Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.
Chart based on 88 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Engine not specified
76000 mi
The car will not charge my phone. It has trouble connecting the MP3 sometimes and the rear window defroster does not work
19000 mi
Display fades when temperature inside car is warm/hot.
Airbag warning light - clock spring - (Hyundai later issued extended warranty and refunded the cost)
82000 mi
US $325
Right turn signal not functioning correctly. Replacement of turn signal switch.
34000 mi
US $120
Battery needed to be replaced.
6000 mi
Auto refused to push button start. Towed to dealer. Dealer stated it was probably brake switch failure and they had seen 'a lot of this issue'. Brake switch replaced.
46300 mi
US $600
A/C unit replaced
82000 mi
US $600
Battery bad. Jumped it & car went into limp home mode. Dead battery messed up turbo computer wastegate settings. What's the deal!!! Dead battery results in $600 repair! Becoming very discouraged with this car!
16740 mi
Paddle shifter quit working. Recurring problem. Ordered parts over the phone at the dealer and replaced after the paddles were received at the dealer.
26000 mi
Brake sensor was bad. Car would not start with the smart key sometimes. The traction control light would come on randomly.
Airbag warning light and tire traction warning light came on.
99500 mi
US $20
1 low beam and 1 high beam were burned out. They take the same bulb, so I moved the working ones into high beam position and put in a fresh pair of low beams.
112000 mi
US $100
Battery Replacement
32000 mi
Replace car stereo
42780 mi
Car would not start. Dealer replaced switch in brake pedal. second time for this repair.
18000 mi
My 3rd attempt at repairing a stereo that comes on and off and changes the channel by itself. (replaced once) Driver power window switch & outer entry push button on handle both moody. Auto-delay headlights won't stay on at engine shut off. Driver power window switch inoperable at times. Window does not rise, usually when raining. Push button on driver's outer door handle for remote entry without using key does not work often. Pressing the button does nothing and no "click" is heard or felt and the door does not lock or unlock. A pain when arms full of luggage etc. I park in the dark often. The headlights are supposed to stay on for XX seconds after turning off the ignition for perimeter visibility. Rarely works, except for the dealer of course.
AC compressor failed. Brake pedal switch faulty preventing push start to reliably function
16000 mi
Cell phone won't stay paired with vehicle; when disconnected locks up Navi.
16000 mi
cell phone integration issue
15200 mi
The gas floater/sensor went bad and wasn't registering the proper fuel level.
17000 mi
Faulty brake switch would cause car not to start (push button start) could be over-ridden with 30 second push button hold. Switched out break switch. 15 minutes, covered by warranty.
6000 mi
Never fixed gas level sensor, and it was getting worse when last had the car.
11160 mi
The push button start failed to function. Identified problem to be the brake light switch. Received replacement part from dealer (under warranty) and replaced it myself.
55000 mi
Paddle up shifter switch would not work
32000 mi
US $75
Battery failed after only 30 months! Car would turn over but not start. Otherwise car has been almost flawless. Warranty paid half of new battery cost. Why not just make it 3 years???
26700 mi
Starter lever broken, so starter would not engage flywheel. Replaced starter lever underwarranty per TSB.
56000 mi
Airbag seat sensor replaced.
49500 mi
Dome light would not go off. Module replaced
72000 mi
US $17
Replaced wiper fluid pump. Common problem on these cars.
73000 mi
Noticed AC not cooling when stopped. Cooling fan not working. Traced the problem to a wire that had popped out of the connector going to the fan. Repaired and all is well.
88000 mi
Dealer broke AC lines when replacing engine but blamed it on an existing condition
117000 mi
US $200
Starter just went. Replaced starter
54000 mi
Sonata SE with push button start. Car would not start because the car was telling me to push on the brake pedal when I was. Dealer diagnosed problem as the brake switch and was replaced free of charge.
61000 mi
US $367
Engine starter suddenly stopped working when I went to start the car in the morning. Starter would make noise, but would not engage on the engine. Took dealer about 1.5 hours to replace.
15000 mi
Drivers power window switch only worked intermittently. Dealer replaced switch - no problems since.
8000 mi
Steering locks up and ESC light comes on and stays. Fixed in third repair attempt, found loose wire in steering column.
55800 mi
C $110
Car alarm randomly goes off. Both front door locks intermittant.
58300 mi
Car alarm previously reported was finally diagnosed. Alarm has anti-tamper hood pin which was malfunctioning causing the alarm to trip.
36500 mi
Car would not start. Switch in brake pedal was not registering that the brake was pressed.
39200 mi
The brake would not release on the keyless ignition. Car often wouldn't start. Fuse was shorting out. Replaced fuse.
Turns out the brake light switch was bad. Brake lights were stuck on constantly. This is the second time it has been in for this repair. Had vehicle towed for safety reasons. All covered under warranty. Switch for drivers power window was sticking. Replaced.
