2011 Hyundai Sonata

m6user

I think everybody on here of a certain age is well acquainted with how a car steers when the power steering goes out with a hydraulic system. However, I don't have any experience with electric power steering and what it feels like when the power goes out or some other malfunction occurs. I've had several cars/trucks without power steering at all but the ratios were way different. Now it's 2-3 turns lock to lock so if power goes out it could be a very stiff feeling to steer the car.

Is EPS just a pump that is electrically powered or are there servos or something like that assisting? I really am quite undeducated in this area.

m6user

Check your air filter as well. I just took a trip to Texas from Chicag0 in a Tundra and only got 18mpg all hwy. I changed the air filter while I was there and got 20mpg on the way home. Covered about 1300 miles each way.

toysax

I am startng the process of researching to buy a new car. So far it seems as if the sonata leads the pack I have been driving a 2006 civic... very reliable car. I drive as much as 30k miles a year for my job, and so I can put about 100k miles on a car before I sell. I'd like to hear from former owners of Sonantas, or hyundais.. as well as mechanics or any other person with knowledge/opinion, as to what you think about THIS sonatas long term prospects.Incidentally, my daughters boy friend is a head mechanic for a BMW dealer, and gives a big thumbs up to the new motor being used by Hyundai. as to carbon build up; he says cleaning it is no big deal

jparks8

Does anyone have any concerns about that terrific new engine starting in cold weather (below -25 C). Diesels just don't work in cold weather but I think that is mainly a thickening problem of the fuel itself. I assume the double fuel injection system will handle cold weather just fine. I know people that don't drive their expensive diesel's in cold weather and one person who has a Caty that all the breaks freeze up in the mountains.

toysax

As I mentioned, my daughter in laws boyfriend is a head mechanic at a BMW dealer in N jersey... BMWs have been using this type of technology on their cars and there seem to be no major mechanical problems in any way.. part of the normal servicing is cleaning any carbon accumulation, which may cause the engine to run unevenly.But by his own description, the process of cleaning the carbon is not a big deal at all.Also wondering if anyone out there has bought a sonata in N Jersey, and can comment on dealers to stay away from.. or to go to!

jlindh

What diesel?

rexg

With 1200 miles on the odometer, I love my new SE. But here are the defects that I have encountered so far:

1. The security alarm sounds off too often. This has already been discussed in other threads, so no need to elaborate further here.

2. On certain road surfaces, the (unoccupied) passenger seat shakes enough to produce an audible rattle. This is the only rattle that has so far come to my attention.

3. The rearview mirror does not have enough upward adjustment. I am less than six feet tall, but I still have to lower my head slightly in order to get a full view back through the rear window. I cannot adjust the mirror enough to correct the problem. This is the auto-dim/compass/homelink mirror.

4. The fuel filler door has a couple problems. First the hinge operates too freely without any resistance. In a slight breeze or on a slope it will close of its own accord. Second, this door does not open far enough. If you place the fuel filler cap in its holder in the door, then it is a bit of a struggle to get the filler nozzle into the filler tube. There is just not enough room to maneuver and I usually knock the cap out of its holder. (The floppy door also contributes to this problem.)

Overall I am still very very happy with this car, but I am surprised that such stupid lapses like the mirror and the fuel door would crop up in such a well executed product.

bobad

Is EPS just a pump that is electrically powered or are there servos or something like that assisting? I really am quite undeducated in this area

It's like an electronic servo motor.

All it does is assist the power steering, same as the hydraulic units. The manufacturers like them because they save weight and space, which helps MPG gets the government off their backs.

A good analogy is, you pick up a 5 pound weight in your upturned palm. Someone else places the back of your hand in their palm, and helps you lift it. When the person quits helping you, you have to lift the entire weight yourself. It's harder to lift, but the missing hand doesn't encumber your lifting.

midas69

Second, this door does not open far enough. If you place the fuel filler cap in its holder in the door, then it is a bit of a struggle to get the filler nozzle into the filler tube. There is just not enough room to maneuver and I usually knock the cap out of its holder. (The floppy door also contributes to this problem.)

