Research · Subcompact Cars

2011 Hyundai GenesisRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 145 owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Genesis. Most complaints involve electrical system (20) and service brakes, hydraulic (19). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2014
Owner complaints
145
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Nov 7, 2014NHTSA 14V713000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Oct 29, 2013NHTSA 13V489000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

145 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2011 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system20
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  3. Service brakes18
  4. Vehicle speed control16
  5. Engine16
  6. Steering12
  7. Exterior lighting11
  8. Power train10
  9. Air bags7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Genesis model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009235
2010156
2011145
2012270
2013195
201423
2015307
2016103
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

20 reports2 fires
“When the car gets wet, it sends my dashboard lights flashing, and I’m able to put the car in gear without stepping on the brake, I brought it to numerous of Honda dealerships and other mechanical shops, and they are undetermined to find the cause”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11652639

Service brakes, hydraulic

19 reports2 crashes
“The contact’s son owns a 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The contact stated the brake light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who performed a pressure test and determined that the ABS module had failed due to a leak. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that brake fluid was added for the brake light to turn off. The dealer informed the contact the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,444.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11638272

Service brakes

18 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Noticed after driving my Hyundai genesis and once running for roughly 15-20 mins once the engine has warmed up I noticed a bounce feeling coming from the front end(I thought)and then noticed my speed dropped and when pressure was apply to the gas pedal it wouldn’t go, as the car slowed down by itself until it came to a complete stop I cutt the car off and began walking around to where I smelled something burning and then seen smoke coming from my front driver wheel to discover my brake had locked up for no reason. I left the car to cool down and returned to get it and luckily it was unlocked and was successful to drive it home(4min drive), a couple days later I had to take my son to school to where it did the exact same thing again, days later I had all braking replaced which failed to solve the issue. This has been happening for over 4 months now and has always been my daily driver and has always been upkept and never had any issues with my car until now. I’m a single parent with two children whom I have to take to school daily and pickup and this issue has already cost me a lot however I was made aware of this issue by a professional mechanic whom said my car…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Power train, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11758361
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.8L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Genesis Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213024$3,200370
Genesis Coupe
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,350386
Genesis
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
Genesis
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172420$3,850444
Genesis Coupe
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172720$3,100444
Genesis Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
  • Genesis Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis Coupe
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis Coupe
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Hyundai Genesis as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 305Vehicle 304
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Genesis questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Genesis have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Genesis problems?

Owners filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (20), service brakes, hydraulic (19), service brakes (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Hyundai Genesis get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Hyundai Genesis at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026