Sonata (YF)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
DOHC GDI
2.4L 4-cyl / 175 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
9 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata
That's roughly 8.4x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 260 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2011] I was driving my vehicle and a warning light indicating hybrid system charging failure warning. The vehicle had intermittent power problems and would not move appropriately in relation to the pushing the gas pedal. It would not go then would jerk forward. I was finally able to pull over to the side of the road safely. I turned my car off and when turned back on the error message failed. This
- [2011] WAS PULLING ON TO A ROAD AND THE ENGINE DID NOT ENGAGE, THE HYBRID SYSTEM",GREEN READY" LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THE YELLOW SERVICE " WITH THE WRENCH " ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I COULD ONLY GET IT UP TO 3 TO 5 MPHS AND THE ECHO GAGE WAS UP TO RED PEGGED OUT,, WE PULLED OUT ON A COUNTY ROAD THAT HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 45 , A VAN HAD TO STOP, BECAUSE WE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM, I HAD NO DOUBT
- [2011] SONATA HYBRID. DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. EXIT RAMP WITH CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND CAR GLIDING TO STOP LIGHT IN EV MODE. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT FOR 3-5 SECONDS. THEN PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR ... THE CAR LOST POWER, WOULD NOT MOVE, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED, AUDIBLE DING WARNING SOUNDED. DISPLAY SCREEN SHOWED "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" THEN SCREEN SHOWED TO PUT CAR IN PARK
Electric Propulsion
- [2011] The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power, an alarm sounded for the braking system, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. After originally paying out-of-pocket for an ABS module at the dealer and was informed that the engine needed to be repaired and the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was
- [2011] The vehicle experiences a recurring defect where the brake light turns on suddenly and the engine shuts off while driving. The failure appears related to the braking system (brake switch circuit), electrical system (CAN-bus/ECU communication), and engine control (shutdown/stall). The system remains installed and is available for inspection upon request. The shutdown poses a serious safety risk, in
- [2011] I was driving my vehicle and a warning light indicating hybrid system charging failure warning. The vehicle had intermittent power problems and would not move appropriately in relation to the pushing the gas pedal. It would not go then would jerk forward. I was finally able to pull over to the side of the road safely. I turned my car off and when turned back on the error message failed. This
High-Voltage Battery
- [2011] ENGINE CAN EASILY BECOME HYDRO-LOCKED IN HEAVY RAIN AND ROAD SPLASH BACK FROM OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE DIRECT AIR INTAKE OF THE SONATA HYBRID. WITH ITS DESIGN, IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY WATER BAFFLES TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE AIR FILTER AND ONCE IT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER BOX, THERE ARE NO DRAIN HOLES FOR IT TO DRAIN OUT. THIS FORCES THE WATER THROUGH THE ENGINE AS THAT IS THE O
- [2012] Saying check brakes and safely pull over hybrid battery failure
- [2012] The ABS (Antilock Brake System) or BMS ( Brake Module System) warning light illumination came on flashing “DO NOT DRIVE “ and the brakes sieze-up making it impossible to drive. Key Hyundai in Jacksonville previously charged me $2600 to replace the BMS and within warranty. A few months later the same company charged me another $342.56 to diagnose the same issue. I had to rent a car for $700 while
Thermal Events
- [2011] Driving from home to a shopping center, approximately 25 miles, I did not observe any unusual noises nor smoke nor dashboard warning lights. Once I parked and shut off the engine in the shopping center parking lot, I observed a small amount of thick, white smoke coming from the hood on the front passenger side of my car, and then the smoke abruptly stopped. I was concerned enough that I decided I
- [2011] Start losing speed cutting back overheating AC stop function then smoke from good and cut out Had it towed and seek what the problem is This occur on 08/24/2021 just purchase on July 7,2021 from dealer in Auto Land of Thornburg paid cash
- [2012] Received Hyundai recall 251 the end of 2023. Car taken to Hyundai dealer in March 2024 and dealer could not make the repairs on the recall. The end of July, the car caught fire (engine fire) when the car was parked for 10 minutes. Car and adjacent structure was destroyed.
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2011] The Sonata Hyundai Hybrid trunk will not open when the battery dies, and since the battery for the Hybrid is in the trunk, when the battery dies, the car has to be towed because, unfortunately, the key to the trunk has never worked. The last time my battery died, the dealer, after many hours, finally managed to get the trunk open but not without damaging the mechanism. Now there is no way for s
- [2012] I own a 2012 Hyundai sonata with 114000 miles on it. I have had it since 62000 miles and have replaced a lot of parts to keep it running well. My current issue is the hybrid charging system warning light comes on and the hybrid system will stop working when it does this. It has already left me stuck on the side of the road once. When it did this the car stoped running at a stop sign. Luckily I was
- [2012] 1 DAY AFTER BUYING VEHICLE. IT FAILED. 1ST DEALER REPLACED 12V BATTERY. THEN DROVE 17 MILES AND IT FAILED AGAIN. DEALER DETERMINED HYBRID BATTERY BAD. 7K FOR NEW ONE. 7 YR OLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW HYBRID BATTERY. PURCHASED HYBRID BATTERY. 1 YEAR LATER VEHICLE STARTED JERKING ON HIGHWAY. THEN IT COULD NOT GET OVER 40 AND ENGINE WAS REVVING HIGH. TOWEF TO DEALER. THEY DETERMINED FAILED TRANSMISSION AN
Charging System
- [2013] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, STALLED, AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "CHARGING SYSTEM IS NOT CHARGING" WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (BURNS HYUNDAI, 550 W ROUTE 70, MARLTON, NJ 08053, (856) 983-3700) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS N
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Sonata regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (18)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
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.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sonata?
The 2014 Hyundai Sonata received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 7,884 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.