AI Damage2011 Hyundai Azera: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Hyundai Azera filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 20
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 30% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine: 6 complaints (30% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 4 complaints (20% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 20 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Sudden unintended acceleration apparently caused by an electronic malfunction of throttle control. There were no warning signs. It is not known if vehicle was inspected by the insurance company.
Brakes did not work while I was trying to slow down. After got an accident I checked my car in tow yield they said there is a problem with a front tire and they also said it is 99% manufacturer fault. The brake should not be broken with any damage however it broken already. I drove only a year.
On 9.19.2019 my wife and I were driving and the engine stalled 3 times while driving. It started every time without problems, it did not stall again on the return trip. The trip was about 50 miles each way.
Nhtsa campaign # 18v-026 says the azera abs electronics can collect water and short out causing a fire while the car is in a garage or not being used. But failure of the electronics because of water leaking into the system also affects the operation of the abs where it cannot work when needed.
May be related to hyundai sonata 2.0 and 2.4 engine failures recently announced by hyundai.
The contact stated that when driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle's starter failed to start the vehicle intermittently. In addition, the gear position indicator would display the incorrect gear position.
On 03/02/16 - I was driving on george 400 expressway and I slowed down to take an exit and without any warning my vehicle completely lost power; the steering wheel became stiff and the dashboard lights came on. I had to roll to the shoulder and turn my flashers on. I put the vehicle in neutral and it started back up.
While traveling approximately 40 mph, the vehicle jerked, vibrated, and failed to shift properly. The vehicle was taken to the same authorized dealer twice and they were unable to replicate and diagnose the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,257 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Azera has 59 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 20, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Azera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 20. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (35%), loss of power / limp mode (15%), jerking, harsh shifts (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Hyundai Azera?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Hyundai Azera from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.