Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual
17 serious complaints of 20, the most about power train (10) and engine (6); 1.1× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation PE13007: rear control arm failure.
What owners report
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Mar 2016
“Engine stalls, intermittently when taking foot off accelerator. Twice while driving about 45 mph, several times under 25 mph while slowing down for a turn or stop sign. Loses power steering and power brakes.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, May 2012
20 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2011
- Starting prices: +$525 (2 trims; hover for each)
- Engine: 3.8L DOHC V6 with CVVT and VIS → 3.8L Lambda MPI DOHC V6 with DCVVT (Limited)
- Horsepower: 263 hp → 283 hp (Limited)
- Gears: 5 → 6 (all trims)
- Engine: 3.3L Lambda DOHC V6 with CVVT and VIS → 3.3L Lambda MPI DOHC V6 with DCVVT (GLS)
- Horsepower: 234 hp → 260 hp (GLS)
- Torque: 226 lb-ft → 233 lb-ft (GLS)
2011 Azera trims
| GLS | Limited | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting MSRP | $25,495 | $30,095 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.3L Lambda MPI DOHC V6 with DCVVT | 3.8L Lambda MPI DOHC V6 with DCVVT |
| Horsepower | 260 hp | 283 hp |
| Torque | 233 lb-ft | — |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC Manual Control | 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC Manual Control |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Fwd |
| Size and capability | ||
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Tech | ||
| Apple CarPlay | — | Optional |
| Android Auto | — | Optional |
| Audio | — | Infinity + option |
| Speakers | 6 | 10 + option |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Cloth + option | Leather |
| Heated seats | Optional | Front |
| Driver seat memory | — | Driver Seat |
| Climate zones | 2 | 2 |
| Exterior | ||
| Sunroof | Optional | Tilt/Slide Moonroof |
| Wheels | 17 in | 17 in |
Packages and options (16)
| GLS | Limited | |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation Package | — | Optional |
| Premium Package | Optional | — |
| Black Onyx | Optional | Optional |
| Chardonnay | Optional | Optional |
| Espresso | Optional | Optional |
| Midnight Blue | Optional | Optional |
| Porcelain White | Optional | Optional |
| Silver Frost | Optional | Optional |
| Smoke Gray | Optional | Optional |
| Venetian Red | Optional | Optional |
| Beige Leather | Optional | Optional |
| Black Leather | Optional | Optional |
| Brown Leather | Optional | Optional |
| Beige Cloth | Optional | — |
| Gray Cloth | Optional | — |
| Gray Leather | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Press release, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 293 hp | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 12 | Steering (5) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 15 | Air bags (3) | Yes |
| 2015 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 9 | Vehicle speed control (4) | Yes |
| 2014 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 49 | Service brakes, hydraulic (18) | No |
| 2013 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 112 | Steering (33) | No |
| 2012 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 74 | Steering (38) | No |
| 2011 | 3.3L 6-cyl 3.8L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 20 | Power train (10) | No |
| 2010 | 3.3L 6-cyl 3.8L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–21 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 8 | Service brakes (2) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Azera 2015–2018 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 1 | 12 |
| 2016 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 1 | 15 |
| 2015 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 9 |
| 2014 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 49 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 112 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 74 |
| 2011 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2010 | Hyundai Azera 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2017 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2016 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2016 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2015 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2015 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2013 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2012 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2011 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
22 |
| 2010 | Azera | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
20–21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.