Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 should probably move my car to a parking space a bit further away from the store I planned to go into in order to be further away from other vehicles. I started the engine again, and once again, no smoke nor unusual noises nor warning lights. I drove around to the next parking aisle and parked in a different parking space. Once I turned off the engine again, the smoke then immediately started from the right side of the hood again and quickly smoke started coming from the left side of the hood. …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an inspection revealed that the rear frame of the vehicle, located near the passenger's side, was severely corroded. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 148,757.
The rear passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. When my kids are in the back seat, they cannot get out that door and in the event of an emergency on the right side of the car, would be put at great risk not being able to open the left side passenger door. I had just opened the door to retrieve my backpack from the back seat and tried the door again and it was stuck. I unlocked the doors from the front seat and tried again to no avail. I went inside the car to try and open it and despite it being unlocked, it will not open. the interior latch feels like it is not moving anything when I try and open it, but the door acts like it is locked and cannot be opened with the handles. I have not taken it to the dealer yet, but plan to if I cannot fix it on my own.
The interior and exterior driver side door and driver side rear door handles are no longer functional on this vehicle. This is a well known problem with these vehicles that poses a grave safety hazard. In the event of a fire or accident, it would be impossible to exit or gain access to my vehicle without breaking the side glass. I have spoken to my Hyundai dealer and they agreed that it is a known, dangerous problem, however no TSB or recall has been issued. My only recourse is to pay to have this defect repaired. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that has had this type of issue.
The Vehicle: "I have a 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata with massive underbody rust." The Failed Fix: "Service Campaign 946 was completed on this car in 2017, but it did not work. The rust is now worse." The Safety Risk: "The structural metal is so rusty that I am afraid it will snap while I am driving. This makes the car unsafe." Hyundai is refusing to fix it because the car has a 'branded' (abandoned) title, even though the structural safety issue is still there."
I have a lot of paint chips on car. I see a lot of 2011 same model have the same problem. Most of the paint chips are coming from top of my windshield. I have complained a few years ago also hoping that this issue can be solved.
Good afternoon, I am contacting the consumer affairs department regarding the recall 180 Hyundai is conducting a safety recall in the united states to confirm the high pressure fuel pipe was properly connected by Hyundai dealers to the high-pressure fuel pump outlet when the engine was replaced under recalls 132 and 162. In come cases, during the engine replacements under recall campaigns 132 and 162, the high pressure fuel pipe May have damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owners May contact Hyundai customer service at [phone]. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180. …
Driving home my mom asked me to stop by the local gas station. I pulled into the parking space my mom got out & went in the store. A guy at the staion started screaming at me to get out because my car is about to blow up he could see the fire coming out the front of the hood & grill of the car. By the time I understood wht he was saying the car had a big boom hood blew up & went bk dwn during that the locks were locking & unlocking. I had to manually unlock tge door & push my way out with young man assistance. After I was out of it for 3 seconds the fire started raging & popping. The firemen finally made it they were very helpful & understanding. What I don't understand is why I didn't get some type of warning my car was mot running hot . Im thankful to my heavenly father because although this was a very scary situation for me but it could always be worse. Very grateful. …
Takata inflators: had a car fire from fuel line per fire dept information. I was on the 405 west bound fwy when I started to smell gas and the front hood of the car I noticed black smoke coming out. I got out of the fwy and then parked the car, when someone driving of the opposite direction yelled for me to get out of the car. I turned off the car and ran out to the side walk within a few minutes the car when up in smoke and then it exploded twice. People from the surrounding businesses came out to see if I was alright. The owner of the flower nursery came out and called the fire dept. They arrived and turned out the fire.
Engine bay caught fire and car is a total loss. Engine had been replaced previously under Sonata theta engine recall. Independent mechanic noticed that there was a fuel leak in the engine bay. Was on the way to Hyundai dealer when the fire happened. The car was moving at about 20 MPH when it lost power and smoke started spewing from under the hood. Exited the vehicle and the engine bay was ablaze with 60 seconds. No injuries occurred.
Body complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the model year's 3,378 complaints. The component named most often is body (63 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Hyundai Sonata body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Sonata body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 8 fires and 11 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.