general problems of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata - part 1

Unknown - I noticed dashboard crack over time and the air bag light remain on at all times. The air bag light on the passenger side shows off. The entire dashboard is cracked. I fear that I can no longer drive my car distances due to air bag issue. I did not report the issues to a dealer yet, I was waiting until next oil change time. I do not know the date that it started.

There was no accident . Airbag light on the dash, on the driver side, remains on at all times. The airbag indicator on the passenger side says off. Dashboard has completely cracked, both sides and the center. Unknown incidents- I don’t know of any incidents.

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag clock spring. The contact was informed that the driver's air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact had received an unknown recall notification previously for the air bag. The contact was informed that he was nine days late for the coverage of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under repair. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air bag light is not coming on at all.

Airbag light is on after a clock spring issue. Dealer is stating new airbag is needed for vehicle that has never had an accident. Airbag light was not on prior to clock spring malfunction. Clockspring was repaired, but airbag light remains on.

Dashboard has large cracks all over it including where the passenger air bag is located. I am concerned about the pieces of plastic flying if the air bag deploys. Also concerned that the cracks could release the air bag at any time, even during normal driving. Dealer only suggested getting a dashboard cover, but that would negate the purpose of the air bag. My research showed that there are many other cases of the happening with Hyundai Sonata's 2011-2014.

Car is overheating. Took it to a mechanic they replaced the thermostat but car is still overheating, jerking and so much more. The mechanic wants to charge more to fix it. I got a second opinion from another mechanic and after he reviewed the paperwork from the first mechanic. He searched my VIN number and told me to contact this number because my vehicle is on a recall list. So I need someone to contact me about where and how we can get my vehicle fixed.

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized, and the electrical system became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20v746000 (engine) nor 18v137000 (seat belts, air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

I started my car and my steering wheel airbag deployed within a few seconds and injured me. Reason for deployment unknown.

Dashboard cracked passenger seat around airbag word. Before weather got very hot outside was sitting in parking lot engine off, heard a loud noise and was not able to locate anything wrong. Thought it was the windshield that has a small crack in it. Noticed nothing. Several days later saw large lines through windshield around airbag. Looked inside car to see better. Several weeks later saw smaller crack on driver side dash nearest to door area. Did have oil changed on car on 4-19-24. This happened weeks later (the cracks). Did notify repair shop (auto dealer priority) of issue. Next appt was 5-18-24 for new tires to be put on car.

To whom it may concern, subject: formal complaint – 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS tail light meltdown / fire hazard date: August 3, 2025 I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS, specifically concerning the tail light assembly, which has melted and poses a potential fire hazard and traffic safety risk. Approximately a year and a half ago, I noticed melting in the tail light housing and took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership to address the issue. At that time, the car had approximately 208,000 miles. Despite the obvious manufacturing defect and safety implications, the dealership refused to repair or inspect the issue without charging a $275 inspection fee, stating the vehicle was out of warranty. I believe this to be an unfair and irresponsible business practice. Tail light assemblies should not melt under normal use, and such a defect could lead electrical fires brake light failure (increasing the risk of rear-end collisions) potential traffic citations for inoperative brake lights damage to other vehicles or individuals I have already notified Hyundai motor corporation about this issue, placing them on notice that should any damages or incidents occur as a result of this defect, they may be held liable. This is not a minor cosmetic issue but a major safety defect, and I strongly urge the NHTSA to investigate whether this is an isolated issue or part of a wider trend affecting Hyundai and kia vehicles. If so, a safety recall may be warranted. I also intend to report this situation to the indiana attorney general's office as a matter of consumer protection and product safety. I have been backwards and forwards with the Hyundai corporation via and emails. . . . . . I look forward to a prompt response. Please!.

My car airbag light came on. I called the dealership about the remedy that was already recalled under campaign number 18v137000 because my last visit I got told by the dealership that my acu was bad for the car and that it was going to cost me upwards of $2000 to replace and the dead was no recall on my vehicle and then called corporate and they had told me that this had been taken care of back in 2016 when I did not on the vehicle this time in the second owner and that basically they would not cover to fix this issue and that any warranty that was extended ran out when I only had purchased the vehicle in November 2020 so now they are unwilling to fix the issue because they had stated that it was already previously fixed with the previous owner and then I could either basically pay to get it fixed or they weren’t gonna do anything about it I feel my safety at risk because in the event of crash airbags will not deploy and basically that they would not fix the problem even though it is under a national recall, and my car was manufactured within the manufacturing dates of the recall I do not feel safe driving this vehicle, and I also do not feel that I have to pay for that has been nationally recalled.

My car had engine seized while driving on the road with no warning light prior nor other mechanical issues. When the engine seized, all mechanical powers are have lost power including brakes and power steering in which have almost caused a near accident at an early morning rushed hours. The vehicle's odometer reading at 120,836 and was up to date on all normal tune up performances. Other issues that have arise after purchasing the car are: warning light came on for airbag, real loud clunking sound on roof when hitting a bump on the road and engine will not start because of fuel line system issues. Cruise control had also stopped working after a year of purchased.

The dash cracked in many places.

Starting 6 months ago air bag light is on constantly. Horn stopped working, speed control doesn't work. The whole steering wheel and buttons with horn doesn't work.

Engine seized at 82000 miles stranding me in the passing lane of interstate 10. Was nearly hit by a truck.

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the warning light was cleared; however, the light returned soon after. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.

Warning light for airbag continues to stay on , and cruise control does not work at all.

