What's Wrong with the 6th Generation (2011–2014) Sonata?

Sonata owners have made 1,312 complaints about the 2011–2014 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant engine and steering concerns.

Compare With Other Sonata Generations

Common 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata Problems

Some of the worst issues 6th generation Sonata owners have to deal with.

  1. ZF-TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    Millions of vehicles built after 2009 have defective airbag control units manufactured by the company ZF-TRW. An ACU takes information from crash sensors and decides when to deploy the airbags and seat belt pretensioners. But the crash sens…

    Continue reading article "ZF-TRW Crash Sensor Defect"

  2. Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring

    The wiring in cars used to be coated in a petroleum-based plastic, but recently automakers, including Hyundai, have switched to a soy-based material. The soy is biodegradable and helps keep plastic out of the landfill (yay!). Unfortunately …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring" A hamster holding a record in front of a green Kia Soul, from an advertising campaign.

  3. Seat Belts Detatch During Crash

    Cars these days have airbags, sensors, crumple zones, tempered glass, and other safety features. But the OG, and arguably the most important, safety feature is the seat belt. Only trouble is, Hyundai's seem to be detatching from the body of…

    Continue reading article "Seat Belts Detatch During Crash" An illustrated and oversized seat belt over a red Hyundai.

  4. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

    Continue reading article "Blue Link Standard Feature?" Superimposed red radiation sign over a Blue Link infotainment screen.

  6. Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint

    Hyundai’s self-healing paint is advertised to heal minor scratches using a chemical compound called scratch recovery clear. However, owners content over time that same compound allows the paint to come off in large sheets.

    Continue reading article "Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint" White paint is peeling to reveal the gray underbody just above the windshield.

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

6th Generation (2011–2014) Sonata Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,312 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 50th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 50 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 6th Generation Sonata Owners

Recent 6th Generation (2011–2014) Sonata News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. More than 1,300 Hyundai vehicles have burst into flames, now the government wants to know why. It’s about time.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was petitioned to look into these non-collision fires last June. The fires are responsible for 26 injuries in Hyundai vehicles and over 100 if you include Kia. The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine, but the NHTSA plans on looking into tail lights and other potential combustion sources as well.

    keep reading article "Feds Open Investigation into Hyundai’s Non-Collision Fire Epidemic"

  2. Multiple State Attorneys are looking to turn up the heat on Hyundai and Kia.

    An increasing number of cars are going up in spontaneous flames and I’m glad to see somebody’s willing to step up and investigate. We’re still waiting on a decision from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine and the automaker’s handling of prior recalls.

    keep reading article "State Attorneys Open Investigation into Theta II Engine Fires"

  3. Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode.

    If approved, the settlement would double the existing sunroof warranty, reimburse certain previously-paid expenses, and even offer cash to those that decide to sell their car within the next 90 days.

    Hyundai still won’t admit the sunroof is defective, but they’re sure acting like it is.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners"

  5. Hyundai is recalling nearly 100,000 engines with fuel tubes that were misaligned, improperly tightened, or otherwise damaged during installation.

    This lets gas can spray out onto hot surfaces and is the **perfect recipe for engine fires. It gets worse.

    This was supposed to be Hyundai’s opportunity to right the wrongs of their gasoline direct injection engines with massive oil flow problems. Those engines were notorious for knocking, seizing, and were eventually recalled in multiple campaigns. These were the replacements and now because of an installation snafu they’re catching on fire.…

    keep reading article "Hyundai Can't Even Stop Their Replacement Engines From Catching on Fire"

  6. What are the odds that your car will set itself on fire without ever being involved in a collision?

    Much higher than you’d think, especially if you’re one of these 3 million Hyundai and Kia owners.

    The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has put together a list of vehicles that they say should be taken off the road until a pending government investigation ends with a comprehensive recall.

    CAS says Kia and Hyundai have done nothing but provide empty statements about working directly with vehicle owners who report fires. In addition, both automakers seem to be waiting for NHTSA to conclude its investigation to determine if additional actions should be taken.…

    keep reading article "Are 3 Million Hyundai and Kia Cars Too Dangerous to Drive?"

  7. Apparently Hyundai’s latest seat belt recall did enough to satisfy the government, who announced they’re closing their recall.

    NHTSA continued the investigation after the first recall because safety regulators believed a better fix should be applied by dealers. Regulators were concerned about how the connectors were built to be removed from the pretensioners when working on the cars. But the connectors could release in a crash if they weren't properly reconnected during maintenance.

    The second recall added a label to the connector with graphics and instructions how to properly lock the connector if someone works on the car. No word on if that label said for the love of everything, don’t forget to put this thing back to together.

    keep reading article "Sonata Seat Belt Investigation Has Been Closed"

  8. Back in March, Hyundai recalled 978,000 cars to inspect and fix seat belt linkages and the pretensioner.

    Now those vehicles have been recalled again for the same problems.

    Although the condition of a partially latched anchor pretensioner was fixed through the recall campaign, the condition could potentially happen again if the anchor pretensioner was intentionally disconnected and then improperly reconnected by consumers or repair facilities.

    After the first recall Hyundai and their supplier talked with NHTSA about possible problems from the recall repairs.

    keep reading article "Sonata and Sonata Hybrid Owners Face a Second Recall for the Same Seat Belt Problems"

  9. A peeling paint lawsuit has fallen apart after a judge’s recent dismissal.

    The judge said this dismissal is with prejudice because the plaintiffs keep repeating the same allegations that were already dismissed.

    In other words, the plaintiffs had their chance and blew it. The original lawsuit alleged that Hyundai’s paint falls apart as the polymers break down and make the paint susceptible to peeling and flaking.

    keep reading article "Judge Puts Nail in then Coffin of the Hyundai Peeling Paint Lawsuit"

  10. Hyundai is being sued for using soy-based wire insulation that attracts rabbits, mice, squirrels and other creatures.

    The Hyundai lawsuit alleges the automaker denies there is a problem by using the soy-based wiring and since no defect exists, any replacement parts will also consist of soy products.

    The soy-based materials are more biodegradable and generally cost less than their plastic counterparts.…

    keep reading article "Rodents Are Attracted to Hyundai’s Soy-Based Wire Coating"

  11. A pe

    ling paint lawsuit has been dismissed by a California district judge. Whether Hyundai knew the paint was defective was a question because the automaker said third-party websites talked about the problems, but customers weren't complaining directly to Hyundai. In other words, if customers don't complain directly to Hyundai, no one can prove the automaker had prior knowledge of alleged problems.

    This is a terrible argument. Third party websites, like CarComplaints.com, are not only useful for venting. Complaint data is collected, compiled, and shared to other owners who might be having the same problem. Seeing how many others are facing a similar issue can be a catalyst for action.…

    keep reading article "Peeling Paint Lawsuit Dismissed"

  12. Federal investigators are taking a look at Hyundai’s handling of Theta II engine recalls to make sure there’s no funny business going on.

    NHTSA says it took action to "investigate both the timeliness and scope of Hyundai's Theta II engine recalls, and Hyundai's compliance with reporting requirements.

    Timely and compliant? Not if you ask this lawsuit. Or this former Hyundai engineer. To date, nearly 1.7 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been recalled.

    keep reading article "Safety Regulators Are Investigating Hyundai’s Handling of Theta II Recalls"

  13. 572,000 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles are being recalled because the Theta II engines can seize at any moment.

    Hyundai says machining errors occurred when the engines were built and those errors can cause the engine bearings to wear out early. Those prematurely worn bearings will cause the engine to lock up, something a dealer will need to fix by replacing the engine short block.

    Hyundai admits that two errors made during manufacturing are responsible for this problem.…

    keep reading article "More Stalling Theta II Engines Will be Replaced in the 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport"

  14. Nearly 978,000 Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid cars have been recalled to fix seat belts that have been detaching from their anchor pretensioners.

    Hyundai and the seat belt supplier inspected the vehicle and the supplier recovered the parts in December 2016. Both companies started internal investigations, but neither has been able to determine what is causing the seat belt failures … The automaker says to ensure the safety of consumers, the recall will include 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid cars.

    The recall, which covers most of the 6th generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Massive Recall for Detaching Seat Belts in the 6th Generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid"

  15. The feds are investigating why front passenger seat belts are detaching from their pretensioner during crashes involving the 2013 Sonata.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into possible problems with the front passenger seat belts in 2013 Hyundai Sonata cars after two reports were filed concerning seat belts that failed.

    Multiple people have been injured in crashes, as you might imagine.

    keep reading article "NHTSA Thinks There Might Be Problems with the 2013 Sonata’s Passenger Seat Belts"

  16. A Theta II engine settlement for Mendoza v. Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd., et al. has been approved by the court.

