TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST ALONG THE FIREWALL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS DISMISSED BY THE DEALER AND ASSURED THE RUST WAS NORMAL. A REGIONAL DIRECTOR WAS SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE RUST WAS CLEANED AND THE SPOTS WERE LUBED. THE CORROSION CONTINUED TO PLAGUE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,203. UPDATED 10/29/13*CN
2011 Hyundai Sonata complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →
I PURCHASED MY CAR USED IN JUNE 2012 WITH ONLY 17000 MILES ON IT. CURRENTLY IT HAS LESS THAN 36000 MILES ON IT. DURING A RECENT ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I WOULD NEED TIRES SOON. LOOKING AT THE TIRES, I SAW HE WAS RIGHT. I DID NOT FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD NEED TIRES WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I LOOKED AT THE WARRANTY PROVIDED BY HANKOOK ON THEIR WEBSITE. THE WARRANTY SITE CONFIRMED THAT I SHOULD NOT NEED TIRES UNTIL AFTER 50,000 MILES AS THAT IS WHAT THEIR MILEAGE WARRANTY COVERS. WHEN I CALLED HANKOOK TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY TO ME SINCE THEY WERE FACTORY TIRES. I ASKED IF THE SAME TIRES WERE COVERED IF PURCHASED AFTERMARKET. I WAS TOLD YES THEY WERE COVERED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HANKOOK WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY ON THEIR TIRES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SHOULD STILL HAVE OVER 20,000 OF NORMAL WEAR LEFT. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE TIRES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THEY HAVE. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT MY DRIVING HABITS ARE VERY NORMAL AND IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR
SINCE JULY 2010 THIS CAR CONTINUALLY GETS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND EACH TIME I AM THERE THEY REPORT THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WHEN THIS SMELL GETS BAD IT GIVES ME HEADACHES. THIS IS BOTH A HEALTH ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY A FIRE HAZARD. JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO I ONCE AGAIN CALLED THE DEALER, CONICELLI HYUNDAI OF CONSHOCKEN PA, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO SOLUTION YET. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF OTHERS HAVE NOT COMPLAINED TO YOU AS THERE ARE MANY COMMENTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. *TR
I CLOSED THE TRUNK AND THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING UNIT PULLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I OPENED THE TRUNK AGAIN TO LOOK FROM INSIDE AND NOTICED THE FOUR SCREWS HOLDING THE UNIT IN PLACE WERE TOTALLY BROKEN OFF. THE PLASTIC HOLDING THE SCREWS TO THE MAIN HOUSING UNIT CRUMBLED INTO LITTLE PIECES. *TR
1) TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT INDICATES LOW TIRE PRESSURE. 2) DRONING NOISE COMING FROM REAR TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2-WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WHEN DRIVEN LOCALLY, THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT EVERY 2-TO-3 WEEKS (APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES). WHEN I DRIVE ON OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS, THE TROUBLE OCCURRENCE VARIES FROM ABOUT EVERY 150 TO 700 MILES. I CHECKED THE TIRES WITH A TIRE GAUGE AND IT INDICATES THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT TIRE (SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY TIRE HAVING THE PROBLEM) HAS ONLY 25 PSI OF PRESSURE. I INFLATED THE TIRE TO 35 PSI AND CONTINUED MY TRIP. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE MORE TIMES DURING THIS PARTICULAR TRIP. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS FOUR NEW TIRES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, HOWEVER IT HAS MOVED TO THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR TIRE (THIS MAY BE THE RIM THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE TIRE AND RIM AND HAS NOT FOUND ANY PROBLEMS. I HAD THE ISSUED CHECKED DURING A RECENT TRIP BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE OR RIM. THEY ALSO HAD TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND SPECULATE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TPMS SINCE THE TIRE IS ACTUALLY LOOSING AIR WHEN IT HEATS UP. PLEASE NOTE NITROGEN IS USED IN THE TIRES. MY SON NOTICED THE DRONING NOISE ON A PARTICULAR OUT-OF-TOWN TRIP. THIS WAS HIS FIRST TIME IN THE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, WARNING CHIMES WERE HEARD, WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHICH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH KUHMO SOLUS KH25 TIRES, SIZE: P205/65/R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE FLAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED TWO BUBBLES ON THE INNER PART OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF BOTH THE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS 23,800. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
1) WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, STARTING ISSUES BEGAN. GENERALLY ON THE SECOND START OF THE DAY. FIRST START OF THE DAY USUALLY INVOLVES HIGH ENGINE REVVING SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 2,500 RPM. AFTER A SHORT TRIP, IGNITION WILL NO CLICK OVER ATTEMPT TO RESTART. USUALLY SECOND OR THIRD TRY RESULT IN A START. DESPITE DEALER REPLACEMENT OF STARTER, FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES PERIODICALLY. 2) REAR BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 24K MILES. WEAR WAS UNEVEN: LEFT BRAKE WAS GRINDING INTO ROTOR AND RIGHT BRAKE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 PERCENT WORN. HAD DEALERSHIP CHECK FOR POSSIBLE FAULTY CALIPERS, BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY FOUND NO ISSUES AND WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. IN CONTRAST, THE CAR STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKES. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT THE FREEWAY SPEED LIMIT, I DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT I KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER TO GET SOME GAS, LOOKED BACK NEAR THE GAS CAP AND SAW THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE TAILIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS HANGING BY THE WIRES ONTO MY BUMPER. WHEN IT FELL OUT, IT BOUNCED AND PLACED SEVERAL DINGS AND CHIPS IN THE PLASTIC BUMPER. I NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS(COGS) INSIDE THE TAILIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. I HAD TO TAKE THE LIGHT OUT AND PLACE IT IN MY TRUNK AND DRIVE THE REST OF THE TWO HUNDRED MILES WITH NO LEFT TAIL LIGHT OR TURN SIGNAL. IF IT HAD FALLEN INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, I AM SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE TO WRITE ABOUT AND NONE OF IT GOOD! *TR
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE THE RIGHT TIRE, THE MOMENT THE WHEEL LEFT THE GROUND, THE STEEL IN THE JACK HEAD COLLAPSED CAUSING THE JACK TO PART FROM THE VEHICLE, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE STEEL WAS OF POOR QUALITY, WHICH COULD NOT SUPPORT THE PARTIAL WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE.
BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2012 I KEPT HEARING RATTLING, CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I LIVE OCTOBER 26, 2012 . THEY CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND TOLD ME BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON, THEY COULDN'T FIND A CODE TO FIX THE CAR AND TO BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I KEPT DRIVING THE CAR AND HEARING THE SAME NOISE. I TOOK IT TO MEINEKE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE NOVEMBER 14, 2012. DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER HYUNDAI DEALER . THEY SAID THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL AND MEINKE FORGOT TO PUT THE DRAIN PLUG BACK IN, THEREFORE IT MESSED UP THE ENGINE, AND THAT'S WHY I HEARD THE NOISE. I KEPT TELLING THEM, I HEARD THE NOISE BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO MEINKE AND SHOWED THEM THE PAPER HYUNDAI GAVE ME, THEY GAVE ME MY MONEY BACK AND APOLOGIZED. STILL HEARING THE NOISE, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FIRST HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS ENGINE PROBLEMS AND I HAD TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS VOIDED DUE TO MEINEKE. I REFUSED TO PAY THE FEE BECAUSE MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME MY CAR BACK UNTIL I PAID, WE ARGUED BACK AND FORTH AND I CALLED THE POLICE AND THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK, BUT TOLD ME NOT TO COME BACK ON THEIR PROPERTY. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND SAME THING. THEY SAID TO TRY A GAS ADDITIVE 3 TIMES, IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, GET AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IN MY AREA WHERE I LIVE. I NEED MY CAR FIXED AND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
I WAS GETTING THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, WITH THE LID FULLY UP. THE TRUNK LID SPONTANEOUSLY TRIED TO CLOSE, AND WAS STOPPED BY MY FACE, CAUSING LACERATIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 10 MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR FILTERS WERE CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR FILTERS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VALVES FROM THE FUEL TANK FAILED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VALVES WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE AN ERRONEOUS READING OF EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES AND IN 23,000 MILES THEY HAD CUPPED. THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAD FAILED TO KEEP THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF AIR IN THE TIRES AND DID NOT KEEP IT ALIGNED. I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF TIRES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT BACK TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM AND THEY TOLD ME MAYBE THE CAR IS OUT OF LINE AND LINED IT UP. WELL SINCE THEN THE TIRES HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. THIS IS 2 SETS OF TIRES IN LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES COST ME $600.00. I DO NOT LIKE BEING TOLD IT IS MY FAULT WHEN I HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED EVERY 5000 MILES. I WENT ON LINE TO SEE IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE AND LEARNED THERE WERE OTHERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HELP US . *TR
