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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 96 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, describing incidents dated May 31, 2012 to July 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 41 complaints
  • Steering 18 complaints
  • Electrical System 17 complaints
  • Service Brakes 17 complaints
  • Power Train 10 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 9 complaints

Of the 96 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 96 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11757938 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11657515 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11610520 · Filed

    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…

Read all 96 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid mileage at failure

77 of the 96 complaints on file for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
EngineMedian 95,000 milesMiddle half 75,000–120,000 milesBased on 37 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in 7 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

2 more NHTSA investigations
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 1,649,478 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 251 · Owners notified April 10, 2024

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire

NHTSA #20V746000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported December 1, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 128,948 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 198 · Owners notified March 31, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat

NHTSA #20V393000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 272,126 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 193 · Owners notified September 28, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #18V137000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported February 27, 2018 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 580,058 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 174 · Owners notified October 15, 2018 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – August 23, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Belt Linkage Detaches from Pretensioner

NHTSA #17V617000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported October 4, 2017 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 443,545 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 169 · Owners notified November 6, 2017 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – January 9, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Belt Linkages may Detach

NHTSA #17V152000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported March 8, 2017 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 977,778 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.13% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 160 · Owners notified April 13, 2017 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – January 9, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years

Check your 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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