Problems · by component

2011 Hyundai Sonata suspension problems

149 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata cite suspension, 4% of all 3,380 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
149
4% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving home and negotiating an ordinary turn onto our residential street, we heard a loud popping sound. We immediately pulled over and discovered that the driver’s-side rear wheel was leaning inward substantially. Upon inspecting the suspension, I discovered that the cylindrical bushing attachment on a rear suspension control arm had fractured, allowing the suspension connection to separate. I subsequently walked back to the location where the noise occurred and recovered the detached metal fragment. The fracture surfaces exhibit distinctly different coloration, suggesting that part of the fracture may have existed for some time before the final separation. Of greater concern, upon inspecting the corresponding suspension component on the passenger side, I discovered a substantial crack along what appears to be the same fracture path as the failed driver’s-side component. Both sides appear to exhibit a common structural weakness. The failure occurred during ordinary driving without a collision or known impact immediately preceding the event. A similar failure at highway speed could cause a serious crash, injury, or death. I understand Hyundai previously…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026SuspensionODI 11773529
“I started to get engine knocking noises about 6 months after the purchase of the used car. This knocking noise began to increase in frequency as I pressed my foot on the accelerator and the car would not accelerate when I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. Then the car would shut down in the middle of traffic. After waiting about 30 -45 mins, I would try to start the car again and would start and initially run as long as I drove less than 20 miles/hour the knocking noise level would decrease but if I went above 15 - 20 mph the car would shut down. The check engine light and engine oil light would come on. So I would check the engine oil level oil using the dip stick and it showed oil levels were ok. On October 10 2023 while driving to Walmart the engine turned off and would not start after waiting over 1 hour and I was stuck in the mall entrance road. A concerned driver with his passengers pushed the car to a Walmart parking spot where it is currently at. In addition, the traction light kept coming on and I paid the Hyundai dealership $2,800 to repair to keep the car from drifting to the left and to get the light off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Steering, Suspension, EngineODI 11549336
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started swerving in the lane to the right and the left. The contact heard an abnormal thumping noise from underneath the floorboard. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes functioned as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V354000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2023SuspensionODI 11512148
“AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN DRIPS ONTO FRONT SUB FRAME, WHICH HOLDS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IT ALSO HOLDS THE SUSPENSION BOLTS. DRIPPING FROM AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN IS CAUSING SUB FRAME TO RUST, ROT OUT AND WEAKEN PREMATURELY. THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO DROP OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SUB FRAME COLLAPSES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2022Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11488762
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a ticking sound and then heard something detach from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and checked underneath the driver’s side front of the vehicle and became aware that the coil spring had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2022SuspensionODI 11466434
“The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would bounce up and down without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where she was informed that her vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured front coil spring. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V629000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2022SuspensionODI 11462579

Showing 6 of 149 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Suspension: coil springs

Remedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

SuspensionReported Oct 7, 2015NHTSA 15V629000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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