THE CAR IS A YEAR OLD. AS THE PASSENGER WAS TURNING LEFT TRAVELING APPROX 25-30MPH THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN THE WHEEL CAME OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY FAILED ALLOWING THE WHOLE WHEEL/DRIVE ASSEMBLY TO COME OFF SLAMMING THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR DOWN, YANKING THE CAR TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
WHEN PARKING THE FRONT END RUBBED UP AGAINST A CURB AND DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE, WHEN PULLING OUT IT ALMOST PULLED OFF THE FRONT BUMPER COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR. THE FRONT CLIPS THAT HOLD THE FRONT BUMPER ON HAD BROKEN AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER AND AFTER READING MORE REVIEWS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CLIP BREAKING ARE BEING MADE. THIS BUMPER IS WAY TO EXPENSIVE FOR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A CHEAP CLIP THAT HOLDS THE BUMPER ON. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND I WARN ANYONE BUYING THIS CAR DO NOT PULL UP ON THE CURB I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH THE CLIPS ON THE BUMPER CANNOT HANDLE IT. I LOVE MY CAR OTHER THEN THIS AND SO FAR UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR UNDER WARRANTY BUT GOING TO CONTACT HYUNDAI DIRECTLY, BUT NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. *TR
TRY TO START VEHICLE, DEPRESS BRAKE AND PUSH IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KEYFOB BEING IN CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES IN THE ONE WEEK I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS CAR WILL RESPOND. BUT ON ONE OCCASION DID NOT START FOR OVER 4 HOURS. EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET A JUMP AND CAR STARTED. *TR
UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER-SIDE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DANGLING OUT OF THE FENDER BY IT'S WIRING HARNESS. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE POSTS THAT THE BOLTS SECURE INTO HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE LAMP ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT OF THE FENDER. WHEN I INQUIRED WITH A HYUNDAI SERVICE AND PARTS ASSOCIATE AT A SERVICE CENTER, THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE MODEL AND THE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THAT HAD A RED LIGHT AND STOPPED VEHICLES. I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD AND IT DID NOT STOP. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON HYUNDAI SONATA 2011 BRAKE PROBLEMS AND GOT 598,000 RESULTS. IN A BRIEF SCAN THROUGH THOSE RESULTS I FOUND 7 OTHER REPORTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS DEMANDS SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS NOW! I COPIED THOSE WEB POSTING IF YOU WANT THEM LET ME KNOW! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE PRESSED THE KEY LESS IGNITION BUTTON TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENSOR SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
I HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE KEYLESS IGNITION. THE CAR FREQUENTLY DOES NOT START OR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED THREE TIMES. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT IS WITH ALL 2011 HYUNDAI SONATAS AND I SHOULD JUST GET A NEW CAR. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH BBB AUTOLINE (CALL 800-633-5151) AND MY STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I AM ALSO THINKING OF TAKING THEM TO COURT (MY FAMILY MEMBER IS AN ATTORNEY). IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE FILE COMPLAINTS EVERYWHERE YOU CAN. START BY OPENING A CASE WITH HYUNDAI (CALL 800-633-5151). THEN FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB. THEN FILE A COMPLAINT HERE AND WITH YOUR STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY. JUST BECAUSE IT IS NOT CAUSING INJURY DOES NOT MEAN IT DOES NOT MERIT A RECALL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
