2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine4029.9%
- Steering1813.4%
- Brakes1712.7%
- Electrical1712.7%
- Driver assistance118.2%
- Powertrain (other)107.5%
- Airbags86.0%
- Seat belts32.2%
- Other / unspecified32.2%
- Fuel system21.5%
- Suspension21.5%
- Visibility10.7%
- Body & structure10.7%
- Exterior lighting10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. Upon checking under the hood, the contact noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and had recall repair was completed. The contact stated that two weeks after the repair, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and restarted the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to Allen Turner Hyundai (6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505: (850) 479-9667) however, the vehicle was not serviced at the dealer. The vehicle was towed back to the first dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred seven times. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting or reversing, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
THE IS A CLANKING NOISE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. LOCAL MECHANIC DESCRIBES IT AS NOTORIOUS HYUNDAI PROBLEM. THE INFORMATION FOR RECALL 10V-426 WAS GIVEN TO ME. HYUNDAI DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HYBRID WITH THIS RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ON THIS WEBSITE, THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE BUT NOTICE IT IS NO LONGER ON THE WEBSITE. THIS NOISE HAPPENS WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS, EVEN SLIGHT SUBTLE BUMPS, OR WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE STATIONARY OR MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BUT JUNE 2018 IS WHEN HYUNDAI ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM DURING ANOTHER SERVICE CAMPAIGN. I CURRENTLY HAVE 129K MILES.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. That contact stated that the ABS fuse had been replaced but the vehicle experienced unstated failures with the braking system. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAY BE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM; LOST POWER ON INTERSTATE FROM 70 MPH TO 20 MPH THEN GOT OFF EXIT, SHUT DOWN AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT UP AND NO PROBLEM AGAIN; HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LAST 4 MONTHS; TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE WITHOUT SUCCESS- NO CODES IN COMPUTER; NOW CAR IS SPUTTERING AND JUMPING WHEN GAS IS APPLIED AFTER SLOW DOWN/STOP. NOW GETTING FLASHING/BLINKS ON/OFF READY LIGHT ON DASH. SAW NHTSA ID NUMBER 10056327 AND SOUNDS LIKE MY ISSUE. DRIVE 40 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK ON INTERSTATE DAILY AND AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING POWER. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO DEALER TWICE AND NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT AND REPORTED IT HYUNDIA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT A CALL BACK TO DATE.
AFTER BEING JUMPED ONCE AND RUNNING PROPERLY THE CAR NO LONGER HAS ANY KIND OF POWER. THE REAR BATTERY IS WORKING FINE. MY MECHANIC HAD ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE WHEELS HAD A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPRING LIKE MECHANISM THAT WAS READY TO SHOOT OFF THE CAR AND THAT THE CAR NEEDS A VERY EXPENSIVE LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC TO REGULATE AIRFLOW IF IT IS GOING TO PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENTS AND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAS HAPPENED TO IT TO CAUSE THESE THINGS
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD AND THE CHECK BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE CHIME STOPPED, THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE RENDERED INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM HYUNDAI (4355 STONE MOUNTAIN HWY, LILBURN, GA 30047, (770) 972-1222) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
CHECK BRAKE WARNING DISPLAY 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHEN DRIVING THE CHECK BRAKE SIGNAL COMES ON AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR AND RENDER IT DRIVELESS UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT .WE CHANG NEW OWN 12 V BATTERY OEM PARTS . STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECK BRAKE SIGNAL COME ON .
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2012. IN LAST TWO YEARS, TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. NO CLEAR ANSWERS FROM MANUFACTURER AS 100K MILE WARRANTY NEARS END. THIS TIME DEALERSHIP HELD VEHICLE 2 WEEKS BEFORE COMMENCING REPAIR. SPEAKING TO OTHER OWNERS, SAME PROBLEM WITHIN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN IN MOTION TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR CAUSING BREAKDOWN IN ROADWAY. THE FIRST TIME, GOT STRANDED ON HIGHWAY, ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE SHOULDER. SECOND TIME, NOTICED SYSTEM SLIPPING DURING SHIFTS AND TOOK DIRECTLY BACK TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
I AM EXPERIENCING A SECOND ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2011 HYBRID SONATA. THE TRANSMISSION DIED ONCE AT AROUND 80,000 MILES AND WAS REBUILT BY HYUNDAI APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. AT THE TIME IT ORIGINALLY FAILED, MY TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT BEFORE IT FINALLY EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE AND WAS DEAD ON THE ROAD. RECENTLY (NOW AT 120K MILES) MY CAR HAS STARTED SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT PRECEDED THE ORIGINAL FAILURE. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WILLL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO INVEST IN ANOTHER REPLACEMENT THAT WILL ALSO EVENTUALLY FAIL OR TO JUST SCRAP THE CAR AND CUT MY LOSSES. BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE THE REPORTED SYMPTOMS DO NOT GENERATE ANY CODES THAT THE DEALER CAN USE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS MY AND APPARENTLY MANY OTHER OWNERS' HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME, BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. I HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL VISITS DURING WHICH THEY SIMPLY KEPT BLAMING OUTDATED PROGRAMMING THAT THEY THEN UPDATED, BUT COULD NEVER RECREATE ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS I HAD COMPLAINED AND EVEN RECORDED ON VIDEO AND SHOWED THEM. THEY SAID HYUNDAI COULD NOT APPROVE ANY SERVICE TO THE TRANSMISSION UNLESS THEY HAD "CODES" INDICATING A PROBLEM WAS PRESENT. THESE FAILURES, ESPECIALLY IN THE HYBRID MODELS FOR AT LEAST THE 2011 AND 2012 MODEL YEARS SEEM MORE THAN RANDOM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THESE HYBRID TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT HYUNDAI PROBABLY IS WELL AWARE THAT THERE IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. I'M SURE THEY HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, AND NOT SOMETHING RELATED TO DRIVING PATTERNS, CONDITIONS, MAINTENANCE, GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, ETC. PLEASE ASK HYUNDAI FOR THEIR COOPERATION BY RELEASING DATA RELATED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THESE MODEL AND YEARS AND ASK THEM TO LOOK INTO AN ENGINEERING ISSUE AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL AND/OR ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front driver's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) was serviced by the previous owner in 2020. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
I HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY. ANOTHER CAR HIT ME ON MY RIGHT SIDE. I WAS DRIVING WITH 60 MILE/ HOURS. I DEVIATE FROM THE ROAD AND THAT CAR HIT FEW MORE TIMES. MY CAR WAS DISTROYED. OK THIS ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT PROTECTED. EVEN THAT I DIDN'T BROKE ANY BONE I HURT REALLY BED MY LEFT SHOULDER, LEFT HIP AND ALSO I HIT MY HEAD DURING THIS ACCIDENT.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front driver's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) was serviced by the previous owner in 2020. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 27 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AS THE AIR BAGS STARTED TO DEPLOY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY INFLATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V137000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER BEING JUMPED ONCE AND RUNNING PROPERLY THE CAR NO LONGER HAS ANY KIND OF POWER. THE REAR BATTERY IS WORKING FINE. MY MECHANIC HAD ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE WHEELS HAD A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPRING LIKE MECHANISM THAT WAS READY TO SHOOT OFF THE CAR AND THAT THE CAR NEEDS A VERY EXPENSIVE LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC TO REGULATE AIRFLOW IF IT IS GOING TO PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENTS AND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAS HAPPENED TO IT TO CAUSE THESE THINGS
WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION, ON HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME, THE CHECK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DISPLAY SCREEN, WITH AN BEEPING ALARM, THEN THE BRAKES DROP TO FLOOR BARELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE WITH A GRUDGING NOISE. I WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO REPLACE THE ABS SYSTEM BUT WAS NOT SURE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM AND TRIED TO SELL ME A NEWER CAR. THIS COMPANY ALREADY HAS LOTS OF RECALLS AND HAS PUT MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES THE SAME AS MINE AND THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR WORKED ON BY HYUNDAI 12-15 DIFFERENT TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME THAT WE HAD THE ISSUE WAS IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT TIME. HYUNDAI WILL NOT HELP US GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS HAD THE SAFETY CONCERNS. RECENTLY WE FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE ISSUE. WE HAVE COME CLOSE TO WRECKING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES. THANKFULLY THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED OR WE MAY HAVE NOT EVEN HAD AN AIRBAG TO PROTECT US. THERE HAS BEEN CLOSE TO $25000 WORTH OF WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE PROPERLY. WE DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT PUT OUR FAMILY AT RISK ANY LONGER. WE NEED HELP TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE FINANCIALLY AS WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR US OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD.
I HAVE HAD THIS 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID IN THE SHOP SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2011 NEW THE CAR HAS SERIOUS CAR HESITATION AND GAS MILEAGE IS 19 TO 30 PER GALLON. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS AND ENDED UP WITH A BLOWN MOTOR AT 60,000 MILES. I ALSO HAVE NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES WITH THE BLOWER AC/ HEATER NOT WORKING AS WELL. THE CAR IS A LEMON AFTER 30 VISITS TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPEATED PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE A NEW SET OF EYES FIX THE PROBLEMS AND STUCK WITH A REBUILT MOTOR IN MAY 2015. CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR HESITATE AND ECS PROBLEMS AS OF JUNE 2015. NEED HELP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK BRAKE WARNING DISPLAY 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHEN DRIVING THE CHECK BRAKE SIGNAL COMES ON AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR AND RENDER IT DRIVELESS UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT .WE CHANG NEW OWN 12 V BATTERY OEM PARTS . STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECK BRAKE SIGNAL COME ON .
METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE, KNOCKING, LOSE OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON SMALL BLOCK ENGINE BUT NOT ON THE SMALL BLOCK HYBRID... WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER BUT THE HYBRID STILL HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE NONE HYBRID SAME EXACT ISSUES METAL SHAVING IN OIL PAN DEFECTS FROM MANUFACTURER. THE NONE HYBRID WAS RECALLED BUT A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED FOR THE HYBRID STATED BY EMPLOYEES AT GLOBAL AUTO MALL IN NEW JERSEY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILST DURING DOWN HIGHWAY REAR PORTION OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH LOUD BANG. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED COULD HEAR GLASS CONTINUING TO CRACK. OBSERVATION SHOWED HOLE IN ROOF APPROXIMATELY 2X4 INCHES, WITH EDGES BOWED UPWARDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILST DURING DOWN HIGHWAY REAR PORTION OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH LOUD BANG. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED COULD HEAR GLASS CONTINUING TO CRACK. OBSERVATION SHOWED HOLE IN ROOF APPROXIMATELY 2X4 INCHES, WITH EDGES BOWED UPWARDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIR OF MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V113000 EVEN THOUGH MY MODEL YEAR WAS COVERED IN RECALL THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED I WAS CHARGED A FEE TO DIAG THE VEHICLE AND FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .