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.
7.4
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$290
Average Mileage:
54,550 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (10 reports)
replaced lever on the starter. part # 36131-2g100fff (4 reports)
The car has issues starting when you turn the key the lights on the dashboard will come on, but the engine will not turn over. Seems to be an issue related to the signal wire on the starter. Apparently it gets worn out over time - causing an intermittent start issue.
Engine seized in first week on June 2017 on way to work. No fire but same issue. The dealership almost didn't replacement the engine because "it was past the coverage mileage" but after 2 weeks of waiting for an answer, they said they were proceeding with the engine replacement. We didn't get the car back until mid July 2017 and they day we went to pick it up, the dealership had trouble starting the vehicle. They claimed it was because the battery was dead (after they finally got it started) so we replaced it. Now, every single morning, our car doesn't start, regardless of season and temp.
Hyundai claims they can "probably" fix it but it'll be out of pocket for me because I can't prove it didn't do that before they replaced the engine. It took me a few months to try the heat gun and to my surprise, it worked! Makes no sense, but blowing some air underneath the plastic guard in front of the block, holding the gun slightly above the alternator, does something to make the engine turn over...
Since we got this POS car back from the Hyundai dealership, our A/C works when it wants, our Air Bag light stays on, our car starts when it wants to, and lights all over the vehicle have needed frequent replacement. Hyundai denies ANY AND ALL liability! But there's clearly an electrical issue caused by them!
Car would not turn on while attempting to go to work. I had to press the push start several times before finally leaving late! It is awful to go somewhere and fear being stranded in your own car. All lights came on but the car only cranked and would not turn on completely. I am not sure whats going on but I will definitely find out why it seems as though a starter is going out on a car that is fairly new smh
This not starting issue continues to plague the car. After 4 brake light switch replacements, now the technicians say its the car battery at fault! Replaced the battery and the issue still occurs in 2016, just not quite as often as it used to. But it this happens. In 2013 it was the worst, when I spent more time kicking the brake pedal at night trying to come home from work than I care to mention.
This issue has persisted since I've had the car (from July, 2010). This is the 4th time that the same "fix" is being put into place. Still in Sept 2016, this issue of not being able to start the car using the button and brake occasionally occurs. A few kicks to the brake pedal usually gets it work work. Since this 4th brake lamp switch was installed in 2013, its been a whole lot better.
- duket,
Eldersburg, MD, US
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car will not start using button or key and brake- key sticks
This happened nearly every day I drove the car in Sept 2011. It was annoying and some times scary because it would take many, many attempts to get the car actually started. This fix did not resolve the issue.
This has been a huge trouble for me I got stranded several times because my car wouldn't start and my mechanic couldn't figure out the problem. so after a new battery and replacing the Starter again(At no charge to me because I have a 3yr warranty on it from when I replaced it in 2014) I finally had the darn Neutral Safety Start Inhibitor Switch replaced. So far as of today 8/12/2016 I have had 15 RECALLS ON THIS SONATA and I have an apt for another one next week so that will make 16 recalls.
I HATE THAT I AHVE TO GO THROUGH THIS. And I cant believe that Hyundai does not see a problem with this. They should take this car out of my hands already This is a death car.
This was a HUGE pain in my behind. When I bought this car it was used so by this time I only owned this car for 2 yrs and 10 days and I had to replace the freaking Starter, unfreakingbeliveable.
Seems this is a common problem on this car according to the AAA tech. Repair seemed pricey to me. A new starter is less than $150 and my mechanic would put it in for $40.00.
I purchased the car in June of 2010. May 26, 2011 the car is in shop, start issues. The dealer said unable to duplicate the issue I was told. August 16th 2011 extremely hot day. Stopped at a store and when I returned the car would not start. Sat there for a few minutes and thought about calling tow but then it started. Took it to the shop and they said it was the stop lamp. Back in the shop May 23rd 2012 and I was out of town. Waited a couple of hours, got it to start and they did the same thing replaced the stop switch said possibly a faulty replacement. 05/24/2013 another stop light replacement car again would not start had it towed.
Today, 10/2015 I paid $232 for a starter switch because the car would not start at times again along with not cutting off. Problems with this car starting about a year after purchasing and has been an on going issue. This was a brand new car when purchased. Very disappointed and will never purchase another Hyundai again. I only have 20,406 miles on the car.
Car would not turn over yesterday so had it towed by AAA to local dealer as I was unsure if warranty coverage was still in effect. Was told by tow driver that the starter was the problem. Dealership called with estimate of $350 to replace plastic arm inside starter which broke off. Apparently this is a common problem as I have researched it. I asked about part, it was $15. So basically I am paying $320 for labor. How long does it take to take out a starter and replace the arm?
