2011 Hyundai Genesis Owner Complaints

Noticed after driving my Hyundai genesis and once running for roughly 15-20 mins once the engine has warmed up I noticed a bounce feeling coming from the front end(I thought)and then noticed my speed dropped and when pressure was apply to the gas pedal it wouldn’t go, as the car slowed down by itself until it came to a complete stop I cutt the car off and began walking around to where I smelled something burning and then seen smoke coming from my front driver wheel to discover my brake had locked up for no reason. I left the car to cool down and returned to get it and luckily it was unlocked and was successful to drive it home(4min drive), a couple days later I had to take my son to school to where it did the exact same thing again, days later I had all braking replaced which failed to solve the issue. This has been happening for over 4 months now and has always been my daily driver and has always been upkept and never had any issues with my car until now. I’m a single parent with two children whom I have to take to school daily and pickup and this issue has already cost me a lot however I was made aware of this issue by a professional mechanic whom said my car has a current recall for this exact issue I’m having but my vin doesn’t show it even thought everything lines up!

NHTSA ID

11758361

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Passenger side seat's active headrest auto deployed/broke when I was driving the car alone. This might be safety issue if driver seat headrest also breaks while driving.

NHTSA ID

11745785

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

When the car gets wet, it sends my dashboard lights flashing, and I’m able to put the car in gear without stepping on the brake, I brought it to numerous of Honda dealerships and other mechanical shops, and they are undetermined to find the cause

NHTSA ID

11652639

Incident

Apr 3, 2025

The car stops while driving and all the lights on the dash lights up. Happened a couple of times in the last 2 days, both the times the speed was around 20-30 mph. I am really worried about the issue and called the closest Hyundai dealer at San Bruno, CA who gave an appointment in May to check it.

NHTSA ID

11577895

Incident

Mar 16, 2024

The HECU has been malfunctioning in my car for over a year now. It is an open recall for my make, model and year of car. I took it to Bob Rohrman Indy Hyundai and they diagnosed the failed part. This part affects my ABS. There are currently two warning lights on one for the ECS which is the traction control stabilizer and the ABS light is on. Meaning the use of the breaking system is limited and not working properly. I have asked the corporate Hyundai to uphold the recall warranty but I was advised they would not cover this because my vehicle has a rebuilt title. I drive my vehicle on a daily basis and I’m terrified of my brakes going out. The corrosion from the fluid is what causes the HECU to malfunction and it is so scary to think about. This problem was diagnosed and first reported to my his dealership on 6/23/2022.

NHTSA ID

11558675

Incident

Jun 23, 2022

Headlights will intermittently flicker off for several seconds when using turn signal. I understand this is already noted in TSB 20-BE-009H

NHTSA ID

11556020

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

The car accelerates itself randomly. It’s happened with a lot of Genesis’s of this generation. Almost crashed due to it. Very unsafe. Gave the vehicle to a friend and the problem reoccurred and he captured a video that I have

NHTSA ID

11554426

Incident

Nov 9, 2023

The window regulators are built with a hard plastic that essentially melts in Florida heat and then your windows just drop. Each window in my car has dropped and will not go back up without paying Hyundai a lot of money to repair the window. For instance, in December 2022 I paid Hyundai $660 to repair the right rear window and in August 2022 I paid Hyundai $651 to repair the left rear window regulator (second repair). Now the front driver side window has to be repaired for the second or third time. The parts were ordered and just the parts will cost $900 and I still will have to pay the labor expenses for inferior made materials. The driver side window was replaced and a new regulator was installed by Napleton Hyundai in West Palm Beach. I do not have the paperwork for the repairs made by Napleton. Then Coastal Hyundai in Melbourne, Florida worked on the rest of the windows including putting in a new regulator in the driver side and will install a new motor. These windows are neither reliable nor safe and should not have been constructed with plastic. They just fall and will not go back up. The window parts should have been recalled and replaced. I attached a copy of the invoices that I have paid already and could locate. Also, I want to report that when I contacted Hyundai to issue a complaint about the right rear window in December 2022 it took 30 days for the customer service representative to respond to me. He apparently, would document that he planned to call me in the computer and never followed through. I called and asked to talk to his Supervisor and was told that I would have to talk with him. Not having a Supervisor to talk with was also a problem because he knew that I could only talk to him so he took his time. I don't know if anything will be done but I wanted to document my concerns.

NHTSA ID

11522961

Incident

May 18, 2023

Brakes stop working randomly. Press pedal down and there is very little braking power. Had to pump brakes and limp home. Came back after sitting a while. This has happened several times - 6/7.

