In 2016, a used 2011 Hyundai Sonata was a smart purchase. In 2022, it may be more of a money pit. Engine stall, airbag failure, and wobbly steering, combined with the normal wear and tear you see in an eleven-year-old mid-size, make for a car that’s hard to depend on.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2011 Hyundai Sonata with the Top Safety Pick, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the car five stars overall in their crash tests.
- High pressure fuel pipe leaks may lead to engine stall or even fires.
- Wobbly steering remains a major issue despite recalls.
- Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners have been seen to fail owing to issues in the airbag control unit.
- The NHTSA reports 14 recalls, 8 investigations, and 3,137 complaints on file for the 2011 Sonata.
High Pressure Fuel Pipe Leaks and Worn Connecting Rods May Lead to Engine Stall
There have been two engine recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, one in 2015 for nearly half a million units with worn connecting rods, and one in 2018 for high pressure fuel pipe leaks. In either instance, you’re probably going to see engine stall if you don’t get the repairs taken care of.
In the case of the connecting rod, a part that transfers combustion power toward the axle, you’re seeing metallic factory debris jamming up the works and causing premature wear. In the case of the fuel pipe leaks, you’re seeing problems in the fuel distribution which will leave your cylinders gasping for fuel and gas spilling under the hood.
Despite these two recalls, there have been dozens of engine complaints in the last year alone, and more than one hundred since 2018. One recent complaint reports knocking sounds on startup, and excessive oil consumption. Another claims that the engine blew out at just 109,000 miles. Stalling complaints are the most common.
Among these complaints are reports of Hyundai dealers refusing to administer repairs. In one instance this was because the driver had a salvage rather than a clean title. In others, drivers are informed by mechanics that their damages are the result of normal wear and tear.
Clicking Noises and Loose Steering May Point to Worn Rack and Pinion Gears
There were two steering recalls in 2010, with the car still fresh on the market. The first of these recalls covered more than 100,000 units with improperly assembled steering column assemblies, while the second was a followup adding sixty more VINs to the list.
Next came a 2016 recall for 173,000 units experiencing power steering assist failure, and, eventually, more than a thousand complaints for various steering issues, both related and unrelated to these recalls. Among the most common complaints: clicking noises and loose steering.
This typically points to a worn gear in the rack and pinion system. Specifically, the steering column coupler, a part that transfers a turn of the steering wheel into the steering rack. After 11 years on the market, it’s possible that this comes down to typical wear and tear, but when combined with other steering issues, it’s worrying.
All you can do as a potential Sonata buyer is give the steering a rigorous check when you take the car on a test drive. See how it performs at low and high speeds, see how it handles lane changes and sharp turns. The car is out of warranty and the recalls might not cover it, so be on the lookout for major steering problems.
Airbags Continue to Fail Despite Recall
More than a half million Sonatas were recalled in 2018 for airbag and seatbelt pretensioner failure owing to a short circuit in the airbag control unit. Despite this, more than one hundred airbag complaints have been registered since the recall went into effect.
A typical complaint reports the airbags simply do not deploy in the event of an accident. Some drivers report difficulties in getting the recall taken care of, due to parts shortages or even miscommunication with the staff at the dealership. There are also reports of airbag warning lights staying on.
The best way to handle this problem is to avoid it. Getting the airbag recall taken care of sounds like it could be more trouble than it’s worth, so if you’re going to buy a 2011 Sonata, check the VIN and make sure that it’s already had the repairs taken care of.
In total, there have been 392 complaints registered for the car’s airbags, but just one recall and no further investigation.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Was a Great Used Car, Six Years Ago
When a car gets to a certain age, you’re going to see the complaints stack higher and higher until you have a 2011 Sonata with 3,137 reports on file, plus fourteen recalls and eight investigations. That doesn’t mean that it’s a bad car, just that it’s past its sell-by date.
Once a car hits its tenth birthday, the question isn’t so much whether it’s a good used car, but whether or not it’s a classic. In short: keeping this thing running is going to cost you more each month than would payments on a new car.
