2011 Hyundai Sonata Driver assistance Problems

I test drove the vehicle at an auction, watched several other people test drive the vehicle. Before the auction I test drove it one more time and put my obd scan tool on it to make sure there were no hidden codes or problems. I won the bid,and picked up the vehicle. I drove it approximately 6 miles from the auction and the falshing engine light popped on. I immediately pulled over in heavy freeway traffic. Put my scan tool on it and found out the knock sensor had triggered. The vehicle was shaking and making a terrible racket. It was inoperable in the worst possible spot on Highway 51 during rush hour traffic. I managed to slowing coast down the offramp and roll into a parking lot. I then called Purdy Hyundai and spoke with a service advisor and provided the VIN#. He (Vue Kue) informed me that the vehicle qualified for the recall and warranty work based on exactly that issue. I had the vehicle towed to the Purdy dealership on July 8th 2026. I was told today that it was unlikely that Hyundai would honor the recall because I did not have service records of a vehicle I had owned for 6 miles of driving. I filed a complaint with Hyundai corporate. Claim#43010067 and awaiting the reconciliation of this situation. Of which they appear to to be avoiding.

NHTSA ID

11752063

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

Randomly all controls on my steering wheel (I.e. cruise control, volume for sound, Bluetooth phone controls etc) just stopped working. Now I cannot control the radio, phone or even toggle to see mpg, mileage driven, use cruise control etc. I read there was an extended warranty regarding this issue and my vehicle was or is affected. However it has since expired and upon contacting local dealership they did not even have the parts for that recall.

NHTSA ID

11746557

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

The clock spring went bad causing failure of horn and all buttons on the steering wheel including cruise control. It also caused the airbag light to illuminate.

NHTSA ID

11745397

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Electrical needs to be reconnected a reprogrammed. Steering wheel horn doesn’t blow.

NHTSA ID

11658763

Incident

May 4, 2025

Desconocido

NHTSA ID

11640767

Incident

Jan 28, 2025

When my car is turned on there is a very noticeable shake coming from the engine area. It's not that bad once the car is driving. However, I was driving 40 miles an hour when my check engine light came on, then I was unable to accelerate and my car stalled (it's an automatic car).Once my car started up again, the check engine light was flashing, and I could only drive at like 15-20 miles per hour for my speed. Made it to O'Reilly and had them run the check engine light codes for me and it popped up with the P1326 code regarding the knock signal range/performance. I recently got a check engine light code for a p0449 EVAP vent control valve (it wouldnt allow me to pump gas into the car). I'm unsure if the issues are related but wanted to provide all the details.

NHTSA ID

11629374

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

I changed my oil on Saturday and it now has no oil. The engine light started flashing and my engine seized up. Now it does not run at all. It turns on halfway where the dashboard turns on but the motor/engine does not turn. It appears to be white smoke coming out of the car after trying to turn it back on.

NHTSA ID

11578374

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

On 1/3/2024 the car was at a low speed - once when parking and once stopping at an intersection - when it suddenly accelerated without the accelerator being touched. The only way that the car stopped was that I was able to shift it into neutral. According to online forums, this has been a known issue with several Kia and Hyundai models.

NHTSA ID

11564113

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

This is a 'Stop Lamp Switch' issue. The car will randomly turn on the ABS light causing the ABS system to engage and not allow you to use the accelerator pedal. This is very dangerous as if you are about to merge on or off a highway the car does not allow you to correctly control your speed. This issue happens more prevalently at night time when the full beam headlights (auto or manually turn on when dark out), which is very concerning. This issue has been going on for a year now and no mechanics at Hyundai can fix or diagnose. It happened again to me this morning and came very close to causing an accident as I could not engage the accelerator pedal on a turn. Please, in the interest of safety and saving lives fix this dangerous defective part issue.

NHTSA ID

11563112

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

My car had engine seized while driving on the road with no warning light prior nor other mechanical issues. When the engine seized, all mechanical powers are have lost power including brakes and power steering in which have almost caused a near accident at an early morning rushed hours. The vehicle's odometer reading at 120,836 and was up to date on all normal tune up performances. Other issues that have arise after purchasing the car are: warning light came on for airbag, real loud clunking sound on roof when hitting a bump on the road and engine will not start because of fuel line system issues. Cruise control had also stopped working after a year of purchased.

NHTSA ID

11547304

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

in July of 2022 the buttons on the steering wheel like cruise control trip/reset button as well as radio controls eventually all quit working did not become fully aware of this until I was on the interstate and was driving with the cruise control set and when I needed to turn off cruise control it wouldn't turn off by the steering wheel thankfully I know can hit the brakes and the car will shut it off however after this all happened the air bag light came on and stayed illuminated I called my dealer and they insisted that there was no recall on the CLOCK Spring in the steering wheel of my car and wanted me to pay out of pocket for an issue that they claim was non existint as well them also telling me all the recalls were taken care of when I purchased the vehicle in novemember of 2020 and im only the second owner had the car for 3 months and Hyundai stated that my vehicle had the knock sensor update and then a week later the motor went

NHTSA ID

11545941

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

The brake lights stay on all the time, thus preventing vehicles behind mine from knowing if I'm actually stopping. Hence, they may stop without reason, and endanger drivers behind them. The manufacturer has likely known of this being an issue in Sonatas from, at least, 2007 through 2013 models. The manufacturer is putting the task of solving the problem (if that's even possible), upon a dealer. And, my trip to that (nearest) dealership (75 miles away) creates its own danger. The danger is added to by a pre-existing unsolved issue of the horn not functioning. As per the brake light issue, I've been to the dealership about it twice, and they weren't even aware that the brake light switch they think attaches to my car doesn't. So, I wonder if the manufacturer tried to address the issue in the middle of the 2011 model year, installed a different model switch and wiring on more newly built cars in that model year, and decided to ignore the owners of vehicles sold earlier in that model year. As for an additional related issue, unless I disconnect my battery when not in the car. the lights stay on and run down the battery. That can contribute to its own safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11541794

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

My right brake light has melted my housing due to the bulb getting too hot and my cruise control suddenly stopped working one day the light comes on but when I go to hit the set button it doesn't set or activate

NHTSA ID

11538816

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

Starting 6 months ago air bag light is on constantly. Horn stopped working, speed control doesn't work. The whole steering wheel and buttons with horn doesn't work.

