2011 Hyundai Sonata
Common Problems
Ranked from 1035 federal NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
22 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine lock-up on highway
651complaintsSafety riskEngineEngine locks up on the highway, causing the vehicle to stall and requiring towing to a repair shop.
Related recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 2
Steering pull to the left
352complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe vehicle pulls to the left, making it difficult to maintain straight-line driving and increasing the risk of accidents.
Related recalls: 16V190000, 10V457000, 10V426000
- 3
Engine Seizure
40complaintsSafety riskEngineEngine stops working completely, often with no warning lights, leading to potential loss of control and accidents.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 4
Engine misfire and hesitation
35complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine misfires and experiences hesitation, causing the vehicle to lose power and stall while driving.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 5
Engine Knocking
24complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound, which can indicate a serious issue that may lead to engine failure.
Related recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 6
Engine oil consumption excessive
22complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine consumes excessive amounts of oil, leading to low oil levels and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 7
Engine Stall During Operation
18complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls during operation, causing the vehicle to stop unexpectedly and potentially putting the driver and others at risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 8
Engine stall at idle due to stop-start system failure
16complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, causing the car to unexpectedly stop while driving.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 9
Steering Column Clicking and Shaking
9complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column makes a clicking noise and shakes while driving, causing a loose feeling and affecting vehicle stability.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V190000, 10V457000, 10V426000
- 10
Engine failure leading to complete loss of power
8complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine suddenly fails, causing the car to lose power and stall, creating a safety hazard.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 11
Engine failure with no warning lights
8complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails without any warning lights, leading to a loss of power and potential crash.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 12
Engine seizure with smoke and fire
7complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine seizes, producing smoke and potentially causing a fire.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 13
Engine Knocking Noise Due to Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
6complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking noise due to connecting rod bearing failure, which can lead to engine seizure.
Related recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 14
Headlight failure
5complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights frequently fail to work, either going out or not turning on properly, which can affect visibility while driving.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Overheating and Fire
4complaintsSafety riskFuel systemEngine overheats and catches fire, posing a risk of injury and vehicle damage.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Tail lights frequently burning out
4complaintsLow severityOtherThe tail lights frequently burn out, requiring frequent replacement.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Engine Stall at Low Speed Due to Carbon Build-Up
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at low speeds due to carbon build-up in the combustion chamber, causing a loss of power and potential safety risks.
$350–$900est. intake-valve carbon cleaning · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 18
Airbag system failure causing airbag light to stay on
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbag system fails, causing the airbag light to remain on even without an accident.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine failure due to oil leak
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails due to a severe oil leak, causing the vehicle to stall and potentially catch fire.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 20
Engine Knocking and Loss of Power Due to Defective GDI Pistons
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences knocking and loss of power due to defective gasoline direct injection (GDI) pistons, which can cause a serious safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 21
Engine Overheating Due to Cooling System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats, with the check engine and temperature warning lights illuminated, due to a cooling system failure.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V934000, 15V568000
- 22
Steering wheel play due to steering column failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel has excessive play, indicating a failure in the steering column.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V190000, 10V457000, 10V426000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.