2011 Hyundai Sonata Body & structure Problems

My car was broken into and they broke off my door handle and took out ignition parts, a police report was done

NHTSA ID

11718470

Incident

Feb 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an inspection revealed that the rear frame of the vehicle, located near the passenger’s side, was severely corroded. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 148,757.

NHTSA ID

11705944

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

Mileage

148,757 mi

The Vehicle: "I have a 2011–2014 Hyundai Sonata with massive underbody rust." The Failed Fix: "Service Campaign 946 was completed on this car in 2017, but it did not work. The rust is now worse." The Safety Risk: "The structural metal is so rusty that I am afraid it will snap while I am driving. This makes the car unsafe." Hyundai is refusing to fix it because the car has a 'branded' (abandoned) title, even though the structural safety issue is still there."

NHTSA ID

11705920

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

The interior and exterior driver side door and driver side rear door handles are no longer functional on this vehicle. This is a well known problem with these vehicles that poses a grave safety hazard. In the event of a fire or accident, it would be impossible to exit or gain access to my vehicle without breaking the side glass. I have spoken to my Hyundai dealer and they agreed that it is a known, dangerous problem, however no TSB or recall has been issued. My only recourse is to pay to have this defect repaired. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that has had this type of issue.

NHTSA ID

11626076

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

Driving from home to a shopping center, approximately 25 miles, I did not observe any unusual noises nor smoke nor dashboard warning lights. Once I parked and shut off the engine in the shopping center parking lot, I observed a small amount of thick, white smoke coming from the hood on the front passenger side of my car, and then the smoke abruptly stopped. I was concerned enough that I decided I should probably move my car to a parking space a bit further away from the store I planned to go into in order to be further away from other vehicles. I started the engine again, and once again, no smoke nor unusual noises nor warning lights. I drove around to the next parking aisle and parked in a different parking space. Once I turned off the engine again, the smoke then immediately started from the right side of the hood again and quickly smoke started coming from the left side of the hood. I was quickly trying to grab my things to get out of the car as I saw the paint starting to peel off of the hood of my car. I was barely able to get out of my car as fire flames and very thick white smoke were then emerging from the hood. A person in the parking lot called 911 for me, and the local fire department arrived and put the fire out that destroyed my car. I am in the process of securing the Fire Marshall's lengthy report. At the present time, my vehicle is at our home where we paid to have it towed.

NHTSA ID

11588450

Incident

Apr 22, 2024

The dash cracked in many places.

NHTSA ID

11563508

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

I have a lot of paint chips on car. I see a lot of 2011 same model have the same problem. Most of the paint chips are coming from top of my windshield. I have complained a few years ago also hoping that this issue can be solved.

NHTSA ID

11492312

Incident

Nov 4, 2022

The rear passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. When my kids are in the back seat, they cannot get out that door and in the event of an emergency on the right side of the car, would be put at great risk not being able to open the left side passenger door. I had just opened the door to retrieve my backpack from the back seat and tried the door again and it was stuck. I unlocked the doors from the front seat and tried again to no avail. I went inside the car to try and open it and despite it being unlocked, it will not open. the interior latch feels like it is not moving anything when I try and open it, but the door acts like it is locked and cannot be opened with the handles. I have not taken it to the dealer yet, but plan to if I cannot fix it on my own.

NHTSA ID

11447618

Incident

Jan 11, 2022

MY HOOD TO MY CAR KEEPS FAILING DOWN ON MY HEAD EACH AND EVERY TIME I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD . IT JUST RECENTLY START TO HAPPEN AS I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE . MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE PISTONS THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . IF THIS IS A DEFLECT AS A CONSUMER SHOULD I BE SUBJECTED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE COST TO FIX DEFECTED PRODUCT .,

NHTSA ID

11404724

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

80,735 mi

ENGINE REPLACED IN 2015 AFTER SEIZING AND RECALL OF THETA 11. VEHICLE SERVICED INCLUDING OIL CHANGE AT DEALERSHIP ON 2/11/21. ON 2/22/21 ENGINE KNOCKED TWICE AND VEHICLE STALLED. DRIFTED OFF ROAD, TURNED KEY OFF, PUT CAR IN PARK. WITHIN 3 MINUTES ENGINE WAS ON FIRE WITH FLAMES EXTENDING BELOW CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT AND HAD CAR TOWED TO SUBURBAN HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID

11397562

Incident

Feb 22, 2021

Mileage

116,800 mi

THE FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL HAVE PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM BROKEN OR FAULTY CLIPS, WHEELS ORIGINAL SIZE RUB AGAINST WHEEL WELL COVERING AND CONSTANT SENSOR FAILURE FOR TIRE API. ACTUAL SPEED IS LOWER THEN THE SPEED INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE WHERE AS 55 MPH ACTUAL SPEED SHOWS 59 ON THE GAGE. CRUIS CONTROL WILL NOT WORK AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL NOT TURN OFF, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL TIRES AND SENSORS. EXTERIOR- HEAD LIGHTS NEED REPLACED EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS DUE TO FAILURE, BREAK LIGHTS REPLACED 6X IN 4 MONTHS AND WIRING HARNESS TO BREAKLIGHTS HAS PARTIALLY MELTED THE CASING AND ENTRY SPOT FOR BULB. REPLACEMENT BULB DIDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM, AS BREAK LIGHTS NOW DO NOT WORK AT ALL ON VEHICLE, ONLY TAIL LIGHTS. FOG LIGHT HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED 1X IM 1 YEAR AND 1 IS OUT. REAR PLATE LIGHT ALSO NOT WIRING. FUSES ARE GOOD. POSSIBLE WIRING ISSUE. FAULTY BODY ISSUE AND POSSIBLE COMPUTER AND OR SENSOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11396035

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

SUSPENSION MAKING LOUD THUMP NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AFTER ENGINE BEEN REPLACED AND SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON...AND PAINT AND CLEAR COAT IS PEALING

NHTSA ID

11362422

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

A SCREEN CAN LOSE BY THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE AND TORE THE BUMPER BY THE TIRE. ALSO PAINT CHIPS VERY EASY TO THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11343467

Incident

Jul 28, 2020

Mileage

120,993 mi

THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. ORIGINATED FROM ENGINE BAY AND ENGULFED WITHIN SECONDS HAD TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11343345

Incident

Jul 27, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS EXTENDED ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE POTAMKIN HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 6200 NW 167TH ST, MIAMI LAKES, FL 33014, WHERE THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT BACK AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW THE COST OF THE REPAIRS PRIOR TO MAKING A DECISION ON THE OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11330619

Incident

Jun 24, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG ENCLOSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS 12 TO 16 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY OR FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE HYUNDAI DEALER, (3550 WESTON RD, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954) 994-2397) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OF SIMILAR YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,100. *DT ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

NHTSA ID

11299294

Incident

Mar 23, 2019

Mileage

88,100 mi

ENGINE BAY CAUGHT FIRE AND CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY UNDER SONATA THETA ENGINE RECALL. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY. WAS ON THE WAY TO HYUNDAI DEALER WHEN THE FIRE HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN IT LOST POWER AND SMOKE STARTED SPEWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BAY WAS ABLAZE WITH 60 SECONDS. NO INJURIES OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

11279377

Incident

Nov 11, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN WITH BUTTON NOR KEY. PARKED IN PARKING LOT TRYING TO PUT MY DAUGHTER'S STROLLER IN TRUNK AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. ALL OF MY ROADSIDE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NOW LOCKED IN WITH NO WAY TO GET IT OUT.

NHTSA ID

11265801

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

141,300 mi

HYUNDAI SONATA 2011 WHEN DRIVING THROUGH BUMPS OR A SMOOTH SERVICE IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL APART. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS A CLUNKING AND RATTLING SOUNDS UNDERNEATH AND A FEW REPLACEMENTS HAS BEEN DONE BUT IT STILL FEELS AS IF ITS LOOSE UNDERNEATH. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH MANY RECALLS PLUS WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR IS NOT ALIGNED AS IT SHOULD. THE BEST PART IS WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE INNER COVER OF THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE FELL OFF, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE HAVING MY CHILD IN THE CAR. ENGINE WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS NO TYPE OF ACELLATOR PICK UP. WHEN TURNING LEFT IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRANKING NOISE "CLUCK, CLUCK, CLUCK" ITS HORRIBLE. I HAVE THIS CAR IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP PLENTY OF TIMES SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT BUT MY THEORY IS THAT I PURCHASED A LEMON CAR BUT APPARENTLY BECAUSE THE MILES IT DON'T QUALIFY. OKAY NOW WHAT IT QUALIFIES FOR? MANUFACTURING DEFECTS SMH WHEN I DRIVE IN THE RAIN THE WINDOWS DO NOT DEFROSS AS IT SHOULD THEREFORE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT DURING BAD WEATHER

