2011 Hyundai Sonata: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Suspension · UT

While driving home and negotiating an ordinary turn onto our residential street, we heard a loud popping sound. We immediately pulled over and discovered that the driver’s-side rear wheel was leaning inward substantially. Upon inspecting the suspension, I discovered that the cylindrical bushing attachment on a rear suspension control arm had fractured, allowing the suspension connection to separate. I subsequently walked back to the location where the noise occurred and recovered the detached metal fragment. The fracture surfaces exhibit distinctly different coloration, suggesting that part of the fracture may have existed for some time before the final separation. Of greater concern, upon inspecting the corresponding suspension component on the passenger side, I discovered a substantial crack along what appears to be the same fracture path as the failed driver’s-side component. Both sides appear to exhibit a common structural weakness. The failure occurred during ordinary driving without a collision or known impact immediately preceding the event. A similar failure at highway speed could cause a serious crash, injury, or death. I understand Hyundai previously conducted rear lower control arm replacement Service Campaign TP3 for certain 2011–2013 Sonata vehicles. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this failure is related to a known defect or represents a broader safety concern. Photographs of the failed driver’s-side component, recovered fragment, and corresponding passenger-side crack are available. The vehicle and recovered fragment are being preserved for further inspection. I request that this incident be reviewed as a potential safety-related structural suspension defect.

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Engine · AZ

We have refill engine oil weekly. After every oil change a month the oil is dark and a needs a quart more to refill. This is regularly since 2015. We purchased the car in 2012. 2019 the front ball joints started clumping in reverse, replaced in 2021. While driving on the freeway and exiting off onto a ramp the car dramatically down shifted and was unable to correct itself. Later discovered the computer module needed replacement. We still are refilling oil weekly. Not to mention replacing the clock spring twice.

Filed Dec 22, 2020 · Transmission · 92,958 miles · FL

Hello I recently had my vehicle transmission cable detach from the control arm,so I got it replaced and paid cash which was over $900 because they had to replace the entire transmission cable,so I noticed that this is a recall and sent it to hyundai and now they don't want to pay it back,please read the email response from them.

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 132,000 miles · MN

Steering wheel makes a noise. When turned. Car ride is bumpy on inspection mechanic said I need steering column replaced and I need left front lower control arm replaced, front sway bar links need replacement. Almost $2000 expense. This car has 132000 miles on it . I took care of car rotate the tires did preventive maintenance.the vehicle has very bumpy ride when turned makes noise.

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Suspension · 156,000 miles · OH

As I was driving over 60mph I noticed that my car was pulling in different directions. I made it off the highway and turned a sharp corner and the bolts to the lower control arm appear to have fell out. The driver side lower control arm is dangling. Tow truck is needed.

Filed Mar 19, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 121,333 miles · NJ

I was driving on a side street, heard loud noise coming from left front wheel area when I heard a grinding sound and car was riding rough. Called for help.instructed not to drive vehicle till it was looked at by a mechanic. Mechanic who evaluated and repaired vehicle said he has never seen "pitted wheel bearings" in 30 years of operation. He gave me back the faulty bearings and told me I should contact you and the corporate area of hyundai, because this is a serious safety issue and warrants an alert or recall. The driver side lower ball joint and bearings had to be replaced. Please review asap, as this is a serious safety concern for the rest of the population. Thank you!

Filed Sep 22, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 90,000 miles · PA

I bought this car 3 years ago. Ever since the day I bought the vehicle, it makes loud clicking noises when you turn the steering wheel left or right while in drive and reverse. In the 3 years that I have owned this car, I have had to replace the tires 4 times, the brakes and rotors multiple times per year, tie rods, and cv joints and yet the car still clicks when you turn. I had the engine recall done in may of this year. They gave me the car back a month later. I had to take it back the very next day because it was leaking copious amounts of oil and making a clanking noise that was not present when I left my vehicle with them for a month. They "fixed" the oil leak and told me the noise was from my front brakes yet again. I had to return the car again a few days later because it was still leaking oil! So they "fixed" the leak a 2nd time and again said the noise was from my brakes. Less than a week after that the check engine light came back on. I immediately took it back and was told that it was just a "loose gas cap" which I never experienced prior to the engine being replaced. They cleared the light and sent me on my way. I had brand new brakes and rotors put on, again, and yet the clanking noise is still there. 5 days ago, the car began driving the way it was before the engine recall, same engine failure symptoms and my check engine light came back on a second time 3 days ago. I have not had to fill it up with gas in 8 days so there is no way that it is from a "loose gas cap." my seat belt locks up and stays locked up if I lean forward. I should also mention that when I bought the vehicle I had to inform the manager that the front bumper was only attached to the car because someone drilled screws into it to keep it on. He had no idea!! I made them replace it before I would buy the vehicle. The paint is constantly chipping off of the "new bumper" they put on it.

