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:
18 / 84
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,895 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.
I had just bought my car, two months later, I'm driving to work which is less then 5 miles away.. and my car ts making a knocking noise. I got no light signal warning me about oil or engine, it just started the noise so I stopped driving it so no further damage was done. My car lights never came on ever about my oil or engine. Not even for tire pressure.
I have only had the car for about 6-7 months I bought it from a private owner I changed the oil and bought a new battery. The car did high milage at 194,000 miles I still bought the car. Last week while on my lunch break I was in my way to go pay my car insurance when I seen I had 32 miles to empty which I never let it get that low but I did obviously that day. As I begin to go up hill it felt like it stuttered so I figured I was running out of gas. But as I came over the hill I press on the gas and noticed that it revved up and to my knowledge the car was locked up the steering wheel was not able to turn the breaks were locked up and all my dash lights were on. I was scared and just let the car coast down the hill approaching a red light with traffic stopped all I could do was hope I didnt get it or hit no one else for not having much control over the car I braked as much as I could and coasted it into a gas station to where. I made it to the pump and turned the off off and went and got gas for the car. Tried to turn it over and not a thing happen sounded dead battery like it wanted to start but once I turned the key and it did not start if I tried right after just made a click click noise. I took my battery out and home to charge thinking maybe a bad cell or maybe alternator. Bought new battery and it not start so no not the alternator. I am at lost for words tried to turn the crankshaft and wont budge. Am I able to still get this looked at by Hyundai even if I just bought the car. Its registered to me if it is caused by these recalls does the car have to still be running for me to be able to recieve the benefits I have never had a car just straight die. Never made any noise or smoke or got hot. Also I noticed when I have the key and drop it down into all the gears it goes but when I slap it over to the manual side I can go from 1st to 2sd and that's it.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While idling at a stop sign, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk forward. The contact also heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated that when he depressed the accelerator pedal, the hesitation stopped. However, when the vehicle decelerated, it began to hesitate and jerk again. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle near his residence because it was unable to be driven. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced on February 16, 2018 per NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact's VIN was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was towed to mcgrath city Hyundai (located at 6750 w grand ave, Chicago, il 60707, (773) 889-9090), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
I bought this car in 2013 for the Hyundai dealership in gurnee il. Since then I have had nothing but recalls, and issues. All of the recalls for this year and affected my car as in the warning they way may happen actually happen to me. My engine seized up while I was driving with 2 kids in the car on a busy street and I was almost re ended as a result only to have the dealership tell me it wasn't the recall! then later they had to fix it after I work to corporate because it was the 132 campaign recall. The 3 dealership I have dealt with are all rude none want to actually fix your car or help you because its recall work not actually work that they make money off of. Now as of today my airbag light has come on after the "fixed" the newest safety recall, when I called the dealership they informed me they fixed the issue so I will be charged $139.99 for them to even look at it. When will Hyundai be actually held responsible for all of these car issues they are all safety. So far the recalls have been for the engine, seat belts, brakes, air bags, body corrosion, and so on! I thought there was lemon law in place to remedy this, Hyundai product faulty vehicles with the model year 2011 and the consumer if the one lose and spending out of pocket. I had even called corporate before this to try and remedy the issue myself and was told they are sorry some will call in 3-5 days. At this point I am a mother driving around with children in a vehicle that may or may not pop the air bags whenever it feels like or they will not deploy if I do get in an accident. Something needs to be done with these cars they are not safe to be driving at any given time another recall can cause a major safety related crash or death at this point. I have had way to many close call with myself or my kids lives at risk due to Hyundai lack of care for their consumers.
Reference VIN# 5npe C4ac 5bh1 7045 4 2011 Hyundai Sonata 129,044 miles at engine failure on March 19, 2019 Hyundai case# 15847818, campaign 132, total engine failure, claim is in the sum of $5054.95, complaint: All requested documentation for invoices, owner registration, and associated information has been submitted to the Hyundai client care specialist in a timely manner. Hyundai campaign 132 document rcmn-15V568-2234 directs that required vehicle inspection will be done at no cost to claimant. Hyundai client care specialist, refuses to contact the Hyundai dealer to authorize vehicle inspection at no cost to claimant per referenced Hyundai procedure. Local Hyundai dealer in savannah, Georgia, refuses to contact Hyundai for authorization to perform the required vehicle inspection at no cost to claimant. Dealer advises that we make a claim for this expense to Hyundai. At this point, August 19, 2019, Hyundai has made no indication that they will actually honor any claim for expenses.
