My radio hasn't worked all year. When I took it to the mechanic he informed me there is a recall on it and the company should fix it. Otherwise it would be appx $1000 just for the radio. Neither of my brake lights are working. Initially, it was just the passenger side. I have replaced it 4x this yr. A mechanic told me he believes it is an electrical problem. My brother informed me this weekend…
2011 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems
severe 340 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
340
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
8crashes
24fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 340 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Hyundai Sonata we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 340.
Owners have filed 340 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I parked my car after coming from work, went back out to change my brake light that was out, after I couldn't change my bulb because its toasted to the harness, I tried starting up my car which it did, but my shift lock was locked on on park and my traction control came on and I have no brake lights.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the exterior lighting, alarm system, front passenger side headlight, and lower brake lights failed. The alarm system activated randomly. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v759000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and stated that the vehicle experienced the brake light failures listed in the consequence…
Oil light blinked on and off twice. Car was making a knocking noise. Stopped to check oil; absolutely no oil in the vehicle. No sign of leak; no smoking; no other indication of problem. Put 3 quarts of oil in the car. Knocking sound was worse. Drove car home and haven't driven it since. This is one of many problems I've had with this car. I get regular oil changes. I haven't had the car…
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
It's a meaningful issue. 340 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 224 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 29,850 and 107,825 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,850; a quarter make it past 107,825. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Hyundai/Sonata.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.