Hyundai Sonata 2011–2014
6th generation (YF)
NHTSA data through 12 August 202610,626 complaints, 6,796 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 39,000 and 109,500 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 52 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,400
- 25%
- 39,000
- Median
- 77,000
- 75%
- 109,500
- 90%
- 138,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 692 | 10.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 188 | 2.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 152 | 2.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 159 | 2.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 146 | 2.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 121 | 1.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 135 | 2.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 122 | 1.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 179 | 2.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 132 | 1.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 184 | 2.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 220 | 3.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 289 | 4.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 238 | 3.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 288 | 4.2% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 291 | 4.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 326 | 4.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 275 | 4.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 274 | 4.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 218 | 3.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 273 | 4.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 204 | 3.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 210 | 3.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 180 | 2.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 208 | 3.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 158 | 2.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 152 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 135 | 2.0% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 101 | 1.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 72 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 113 | 1.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 43 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 66 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 28 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 55 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 24 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 36 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 18 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 20 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 19 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 52 | 0.8% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 10,626 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2014 Hyundai Sonata, and 6,796 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 39,000 and 109,500 miles. The median is 77,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (24.1% of complaints, typically around 95,000 miles), the steering (17.7% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles), the electrical system (10.1% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
18 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine95,000median 94,875 miles, middle half 68,000 to 125,000
- Steering65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 92,000
- Electrical system74,000median 73,650 miles, middle half 29,000 to 106,000
- Airbag system89,000median 89,250 miles, middle half 63,000 to 113,000
- Exterior lighting80,000median 80,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 112,000
- Problems owners could not categorise82,000median 81,700 miles, middle half 57,000 to 118,000
- Brakes72,000median 72,469 miles, middle half 39,000 to 102,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,558 | 24.1% | 95,000 | 68,000–125,000 |
| Steering | 1,882 | 17.7% | 65,000 | 15,000–92,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,073 | 10.1% | 74,000 | 29,000–106,000 |
| Airbag system | 721 | 6.8% | 89,000 | 63,000–113,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 713 | 6.7% | 80,000 | 50,000–112,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 589 | 5.5% | 82,000 | 57,000–118,000 |
| Brakes | 495 | 4.7% | 72,000 | 39,000–102,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 421 | 4.0% | 58,000 | 22,000–93,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 386 | 3.6% | 99,000 | 59,000–124,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 289 | 2.7% | 53,000 | 18,000–95,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 77,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 24.1% of complaints (2,558 reports, 1,542 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 94,875 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 67,527 and 125,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 17.7% of complaints (1,882 reports, 1,488 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,142 and 92,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.1% of complaints (1,073 reports, 642 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 73,650 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,000 and 106,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 6.8% of complaints (721 reports, 408 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 89,250 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 63,000 and 113,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 6.7% of complaints (713 reports, 418 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 111,823 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 5.5% of complaints (589 reports, 276 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 81,700 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,189 and 117,650 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 4,618 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 1,079. The median year sits at 2,464.
The first year of the generation, 2011, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the steering (3), the fuel system (2), the engine (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 10,626 complaints filed against this generation, 469 reported a crash; 574 reported a fire; 383 reported an injury; 8 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 39,000 and 109,500 miles, with a median of 77,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The steering in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2011–2014
Theta II GDI connecting-rod bearing failure: metallic debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during machining migrates into the connecting-rod oil feeds, restricting oil flow to the bearings. Result is knocking, power loss, bearing seizure, engine stall at speed, and in some cases a punctured block with an oil fire. Recall 15V-568 covered MY2011-2012 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II GDI Sonatas; recall 17V-226 extended it to MY2013-2014.
Engine Management
Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign later applied across Theta II GDI cars to detect incipient bearing failure and put the engine into limp mode before seizure.
Steering 2011–2013
Electric power steering / steering column coupler complaints producing sudden loss of assist.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4,618 | 3,322 |
| 2012 | 2,280 | 1,410 |
| 2013 | 2,649 | 1,494 |
| 2014 | 1,079 | 570 |
Recalls (18)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 22V312000 | 2022-10-10 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 20V121000 | 2020-08-10 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 18V934000 | 2019-03-01 | Engine |
| 18V137000 | 2018-10-15 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module |
| 17V617000 | 2017-11-06 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 17V226000 | 2017-07-10 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 17V152000 | 2017-04-13 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage |
| 16V190000 | 2016-07-18 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 15V759000 | 2016-01-06 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 15V629000 | 2016-01-06 | Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs |
| 15V568000 | 2016-01-06 | Engine |
| 14V434000 | 2014-09-12 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 14V433000 | 2014-09-12 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| 13V113000 | 2013-04-22 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 12V352000 | 2012-08-31 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 10V426000 | 2010-10-15 | Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector |
| 10V457000 | 2010-10-11 | Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector |
| 10V070000 | 2010-03-12 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
What owners reported
2011 Hyundai Sonata (new in november 2010), from day one excessive drifting to the left that is more noticeable at 60 MPH or higher, but occurs at all speeds. Dealership has aligned it 3 times and rotated wheels to no benefit. They claim it is normal. I have filed this safety concern and defect with Hyundai customer…
2011 · Steering
I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata turbo in december 2010 and from the time of purchase it pulled to the left especially on the highway. I waited to see if it would work itself out but it did not. I took it to a dealership and they rotated the tires and performed a full alignment. This did not solve the problem.…
2011 · Steering
My 2011 Hyundai Sonata se 2.0T has been tracking and pulling to the left and has a side to side motion that has caused my daughter to become nauseous since i bought the car new on august 1, 2011. I went to two different dealerships on three separate occasions. Both dealerships acknowledge that it pulls to the left and…
2011 · Steering
When i was driving 70 MPH with two bars left on the gas gauge (dashboard said distance to empty: 80 miles) , the car suddenly lost power and engine was turned off. When i try to start the car, i noticed that it was out of gas. I put a gallon of tank and it worked. Hoping that it was just one time problem, i was…
2011 · Fuel and propulsion system
Built from 6,796 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page