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2011 Hyundai Azera Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Hyundai Azera carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip and switch. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine stall with loss of power steering and brakes.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #18V026000 · Sep 1, 2018

Issue: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .

Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Campaign #13V113000 · Jan 4, 2013

Issue: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

SUSPENSION:REAR

Campaign #13V354000 · Dec 8, 2013

Issue: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 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 and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Risk: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Hyundai Azera.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine stall with loss of power steering and brakes

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2017-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES ALSO STOPPED OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BOSS HYUNDAI IN GLEN BURNIE, MD, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11025049
“08/25/2015 I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH, WHILE SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. ONE WEEK LATER WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ENGINE SHUT-DOWN AGAIN, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10759258
“WHILE TRAVELING ~ 45 MPH AND SLOWING APPROACHING A CURVE AND STOP SIGN, ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY LOSING POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING AND BRAKES PLUS ENGINE POWER. STEERED CAR WITHOUT POWER ASSIST AND APPLIED UN-POWERED ASSISTED BRAKES TO STOP SHORT OF STOP SIGN. CAR RESTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621350

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or shutdown while driving

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2019-09

“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. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAD ENGINE STARTING PROBLEMS 5 TIMES, MOSTLY ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11258313
“ON THREE (3) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN 2018 THE ENGINE OF MY AZERA, WITH A LITTLE OVER 21,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED VALLEJO HYUNDAI TO LOOK AT IT AND DO THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BUT I WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED FOR IT AND I REFUSED TO PAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11204556
“WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, CAR STALLED OUT. STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. THEN GOT ONTO PARKWAY AND TRAVELED ABOUT 5 MINUTES ON THE PARKWAY AND SLOWED A BIT TO EXIT ONTO THE RAMP, THEN ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 40-45 TO CONTINUE AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT THAT SPEED. WE SLOWED AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10467485

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden acceleration after momentary loss of power

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2022-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467512
“THIS IS A NEW CAR AND THE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN PRESENT FROM THE BEGINNING. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AT SLOW SPEED OR WHEN MOVING FROM BEING STOPPED, OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE SENSATION IS THAT THE CAR HAS STALLED. AFTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10408643

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2018-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080896
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10449284

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Hyundai Azera reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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