Went to dealer about the problem. Told that issue could not be replicated thus no repair made.
Update from Sep 26, 2015: Happened again. Try to start the car but engine does not turn at all as if the whole battery is dead. Engine will start if I put the gear in neutral. Only happens intermittently.
Update from Sep 26, 2015: NO engine start happens intermittently again around 46000 miles.
I though this was fixed when I went to dealer last time. Went to dealer again but could find problem and could not replicate the issue.
Update from Sep 26, 2015: same no start engine happened again after few years.
Engine intermittently will not turn over unless transmission is out into neutral.
Have been having problems starting the car and have to play around with lock and unlock for it to start, now it will try to start but will not. So over having problems with the car.
Really bothered by the upsell scare tactics from auto mechanics. Back in the day, we did the basics (oil change, tire rotation, fluids, etc.) and just drove until something went wrong with the car, especially a battery. Well, went for oil change in Nov, was told battery low, ooooooh, need new one right away. Drove 3 months no problems, car started fine, battery fine, no indication of drain, even auto started from the 5th flr. of my office building to our 5-level parking garage about 150ft away, but in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, if I don't hurry up and get that battery, I'm gonna get stranded somewhere.
Thanks scary Gary. Priced Hyundai at $189, 2yr warranty, 1st yr free, 2nd yr prorated daily. Wow, whatever happened to "Sears Die Hard". Anyway, tried Sears, BTW, and warranty not much better. Ended up at Dobbs Tire/Auto, $125 installed AC Delco, 5yrs, with 3yrs free, 4th & 5th 50% off. Installed on Sat, left parking lot, went to Aldi's & Office Max, went home, Sun morning went for coffee at QT, came out coffee in hand, push button start and dash lights went haywire, the doors clicked locked then unlocked, car wouldn't start, tried again, lights, radio, the ding ding (open door signal), windows, then faded to no power, all systems went gray. Say whaaaat! I just bought this battery!!!!
By now, I'm perplexed and ticked off. Tried again, nothing. Tried jump start, a little charge, but no start, AAA towed back to Dobbs, Claimed it's the starter, they don't know why, but wanted to charge me more $$$. Went to Hyundai dealer, they said LEVER BROKEN ON STARTER. Say whaaaat! Please tell me how that happened. Thanks to Almighty God,it's covered under standard warranty. From my perspective, something had to happen electrically resulting from the battery install, thereby causing the malfunction. There was nothing wrong with my car folks, and now there is. How irritating is that?
Love Hyundai for standing behind their warranties, and Dean Team always takes good care. I like those guys, but really, I don't wanna visit often.
Hyundai's are advertised as reliable, with "America's Best Warranty" yet my car had to be towed to the dealership because the starter lever broke before it even reached 75,000 miles. Piece of crap, I'll never buy another Hyundai - way too many issues, more than my Audi and that car SUCKED!
Last Sunday it wouldn't start. I thought was key fab. Switched them and then it started. Got back in it Monday morning and it wouldn't start at all. Had towed to dealership. Was barely over warranty. They wouldn't help me. Luckily have extended. They said the starter went out. Some piece on the starter. Replaced.
WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE....TO TOP IT OFF, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 2 MONTHS ALREADY. INITIALLY, I WAS PROVIDED A COURTESY VEHICLE (5 DAYS MAX) UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I RETURNED THE COURTESY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE LOANER...BUMMER! I RENTED A VEHICLE (NO OTHER SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION BUT ONE (1)!) AND RACKED UP A $700+ RENTAL. FINALLY, THEY SAY MY CAR WAS READY TO GO, PAID A $50 DEDUCTIBLE AND DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE CAR LOT, ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON.....RETURNED AGAIN AND TOLD TO RETURN LOANER.....NO WAY I SAID! THEY SAY CAR IS DRIVABLE AND NEED TO RETURN LOANER. NO WAY...AGAIN! STILL AWAITING PARTS FROM OFF-ISLAND AND UNTIL THEN, I WILL CONTINUE DRIVING THE LOANER UNTIL MY CAR IS FIXED.....DAMxxxxxIT! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND VERY DISAPPOINTED. I STILL SAY IT'S A LEMON, AND THEY SAY THE MODEL OF MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST....THAT'S BULL!!!! HOPE NOBODY ELSE EXPERIENCES MY NIGHTMARES.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The car has issues starting when you turn the key the lights on the dashboard will come on, but the engine will not turn over. Seems to be an issue related to the signal wire on the starter. Apparently it gets worn out over time - causing an intermittent start issue.
- Frank L., Durham, NC, US