Filed May 21, 2019 · Suspension · 78,000 miles · CA · crash

While driving at highway speeds on the us 101 northbound into san francisco my 2011 sonata suddenly began veering out of its lane and was hard to steer or control. I was able to brake and steer just enough to get to the right highway shoulder without hitting anything as there were no cars immediately to my right. I was stuck on a dangerous part of the highway shoulder for an hour waiting to be towed, with the vehicle seeming dangerous to drive to a safer spot. While waiting for a tow on the highway shoulder I was able to look at the rear-left wheel which was inclined into the wheel-well at about 30 degrees on the top side. After getting towed off the highway the tow-truck driver was able to look under the car and noticed that the upper rear control arm of the back left wheel had broken. The back left wheel was loosely moveable using just our hands. This failure could have caused a much more serious accident! I am waiting to get a full inspection report from a mechanic.

Filed Nov 30, 2017 · Steering · 139,000 miles · IN

2011 hyundai sonata limited 2.4l. Inner and outer tie rods have been replaced three times now.. Not sure why. The dealership had no answer either. First time replaced at 81,000 miles, then at 112,000 miles and again at 139,000 miles. This last time they said it was ready to break off. One would think these parts would last longer than this.

Filed May 23, 2017 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · GA

I recently experienced a possible recall event on my 2011 sonata limited 4cy. The rear upper control arm attachment bolt sheared while at a stop light. I was stationary at a stop light, the light turned green and as soon as I starting moving the bolt sheared and I heard a grinding noise. Luckily, the event didn't happen while driving on the highway at a high speed. I looked up online to see if there has been any recalls and I found 'campaign tp3 - rear lower control arm replacement. I think the rear upper arm should be included in the campaign as the bolt shear was out of the ordinary and this vehicle has never been in an accident. I still have the rear crossmember that was replaced with the threaded part of the bolt still in it and the sheared bolt.

Filed Oct 10, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 142,000 miles · NY

While driving on the long island expressway in queens ny, an extremely busy highway, the control alarm on my front right tire completely snapped off. This caused me to lose control of my car and go across 3 lanes on a major highway with cars traveling 70 MPH past me. Luckily no cars were hit and luckily myself or nobody was killed. Whats more disturbing instead of the dealership doing it's job to make sure my car is completely functional, they let me leave the lot with an issue they clearly knew about and just didn't say anything to me. After all they provided a complimentary wheel alignment so they clearly were examining my wheels at the time. And up to this point the car had been driving fine, smooth, no issues. I just had an oil change about a month back and nothing was noted to me by the mechanic then. I spoke with the dealership a few months back and they told me there had been a recall on the rear control alarms, which I know are about the same parts as the front control alarms. My car wheel just snapped off and I almost died on a highway as a result of this car. And I have been reading consumer complaints that similar issues have happened and there were possible recalls on the front control alarms to the wheels. This incident occurred on 10/1/16. It has been 10 days and hyundai corporate has not contacted me. They are trying to avoid being responsible for a clear safety and road hazard with my vehicle. In addition my engine ceased on fathers day 2014 and they repaired the engine. Then in april 2016 I had metal fragments in my engine and they performed a complimentary wheel alignment. 3 months later my control arm is snapping of my front passenger tire.

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Suspension · 70,612 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata. The contact heard a knocking and grinding noise coming from the driver's side of the vehicle when driving in reverse or turning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver side coil spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact had the coil springs, and front end tie rod assemblies replaced. In addition, a wheel alignment and an oil changed were performed. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the fob key failed to unlock the front driver side door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,612.