The NHTSA has filed a consent order (rq17-004) for a engine replacement due to safety concerns while driving the vehicle on the road, vehicle may stall and cause / be involved in a accident. Please make this recall public so the affected vehicles can be properly repaired as the consent order states I have reviewed the consent order and I will not continue to drive this vehicle, I will not risk being involved in a accident the Hyundai dealership in alexandria virginia has refused to repair this recall under the consent order, my vehicle VIN# is 5npec4ac5bh199503 my vehicle has been at this dealership location for over 3 weeks and I was told that they were not going to perform this recall and I noted that if I pick up my vehicle and drive it away and the engine fails, stalls or stops in the middle of the highway and I survive I will have to file a lawsuit in this matter and the dealership still told me to pick up my vehicle.

The airbags in my car did not deploy! I was hit so hard through my driver window that it knocked me out both speeds combined together was 110mph with me going 55mph the air bags should have went off the whole driver side back to the trunk is damaged and not even the door airbag had went off. This is a huge safety concern for myself.

I have had to replace my brake lights, sometimes, every few months. My third brake light only works intermittently. Recently, my brake lights and my door lights failed to shut off after I turned the engine off. Also, my abs light came on on the dash, but after turning the engine off and back on, that light went out. After re-starting my car and repeatedly, stepping on the brake, my lights finally shut off. I checked the internet for similar problems and found out that there had been a Hyundai recall for this issue. I phoned Hyundai customer support. They told me the recall had been repaired on my car by the dealer . Obviously, it had not. (the dealer also claimed to have corrected another recall regarding seat belts, but that too is a lie, since my seat belt dash light is on although I have never been involved in an accident) I believe that the dealer billed Hyundai, but failed to either deliberately or inadvertently failed to perform the recall work. The recall involved replacing the brake stopper pad which engages the brake light switch. Obviously, Hyundai considered this a safety issue since the brake lights are always on, so the driver behind my car never knows what I'm doing. This has also affected the interior overhead light which only intermittently goes off when I close the door, so I have to keep the light in the off position.

In July of 2022 the buttons on the steering wheel like cruise control trip/reset button as well as radio controls eventually all quit working did not become fully aware of this until I was on the interstate and was driving with the cruise control set and when I needed to turn off cruise control it wouldn't turn off by the steering wheel thankfully I know can hit the brakes and the car will shut it off however after this all happened the air bag light came on and stayed illuminated I called my dealer and they insisted that there was no recall on the clock spring in the steering wheel of my car and wanted me to pay out of pocket for an issue that they claim was non existint as well them also telling me all the recalls were taken care of when I purchased the vehicle in novemember of 2020 and im only the second owner had the car for 3 months and Hyundai stated that my vehicle had the knock sensor update and then a week later the motor went.

Car shook violently 5 seconds later shuts off on freeway . Took to dealership 3 times they say nothing wrong with it but coils they swapped out coils and still doing something .

A friend borrowed my car to go to the corner store to get me a couple of things while my husband was getting surgery. My friend ended up in a rollover accident after hitting a tree. All recalls were up to date on my vehicle, he stated that no airbags deployed. Now after the vehicle was rolled back over and taken to the tow yard the insurance adjuster was the first to see and the driver airbag had deployed. I was not there I cannot say when the airbag deployed however none of the curtain airbags deployed. Also my friend stated that the car accelerated just before impact he swerved to miss something in the road and ended up rolling the vehicle after hitting the tree. The car should not have been accelerating but it was like the car had a mind of its own. I thought the recall was to fix the air bags. He could have been killed. . No reason these cars are still on the road. Not to mention all of the mechanical issues. And I'm sorry to say that I'm glad my kids weren't in the car.

Airbag sensor came on for no reason.

My wife was hit on the drivers side door at 45mph and the side airbags didn’t deploy. According to the inspection, the side impact shorted the acu.

Aig bag light on, horn and nearby control panel stop working. Engine noise…da da da… stater fails….

Air bag lights have come on. Unsure of what the exact issue is until I bring it to the shop.

Air bag warning light came on while driving 9/16/2021(no collision or impact involved; no one in passenger seat). Mileage is about 110k. Have read a number of other owner complaints with similar information. Recall is not open; apparently already fixed, but clearly something is wrong. Concerned about non-deployment of air bags in the event of an accident.

No airbags deployed upon result of hitting a cow at 50mph. Airbags didnt deploy. Waiting to be overlooked by insurance adjuster. Highway patrol overlooked vehicle while filing a report. None.

Airbag light is on.

My airbag light will not go off . Return the car back to the dealer . Car in the shop seen July 1 2021 and the dealer change my sensor out three times, still the light stay on. One time the shop told me the wire harness was the problem, recall in 2018 was to put a wire filter to help with the problem .

Headlights have burnt out 4 times in 1 year w/install, break/tail lights have burnt out 6 times in 1 year w/ install. Cruise control isn't staying set and airbag light is on unknown reason after obd scan. Break lights have burnt thru the connection piece, causing damage, overpower from the wiring harness has caused over load of power which caused lights to burn out and even burst. Multiple drivers with similar problems, airbag may still deploy for no reason or not deploy at all. Cruise control malfunction possibly due to airbag issues, but may also be from faulty wiring throughout the vehicle and ultimately into the sterring console. Computer or motherboard may also now have damages cause by over amped volts of electricity without a serge protecter. Possibility of electrical damages, caused by overload from power supply and directed throught the vehicle may have cause exponential damages to electrical in the Sonata. Causing a serious safety concern and hazard. Exterior lighting requires new wiring harnesses and connection pieces as well as new casing from over amp overload, resulting in overheating and bulb combustion damages. New airbag assembly is probable and reset of mother board with upgraded features and completely new wiring with serge protection is necessary.

Driver air bag light stays illuminated while vehicle is operating.

Air bag light on all steering controls not working.