2011 Hyundai Sonata Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 419about this part
- Share
- 12%of 3,380 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 419 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of the 3,380 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,800 miles. 51 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving about 30 MPH when the car began accelerating without me applying pressure to the gas. I was coming to a light to make a red turn and when I applied the brakes they would not slow down my vehicle so my speed increased. The steering wheel then locked and before I knew it a car had collided with me crossing in front of me. My car was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11319095, filed 2020-03, 147,000 miles“On friday the 13th of february while driving on a main intersection my car just stopped in the middle of the road. There was traffic on both sides of the road and of course people didn't have any patience and I was stuck and placed my blinkers on. And waited for aaa to arrive. The car was in motion and then stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11396436, filed 2021-02, 110,980 miles“My car changed to cruise control on its own. I couldn't get out of it until I parked. My lights don't work the constantly flick on and off while I'm driving. The dealership also failed to replace my airbag deployment sensor after I reported that they never fixed it. They put it in the database that it was repaired but I was still waiting on a part I never received”
NHTSA complaint #11362152, filed 2020-10, 175,000 miles“My engine light has been on for 6 months and I had the timer sensor replaced twice. And it is still on. My car steering wheel vibrates at times. The steering wheel makes a cracking noise while parking or pulling out. Also my airbag light has been on continuous for 6 months over the steering wheel. Keep taking it to the shop and told to check recalls but my car is never listed.”
NHTSA complaint #11376773, filed 2020-11, 108,433 miles“I have been in contact with dealership that I bought my car from expressing about the air bag recall and my air bag light being on. I travel for work and if an accident was to occur the air bag may not work properly. Every time I call, they say that the manufacture haven't sent in the part yet to fix it. This have been going on for several months.”
NHTSA complaint #11156945, filed 2018-12, 150,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V137000Feb 27, 2018Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2011–2013, Sonata Hybrid 2011–2012
Related service bulletins
- 11036632Aug 26, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the…
- 11037231Aug 25, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original &…
- 11037230Aug 25, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the…
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
- 11027047Dec 19, 2025A Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the Class Action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. Please see attached…
- 11027046Dec 19, 2025A Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the Class Action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. Impacted vehicles are…
- 11027045Dec 19, 2025Hyundai has settled a class action lawsuit that alleges that certain Hyundai and Kia Class Vehicles (defined below) contain defective ZF-TRW airbag control units (“ZF-TRW ACUs”)…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 9 | 6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 22 | 3% |
| 2016 | 21 | 3% |
| 2015 | 25 | 2% |
| 2014 | 31 | 4% |
| 2013 | 104 | 5% |
| 2012 | 170 | 11% |
| 2011 | 419 | 12% |
| 2010 | 20 | 6% |
| 2009 | 30 | 7% |
| 2008 | 137 | 32% |
| 2007 | 257 | 37% |
| 2006 | 435 | 42% |
| 2005 | 55 | 33% |
| 2004 | 46 | 23% |
| 2003 | 43 | 22% |
| 2002 | 51 | 16% |
| 2001 | 47 | 23% |
| 2000 | 43 | 16% |
| 1999 | 31 | 25% |
| 1998 | 6 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 16% |
| 1996 | 3 | 13% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
1,171 complaintsEngine
968 complaintsElectrical system
444 complaintsExterior lighting
249 complaintsOther or unknown
217 complaintsBrakes
175 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
173 complaintsSuspension
149 complaintsFuel system
133 complaintsSeat belts
107 complaintsVehicle speed control
95 complaintsBody and structure
73 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology