Hyundai

Sonata (YF)

2011-2014 · Midsize Sedan · 10 engines
Best Engine Recommended (5.0)
7,884 NHTSA Complaints
18 Recalls
351 Fire Reports
307 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

LZ4

3.5L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
2

Known Issues

Steering Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

PONTIAC G6 (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Tahoe (2007-2014)CHEVROLET Malibu (2004-2007)CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Malibu (2000-2003)PONTIAC Solstice (2006-2010)CHEVROLET Impala (2006-2016)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014) +16 more

LG8

3.1L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

GMC L Series (2003-2003)CHEVROLET Astro (2000-2000)GMC S Series (2002-2002)PONTIAC Bonneville (2000-2005)CHEVROLET Malibu (2004-2007)CHEVROLET Malibu (2000-2003)CHEVROLET Astro (2003-2003)CHEVROLET S-10 (2002-2002) +54 more

LL8

4.2L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET T-Series (2007-2007)GMC Suburban (2003-2003)GMC L Series (2003-2003)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2000-2000)FORD Explorer (2011-2019)CHEVROLET HHR (2006-2011)GMC Savana (2002-2002)CHEVROLET S/T Blazer (2003-2003) +74 more

L15A7

1.5L 4-cyl / 117 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

HONDA Civic (2006-2011)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)HONDA Fit (2015-2020)HONDA Civic (2012-2015)HONDA Fit (2007-2014)

B5254T2

Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

VOLVO Vh (2006-2006)VOLVO S60 (2001-2009)JEEP Cherokee (2014-2023)VOLVO XC70 (2001-2007)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)VOLVO XC90 (2003-2014)VOLVO V40 (2003-2003)VOLVO C70 (2003-2003) +6 more

LC9

5.3L 8-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

GMC Yukon (2007-2014)CHEVROLET Avalanche (2008-2008)CHEVROLET Tahoe (2007-2014)FORD Fusion (2006-2012)CHEVROLET Suburban (2007-2014)CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2019-2025)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2002-2009) +12 more

DOHC GDI LAMBDA

3.3L
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2007-2012)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2013-2018)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2019-2024)

K20C2

2.0L 4-cyl / 158 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

HONDA Pilot (2016-2022)HONDA Civic (2022-2025)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)HONDA Civic (2026-2026)HONDA Civic (2016-2021)

GAMMA

1.6L
Recommended (4.6)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)

DOHC GDI

2.4L 4-cyl / 175 hp
Avoid (1.0)
3,417 complaints 854.0 per year Gasoline
124 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1210
steering
866
electrical
526
exterior
411
safety systems
359

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1,210 complaints)
Steering Issues (866 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (526 complaints)

Also found in

GMC Yukon (2007-2014)HYUNDAI Elantra (2011-2016)FORD Fusion (2006-2012)LINCOLN Town Car (2000-2011)HYUNDAI Sonata (2011-2014)HYUNDAI Sonata (2006-2010)HYUNDAI Accent (2006-2011)HYUNDAI Genesis (2012-2012) +6 more

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Sonata regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (1,213 complaints)
engine critical
Steering Issues (871 complaints)
steering critical
Electrical System Issues (526 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (411 complaints)
exterior critical
Safety Systems Issues (360 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (18)

22V312000Jun 4, 2022serious
Fuel System

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

20V121000Feb 27, 2020serious
Fuel System

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

18V934000Dec 27, 2018serious
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

18V137000Feb 26, 2018serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.

17V226000Mar 30, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

17V152000Aug 2, 2017serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

17V617000Apr 9, 2017serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

16V190000May 3, 2016serious
Steering

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.

15V759000Nov 15, 2015serious
Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

15V568000Oct 8, 2015serious
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.

15V629000Jul 9, 2015serious
Suspension

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

14V433000Jul 17, 2014serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 1, 2010. The affected vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) due to insufficient seal between the inner brake hose and metal brake line fitting.

14V434000Jul 17, 2014serious
Powertrain

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

13V113000Jan 3, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

12V352000Jul 23, 2012serious
Air Bags

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.

10V426000Sep 19, 2010serious
Steering

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.

10V070000Feb 2, 2010serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

HYUNDAI-KIA HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 15, 2010. THE FRONT INSIDE DOOR LOCK SWITCH CAN REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION.

10V457000Jan 9, 2010serious
Steering

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata problems?

The 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata has accumulated 7,884 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Steering, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Sonata engine is most reliable?

The 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata a good used car?

The 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 7,884 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata have?

The 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata has 7,884 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata?

There are 18 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Sonata?

Before buying a used Hyundai Sonata, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Steering, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 7,884 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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