The door opens more. Just push it past the first point of resistance. It opens to about a 90 degree angle.

backy

What I see in your list is one defect (seat rattle) and 3 things that you don't like about how the car is designed. I don't see those other things as "defects", as that would imply the car is not operating as designed. Unless you think the security alarm is in fact defective?

poodog13

What I see in your list is one defect (seat rattle) and 3 things that you don't like about how the car is designed. I don't see those other things as "defects", as that would imply the car is not operating as designed. Unless you think the security alarm is in fact defective?

Defect or poor design, either way I think we know what he meant. No need to nit pick on semantics.

rexg

The [fuel] door opens more. Just push it past the first point of resistance. It opens to about a 90 degree angle.

You are absolutely correct!! Now things will be much better at the gas pump. Thanks for the tip.

bobad

No need to nit pick on semantics.

There's a big difference in a defect and a designed feature. Most people can tell the difference.

bvdj84

I have thought about the new Sonta! It is a very sharp looking car. However, am I willing to risk yet again on a car that I am not sure in terms of reliability? But, with that said I will be leasing. So it really will not matter. However, I am leasing a GM car now and have had silly issues occur during the whole 2yrs of my lease so far. Am I willing to do it again? Though I have heard great things about this car!!

For the price of the leather, nav, options, I can get a loaded Accord or a TSX lease.

clasiccarguy

For the price of the leather, nav, options, I can get a loaded Accord or a TSX lease.

This may be true. However neither of them will have leather or Nav.. :shades:

backy

Actually, they probably will have leather. Great lease deals available these days on Hondas (probably Acuras too but I haven't kept up with those as much). For example, I have seen the Accord LX sign-and-drive lease advertised locally as much as $30 less per month than the best sign-and-drive lease deal on the Sonata GLS. If that holds true for higher trims, then it's quite possible one could lease an Accord EX-L with Nav for about the same as a Sonata Limited with Nav.

m6user

Just so you know...you can't get the TSX without leather....it's standard.

schdy

I had a passenger seat rattle and it turned out to be the passenger seat buckle not properly retracted. It would bang against the side of the seat.

kevinjones

I have the same problem. The XM radio will work fine most of the time but about once a week it will be stuck on "XM loading". Its intermittent, because when I get back in the car it will be working again. Do not know what causes this or resets it. Hard to explain to service facility if I can't reproduce it. Did you get yours fixed or get an explanation?

ewg54

I just let it expire.

2011limited

' For example, I have seen the Accord LX sign-and-drive lease advertised locally'......

Yes, but who wants to look at an ugly Accord in your driveway!

shabadoo25

You're not in an area with no clear view of the sky by any chance? Like in a parking garage?

backy

The poster seemed interested in it. Personally I prefer the Sonata.

rexg

I had a passenger seat rattle and it turned out to be the passenger seat buckle not properly retracted. It would bang against the side of the seat.

Thanks for the idea. I checked it out as I ran errands earlier today. Unfortunately I still have the rattle. The seat belt was properly stowed. Actually the seat visibly shakes when I experience this rattle. The good news is that it happens only on certain (rather rough) roads. The bad news is that I use one of those roads every day. Mine is an SE and I think maybe the problem might be more pronounced on the SE with its firmer ride and 45 series tires. I also might try changing the angle of the seat back, a thought which just now occurred to me.

ewg54

Or always carry a passenger.

awahoo

I got mine to "do it" for the dealer. They have a new radio on order for me.

bobbo555

Anyone know if there is optional or aftermarket horn for the Sonata? I`m talking about a REAL horn!

jlindh

Google "Stebel Horn". The Nautilus will wake the dead.

syitalian25

I also have a 2011 SE with about 11500 miles already (I drive a lot) and had a few comments.

1. At least for me, the security alarm never goes off accidentally - as said before I think your problem is with the keyfob pressing buttons in your pocket, moving to another pocket might solve your problem.

2. If the seat is visibly moving I would definitely take it to the dealer - it sounds like it needs to be tightened. This is not normal, and could be unsafe if you got in a crash with someone sitting there.

3. I'm 5'9'' and the rearview mirror adjusts perfectly even when I have the seat as low as it goes and leaning back slightly. I'm not sure how tall you are but it seems to be a pretty normal mirror. Perhaps raising the seat (it comes up quite a bit with the controls) would help.

