CarRecallWatchThe 2011 Hyundai Sonata has 14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 3,380 complaints with NHTSA, including 116 crashes, 112 fires, 85 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Steering (1,175 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2011 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Fuel Leak Can Cause Fire in Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe Sport
A high pressure fuel pipe connected to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly tightened during an earlier engine replacement repair.
Airbags and seat belt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash
The air bag control unit in these vehicles can short circuit during a crash.
Front seat belts may detach, reducing crash protection
Front seat belt linkages on these vehicles may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Front Seat Belts May Detach in a Crash
Certain Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid vehicles may have front seat belt linkages that can detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Steering Assist May Fail, Making Steering Harder
Certain 2011 Sonata vehicles built between December 2009 and October 2010 may have a damaged circuit board in the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) control unit.
Brake lights may stay on or shifter may leave Park
A worn brake pedal stopper pad can keep the brake light switch plunger extended after the brake pedal is released.
Corroded Front Springs Can Fracture and Puncture Tires
Road salt can corrode the front coil springs on certain 2011 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata vehicles.
Engine debris can cause sudden stalling and crash risk
Metallic debris may not have been fully removed from the engine crankshaft during manufacturing.
Most common 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems
Problem areas named in the 3,380 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1,175 |
| Engine | 968 |
| Electrical System | 447 |
| Air Bags | 419 |
| Exterior Lighting | 252 |
| Unknown Or Other | 213 |
| Power Train | 175 |
| Suspension | 150 |
| Service Brakes | 145 |
| Seat Belts | 107 |
What owners report
On September 24, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Kelly Hyundai Service Center for two recall repairs: IBU/BCM Anti-Theft Software Upgrade and Decal Application Anti-Theft Ignition Cylinder Protector and Decal Installation My vehicle was at the dealership all day. At the end of the day, I received a call from the technician advising me that the recall work could not be completed due to an electrical issue. When I returned home, I immediately noticed several problems that did not exist prior to the service appointment. Specifically: The high beams no longer worked. The dashboard illumination was not functioning properly. The automatic door lock system stopped working. The trunk could only be ope
While driving home and negotiating an ordinary turn onto our residential street, we heard a loud popping sound. We immediately pulled over and discovered that the driverâs-side rear wheel was leaning inward substantially. Upon inspecting the suspension, I discovered that the cylindrical bushing attachment on a rear suspension control arm had fractured, allowing the suspension connection to separate. I subsequently walked back to the location where the noise occurred and recovered the detached metal fragment. The fracture surfaces exhibit distinctly different coloration, suggesting that part of the fracture may have existed for some time before the final separation. Of greater concern, u
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine developed an engine failure at 99,928 miles. On XXX Hyundaiâs dealer (McFarland Hyundai, [XXX]) ran Hyundaiâs T3G connecting-rod-bearing test, and the engine returned NO PASS. Hyundaiâs own test recorded the oil level as full. This engine family is the subject of Hyundaiâs connecting-rod-bearing safety campaigns and its extended engine warranty. Hyundai declined the repair (#XXX) as âexceptional maintenance neglect,â although the oil and filter were changed about 730 miles before the failure, with two more documented oil changes in the prior 16 months. Connecting-rod-bearing failure in this engine can cause engine seizure o
The passenger frontal airbag deployed on its own while the vehicle was being driven, with no collision or impact that the driver is aware of. The driver airbag did not deploy. The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, at about 11:14 PM, shortly after the driver refueled at a gas station and was heading toward the highway. The airbag tore open the dashboard panel and cracked the windshield from the inside where the bag struck the glass. The driver brought the vehicle back to the gas station and it was towed. It has not been driven since. Safety risk: The sudden deployment startled the driver and the cracked windshield reduced visibility while the vehicle was moving. Anyone in the passenger
I was driving down the road going the speed limit and all of a sudden it felt like I hit a brick wall my car staked out and I was stuck in the middle of the road for about 20 minutes and finally I got it to start and drove home it did it again 2 months later
2011 Hyundai Sonata safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Latest Release | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 5 (9.7% rollover risk) |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 5 (9.7% rollover risk) |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Early Release | ★★★★ 4-star | 3 | 5 | 5 (9.7% rollover risk) |
2011 Hyundai Sonata questions
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata: Fuel Leak Can Cause Fire in Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe Sport; Airbags and seat belt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash; Front seat belts may detach, reducing crash protection; Front Seat Belts May Detach in a Crash; Steering Assist May Fail, Making Steering Harder. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Based on 3,380 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Steering (1,175), Engine (968), Electrical System (447).
How safe is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2011 Hyundai Sonata up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.