I HAD THIS CAR FROM FEB 2011 TO PRESENT, AND THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY DRIFTING LEFT. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I SWITCHED OUT MY TIRES (DUE TO OUTER WEAR) AND HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS PERFORMED BY LICENSED TECHNICIANS. THE CAR STILL DRIFTS LEFT. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BY A BODY REPAIR SHOP. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, IT WOULD NOT START. THE FIRST 3 TIMES A SENSOR SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FOURTH TIME I WAS TOLD MY BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. TODAY WAS THE FIFTH TIME AND THE SERVICE DEPT INDICATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THEY WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE SENSOR SWITCH AGAIN. I AM NOT HAPPY, I FEEL THAT I CANNOT DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE. I AM PLANNING AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP FOR THANKSGIVING AND HAVE RESORTED TO RENTING A VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM PARANOID ABOUT BEING STRANDED ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THIS JUST IS NOT RIGHT. I AM CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN FOR A VEHICLE THAT STARTS THE TRADITIONAL WAY (WITH A KEY). *TR
WASTE GATE ACTUATOR FAILS (REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY ALREADY) LEAVING THE CAR WITH ALMOST NO POWER TO ACCELERATE OR PASS, UNFORTUNATELY THIS USUALLY APPEARS WHEN YOU TRY AND CROSS A ROAD/INTERSECTION AND WHAT SHOULD TAKE 5 OR 6 SECONDS TO MAKE A SAFE CROSSING TAKES MUCH LONGER AND IT COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. THIS FAILURE HAS NOW ALMOST ENDED UP IN TWO ACCIDENTS FIRST WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE AND SECOND CROSSING A 2 WAY STOP AND ALMOST BEING T BONED IN WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY, SAFE CROSSING. *TR
TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT A NORMAL SPEED WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. IT WAS SO FRIGHTENING I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT. I WAS STARRING STRAIGHT AHEAD. THERE WAS NO TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ON A TWO LANE ROAD DIVIDED WITH A GRASS MEDIUM WITH STEEL GRIDS SEPARATING THE SIDES. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR TO FIND OUT THAT THE GLASS OF THE MOON ROOF HAD SHATTERED AND HAD COMPLETELY COME OUT LEAVING A HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOF. FORTUNATELY, MY INSIDE VISOR WAS CLOSED AND THE GLASS DID NOT ENTER THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE HAD GONE DOWN TO A CHILLY 60 DEGREES THAT NIGHT AND WARMED UP DURING THE DAY. I SEARCHED THE AREA AND FOUND NOTHING TO INDICATE A ROCK OR AN OBJECT HAVING HIT THE GLASS. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOF. I CALLED INSURANCE AND HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IMMEDIATELY THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE SAID SOMETHING HIT THE CAR POINTING TO A SPOT THAT HAD RESIDUE WAX FROM A RECENT WAXING STATING THIS IS WHERE THE HIT HAD COME FROM. I DISAGREED AND INSURANCE IS NOW SENDING AN ADJUSTOR. *TR
DIFFICULTY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO START ENGINE...THIRD TIME ...DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH OTHER TWO TIMES. *TR
LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY FELL OFF, HANGING BY WIRING. FOUR PLASTIC MOUNTING BOSSES AT MOUNTING STUDS HAVE BROKEN. NOT THE RESULT OF ANY IMPACT OR CRASH. I WAS ALERTED TO IT BY ANOTHER DRIVER BESIDE ME WHO BEEPED. THE TAILLIGHT HAS NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE FAILED MOUNTS. DEALER SAID IT WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
ELEC STABILITY CONTROL LITE ON AFTER STARTING CAR. FAILED TO START ONE TIME. DEALER INVESTIGATED. FOUND PART # 93810-3S000 (SWITCH ASSM STOP LAMP) DEFECTIVE. REPLACED SWITCH. I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR THIS PART NUMBER AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THIS SWITCH. THIS SWITCH CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND OTHER SYMPTOMS. I SENT THIS SAME MESSAGE TO HYUNDAI CONSUMERS AFFAIRS. THIS SWITCH MUST BE MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL FOR IT'S PURPOSE DUE THE NUMBER OF FAILURES NOTED ON THE INTERNET. HOPEFULLY, HYUNDAI WILL TAKE ACTION ON THIS SWITCH. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED WHEN DRIVING AND PULLED TO ONE SIDE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,710.
AT APROX 16,000 MILES THE ORIGINAL KUHMO TIRES BECAME CUPPED ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUD OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. AT 30,000 MILES THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE. TIRES STILL HAS ANOTHER 25,000 MILE LIFE ON THEM BUT COULD NO LONGER BE USED. VEHICLES ALIGNMENT WAS CHECK 4 TIMES, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED. ALIGNMENT SHOWS NEGATIVE 5.1 DEGREES CASTER ON LEFT FRONT, WITH NO WAY TO ADJUST. HYUNDAI AMERICA WA NOTIFIED AND A CASE WAS OPENED BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OR TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS KH25 TIRES, SIZE: P205 65 R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, A ROTARY NOISE EMITTED FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CUPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,616 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,649.