NHTSA ID

11443955

Incident

Dec 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that the passenger's side frontal air bag inflator slits were visible from a crack in the dashboard. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that they could not assist as there was no open recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11442154

Incident

Nov 30, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that the passenger’s side frontal air bag inflator slits were visible from a crack in the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as there was no open recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11442152

Incident

Feb 15, 2021

Mileage

55,000 mi

While driving on the highway at 65MPH the driver front tire wables, the tires feel unsafe and not stable. When going over long road cracks on the highway the whole car wabbles and if i dont grab the stearing wheel really hard to not loose control of the vehicle. The ESC light its always on so i know the traction or stability control is not working properly, also the TPM light is also not working because its always been on since purchased the car.

NHTSA ID

11418402

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SQUISHY WHICH RESULTED IN FARTHER BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V489000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11415117

Incident

May 1, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

THE CAR WAS PARKED (NOT RUNNING OR MOVING) IN AN OPEN AIR GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES AND CAME OUT TO FIND A CROWD AND A FIRE CREW WHO HAD JUST PUT OUT THE FIRE IN THE HOOD AREA OF MY CAR. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CAR BUT THEY ARE ON MY PHONE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SEND THEM TO COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID

11382916

Incident

Nov 6, 2020

Mileage

71,323 mi

IBRAKE FAILURE! HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSY FAILURE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND DURING THE DRIVE, MY BRAKE ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME SOFT AND REQUIRED ME TO PUSH ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE CAR. I BELIEVE IT'S REFERRED TO AS SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSEMBLY. I ALSO CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE FLUID DUE TO ITS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CORROSION IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER IS NOW QUOTING ME ~$3,400 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSY. WOW!! I CALLED HYUNDAI USA AND THEY SAID SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR, I INFORMED THEM OF THE RECALL ON FLUID AND THEY SAID IT DOES NOT COVER THE PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE BAD FLUID. THIS IS UNFAIR AND EXCESSIVE BEHAVIOR ON THE PART HYUNDAI. CLEARLY THEY RECOGNIZED THE FLUID WAS DAMAGING BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO COVER RELATED REPAIRS. THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPENING SINCE THE BRAKES ARE FAILING. I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLE KNOWING THEY WON'T COVER CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENTS. OTHERS HAVE VOICED THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO SUPPORT FROM HYUNDAI. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330082

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. JERKS THEN SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE AND FOOT ON BRAKE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT WITH NO ISSUES. NO LIGHTS OR ANY THING CAME ON. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN.

NHTSA ID

11315863

Incident

Feb 29, 2020

THE Z01 DIODE FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE DRIVER THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY HYUNDAI. THEY RELEASED A TSB, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-BE-023, CONCERNING THE ISSUE BUT THE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE SAME DIODE WHEN IT HAS FAILED. NO IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO MAKE THE PART MORE RELIABLE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DRIVER HAS NO INDICATION THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PUTTING THEM, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK OF A SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

11310407

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

91,950 mi

MY CAR AT 58000 MILES WHENEVER I BRAKE ON SLIPPERY SURFACE WHERE ABS IS ACTIVATED MY BRAKE PEDAL GOES NEARLY DOWN TO FLOOR. AND CONTINUOUS FOR DAYS GOING DOWN NEARLY TO FLOOR ON NORMAL BRAKING BEFORE BRAKE PEDAL COMES BACK UP TO NORMAL LEVEL AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW EVERY TIME ABS IS ACTIVATED. DEALER WANTS NEARLY $3000. TO REPLACE THE ABS.

NHTSA ID

11298945

Incident

Nov 18, 2019

Mileage

58,000 mi

FREEWAY DRIVING AT SPEED LIMIT (65MPH) PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST SELF ENERGIZED CAUSING PASSENGER TO BECOME UNCONCIOUS FOR ONE OR TWO MINUTES, WITHOUT WARNING. AUTO HAD NO ACCICENTS NOR ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO HEADREST OR SEAT. PASSENGER COMMENT AFTER HE BECAME CONCIOUS WAS "WHY DID YOU HIT ME." PRECEEDED BY A NOISE LIKE A METAL PIPE BEING DROPPED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE 'REAR END COLLISION SENSOR LOCATED AT SEAT BASE TO ENERGIZE. THE HEADREST CAME FORWARD STRIKING BACK OF HEAD CAUSING A POSSIBLE CONCUSION. A DIFFERENT RESULT WOULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH IF IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE. FAILURE WAS CAUSED BE SPRING TENSION CONTINIOUS ON PLASTIC AND BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PIECES, BUT ONLY THE FRONT PART IS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THIS FORCES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADREST ASSEMBLY. (QUOTED $792). REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA ID

11289988

Incident

Dec 7, 2019

Mileage

66,212 mi

THE HEADREST DISENGAGED INTO 2 PARTS AND HURT MY GIRLFIREND'S NECK.