NHTSA ID

11529643

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

Warning light for airbag continues to stay on , and cruise control does not work at all.

NHTSA ID

11524337

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Even on a perfectly dry road, the cruise control can't be set and the traction control light comes on. The nearest dealer (75 miles away) said it was likely in need of a new brake light switch. That didn't solve the problem. Now, it is beyond the fact that the brake lights stay on whether the car is running or not. The brake light switch is clearly impacting various other functions and makes the car unsafe to drive, because vehicles following it conclude (incorrectly) that the driver is engaging the brakes. Additionally, if someone doesn't detach the battery cables when spending some time at a destination, they can be stranded as the result of a dead battery. If the manufacturer had integrity, they would replace whatever related parts are needed to make the car drive safely, They know there's a problem in such vehicles, and even the head of the nearest service department is currently stumped. And, today I was told by the manufacturer that I have to drive it to that distant dealer to see what kind of offer they might give for the car "as is". There should be a recall.

NHTSA ID

11484158

Incident

Apr 20, 2022

While driving on the interstate, the car suddenly stopped accelerating even though my foot was still pressing the accelerator. I took my foot off the gas pedal and let the car coast for a moment, though the deceleration seemed faster than normal coasting, almost as if the brake was slightly engaged. When I pressed the gas pedal again, it started to accelerate for a moment but then the same thing happened and it felt like the brake was engaging and the car was slowing down even though I was still pressing the gas pedal. So I took my foot off again and tried this process several more times, and in the meantime moved to the right lane and put my flashers on because I could not get the car to go more than 30 miles per hour and I was nearly hit several times. I was about to pull over when the issue seemed to resolve itself just as quickly as it had started. I called the dealership and they said because the car is not under any active recall, there's nothing they can do. This is a big safety issue! I was nearly run down by a truck! I just read that NHTSA has an active investigation for throttle issues, and that my 2011 Sonata is one of the affected vehicles. Please conclude your investigation and fix this issue before someone gets killed!

NHTSA ID

11480929

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

A friend borrowed my car to go to the corner store to get me a couple of things while my husband was getting surgery. My friend ended up in a rollover accident after hitting a tree. All recalls were up to date on my vehicle, he stated that no airbags deployed. Now after the vehicle was rolled back over and taken to the tow yard the insurance adjuster was the first to see and the driver airbag had deployed. I was not there I cannot say when the airbag deployed however none of the curtain airbags deployed. Also my friend stated that the car accelerated just before impact he swerved to miss something in the road and ended up rolling the vehicle after hitting the tree. The car should not have been accelerating but it was like the car had a mind of its own. I thought the recall was to fix the air bags. He could have been killed.. no reason these cars are still on the road. Not to mention all of the mechanical issues. And I'm sorry to say that I'm glad my kids weren't in the car.

NHTSA ID

11473161

Incident

Jun 2, 2022

My engine keeps making a knocking sound. When I am driving it will reduce speed, and begins to idle while already driving. Which concerns me that these same issues occurred on my same year, make and model on my vehicle and some how Hyundai dealership will tell me that my car does not have a recall. 470,000 cars of the same year make, and model went in for exactly what my car is doing.

NHTSA ID

11433157

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

Start losing speed cutting back overheating AC stop function then smoke from good and cut out Had it towed and seek what the problem is This occur on 08/24/2021 just purchase on July 7,2021 from dealer in Auto Land of Thornburg paid cash

NHTSA ID

11430415

Incident

Aug 24, 2021

motor ticking. car gets hot. car runs rough

NHTSA ID

11420923

Incident

Jun 14, 2021

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP A WEEK AGO. THE HORN AND NONE OF THE FEATURES ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORK. THE FRONT PANEL OF THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOSE. I ALSO SMELL GAS OFTEN AND MY LEFT MUFFLER SMOKES AND I SOMETIMES SMELL BURNING RUBBER. NAVIGATION DOES NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD AND MY XM FEATURES DON'T WORK BECAUSE OF A BAD XM ANTENNA (SHARK FIN.) THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEN BRAKING. MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKS AND THEN STAYS ON. THE KEY DOESN'T OPERATE THE LOCKS SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ID

11404898

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

I WAS DOING 60 AND MY CAR JUST DIED OUT OF NO WHERE ON MARCH 9 2021. I THEN GOT IT TO START AND EVERY TIME I PICK UP SPEED IT DIES AGAIN. I SMELL WHAT MAY BE ELECTRICAL BURNING. I CALLED DEALERSHIP IN VANDAILA THEY SAID NO RECALL ON MOTOR SO I HAVE TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT.

NHTSA ID

11399979

Incident

Mar 9, 2021

Mileage

214,000 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

TOTAL LOSS OF CAR DUE TO ENGINE FIRE. ON DEC 30,2020 AT MILE MARKER 31 ON I95 SOUTH OUTSIDE OF STONEY CREEK VA, WHEN I WAS DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AT THE SAME TIME-THEN WE LOST ABILITY TO ACCERLEATE-GAS PEDAL NOT WORKING. WE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF I95-SMOKE CAME OUT OF ENGINE AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ID

11388186

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

106,000 mi