38000 mi
Replaced NAV/Radio under warranty. Experienced issues beginning after 30K mile service. RSM had to authorize out of warranty replacement.
16000 mi
Found a brake light connection that was bleeding the battery.
25000 mi
Brake light switch went out
77500 mi
US $500
Starter failed
41619 mi
Cleaned out debris from ac system and hose, it was gurgling and letting water into the cabin.
How does it get debris when theres a filter in-between?
Still gurgles no water cross fingers
113000 mi
Discharge hose failed releasing all coolant - part on order - due to arrive July 5, 2017. Low pressure line replaced. System works like new.
121900 mi
US $469
Replaced starter.
64480 mi
Car did not start. Apparently there was a starter problem. The starter was replaced at no charge because it was covered under warranty.
15389 mi
Horn will intermittently not work on colder mornings. Horn replaced under warranty. 6/16/12 at 29,446, dealer replaced lousy not very loud horn with a "New Style Horn", BUT it was the same exact horn. Very disappointed, it is dangerous. I have still not replaced it with a dual horn setup.
34834 mi
US $88
Original battery failed after only 2.5 yrs. It had a bad cell. I replaced it with a Wal-Mart 124R battery.
127000 mi
US $80
change both headlights
58000 mi
US $400
Backup camera stopped working reliably. Cruise control stopped working.
120900 mi
C $300
Clockspring bad again. 3rd clockspring in a little over 1yr. Starting to think if some other root behind the problem.
72000 mi
US $300
Had to replace the starter
78000 mi
US $325
Had to replace the clockspring cable. This problem affected the driver airbag sensor reading high pressure, it affected the instrumental buttons on the steering wheel and the horn.
53000 mi
Defroster not working. Tech replaced sensors No heat on right side of car after dealer changed sensor for defroster. Tech on last service did not connect parts correctly and caused not heat and additional defroster issues
71000 mi
US $253
Car accelerating on cruise control and would not disengage when off button or brake pressed.
75000 mi
Cruise control system failed and replaced by dealer as warranty
The right front door window switch began to fail intermittently. The dealer replaced the switch.
28000 mi
US $160
Dealership said battery needed replacement due to low amp rating on test.
78740 mi
C $500
Vehicle would not start. Starter motor was replaced.
43000 mi
Car would not start because Brake Switch failed. Display showed "Depress Brake" when trying to start car but sensor had failed.
60000 mi
US $427
Started free spinning. Thought it might be related to TSB 13-EE-001 which is for the starter lever, a plastic piece prone to failure. The lever was not broken so the starter was tested, failed and replaced with a new starter
75000 mi
US $359
Broken window regulator, drivers window, new regulator had to be shipped in.
56000 mi
Starter switch failed, repaired under warranty-- no charge
35200 mi
Son told me brake lights were out (not the third light). Took to the dealership and the service people checked it. Informed the that the lens housing on both lamp assemblies were melted and the bulb could not be removed. They repaired one.
56000 mi
My son could not get the car to start, I went down to where he was and got it started by holding the start button for 30 seconds. Over the next few days it became worse, took it to the dealer and they replaced the brake pedal switch again.
21800 mi
Faulty brake light switch, randomly caused ESC light to remain on, car to get stuck in certain gears while driving, rpms to drop to zero while driving
29000 mi
Car would not start. Switch on Brake Pedal was replaced. Car now starts.
17700 mi
Rear dome light would get stuck.
44000 mi
Trip button on the steering wheel failed.
59000 mi
Starter replaced
1000 mi
turn signal would not turn off after turn, part had to be ordered. repair successful.
5000 mi
Fuel gauge wouldn't show above 1/2 full even though fuel tank was full. Problem corrected itself.
27000 mi
While resetting the odometer I accidentally changed setting of DRL from "auto off" to "on" resulting in complete draining of battery. Correction required exhaustive study of settings and recharging of battery.
38000 mi
lost all power to the dash information systems, trip odo, mpg, etc
43000 mi
US $150
Cruise control and other related electronic failed. 2nd time for this failure.
12300 mi
The second remote key fob stopped working, even after I replaced the battery. Dealer reported an internal short and it was replaced under warranty.
7000 mi
Car would not always start. Replaced faulty brake light switch.
9000 mi
US $59
low tire pressure
14200 mi
US $82
Needed a new battery
17000 mi
Something in the airbag system and something had to be replaced. I am not mechanical so do not know what it was
11500 mi
The steering wheel cable had to be replaced
10000 mi
ordered part for rear seat heater
17800 mi
wouldn't start, charged battery and replaced brake light switch
3000 mi
Air bag warning light came on steady on 6/13/10, mileage 2175. Taken to dealer 6/17/10, mileage 2797. Part ordered after inspection of problem. Part (control module) installed 6/23/10, mileage 3026. Problem has not recurred.
