The Lemon Index2011 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 792 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 301, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 26 to 36 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Lemon alert. 3× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2004
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 3,474 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 107K miles on the car (2,576 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 18K–90K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 72K–127K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 16K–102K miles
Recalls 14
- engine 2018
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
- seat belts 2018
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety…
- seat belts 2017
The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Show all 14 recalls
- seat belts 2017
In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
- steering 2016
In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.
- lights 2015
The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
- suspension 2015
Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturin.
- engine 2015
In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft.
- brakes 2014
The affected vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) due to insufficient seal between the inner …
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
- lights 2013
Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
- steering 2010
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010.
- steering 2010
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010.
- latches/locks/linkages 2010
HYUNDAI-KIA HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 15, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transmission solenoid dtc p0741, p0743, p0748, p0753, p0758, p0763, p0768, p0773 and…
- A 6 speed automatic transaxle with a harsh and/or delayed shift; gds analysis
- Check engine light on, transaxle held in third gear, and trouble codes stored
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2019–2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Latest Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1800–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Car pulls left. Worsens with speed. Has been to the dealer twice. First attempt was an alignment. Second attempt was a replaced strut. Still not fixed and the issue is a major safety hazard. Lemon law paperwork has been filed.
2011 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10397346
More owner reports
Car pulls left at speeds above 45mph. Constant pulls makes it unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint 10405898
When the steering wheel is in the center, the car will not go straight forward. Instead it pulls to left itself. This is not safe, I hope the government can check this or let Hyundai check it.
NHTSA complaint 10378970
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 301; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (43%), electrical (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?
14 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata get?
26 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,200 and 107,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 2,576 complaints.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $1800 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works