4. If you push the door back it opens 90 degrees and locks in place.

syitalian25

I also had problems with the XM because I live in a mountainous area - certain areas get no reception. It wasn't worth the $140 a year anyways.

dash5

Ban this idiot please. Spam your nonsense elsewhere.

moontrain

What the hell is this crap? Were is Kirstie when you need her?

shabadoo25

Probably sleeping.

Kirstie_H

Good call, shabadoo25. It was posted at 4:02am my time, when you will not often find me cruising the Forums.

grambo1980

@Midas
I can stream from my iphone to my car via bluetooth which works just fine. The audio quality kind of sucks compared to MP3 or higher bittrate files obviously but it works.

Also to note that the iphone sees the car as an un-recognized accessory. It recommends going into airplane mode to reduce static/interferance. I havent had an issue with static yet. But it is note worthy that i can only get the phone to stream MP3's on my phone, not audio from an app say like Pandora.

mommyt

Thanks. I know his experience was not the same, but I am glad that they replaced the column for him. This way, he shouldn't have any further issues with the steering. Please read back into my statements. I have explained that I was not on a curvy road, not holes, no nothing. Quick review..(@ 40 mph)Without any warning, the wheel jerked out of my hands and threw us into the oncoming lane. I had to pull as hard as I could to get it back over and keep it there. The wheel was also shaking while jerking to the left. "It was trying to turn to the left". I still had power steering at that time. Something went very wrong. Once the power steering failed, I seemed to have a "little" more control, or It may be because of the slower pace (@ 5 mph). The jerking and shaking continued even after I was able to get it to the side of the road. That is when my son used the cell to video the wheel. I turned the car off and then back on and the wheel did it again while in park. So it is nice to hear that anyone with any kind of a steering problem is getting a whole new column. I am happy that he didn't have the same experience, aren't you?

LASHAWN

Yep. Hope you also found yourself another ride, but be carefull because nowadays almost all manufacturers are going with this type of steering system. Don't let 1 bad apple detour you from another Hyundai, every manufacturer produces a few bad vehicles it's how they handle it that we as consumers care about. Right?

mommyt

Absolutely! However, what we found out was that the manufacturer's hands are basically tied when it comes to recalls. According to Hyundai, what happened to me and my family has to happen and be reported 40 times before the "Government" will issue a recall. It has to be the same incident 40 times. Isn't that disgusting? That is why we got such a run-a-round when we wanted answers. I will not drive another Hyundai. I will not purchase from the same dealership. I have purchased a different brand of car, with the old school steering unit. It doesn't compare to the 2011 Sonata. I know that they are all going with the new steering. The brand I purchased since, has been selling autos with the new steering for a while without any issues. I refused to even test drive the cars with it. I never want to be the first one to experience problems with a new model again. This was my first brand new car. Talk about disappointment. I still miss it. I really do think it is a beautiful car. But I also still fear it. You can not know unless it happens to you. It's just one of those things.

rexg

I also have a 2011 SE with about 11500 miles already (I drive a lot) and had a few comments.

Thanks for your coments. I appreciate them. Here is an update.

1. At least for me, the security alarm never goes off accidentally - as said before I think your problem is with the keyfob pressing buttons in your pocket, moving to another pocket might solve your problem.

I think my problem was related to hood switch as reported by another poster. I had tried the posted keyfob suggestions with no luck. Yesterday the security alarm went off twice and I had had enough. I drove directly to the dealer and the service manager adjusted the hood switch. It took all of 5 minutes. It is too early to judge, but so far no more false alarms. This switch is located under the hood along the passenger side of the engine compartment. When the hood closes, it depresses this switch. If not adjusted correctly, the switch may only be marginally depressed, and environmental forces (e.g. wind) can trigger the alarm.

2. If the seat is visibly moving I would definitely take it to the dealer - it sounds like it needs to be tightened. This is not normal, and could be unsafe if you got in a crash with someone sitting there.

I think I have unintentionally overstated the severity of this rattle. It occurs only on certain roads, for example, a rough road or a road with pronounced tar strips. And "shaking" may be an overstatement on my part. Maybe vibration is a more accurate term. I have had similar experiences in other cars where the tires were slightly out of balance resulting in vibrations at highway speeds. But I don't think that tire balance is the issue here. In any case the seat does not seem to be loose, but I will raise this issue when I take the car in for scheduled maintenance.

3. I'm 5'9'' and the rearview mirror adjusts perfectly even when I have the seat as low as it goes and leaning back slightly. I'm not sure how tall you are but it seems to be a pretty normal mirror. Perhaps raising the seat (it comes up quite a bit with the controls) would help.

While I was at the dealer yesterday, I checked the rearview mirror in another 2011 Sonata. (It was the only 2011 Sonata they had on hand. These things are selling like hotcakes. So much for a couple of months of exclusivity.) This was the standard rearview mirror. I was able to adjust this mirror just fine. It had more adjustability, at least in the direction that I needed it to go. So this is an issue with my car or perhaps it is an issue with the optional (homelink, compass, etc) mirror. Does your car have the optional mirror?

4. If you push the door back it opens 90 degrees and locks in place.

Yes, this was user error on my part. I am red-faced about this one.

Thanks again.

schdy

In your earlier post you said the Dealer refunded your money. What did you purchase to replace the Sonata and how do you like the new car.

greatlakesjr

As I mentioned, my daughter in laws boyfriend is a head mechanic at a BMW dealer in N jersey...

Have you told your son about this guy???

greatlakesjr

What I've found on Hyundai engines is that the fuel economy does improve markedly with time, with the biggest improvement in the first 1500 miles or so. But with 7k miles on the car, you should be getting much better highway FE than 24 mpg, IMO. Since you bought it used (yes?), there's always the possibility of some problem. You might have the car thoroughly checked by a mechanic you trust, and if a warranty issue is found, you can always take it to the dealer for repair.

I'll be quite thrilled if that is the case. My 2010 4cyl GLS is at 1600 miles and my first four fill-ups (figured manually, I don't have a trip computer) netted 33.0, 34.0, 31.5, and 34.0 MPG. That's at about 75/25 highway/city.

schdy

I tend to agree with you. Why not answer a simple question as to which new car did you purchase with the refund. I've proposed the question 2x. Certainly the answer would not be revealing. Hyundai has assigned me a case number related to the problem and as recently as Friday they have surveyed all Dealers with no evidence of the described incident (5 cars at 1 Dealer and Dealer repurchase of a Sonata for serious safety defect).
As I said I'm very happy with my purchase and I feel relieved that there is not a serious safety defect with the power steering to date.

connecticut2

I have read some posts where folks were saying they had been able to purchase a new car over the Internet and save lot fo money. Is this a viable way of purchasing a new car? What's the downside?

Thanks..

norm8_lakes

From the corporate office, for me the first oil change would at 3750 miles. I drive about 65 miles on the highway to and from work and about 10 miles on local streets. Living in South Florida the oil breaks down quicker with higher thermometer readings outside. Previous cars I've had was 3000 miles. I probably will hit 3750 next weekend.

shabadoo25

I'm in Atlanta and got my first one at 3800 miles, and it made a world of difference in performance. I couldn't believe how sluggish the car had become until I changed the oil for the first time.

shabadoo25

It's very viable, depending on the dealer and their Internet Department. If you have the resources, use a service like USAA's car buying pricing to get a general guideline, and then go to your dealer's website.

mommyt

If you read back...I was called a hack. I was accused of trying to destroy Hyundai to promote business for another company. Isn't that reason enough to not tell you what I had purchased. You guys need to make up your minds. I purchased a little 2010 ford focus. As I said, it does not compare to the 2011 Sonata. The fusion is nicer, but it has the same steering as my Sonata did. There was no way I was getting that.
As for Hyundai giving you the case number and telling you that they have no information...I find that hard to believe. Whom did you speak with? What is the case number? Give me the first and last number and I will let you know if it is mine. If they gave you the case number, why would they have to "survey all dealers"? The case number was given after we gave them all of the information. They would only have surveyed the dealer of which we made the purchase with.....right? Do you really believe that they would share that information with you? The local news channels don't even want to do the story because we weren't hurt or dead. One of them contacted me stating that he wants to do the story if it is reported by a second person.

tbone_rare

It's extremely viable Connecticut. In fact, that's one of the things I do at our dealership. I am the Internet Sales Manager. At our little rural Illinois dealership we sell new cars to customers all across the country. Not meaning to sound like an advertisement here or anything....LOLOL

norm8_lakes

You really felt a noticeable difference in your driving just from that first oil change?