2011 Hyundai Sonata lights problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · PA

On September 24, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Kelly Hyundai Service Center for two recall repairs: IBU/BCM Anti-Theft Software Upgrade and Decal Application Anti-Theft Ignition Cylinder Protector and Decal Installation My vehicle was at the dealership all day. At the end of the day, I received a call from the technician advising me that the recall work could not be completed due to an electrical issue. When I returned home, I immediately noticed several problems that did not exist prior to the service appointment. Specifically: The high beams no longer worked. The dashboard illumination was not functioning properly. The automatic door lock system stopped working. The trunk could only be opened with the key. I contacted the service center and was informed that the only way they could determine the cause of these issues was for me to bring the vehicle back and pay a $200 diagnostic fee. I explained that I did not believe I should be charged to diagnose problems that appeared immediately after their attempted recall repair. I requested to speak with the service manager, but I was told he was unavailable. I never received a return call from management. On October 1, 2026, I returned to the service center and spoke with the manager. He recommended that I leave the vehicle for further evaluation. I did so, but later that day I received another call stating that the recall still could not be completed and that I would again need to pay a $200 diagnostic fee. I picked up my vehicle because I did not believe I should be responsible for that expense. The problems began only after the dealership attempted the recall repair and that I should not be required to pay diagnostic charges to identify or correct issues that may have been caused during that process.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

I had taken my Sonata to Mike Miller Hyndia in Peoria,I'll and they agreed to do the recall although they had my vehicle for two weeks. They did not service it and when I picked it up they said I had to drive it till the service engine light come on. I was driving it five days later and heard a loud noise and car started malfunctioning I was stuck in a middle of a intersection and I had to push vehicle off road. I broke my right hand in this process and I have also lost my job I am very concerned why they did not service it after they agreed too and sent me off in it in that condition ..The car is currently parked and unsure what to do with it ..

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · FL

On the freeway at night when headlights and back lights quit working. Got off freeway and were able to temporarily fix it. A few months later while parked in driveway and not in use for a couple of days, lights came on without our knowledge and drained our battery. Neighbor alerted us to the situation.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · CA

On my 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS, both rear tail lights have melted to the point that the lightbulbs cannot be extracted and the brake and tail lights no longer work. When I looked into this, I found out this is a common issue on 2011 Hyundai Sonatas. It is almost always caused by excessive heat from the standard incandescent bulbs, which damages the wiring harness and deforms the plastic housing. When I called the closest Hyundai dealer (in Chico, California), they told me the warranty had expired last year and that I should have received a notice about it after I obtained ownership of the car in March 2025 (a little over a year ago). However, I did not receive a notice about this. Since the tail lights do not work properly as a result of this problem, it is a safety issue as it could cause an accident. It should be a recall repair instead of a warranty that expires. My car is still well under the 200,000 mile limit that was set on the extended warranty, but they're refusing to honor that because of the warranty being expired.

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Engine, Lights · FL

I bought this car from someone in April of 2024 and the person who i bought it from said everything was perfectly fine, they brought it to the Hyundai dealership and according to the mechanic there the engine was fine….i have taken care of the engine since i bought the car, kept up with oil changes and everything….until a few days ago when the whole thing ceased up on me while driving down the road to my sons school. I wasnt going fast either, the speed limit is 40mph where i was when it happened, but I’m glad i have quick reflexes because otherwise we would have wrecked the car. Everything shut off on me and now its knocking. There is alot of metal shavings in my oil and my mechanic tried to drain it a few times to get the debris out of the oil but it does no good.

Filed Aug 3, 2025 · Airbags, Lights · IN

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 to: 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 federal safety agency 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!

Filed Jan 20, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · UT

I was gifted the car for graduation and immediately my brakes weren’t working right my interior electrical stopped working and my window switches stopped working as well as my lights for my car all went out including the brake lights changing the bulbs didn’t help and my check engine light stays on at all times.

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · PA

When I have my headlights turned on, and am driving my headlights flicker on and off. It mostly happens when I use the turn signal, but not always. sometimes it happens when I hit bumps. The headlights and the dash lights all go out when this happens, it usually lasts from 1 to 20 seconds at a time. I have taken it to my local garage(straight and clear) and they tested all electrical components and replaced the alternator and I still have the issue. They looked it up and determined that this is a known issue with the Hyundai Sonata, and one of the modules needs replaced in the steering column. This is a major safety issue because my headlights go out when driving and could cause and accident, and depending on the exact issue of the module it could cause a fire. There are no warning lights, just the lights go on and off. I will be getting the car repaired around November 9th 2023, because I need my car to be safe, and can submit my invoice at that time if this becomes a recall.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · KS

The brake lights stay on all the time, thus preventing vehicles behind mine from knowing if I'm actually stopping. Hence, they may stop without reason, and endanger drivers behind them. The manufacturer has likely known of this being an issue in Sonatas from, at least, 2007 through 2013 models. The manufacturer is putting the task of solving the problem (if that's even possible), upon a dealer. And, my trip to that (nearest) dealership (75 miles away) creates its own danger. The danger is added to by a pre-existing unsolved issue of the horn not functioning. As per the brake light issue, I've been to the dealership about it twice, and they weren't even aware that the brake light switch they think attaches to my car doesn't. So, I wonder if the manufacturer tried to address the issue in the middle of the 2011 model year, installed a different model switch and wiring on more newly built cars in that model year, and decided to ignore the owners of vehicles sold earlier in that model year. As for an additional related issue, unless I disconnect my battery when not in the car. the lights stay on and run down the battery. That can contribute to its own safety issue.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Acceleration, Lights · NY

My right brake light has melted my housing due to the bulb getting too hot and my cruise control suddenly stopped working one day the light comes on but when I go to hit the set button it doesn't set or activate