MANY OTHER BUYERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED SAME ISSUE. TAILS LIGHTS ARE FALLING OUT ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. IT SEEMS THAT PLASTIC STUDS HOLDING LIGHTS IN PLACE ARE CRACKING OFF. THERE ARE FOUR STUDS THAT METAL SCREWS ARE HOLDING LIGHT ON BY. HYUNDAI IS NOT HONORING THIS AS A WARRANTY, THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE ONE DRIVER HAD HIS LIGHT POP OUT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR
VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT SIDE ALL THE TIME BROUGHT TO DEALER DID RECALL FOR PULLING FRONT STRUTS WHEEL ALIGNMENT REPLACED L/FRONT STRUT AGAIN AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT CAR STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. *TR
CAR IS NOT STARTING WITH PUSH BUTTON START AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES FOR IT TO FINALLY START. IT IS INTERMITTENT, SOMETIMES STARTS UP RIGHT AWAY, OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT I HAVE GONE TO START THE CAR AND IT FAILED TO START BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE NOW. THE SECOND INCIDENT DID NOT LEAVE ANY CODES FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND A PROBLEM DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DISCONNECTED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
I HAVE A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. I HAD MY BRAKE PEDAL STOPLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED A FEW DAYS AGO BY A HYUNDAI DEALER, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS REPLACEMENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF HYUNDAI SONATA OWNERS AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE OTHER THEN TO REPLACE THE OEM SWITCH WHEN IT FAILS. BASED UPON WHAT I HAVE READ, I THEREFORE EXPECT THAT THIS REPLACEMENT WILL FAIL AGAIN SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE AND PROBABLY AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME. SINCE IT TAKES ONLY A FEW MOMENTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH, SOME HYUNDAI OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES HAVE GONE AS FAR AS CARRYING A SPARE SWITCH IN THEIR GLOVE COMPARTMENT IN CASE THE SWITCH FAILS AGAIN AND THEY ARE EITHER OUT OF WARRANTY OR NOT NEAR A DEALER. THE SAFETY ISSUE REVOLVES AROUND THE FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH WHICH RESULTS IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT BEING OPERABLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF OTHER SAFETY SYSTEMS BEING AFFECTED TOO, I.E. TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. IF THIS SWITCH FAILURE OCCURS WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE GEARSHIFT LEVER CANNOT BE MOVED. IF THIS FAILURE WAS A "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" FAILURE, IT WOULD NOT BE THAT MUCH OF AN ISSUE. BUT AGAIN, THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE CASE AND RESEARCH OF HYUNDAI'S REPAIR RECORDS OR STATEMENTS MADE BY OWNERS OF THESE CARS SHOULD BARE THAT OUT. THE ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH PART IS #93810-3S000. AN ALLEGED UPDATE MAY BE PART # 93810-3K000 BUT THIS PART CAN NOT BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES HAVING
MY SKID LIGHT WARNING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THEY SAID A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS PULLING A FAULT CODE, SO THEY REPLACED IT. NINE MONTHS LATER MY SKID LIGHT WARNING WAS RANDOMLY COMING ON AGAIN. THEY RAN A TEST AGAIN SAYING IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN FOR REPAIRS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION ON AUG 14 2012. PICKED UP MY CAR AGAIN AND THE SKID TRACTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN THIS TIME THE TCS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE SHIFTER WAS NOT RELEASING.THEY TESTED THE BRAKE SWITCH CIRCUIT AND FOUND NO POWER TO THE BRAKE SWITCH. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX AND HARNESS CABLE. I HAVE CALLED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY ALL SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CAUSING THE TCS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. IF IT IS EFFECTING OTHER CARS THERE MOST BE A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW AND HAD IT IN FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER EIGHT TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT UNIT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT UNIT WAS ALSO LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
VEHICLE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, WAITING FOR LINE TO MOVE. ENGINE (PUSH BUTTON START) WOULD NOT ENGAGE, THUS CAUSING MAJOR TRAFFIC ISSUES. EVERYTHING DONE ACCORDING TO MANUAL TRYING TO GET STARTER TO ENGAGE. ENGINE STARTER FINALLY ENGAGED AFTER SETTING FOR SOMETIME. THIS IS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. SUSPECT LINKAGE BETWEEN BRAKE SENSOR AND START BUTTON. COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