    A Hyundai Sonata class-action lawsuit will receive final approval after U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman said she sees no problem with the settlement terms and believes the agreement is excellent for Sonata owners.

    Hyundai was accused of concealing defects with their Theta II GDI engines, and the settlement helps owners of the 2011-2014 Sonata with either the 2L or 2.4L variant.…

    keep reading article "Sonata Theta-II Lawsuit Settlement Gets the Green Light"

  17. Hyundai motion to dismiss a panoramic sunroof lawsuit has been denied.

    The 2015 lawsuit says the sunroof glass can explode without warning. The judge previously threw out some claims concerning unfair profit but allowed fraud claims to continue. Hyundai then asked the judge to whittle down the lawsuit even more by throwing out claims based on unjust enrichment, a request denied by the court.

    Hyundai also argued claims of an owner who said the vehicle was unmerchantable within the warranty period should be tossed, but the judge denied the request.

    Hyundai has had problems with sunroofs dating back to a 2012 investigation for the Veloster.

    keep reading article "Hyundai's Defective Panoramic Sunroof Lawsuit Will Continue in Court"

  18. A class-action lawsuit accuses Hyundai of failing to meet industry standards with their paint in the 2006-2016 Santa Fe, Sonata, and Elantra.

    The plaintiffs say the self-healing process won't work if the scratch is deeper than a surface scratch, such as a chip in the paint caused by a rock flying off the road and hitting the car. Further, there is a concern that if the self-healing process does not occur, the scratch or chip may cause further breakdown of the paint’s molecular structure, in essence triggering the technology to operate in reverse.

    Hyundai’s “self-healing” paint is advertised to heal minor scratches. A chemical compound called scratch recovery clear contains a polymer which, when exposed to ultraviolet light, becomes molten and fills gaps in paint.

    That sounds great, but the plaintiffs claim that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light eventually breaks the polymers down, turning the paint into an ever-molten state that allows it to peel off in sheets.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Self-Healing Paint Does More Harm Than Good"

  19. Contaminated oil is carrying metal shavings on a not-so-joyful ride through the Theta II engine leading to knocks, stalls, and eventual failures according to a recent class-action filed by a Sonata owner in California.

    [The plaintiff]_ brought [her] Sonata to a dealership and was told a piston had blown out. Mendoza asked for her car to be repaired under warranty, but the dealership refused to make the repairs. However, the dealer said the engine could be replaced for $4,500. Mendoza said no and took the Sonata to a mechanic and had the engine replaced at a cost of $3,000.

    The plaintiff says she followed Hyundai’s recommended maintenance intervals and there was no reason her engine should have seized, you know other than the whole “doomed from the start” theory.…

    keep reading article "California Class-Action Says The Sonata’a Theta II Engine Knocks Before Failing"

  20. Hyundai is being sued for permanently disabling Blue Link systems if a subscription has been inactive for more than one year.

    The plaintiff claims on or about January 7, 2015, Hyundai notified owners of its Blue Link vehicles whose Blue Link subscriptions had been inactive for more than one year. Hyundai told owners, “If you do not reactivate your Blue Link services by January 28, 2015, your current Blue Link system in your vehicle will be permanently disabled.

    Except, permanent didn’t mean forever if you’re willing to pony up the cash. The Blue Link handbook mentioned that disconnected services could be easily restored for a “nominal reconnection fee.” They just didn’t say what it was.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Blue Link Decreases the Vehicle’s Value"

What Sonata Owners Say About This Generation

My driver door handle broke this time. Extremely frustrated. I was carrying several things and literally used my pinky finger to open the door, the door swung open but I heard that horrible snap. I now have three broken handles and have to either leave my window rolled down to open it from the inside or crawl in from the rear passenger side door, though there's apparently a pretty good chance that's going to break too.

2010 Sonata Owner in MN

This is something that needs to be addressed. There is no way to operate a vehicle if you can not even get inside and this has been happening too often with 2010 Hyundai Sonata. I will not purchase another one of these vehicles again.

2010 Sonata Owner in MS

Manufacturing Problems with the Theta II Engine Cause Knocking, Seizing, and Oil Sludge Buildup

This was the third engine failure for this vehicle and the last. I am not going to go through this again and will slowly drive the vehicle to an auto wrecking site and give it to them.

2011 Sonata Owner