- Savannlah, GA, USA
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The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact called on behalf of her spouse the driver, stating while he was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the roadway but was unable to restart. The contact stated that her spouse saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that they received a call from the police department making them aware that the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. A police report and fire department report was made as the fire department had taken photos of the fire. The manufacturer or the dealer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Vehicle shut off while driving on the highway. Not the battery, belt, has oil and antifreeze almost caused a major accident with my 17 year old driving
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE. The contact stated that while driving, there was a fuel odor present. The contact noticed smoke coming under the hood and then flames. The vehicle was stopped and the contact exited the vehicle. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and no police report filed. The contact was not sure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the junkyard for inspection by the insurance company. The dealer verified that there were no recalls and the manufacturer issued a case number and promised a callback. The engine was replaced by an earlier recall and had 20,000 of mileage at the time of the fire. The failure mileage was 137,000.
While driving vehicle it fully shut off. It had been making a loud noise for a while and burning oil frequently so we took it to Hyundai for the engine recall and they said nothing was wrong with the engine. Now the car shutoff on a major highway in the bay area (richmond parkway) S and now won't crank or start. Took the car to midas to do a engine diagnostic and wasted money because they said they couldn't do the full check without the car cranking. Mechanic thinks a rod or piston is the cause. Called Hyundai and they are giving the run around as to seeing about the issue. Need help asap. I'm a mother of four children and need help.
I had smelling a gas smell coming from the vents on Friday July 19th andi took it to Firestone for a new battery and a oil change. I called the Hyundai dealership because Firestone told me about a new recall for the fire pressure fuel regulator and they highly suggested I take it into them. I called Hyundai and they said for me to bring it in and I didn't need an appointment so I told them I would be there around 3-4pm yesterday. So I left work early, picked up my car from Firestone and headed to the dealership which was about 10 miles away. I got on I-35 doing about 40mph or so because of traffic. All of a sudden the car next to me starts honking and waving saying my cars of fire. I try to apply the break but there was no pressure. My instrument column lit up like the 4th of July and then almost immediately smoke starts coming in from the vents, dashboard and floor. So my only option is to tuck and roll doing about 35-40mph on one of the busiest highways in austin. So I tuck and roll, people are stopped to help. I see my car continue to roll into the barrier and while car burst into flames.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) by happy Hyundai (9121 S cicero ave, oak lawn, il 60453, (708) 422-9300). Shortly after the repair, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be safely driven. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was determined that further diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine failed to function normally. The vehicle was taken to atlantic Hyundai (193 sunrise hwy North service rd, West islip, NY 11795, (631) 587-0700) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). The remedy failed and the check engine indicator illuminated; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle again. In addition, the tail lights shorted out numerous times and the bulbs were replaced more than five times. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the faulty engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was not available.
Driving on a busy 4 lane highway at 50 mph and motor seized with no warning. This vehicle has had a motor recall and was brought to a authorized dealer in 2016 for an inspection after we received the first notice. We were told that our vehicle was fine and no repairs were done at that time. We received a second notice for the same issue a few months ago stating that Hyundai was extending the warrantee for the motor because of the same motor issue it was checked for in 2016. We are over the extended warrantee mileage as this vehicle is used daily as a commuter vehicle traveling the turnpike daily at 70 mph had this happened on the turnpike the results could have been very bad as most vehicles traveling the turnpike are traveling at greater speeds than 70 mph. Hyundai needs to be accountable for all vehicles with this motor issue regardless of the mileage it is a true defect and safety issue.
Vehicle will shut down while driving down the road. No warning lights or sounds. The engine will just shut down completely. Engine starts up again but will again shut down while driving. No codes will come up on the ECM when scanned at a mechanic shop. No way to tell what is going on. Hyundai dealer has no answers for me.
Takata recall on my engine and they are saying my steering wheel doesn't have a recall but it's really bad and it makes loud noises and gets louder when you go 70mphg where it shakes really bad.
I was driving down the highway between lamar, Colorado and granada, Colorado, I was slowing down from 65 mph to 30 mph pulling into granada. All the dashboard lights came on and the car completely quit. I couldn't use the steering or the brakes. I was able to pull onto a side street. We could not get the car to turn back on. We towed it to the mechanic in wichita, ks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orlando, FL, USA