CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Sonata has a seriously defective engine that seizes without warning. It was awarded the dubious honor of being the first CarTalk / CarComplaints Turd of the Week in late September 2015.
A class action lawsuit was filed in May 2015 against Hyundai that claims the 2.4L Sonata engine is defective. More info here.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,353 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driving from home to a shopping center, approximately 25 miles, I did not observe any unusual noises nor smoke nor dashboard warning lights. Once I parked and shut off the engine in the shopping center parking lot, I observed a small amount of thick, white smoke coming from the hood on the front passenger side of my car, and then the smoke abruptly stopped. I was concerned enough that I decided I should probably move my car to a parking space a bit further away from the store I planned to go into in order to be further away from other vehicles. I started the engine again, and once again, no smoke nor unusual noises nor warning lights. I drove around to the next parking aisle and parked in a different parking space. Once I turned off the engine again, the smoke then immediately started from the right side of the hood again and quickly smoke started coming from the left side of the hood. I was quickly trying to grab my things to get out of the car as I saw the paint starting to peel off of the hood of my car. I was barely able to get out of my car as fire flames and very thick white smoke were then emerging from the hood. A person in the parking lot called 911 for me, and the local fire department arrived and put the fire out that destroyed my car. I am in the process of securing the Fire Marshall's lengthy report. At the present time, my vehicle is at our home where we paid to have it towed.
I have a lot of paint chips on car. I see a lot of 2011 same model have the same problem. Most of the paint chips are coming from top of my windshield. I have complained a few years ago also hoping that this issue can be solved.
The rear passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. When my kids are in the back seat, they cannot get out that door and in the event of an emergency on the right side of the car, would be put at great risk not being able to open the left side passenger door. I had just opened the door to retrieve my backpack from the back seat and tried the door again and it was stuck. I unlocked the doors from the front seat and tried again to no avail. I went inside the car to try and open it and despite it being unlocked, it will not open. the interior latch feels like it is not moving anything when I try and open it, but the door acts like it is locked and cannot be opened with the handles. I have not taken it to the dealer yet, but plan to if I cannot fix it on my own.
My hood to my car keeps failing down on my head each and every time I look under the hood. It just recently start to happen as I never experienced this before. My local Hyundai dealership said they are pistons that needs to be replaced. If this is a deflect as a consumer should I be subjected to pay to replace the cost to fix defected product.,
- Huntington, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Engine replaced in 2015 after seizing and recall of theta 11. Vehicle serviced including oil change at dealership on 2/11/21. On 2/22/21 engine knocked twice and vehicle stalled. Drifted off road, turned key off, put car in park. Within 3 minutes engine was on fire with flames extending below car. Fire department put fire out and had car towed to Suburban Hyundai service department.
The front bumper and grill have partially detached from broken or faulty clips, wheels original size rub against wheel well covering and constant sensor failure for tire api. Actual speed is lower then the speed indicated on the vehicle where as 55 mph actual speed shows 59 on the gage. Cruis control will not work and traction control will not turn off, after replacement of all tires and sensors. Exterior- head lights need replaced every 2 to 3 months due to failure, break lights replaced 6X in 4 months and wiring harness to breaklights has partially melted the casing and entry spot for bulb. Replacement bulb didn't remedy the problem, as break lights now do not work at all on vehicle, only tail lights. Fog light have also been replaced 1X im 1 year and 1 is out. Rear plate light also not wiring. Fuses are good. Possible wiring issue. Faulty body issue and possible computer and or sensor issue.
