"How reliable is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?"

"Based on 4582 NHTSA complaints, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has a median complaint mileage of 75702 miles. The most common issue is Steering."

"What are common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is Steering, accounting for a significant portion of the 4582 total complaints filed."

2011 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 4582 complaints

4582

Total Complaints

75,702mi

Median Mileage

Steering

Top Issue

194

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

35,000 25th Percentile

75,702 Median Mileage

110,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Steering

1160

Engine

956

Air Bags

412

Electrical System

401

Exterior Lighting

221

Unknown Or Other

207

Power Train

150

Service Brakes

144

Suspension

140

Fuel/Propulsion System

104

Severity Assessment

194

Crashes

184

Fires

150

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"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..."

"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 OVE..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Steering 1160 complaints

25th: 16,150 mi Median: 65,000 mi 75th: 90,000 mi

Engine 956 complaints

25th: 72,000 mi Median: 99,000 mi 75th: 127,130 mi

Air Bags 412 complaints

25th: 68,000 mi Median: 92,400 mi 75th: 115,000 mi

Electrical System 401 complaints

25th: 19,750 mi Median: 64,990 mi 75th: 102,000 mi

Exterior Lighting 221 complaints

25th: 39,250 mi Median: 75,424 mi 75th: 111,538 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

FL: 522 CA: 443 TX: 386 GA: 249 NY: 228 PA: 227 NC: 224 VA: 191 NJ: 170 MD: 170

Who Files Complaints?

0.7%

Original Owners

99.3%

Second+ Owners

Hyundai Sonata — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	-	Automatic Transmission	0
1991	41	-	Seat Belts	3
1992	43	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1993	46	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1995	93	107,263	Frontal	17
1996	37	-	Gasoline	0
1997	74	86,000	Tank Assembly	6
1998	68	80,000	Automatic Transmission	3
1999	187	95,000	Frame And Members	25
2000	378	108,000	Frame And Members	22
2001	293	89,863	Frame And Members	34
2002	407	94,724	Frame And Members	50
2003	247	70,178	Air Bags	28
2004	285	91,138	Suspension	36
2005	217	80,000	Air Bags	44
2006	1422	73,838	Air Bags	55
2007	905	67,000	Air Bags	45
2008	554	65,000	Air Bags	24
2009	610	68,783	Service Brakes	29
2010	415	65,000	Body	23
2012	2254	80,000	Engine	86
2013	2602	79,000	Engine	138
2014	1061	70,000	Engine	48
2015	1611	53,758	Engine	60
2016	960	62,100	Engine	37
2017	964	53,900	Engine	46
2018	519	19,862	Engine	26
2019	182	23,000	Engine	11
2020	236	2,700	Fuel/Propulsion System	8
2021	156	24,725	Engine	11
2022	123	13,500	Power Train	14
2023	130	11,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	12
2024	61	2,000	Electrical System	3

Active Recalls (14)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Engine

Campaign 18V934000 | 28/12/2018

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

Pretensioner

Campaign 17V617000 | 04/10/2017

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.

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 custome

Pretensioner

Campaign 18V137000 | 27/02/2018

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.

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.

Anchorage

Campaign 17V152000 | 08/03/2017

In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

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. Hyu

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Campaign 14V433000 | 18/07/2014

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.

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.

Electric Power Assist System

Campaign 16V190000 | 05/04/2016

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

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.

Engine

Campaign 15V568000 | 10/09/2015

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

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

Coil Springs

Campaign 15V629000 | 07/10/2015

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

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:

Switch

Campaign 15V759000 | 16/11/2015

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

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.

Automatic Transmission

Campaign 14V434000 | 18/07/2014

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 tr

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.

Switch

Campaign 13V113000 | 01/04/2013

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

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.

Shaft Sector

Campaign 10V457000 | 01/10/2010

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.

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-

Shaft Sector

Campaign 10V426000 | 20/09/2010

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 ASSIS

Latch

Campaign 10V070000 | 02/03/2010

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.

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.

Protect Your Steering System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28