THE PASSAGE SEAT SHAKES WHEN THE CAR REACHES 70MPH. SINCE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER IN MAY IT HAS BEEN THERE 2 MORE TIMES, THE SECOND TIME THEY ACTUALLY SAW WHAT THEY CALL A VIBRATION. NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT, DRIVERS SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND CONSOLE ALL SHAKE, NOT VIBRATE AT 40MPH. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND EVERY TIME I CALL FOR A STATUS CHECK THEY HAVE SOME EXCUSE. THIS IS WHY I DID NOT LIST THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN MY POSSESSION. JUST AN FYI: THERE IS NO PROBLEM MECHANICALLY WITH THE WHEELS, TIRE ROD, ETC. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CHECKED BUT THE CAR STILL SHAKES. *TR
THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED BUT CAN AND PROBABLY HAPPENED TO SOME OTHER OWNER. THERE IS NO SPARE TIRE JUST AN INFLATION KIT WHICH IS USELESS IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE SIDE WALL OR RIM. I AM TOLD THAT I CAN CALL FOR HELP AND BE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THAT HAPPENS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CELL PHONE SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE. IN THE EVENT OF THIS HAPPENING I COULD BE STRANDED ON A RURAL ROAD, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH NO WAY TO GET HELP. WITH A MOUNTABLE SPARE I COULD GET TO A SAFE PLACE. THIS SITUATION IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE THAT TRAVELS TO UNPOPULATED AREAS IN THIS COUNTRY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE LIGHT FIXTURE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
I WAS DRIVING OVER THE BRIDGE WHEN I HEARD NOISES FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR . THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS HONKING. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER I SAW MY TAILLIGHT WAS HANGING ON BY WIRES. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START! HYUNDAI REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES PER WEEK. THIS WILL BE MY SECOND VISIT TO HYUNDAI. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! WE COULD BE WITHOUT NECESSARY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ACTIVATE THE FOG LIGHTS, WHICH SHOULD ASSIST WITH ILLUMINATING THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
FROM THE INITIAL TEST DRIVE I NOTICED A PULL IN THE STEERING. IT WAS MENTIONED AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SIMPLE ALIGNMENT ISSUE. AFTER PURCHASED I ASKED ABOUT THE STEERING. UNFORTUNATELY, (I WAS TOLD) THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE ROAD FORCE BALANCE MACHINE FOR THEM TO PROPERLY TEST THE ALIGNMENT. I WAITED TILL NOVEMBER BEFORE THIS WAS AVAILABLE. THE 2011 SONATA WANDERED THE ROAD AND PULLED CONSTANTLY TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER (WITH NO RHYME OR REASON). AT ONE POINT IT WOULD PULL SO HARD THE VEHICLE WOULD "V-LINE" OFF ROAD ONCE LETTING GO OF STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS (REPLACED STRUTS, CAMBER BOLT KITS, FRONT TIRES AND SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS) THE PULL WAS STILL THERE. THERE WAS NOTHING MORE HYUNDAI CAN DO AND I WAS TOLD "THAT'S JUST HOW THE CAR IS". I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO ARBITRATION HEARINGS WITH THE BBB AND HYUNDAI STILL CONTINUES TO SAY "THERE'S NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO, THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS IT IS INTENDED TO". NEGATIVE HYUNDAI!!! THE CAR STILL PULLS AND WANDERS AS IT PLEASES AND I HAVE HAD SWAY BAR LINKS BREAK DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. HYUNDAI IS SAYING I HAVE HIT AN "ANIMAL" AND THE IMPACT HAS BENT BOTH OF THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BROKE ONE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. ALL THOUGH THERE IS NO BODY DAMAGE FROM THIS ANIMAL AND NO SCRAPES ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. I NEVER HIT ANYTHING IN THE CAR AND FEEL THIS BREAKAGE IS DUE TO ADDED PRESSURE ON SUSPENSION/STEERING PARTS FROM ADJUSTMENT MADE BY HYUNDAI TO "TRY" AND GET CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. MY WARRANTY HAS BE
I OPENED MY TRUNK AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS BROKEN LOOSE, AND ONLY BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE WIRES. ALL THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE PLASTIC TAIL LIGHT TO THE VEHICLE WERE BROKEN OFF. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR IMPACT TO THE LIGHT OR VEHICLE. *TR
THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE START PEDAL, IT LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED IN JUNE 2011 AND NOW AGAIN IN JULY 2012. IT LOOKS AS IF I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN EVERY YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ESC ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ALSO DURING THIS ISSUE PERHAPS THE 2 GO HAND IN HAND. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AFTER I PAID 25K FOR THIS VEHICLE. NO MORE HYUNDAIS FOR ME AT LEAST NOT IN MY LIFETIME!! *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata → · Every Sonata year → · How the figures are calculated →