HyundaiSonata2011Overview/hyundai/sonata/2011/base/

2011 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Sonata.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a passenger car built on a midsize platform, requiring 4.8 quarts of engine oil with a recommended viscosity of 5W-20 or 5W-30 meeting API standards. This model year represents the peak of owner complaints within the Sonata's tracked history from 1990 to 2026, with 3368 total complaints filed—more than any other year in the range—steering issues comprising the most frequently reported problem area alongside 14 total recalls issued. The 2011 model therefore marks the least reliable point in the Sonata's history according to owner-reported data, contrasting sharply with later model years that saw complaint volumes decline to as low as 2 by 2026, indicating a substantial improvement in quality and dependability in subsequent productions.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Front wiper blades99H09AKA18H alt 99H09AKA26H

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3344 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2011 SE 2.0T
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SE 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.50 sec274 hpFWD
2011SE 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec274 hpFWD
2011SE 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.00 sec274 hpFWD
2011SE 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.10 sec198 hpFWD
2011SE 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.20 sec198 hpFWD
2011Hybrid Blue Drive 2.4L I-4 + Elec 30-kW 1.4-kWh9.00 sec16.80 sec206 hpFWD
2011Hybrid Blue Drive 2.4L I-4 + Elec 30-kW 1.4-kWh9.50 sec17.10 sec206 hpFWD
2011Hybrid Blue Drive 2.4L I-4 + Elec 30-kW 1.4-kWh9.50 sec17.10 sec206 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts86-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nut: 18-22 ft-lbs, M10 nut: 25-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0 psi
Engine Compression171
Engine Compression164
Engine Compression164
Engine Oil Pressure21.33 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0017 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner)
Every 4,800 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata sits at the apex of the generation's reported-problem arc: its 3,368 complaints, 14 recalls, 8 investigations, and 227 TSBs are dramatically higher than 2010's 345 complaints, 2 recalls, 3 investigations, and 50 TSBs, and they represent the peak figures across the entire year-by-year record. After 2011, complaints dropped to 1,552 in 2012 and 1,896 in 2013, with recalls and investigations remaining elevated through roughly 2014–2015 before tapering downward in later years. Within 2011 itself, steering led with 921 complaints, followed by engine at 633, air bags at 229, and electrical system at 129; the year also logged 116 crash-related complaints and 111 fire-related complaints. Because the federal data does not specify root causes, no particular defect can be identified from these figures alone. Given that 2011 carries the highest complaint, recall, and investigation counts in the dataset, it is a year to avoid for a used Sonata purchase.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
227
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3,368
Owner complaints
116 involved a crash · 111 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3,368 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering921
Engine633
Air Bags229
Electrical System129
Exterior Lighting113
Unknown Or Other85
Power Train76
Suspension59

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V934000EngineReported 28/12/2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…

17V617000Seat Belts:PretensionerReported 04/10/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 227 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
P33 OL2025-12-19Electrical SystemIn response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social…
TRW Settlement DCS2025-12-18Air BagsA Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the…
TRW Summary Notice2025-12-18Air BagsA Class Action settlement regarding the TRW Airbag was recently decided. Based on the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Sonata take?

4.8 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.