2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (31) · Steering (17) · Service Brakes (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
79 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2020-12-01 · campaign 20V746000 · 128,948 vehicles
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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:electrical 2020-07-02 · campaign 20V393000 · 272,126 vehicles
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.
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-02-27 · campaign 18V137000 · 580,058 vehicles
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 ba
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2017-10-04 · campaign 17V617000 · 443,545 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage 2017-03-08 · campaign 17V152000 · 977,778 vehicles
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (113)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Showing the 6 most recent of 113 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-19 · Engine · 120,744 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. the contact turned off the vehicle, and while inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was a puddle of oil on the ground underneath the vehicle. no warning light…”
2025-04-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 mph, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. upon checking under the hood, the contact noticed that the coolant level was low. the contact attempted to restart the vehicle; howev…”
2024-08-23 · Steering · 82,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that upon starting or reversing, the steering wheel seized. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer informed the contact that there was no warranty cov…”
2024-05-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 138,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. that contact stated that the abs fuse had been replaced but the vehicle experienced unstated failures with the braking system. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dea…”
2024-04-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the…”
2024-01-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of the is…”
2023-08-30 · Service Brakes“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the local dealer after a recall repair, the brakes were inoperable. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where a diagnostic test was completed. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. th…”
2022-11-15 · Seat Belts · 141,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front driver's side air bag warning light was illuminated. the contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer informed the contact that nhtsa campaign number: 18v137000 (s…”
2022-05-13 · Engine · 102,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v746000 (engine). the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and had recall repair was completed. the contact stated that two weeks after the repair, while driving 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 mph. additionally, there was…”
2022-03-09 · Engine · 176,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v746000 (engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the contac…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.