Suspension making loud thump noise while driving and check engine light is on after engine been replaced and seatbelt light is on...and paint and clear coat is pealing
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the dashboard cracked at the middle of the front passenger's side air bag housing. The contact stated that the crack was extended all over the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the potamkin Hyundai located at 6200 nw 167th St, miami lakes, fl 33014, where the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The Consumer Affairs of the manufacturer called the contact back and stated that the manufacturer offered to cover half of the repair cost. The contact wanted to know the cost of the repairs prior to making a decision on the offer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle dashboard fractured in several places. The contact stated that the fracture was in close proximity to the passenger's side frontal air bag enclosure. The contact stated that the fracture was 12 to 16 inches in length. The contact was concerned that in the event of a crash, the air bag would fail to deploy or function as intended. The vehicle was taken to rick case Hyundai dealer, (3550 weston rd, davie, fl 33331, (954) 994-2397) and the contact was informed that it is a common problem with vehicle of similar years. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number: [xxx]. the failure mileage was approximately 88,100. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')
Engine bay caught fire and car is a total loss. Engine had been replaced previously under Sonata theta engine recall. Independent mechanic noticed that there was a fuel leak in the engine bay. Was on the way to Hyundai dealer when the fire happened. The car was moving at about 20 mph when it lost power and smoke started spewing from under the hood. Exited the vehicle and the engine bay was ablaze with 60 seconds. No injuries occurred.
Trunk latch will not open with button nor key. Parked in parking lot trying to put my daughter's stroller in trunk and it would not open. All of my roadside safety equipment is now locked in with no way to get it out.
Hyundai Sonata 2011 when driving through bumps or a smooth service it feels as if the car is going to fall apart. Since I purchased the car it has a clunking and rattling sounds underneath and a few replacements has been done but it still feels as if its loose underneath. The car has gone through many recalls plus was out of service for about 3 months for engine replacement. The driver side of the car is not aligned as it should. The best part is while driving the entire inner cover of the wheel on the driver side fell off, and almost caused an accident while having my child in the car. Engine was recently replaced. While driving the car has no type of acellator pick up. When turning left it sounds like a cranking noise "cluck, cluck, cluck" its horrible. I have this car in and out of the shop plenty of times since I first purchased it but my theory is that I purchased a lemon car but apparently because the miles it don't qualify. Okay now what it qualifies for? manufacturing defects smh when I drive in the rain the windows do not defross as it should therefore I'm afraid to drive it during bad weather
Takata recall, my vehicle was in motion when my airbag warning light came on 3 week ago while driving on city street and have not come off since then. I have also looked at the car history and have noticed 14 recalls on this vehicle including the airbags. While in motion, my doors unlock by themselves. Lastly, the transmission shift gear sometimes disappear from the dashboard as well as the shift gear which in most case the car wouldnt start or jerks when it disappear while in motion
Good afternoon, I am contacting the Consumer Affairs department regarding the recall 180 Hyundai is conducting a safety recall in the United States to confirm the high pressure fuel pipe was properly connected by Hyundai dealers to the high-pressure fuel pump outlet when the engine was replaced under recalls 132 and 162. In come cases, during the engine replacements under recall campaigns 132 and 162, the high pressure fuel pipe may have damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180. My Hyundai Sonata limited was involved in an accident after Hyundai had just replaced the motor and on impact the whole car caught on fire, so what I am trying to do is find out do I need to contact NHTSA in regards to this matter but I feel that my life, the person involved in the accident was totally at risk due to this malfunction and I am out of so much and was put in a very hard financial place due to this fire when it could have been prevented. If someone could please contact me at [xxx] thanks, [xxx] VIN #: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Driving home my mom asked me to stop by the local gas station. I pulled into the parking space my mom got out & went in the store. A guy at the staion started screaming at me to get out because my car is about to blow up he could see the fire coming out the front of the hood & grill of the car. By the time I understood wht he was saying the car had a big boom hood blew up & went bk dwn during that the locks were locking & unlocking. I had to manually unlock tge door & push my way out with young man assistance. After I was out of it for 3 seconds the fire started raging & popping. The firemen finally made it they were very helpful & understanding. What I don't understand is why I didn't get some type of warning my car was mot running hot. Im thankful to my heavenly father because although this was a very scary situation for me but it could always be worse. Very grateful. But is Hyundai gonna replace my car or pay for the damages" will my insurance cover this tyoe of claim"
My trunk will no longer open using the fob, key or button on the dash. There is no way to put down the rear seats from inside the car. This is a safety hazard, if you were to get a flat tire there is no way of getting in the trunk for the spare tire. The dealer wants to charge $524 to fix it. This is a manufacturer defect and should be addressed. It is also happening on the current model years.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Springtown , TX, USA