL/GLS/LIMITED: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,206 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SONATA 4DR SEDAN HYBRID STANDARD/LIMITED: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,483 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and fuel economy