I was driving down the road going the speed limit and all of a sudden it felt like I hit a brick wall my car staked out and I was stuck in the middle of the road for about 20 minutes and finally I got it to start and drove home it did it again 2 months later
2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems
1,171 complaints (35% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 21 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 1,171
- of this car's complaints
- 35%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 21
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Gear box: shaft sector5
- Electric power assist system2
- Column2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Steering noise 302Pulling 193Power steering loss 60Steering lock-up 28
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to October 31, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) circuit board may be damaged and result in a loss of power steering assist.
- Risk
- With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 143.
Recall number 16V190000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall began on october 11, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer service center at 1‑787‑999‑3333.
Recall number 10V457000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009, through september 10, 2010. On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque. In addition dealers will update the power steering software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 10V426000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Steering Shaft Separation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of 7 complaints and field reports and 10 warranty claims on the subject vehicles that allege the intermediate steering shaft became loose or in some cases separated from the upper steering column and/or the steering gearbox, causing (or potentially causing) the hand wheel to become mechanically de-coupled from the road wheels resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.The reported causes include excessive free play or separation of the intermediate steering shaft upper and/or lower universal joint cross shaft/yoke; missing, loose or damaged universal joint pinch bolts; improperly assembled intermediate steering shafts with misaligned splines or insufficient spline engagement preventing the universal joint pinch bolt from being secured in the retaining groove when fastened.On September 20, 2010, the manufacturer notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency Recall No. 10V‑426) to address the alleged defect in approximately 139,500 subject vehicles produced from December 11, 2009 through September 10, 2010.In addition to inspecting the steering shaft, the manufacturer will also update the electric power-assist steering control software to address complaints that the steering wheel vibrates or shakes as a result of a a motor driven power steering malfunction.The manufacturer began notifying affected owners by written letter on October 14, 2010.To date, 119,383 subject vehicles have been serviced under the recall campaign and 58 subject vehicles have received replacement parts as a result.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
PE10035
What 2011 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Intermittent and sudden loss of power steering nearly caused an accident for both of sons when each one was driving on two separate occasions this past week. "EPS" and traction control warning lights both illuminate on the dash when steering goes out. Sometimes the codes will clear themselves out after restarting the vehicle, but not always. Had it inspected by an independent service center and they cleared out the codes with their scanner. Steering worked fine for a few days afterwards, but then suddenly lost power steering again yesterday. It is very dangerous to drive and it is very unpredictable. I see that there was a recall for this issue for certain manufacture dates for 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but mine was not part of the recall. I believe that it should be part of that recall before someone dies or is injured.
I purchased fgis car from a used car dealership, for over $6,000.00 , which is not a ton of money, but plenty enough to not have instant issues. Since my purchase in june 30, 2026, i have already had all of these issues occur. There is white smoke coming from the left tail pipe, it is sluggish when you push on the gas, there is black soot constantly on my rims that is extreamly hard to remove, the high pressure fuel pump jas failed, I can tell because the oil is higher then it was when o had the oil freshly changed, and it smells of gasoline.inside the oil. The exhaust has stron smell of gasoline. My steering wheel has a loud clinking noise everytime I go over a speed bump on pull into my driveway. Just so many items consistently needing repair or replacement, even though I just had the fuel system cleaned, the oil changed, and filters, and.oil filter too. I checked to see if any of my issues are covered by a recall warranty, because they all are recalled items for my car year, make, and model, but apparently Hyunfai is only covering these dangerous recall items for ul to 10 years. These items shkuld be covered longer, because my carfax states that at least one of these recalled items had already been changed in 2018, and is already broken again!! Hyundai should have covered these extreamly high wear out car parts for a longer period of time, or for the life of the vehicle, if every 5 years your replacing a $1000.00 part, not including labor, like the (HPFP) I was quoted by auto zone for over that price point!! "Ridiculous"! Another item is the air bag cover on the driver side windows area, of the body frame it is loose and keeps un-clipping, i am afraid that it is going to possibly just go off and kill me or something!! Very disappointed right now, that i cannot get any of these recalled items replaced by the manufacturer!!
The steering column gets loose because of a commonly defective bushing. The steering bangs and has free play making full control more difficult.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, there was a grinding sensation coming from the front wheels, and the grinding sensation was felt in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings and hubs had failed, causing the grinding sound. The contact was informed that the rod bearings and hubs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the following day, there was a loud grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The sound also occurred while the vehicle was parked. While attempting to accelerate from 25 - 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle clunked and jerked. The vehicle decelerated, and the contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact became aware that the accelerator pedal was not operating as needed. While on the side of the road, the contact turned off the vehicle and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had failed, and the mechanic recommended the engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer, Capital Hyundai of Greensboro (801 E Bessemer Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), and the contact was informed of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer stated that the maintenance history was not satisfactory enough to warrant an engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
My EPS light comes on and my steering wheel locks up the dealership says that isn’t a recall but I can pull it up and it says my car was affected by the sonata electric power steering control module recall . It’s on [XXX] it’s a very unsafe for me and other drivers because I don’t know when it will come on and it comes on when I’m driving at random times INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
After taking my mom to the airport the vehicle engine blew up what absolutely no warning at all leave me on the side of the road the key keep getting stuck inside the car
My car when turned off locks but when turned back on will stay locked. Normally you can turn the car on and off a couple times and it will unlock itself but for the past couple months it is now impossible and is so unsafe to drive. I saw in 2009/2010 there was a recall for this with Hyundai and I’m pretty sure my car is now affected with the same thing but 2011 Hyundai sonata.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal rattling sound. While making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the horn became inoperable and the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 17,742.
I started to get engine knocking noises about 6 months after the purchase of the used car. This knocking noise began to increase in frequency as I pressed my foot on the accelerator and the car would not accelerate when I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. Then the car would shut down in the middle of traffic. After waiting about 30 -45 mins, I would try to start the car again and would start and initially run as long as I drove less than 20 miles/hour the knocking noise level would decrease but if I went above 15 - 20 mph the car would shut down. The check engine light and engine oil light would come on. So I would check the engine oil level oil using the dip stick and it showed oil levels were ok. On October 10 2023 while driving to Walmart the engine turned off and would not start after waiting over 1 hour and I was stuck in the mall entrance road. A concerned driver with his passengers pushed the car to a Walmart parking spot where it is currently at. In addition, the traction light kept coming on and I paid the Hyundai dealership $2,800 to repair to keep the car from drifting to the left and to get the light off.
Questions about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata steering
Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have steering problems?
Owners have filed 1,171 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 35% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Sonata steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata steering?
Yes, 3 recalls: 16V190000, 10V457000, 10V426000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad steering?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most steering complaints are 2011 (1,171 complaints), 2013 (342 complaints) and 2012 (301 complaints).
Other 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems
Engine 1,012Electrical 444Airbags 419Lights 250Brakes 175Transmission 173Suspension 149Fuel system 135Seat belts 107Acceleration 95Body 73Driver assistance 70Wheels 33Tires 27Visibility 25Seats 15Locks 11
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