VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carries two red flags at once: 144 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.1× the Sonata Hybrid norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (28% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

144

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

7

Investigations · 1 open

11

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Sonata Hybrid years?

Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted216 complaints2011: 144 complaints2012: 216 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 40 complaints2015: 83 complaints2016: 183 complaints2017: 123 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 21 complaints2021: 69 complaints2022: 30 complaints2023: 23 complaints2024: 12 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4028%
Electrical System2316%
Brakes1813%
Steering1813%
Transmission107%
Other96%
Airbags86%
Speed Control53%
Seat Belts32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Suspension21%
Fuel System21%
Body & Structure11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V746000EngineDecember 1, 2020 · 128,948 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

20V393000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2020 · 272,126 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

18V137000AirbagsFebruary 27, 2018 · 580,058 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.

Consequence

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 systems.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.

17V617000Seat BeltsOctober 4, 2017 · 443,545 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Consequence

If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.

17V152000Seat BeltsMarch 8, 2017 · 977,778 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A STRANGE KNOCKING SOUND SO I TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT. I PULLED OVER POPPED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WENT UP LIKE CRAZY. I CALLED 911 AND VACATED IMMEDIATELY”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 6, 2020 · fire

“MY VEHICLE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" WARNING CAME UPON THE START UP OF THE HYBRID IN THE MORNING 12/31/2018, GOING TO WORK. THIS WAS AN ISSUE ON A HEAVY PRECIPITOUS DAY IN PAST. HOWEVER THERE WAS NOT HEAVY RAIN, I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK OFF. IT TURNED ON WITHOUT THE WARNING WHICH 1ST APPEARED IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 31, 2018 · crash

“STEERING COLUMN MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. INTERNET RESEARCH DESCRIBES THIS AS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE STEERING COUPLING DEVICE IS CHEAP RUBBER WHICH WEARS EASILY & WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE STEERING DIFFICULTIES. THIS PROBLEM IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN DRIVING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES & I NOTICED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 26, 2017

“AS I WAS GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO FLASH AND CHIME. I SWERVED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND PLOWED THROUGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 13, 2013 · crash

“THIS VEHICLE HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID HAS ALL THE ISSUES THAT THE REGULAR HYUNDAI SONATA RECALLS HAVE ENGINE WAS REBUILT DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN, ALSO THIS HYBRID ACCELERATES AT TIMES WHEN IT DOESNT RUN ON BATTERY (ENGINE KICKS IN) TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID!!! IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 16, 2016

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 144 complaints put the 2011 model at #4 of 16 Sonata Hybrid years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Sonata Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (40 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), steering (18 complaints).

Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2017, 2015, 2021, 2014. The cleanest record among Sonata Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.