20000 mi
AC compressor would shut down intermittently while driving - hot days. Troubleshot to pressure switch, ordered and replaced.
97000 mi
US $500
Replaced starter
34000 mi
Brake light switch failed on a "Push to start" car. Unable to start car in normal fashion. Had to HOLD start button for 30 seconds. Known problem per internet forums on 2011 Sonata.
12000 mi
Headlight high beam switch was loose and high beams would randomly flicker
44000 mi
Reverse lights stayed on at all times in conjunction with headlights. I stopped at the dealer to show them proof. But by the time of my appointment 2 days later, it was working correctly again. They kept it for 2 days and paid for my rental.
8000 mi
3/10 No Start. Replaced brake light switch. Battery dead. Would not start. Towed to dealer. Battery replaced, dome light switch replaced
13000 mi
Ac not cooling. Replaced module and recharged.
21000 mi
US $1399
Would not start. Jumpered to start. alernator bad, dead battery, Starter sticking, Bendix stuck.
26200 mi
Car wouldn't always start; car thought brake pedal wasn't pressed in. Hyundai recognized problem immediately as a brake light switch requiring replacement.
55000 mi
Replaced brake light switch.
27000 mi
airbag light/radio unit was drawing too much current from the battery leading to battery discharge. the unit was replaced under warranty.
65000 mi
US $150
Battery drained. Replaced battery.
11000 mi
Loud knock/rattle inside dash when HVAC temp dial set in the middle of the cold/warm air setting. Sounds like the "blend door" rattles at this setting. Loudest on cold days. If problem persists when warmer will have checked by dealer.
31000 mi
Key fob didn't work
8000 mi
clock spring clicking, must be replaced
10000 mi
Brake switch faulty. I have the Limited with a push button start, so I could not even turn the starter, but I used the over ride to get out of park and roll it out of the garage into range of a tow truck.
11300 mi
clock spring replaced
33000 mi
I Noticed water leaking in to the passenger cabin on the passenger side floor, it was a clogged condenser drain plug, dealer cleaned out and problem fixed.
59800 mi
US $300
Starter arm broken, replaced.
68300 mi
US $200
Battery failed, replaced. 4 years old, no surprise.
13500 mi
Brake light switch failed. Car wouldn't start. Dealer repaired it, now it's fine. This is a common failure, and I don't understand why they don't issue a recall.
60000 mi
US $100
starter under extended warranty. Also a code related to transmission temp, also fixed under extended warranty
19840 mi
radio went dead (no audio) and was replaced
35340 mi
Radio was changed for the third time
8700 mi
dead battery.car sitting in heated garage two day,tried to start not even interior lights. Had battery and alternator tested under load. Every test normal.No explanation of how this happened.
4340 mi
Security system honk works intermittedly
59100 mi
C $225
Starter failed and was replaced under warranty and battery also was replaced as it would not hold a charge.
73000 mi
US $1
Replace brake light bulb.
23500 mi
Car would not start in response to starter button
42000 mi
Brake light not functioning
10455 mi
Engine starting problems relating to brake pedal sensing switch. Often car wont start even if pedal is depressed. Replaced switch but problem still exsists. Engine starting problems relating to brake pedal sensing switch. Often car wont start even if pedal is depressed. Replaced switch but problem still exsists.
15700 mi
Replace brake switch
11000 mi
US $50
Fuel indicator lights inconsistent. Shows empty fuel tank when there is 1/2 to full tank of fuel. Dealership wanted more information on problem before attempting repair.
11500 mi
US $200
Sensor was replaced, no questions asked
52500 mi
US $100
Starter failed. Towed to dealer and dealer replaced plastic high failure part with a similar. $100 deductible to me.
31000 mi
Brake light switch failed. Dealer replaced at no charge. Drove in at 8 AM, left at 10 AM.
The car has a standard tranny, So push starting was a viable way to get it started...It would crank about 1 time, then hum...Repeatedly...Needed a new starter, which the dealer installed in several hours, free of charge...Nicely done.
29000 mi
I had a leak under the dash on the pass. side...Clogged A/C drainage hose..Fixed
15000 mi
interior light goes on when making a right hand turn.
Sensor ordered and will be replaced in 2 weeks
18000 mi
Sensor replaced. Light still goes on. Brought to dealers body repair shop. Scheduled next week to repair.
19000 mi
Door realigned to fix problem.
48000 mi
Still having intermittent problems with Drivers door window controls, and also with steering-wheel mounted cruise controls. Neither issue could be duplicated at the dealer (of course).
The turn signals stopped working while driving. Once parked and turned off, the car wouldn't start. The wireless entry wouldn't work. The trunk wouldn't open. The dealer changed the battery and everything worked again.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.