NHTSA ID

11251972

Incident

Aug 28, 2019

TAKATA RECALL, MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON 3 WEEK AGO WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HAVE NOT COME OFF SINCE THEN. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED AT THE CAR HISTORY AND HAVE NOTICED 14 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING THE AIRBAGS. WHILE IN MOTION, MY DOORS UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. LASTLY, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEAR SOMETIMES DISAPPEAR FROM THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE SHIFT GEAR WHICH IN MOST CASE THE CAR WOULDNT START OR JERKS WHEN IT DISAPPEAR WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

11232655

Incident

Jul 3, 2019

Mileage

150,562 mi

GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM CONTACTING THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE RECALL 180 HYUNDAI IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN THE UNITED STATES TO CONFIRM THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE WAS PROPERLY CONNECTED BY HYUNDAI DEALERS TO THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP OUTLET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALLS 132 AND 162. IN COME CASES, DURING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENTS UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGNS 132 AND 162, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE MAY HAVE DAMAGED, MISALIGNED, OR IMPROPERLY TORQUED DURING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE PIPE. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PIPE, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-855-371-9460. HYUNDAI'S RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 180. MY HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AFTER HYUNDAI HAD JUST REPLACED THE MOTOR AND ON IMPACT THE WHOLE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, SO WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS FIND OUT DO I NEED TO CONTACT NHTSA IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER BUT I FEEL THAT MY LIFE, THE PERSON INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WAS TOTALLY AT RISK DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION AND I AM OUT OF SO MUCH AND WAS PUT IN A VERY HARD FINANCIAL PLACE DUE TO THIS FIRE WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] THANKS, [XXX] VIN #: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11203753

Incident

May 5, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

CRACKS ON THE DASH BOARD BECAUSE OF POORLY MADE MATERIALS THAT HYUNDAI FAIL TO FIX I HAVE NEVER SEEN THOS HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER CARS.

NHTSA ID

11170465

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

DRIVING HOME MY MOM ASKED ME TO STOP BY THE LOCAL GAS STATION. I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE MY MOM GOT OUT & WENT IN THE STORE. A GUY AT THE STAION STARTED SCREAMING AT ME TO GET OUT BECAUSE MY CAR IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP HE COULD SEE THE FIRE COMING OUT THE FRONT OF THE HOOD & GRILL OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME I UNDERSTOOD WHT HE WAS SAYING THE CAR HAD A BIG BOOM HOOD BLEW UP & WENT BK DWN DURING THAT THE LOCKS WERE LOCKING & UNLOCKING. I HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK TGE DOOR & PUSH MY WAY OUT WITH YOUNG MAN ASSISTANCE. AFTER I WAS OUT OF IT FOR 3 SECONDS THE FIRE STARTED RAGING & POPPING. THE FIREMEN FINALLY MADE IT THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL & UNDERSTANDING. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY I DIDN'T GET SOME TYPE OF WARNING MY CAR WAS MOT RUNNING HOT . IM THANKFUL TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION FOR ME BUT IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE. VERY GRATEFUL. BUT IS HYUNDAI GONNA REPLACE MY CAR OR PAY FOR THE DAMAGES? WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THIS TYOE OF CLAIM?

NHTSA ID

11155821

Incident

Dec 3, 2018

Mileage

250,000 mi

MY TRUNK WILL NO LONGER OPEN USING THE FOB, KEY OR BUTTON ON THE DASH. THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT DOWN THE REAR SEATS FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF YOU WERE TO GET A FLAT TIRE THERE IS NO WAY OF GETTING IN THE TRUNK FOR THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $524.00 TO FIX IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. IT IS ALSO HAPPENING ON THE CURRENT MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11151447

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

64,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD CONTAINED SEVERAL EXTENSIVE CRACKS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CRACKS COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. DORAL HYUNDAI (10285 NW 12TH ST, DORAL, FL 33172, 305-591-5407) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY AND THAT THE PART WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED AND REPLACED FOR THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE AIR BAGS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE BEING AFFECTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11139208

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

65,000 mi