2011-2012 Sonata's with Push button start

185061 Views 37 Replies 29 Participants Last post by Alkar, Nov 9, 2020

shockergeek

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2011

This is something that Sonata owners who have push button start need to know in case of the brake switch malfunction.
What happens is when you go to start the car, it will not start and the screen on the dash tells you to press the brake pedal to start the engine. Naturally your instict is to press the pedal harder, this wont help.
Here is how you can start you car without pressing the brake pedal.
First take your foot off the brake pedal. Next push the start button one time. THen press and hold the start button again for roughly 10-20 seconds. The car will then start.
Important thing to remember is you WILL have brakes....but you WILL NOT have brake lights if the switch is malfunctioning.

Also it seems that the switch will intermitenly work, then malfunction, then work again etc...till it completly malfunctions.
It is covered under warranty.
Just a little FYI for everyone....didnt see it posted anywhere else.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 38 Posts

El Sonata

· #2 · Aug 17, 2011

Another tip that will help is to insert your smart key inside the middle console into a slot located towards the bottom facing forward. Once your smart key is inserted, just press on the brake and press the Start Push Botton and your car will start.

shockergeek

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 20, 2011

I tried that as well, but when the brake switch has gone bad, the car still will not start with the key FOB in the slot in the console.
I believe Im going to grab a spare switch to keep with me, since they are only like $10.

El Sonata

· #4 · Aug 31, 2011

shockergeek said:
I tried that as well, but when the brake switch has gone bad, the car still will not start with the key FOB in the slot in the console.
I believe Im going to grab a spare switch to keep with me, since they are only like $10.

I had the same problem just 3 months from owning my 2011 Sonata 2.4 SE, however when I had this problem, I called the Road Side Assistance (which btw, comes standard on all new Sonata's for a period amount of time and the towing to your local dealer costs you nothing), the dealer fixed it and guess what? It was at no cost; as this is covered under your limited warranty. Just my two cents if you in case would like to save those $10.

shockergeek

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 5, 2011

El Sonata said:
I had the same problem just 3 months from owning my 2011 Sonata 2.4 SE, however when I had this problem, I called the Road Side Assistance (which btw, comes standard on all new Sonata's for a period amount of time and the towing to your local dealer costs you nothing), the dealer fixed it and guess what? It was at no cost; as this is covered under your limited warranty. Just my two cents if you in case would like to save those $10.

Yes I know its covered under the warranty, but I drive approximtly 600-1000 miles per week, and Im normally pretty far away from home. So me waiting for a tow truck and then taking it to another dealer really isnt practical for me. The $10 is a minimal cost, especially for piece of mind for me.

Hyundai Lover

· #6 · Aug 26, 2012

Hello Sonata lovers, I bought my first Sonata in 2006 love the look but had issues like needing to replace the bulbs more then usual, when it rained it wouldn't always run right, if it died out I had to wait 15/25 minutes to restart it. I bought a 2007 wouldn't start if it was to cold and wouldn't start when very hot out, it ran the best when the weather was just perfect. I bought a 2010 in 2009 and had the similar issues. I was told its electrical, dearlship fixed it correctly. When the first 2011 came out I just had to get rid of my 2010 for the 2011. I love my 2011 SE model with all the bells whistles. I get much better gas mileage then my v6 even the 4cyl.

Anyway, the only issue I have with it... The engine makes a straight noise from day one. And I thought the push button start went bad, it was from me leaving the interior lights on overnight, low battery. I bought a charger/maintance battery left in on for a half a day. It started. FYI, Sonata's don't have the automatic interior light shut off. Does anyone else hear a weird noise from the engine, more noticable on accelaration?

See less See more

cfrp

· #7 · Aug 28, 2012

What does the noise sound like? Be more specific. Better yet record it.

nchyundaiowner

· #8 · Sep 2, 2012

I just bought a used 2011 Sonata SE with 46K miles on it. Today I went to start the car. Put foot on brake and pushed the button. It makes one quick ignition type of sound and then nothing else happens but I hear a fan like sound. All the dash lights come on fine. Any ideass

cappy

· #9 · Oct 4, 2012

sonata 2011 push start

there is no key slot on steering column

cappy

· #10 · Oct 4, 2012

are there many people with push button start problems

Ryster

· #11 · Oct 6, 2012

To 2011+ GLS owners (with normal key start ignition), keep in mind the brake switch can fail on our cars as well. The most common indicator of a failure is that the ESC light will illuminate indicating an error. This most likely means the brake switch is bad. Additionally, it also means the brake lights are not functioning. Just a heads up!

SonataFan

· #12 · Oct 9, 2012

has their been a TSB on the push start?

Hyundai Lover

· #13 · Oct 16, 2012

cfrp said:
What does the noise sound like? Be more specific. Better yet record it.

The strange noise is hard to described. I'll record it and somehow try to attach it here?

Richard

· #14 · Nov 8, 2012

push button starter continues to crank after finger is removed

Richard

· #15 · Nov 8, 2012

2012 push button starter on Sonata

Starter continue to crank after finger is removed

Richard

· #16 · Nov 8, 2012

on 2012 Sonata at times the push button starter continues to crank after finger is removed

Richard

· #17 · Nov 8, 2012

normal cranking sound

fairpilot

· #18 · Nov 16, 2012

I think it is normal for car to continue to crank by just pressing button once, just a feature. My Toyota tundra does it with Key, turn it once and it will continue to crank until it starts which is one second.

Gemini

· #19 · Oct 2, 2013

Yes! I thought it was just me! I am having issues with the key fob. I think I need a battery.

mmassey1

· #20 · Nov 10, 2013

Car has stranded my wife twice now in six months. Trouble in intermittent so the dealer can't figure it out.

HEY HYUNDAI how about a key with a mechanical switch to crank it like the good ole days 5 years ago.

Terrible reliability.

1 - 20 of 38 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.