NHTSA ID

11282696

Incident

Nov 17, 2019

Mileage

105,000 mi

THE POWER-STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN OCTOBER 2016 WHEN THE CAR HAD 25,822 MILES, AND HAPPY HYUNDAI REPLACED THE RACK SET AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 WHEN THE CAR HAD 51,784 MILES, AND NAPLETON-RIVER OAKS HYUNDAI SAID THE CAR IS LEAKING POWER-STEERING FLUID, AND WHEN I DROVE THE CAR BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIRS, I NOTICED DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE A SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC FROM NAPLETON HYUNDAI BECAUSE THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THE ISSUE AFTER I LEFT. I ALSO CONTACTED HYUNDAI'S NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IT DOESN'T APPEAR THEY WILL FORWARD TO THEIR TECHNICAL OFFICE.

NHTSA ID

11258160

Incident

Sep 14, 2019

Mileage

51,784 mi

IN 2016, I FILED COMPLAINT # 1084551 REGARDING THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN WHEN MY CAR HAD ONLY 23000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY NEITHER THIS AGENCY OR HYUNDAI USA GAVE ME THE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED, AND HAPPY HYUNDAI KEPT MY CAR FOR 43 DAYS TO REPLACE VARIOUS ENGINE PARTS. NOW IN 2019, THE CONNECTOR TO THE COOLANT FAN MELTED WHICH IS RELATED TO THE ECM MODULE. THERE WAS AN ECM RECALL AT THE TIME IN MARCH 2016 BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RECALL DIDNT ADDRESS/FIX THE PROBLEM. FURTHER, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED IN 2016, THEE ECM RECALL AND THE PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ON JULY 25, 2019 ARE VERY RELATED. I CAN ONLY HOPE AND IMPLORE THOS AGENCY TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THESE ISSUES. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGANOSTIC I WAS GIVEN SAID THEE THERMOSTATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND A COOLANT FLUSH. ALSO TOLD THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON AUGUST 14TH THE THERMOSTATE, SENSOR AND COOLANT FLUSH WAS COMPLETED BY HAPPY HYUNDAI BUT THE ENGINE CAME BACK ON THE SAME DAY AFTER I DROVE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I TOOK MY CAR INTO ANOTHER O. AUGUST 20, 2019 AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WASS MISSED DIAGNOSED AND THAT THE COOLANT FAN CONTROLLER HAD SHORTED AND THE CONNECTOR TO THAT COMPONENT HAD MELTED. THIS IS ALL RELATED TO THE ECM MODULE.

NHTSA ID

11256968

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

Mileage

52,780 mi

THE AIRBAG ON MY DASHBOARD THE SEAM HAS SPLIT. MY CAR IS NOT PARKED IN THE SUN AND THIS STARTED OFF AS INCH NOW IT EXTENDS TO THE HOLD SIDE OF THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID

11256718

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

MY BRAKE PEDAL IS GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR IT USED TO DO IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS A CONSTANT THING. THE CAR DOES STOP BUT IT FEELS REALLY MUSHY, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, HOWEVER AFTER READING ONLINE A LOT OFF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER ISN'T THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11230440

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi

RECALL ON CAR BACK IN 2014 FOR BRAKE FAILURE. IMPROPER FLUID USED CAUSING ABS ASSIST MODULE TO FAIL RESULTING IN SOFT BREAK PEDAL. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2014 USED AND NEVER TOLD OF THIS ISSUE AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE NOR NEVER SENT ANY INFO. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS , DRIVE SEAT WONT RESPOND , WIND SHIELD WIPERS RANDOMLY TURNING ON . TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING ALSO ON RECALL. THIS NOTIFICATION ALSO NEVER SENT TO USE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING REAR ENDED LAST YEAR . PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST DEPLOYED AND NOT DRIVERS. CAR WAS FIXED AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE PASSENGER HEAD RESET DEPLOYED AGAIN HITTING MY DAUGHTER AND AT THE SAME EXPLODED AND CAME OF ITS FRAME LANDING IN THE BACK SEAT. HYUNDIA DEALER WONT DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHATS ON RECALL NOW.

NHTSA ID

11208648

Incident

Apr 18, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi