2011 HYUNDAI SONATA — Owner-Reported Problems
Verdict & Safety Summary
- Crashes 122
- Fires 117
- Injuries 86
- Deaths 3
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Component Problem Distribution
Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 1,057 | 30.6% | 15 crashes · 3 fires |
| ENGINE | 771 | 22.3% | 12 crashes · 57 fires |
| AIR BAGS | 245 | 7.1% | 26 crashes · 1 fires |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 223 | 6.5% | 2 crashes · 3 fires |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 220 | 6.4% | 5 crashes · 14 fires |
| POWER TRAIN | 136 | 3.9% | 4 crashes · 4 fires |
| SUSPENSION | 112 | 3.2% | 1 crashes · 1 fires |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 102 | 3.0% | 4 crashes · 11 fires |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 82 | 2.4% | 13 crashes · 3 fires |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 467 | 13.5% | 14 crashes · 23 fires |
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Problem & Recall Timeline
Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time
- Campaign 10V426000 was reported 175 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V457000 was reported 186 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 13V113000 was reported 910 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 14V434000 was reported 1,459 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V629000 was reported 1,797 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V759000 was reported 1,869 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 16V190000 was reported 2,199 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V152000 was reported 2,337 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V617000 was reported 2,547 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 20V393000 was reported 3,760 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V651000 was reported 4,768 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2010-Q2 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 32 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 53 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 101 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 74 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 93 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 38 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 28 | |
| 2012-Q4 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 24 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 32 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 32 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 31 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 26 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 56 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 54 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 56 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 72 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 115 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 204 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 136 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 109 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 204 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 132 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 97 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 101 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 98 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 81 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 59 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 80 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 106 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 107 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 78 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 71 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 66 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 56 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 42 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 31 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 52 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 40 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 39 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 26 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 35 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 29 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 43 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 30 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 31 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 23 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 21 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V070000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V426000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V457000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V113000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V433000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V434000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V568000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V629000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V759000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16V190000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V152000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V617000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V137000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V934000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V393000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V746000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V651000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE10035 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ17004 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP18003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP18003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE19003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE19003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP21003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA21003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA21003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22005 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | AQ23002 |
Safety Recalls (17)
Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V070000
- Report date
- Component:
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V426000
- Report date
- Component:
- STEERING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V457000
- Report date
- Component:
- STEERING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 13V113000
- Report date
- Component:
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 14V433000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 14V434000
- Report date
- Component:
- POWER TRAIN
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V568000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V629000
- Report date
- Component:
- SUSPENSION
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V759000
- Report date
- Component:
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 16V190000
- Report date
- Component:
- STEERING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 17V152000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEAT BELTS
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 17V617000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEAT BELTS
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 18V137000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 18V934000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 20V393000
- Report date
- Component:
- EQUIPMENT
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 20V746000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 23V651000
- Report date
- Component:
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- 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.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Complaint Narrative Explorer
Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.