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.

2011 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 20 of 46)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #537

Dec 042018

Sonata

  • 158,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On December 4 2017, I was driving down the road and my Sonata completely shuts down in the middle of the road without any warning signs. Tried to restart and there was nothing. I had to call my roadside service people to tow it to a shop. The mechanic said that my engine was locked up. I had my oil changed on October 1,2017 and had about 200 miles before the next oil change. I always check my oil and everything was okay. After I purchased this car there was a recall on engine so I called the delaership to set up an appointment and he said they had checked it before my purchase. Something went wrong or they didn't inspect it properly. This problem could of caused a bad accident on the highway.

- Cairo, GA, USA

problem #536

Dec 032018

Sonata

  • 250,000 miles
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"

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #535

Nov 222018

Sonata

  • 71,387 miles
Vehicle shut off completely while driving on the highway. Had it towed to a mechanic where I was told the engine seized up. No warning signs where giving just happened suddenly.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #534

Nov 262018

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently was driving my vehicle 'Hyundai Sonata 2011' on interstate 95 highway, and then randomly the car stopped on me while accelerating.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #533

Nov 212018

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
Last week I was driving down an busy street when suddenly my 2011 Hyundai Sonata stalled! thankfully I was able to get my vehicle out of the road just in time or else I could've been in a life threatening accident. The next day I took my vehicle to a mechanic who then explained to me I would need an entire new motor. Please keep in mind that I keep up with up the maintenance on my vehicle and I haven't had any other issues until now! I then began to do research on possible recalls and there was a recall in 2015 for my exact car year and model for engine stalling! I need this issue resolved asap!

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #532

Apr 012016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed a loud, cyclic knocking noise within the engine. The contact noted that the vehicle was maintained with synthetic oil and that there was no check engine or other warning indicators illuminated. The contact was an independent mechanic and he drained the oil pan and found evidence of metal shavings within the oil pan. Eckert Hyundai Inc. (4011 North interstate 35, denton, tx 76210, (940) 243-6200) performed a decimal test on the vehicle in search of a specifically identifiable engine bearing sound to indicate engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was cleared of having engine failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling) as potential causes of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 11464007. The failure mileage was 60,000. Consumer stated engine has damage and is under recall.

- Krugerville, TX, USA

problem #531

Nov 292016

Sonata

  • 126,803 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On November 29, 2016, while sitting at a stop light at West chester pike in West chester, pa. I noticed a flash and spark on the passenger side. One more blink and a stream of fire shot across the top of the hood of the car. Within in minutes, the entire car was engulfed in flames giving me seconds to get out of the car. While traffic was stopped, the police and fire departments were called to distinguish the fire while attending to me on the side of the road. The engine was part of a nationwide recall and was replaced "new" on June 10, 2016 which I satisfied including the extension of the warranty that was issued to me after getting it replaced.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #530

Nov 252018

Sonata

  • 76,498 miles
Engine failure/steering problems in July of 2015 I purchased the 2011 Hyundai Sonata from a drivetime dealership; starting mileage; 76,262. I only had the car about 2 months when the engine completely seized on the freeway in August of 2015. The recall 132 didnt come out until after I already had my car serviced by a 3rd party warranty and had to come out of pocket for 500 dollars. The cause was a complete engine failure at 77,498 miles. The engine was replaced in Sept of 2015. Next issue I started to have was my steering wheel suddenly started to make a loud knocking noise on about 10/2018 while driving over any uneven road or even the slightest bump. The steering wheel completely trembles if I go over 60mph and feels as though the steering wheel may come unattached. My wheels feel as though they are ready to fly off. Present day-my engine is now starting to show signs of seizure again. It starts to jolt unexpectedly and the engine makes a loud knocking noise randomly upon acceleration. The car is very very slow to accelerate and is inconsistent with power despite constant and documented oil changes/checks. I have made an appointment with my local Hyundai deal for the recall 132 for this is the 2nd time I am now needing to have this engine repaired.I was told that I would have to pay for a rental of 35/dollars a day if my engine does need to be replaced.

- Greenfield, WI, USA

problem #529

Nov 192018

Sonata

  • 82,000 miles
The engine has seized. The brake lights were always on and it melted the harness the holds the bulb in the receptacle area. I cannot place the bulb in the seating for it anymore and then successfully place in the area for it. The area just beneath the glove box began emitting smoke and I smelled rubber melting. The language of the car is in spanish cannot be changed back to english. The buttons don't control what they are intended to. The center instrument panel, radio, A/C and the other functions occasionally are not operable, no light nothing.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #528

Nov 022018

Sonata

  • 116,500 miles
Engine suddenly lost power while making a clattering sound from within the engine as we were driving on a highway at about 55 mikes O'er hour. Local mechanics say it is in the lower part if the engine. There are articles in the internet stating that there was a recall due to metal shavings but I cannot find the actual recall.

- Tijeras, NM, USA

problem #527

Nov 062018

Sonata

  • 106,457 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag indicator was illuminated and a clicking noise was heard from the steering column. The dealer (North town Hyundai, 7420 transit road, williamsville, NY) cleared all the recall codes that were pending on the vehicle, but the clicking noise and air bag indicator failures still persisted. In addition, smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 106,457.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #526

Oct 232018

Sonata

  • miles
Tail light always keep going out and head light engines keep acting funny my seatbelt don't lock or keep me in place

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #525

Jan 012017

Sonata

  • miles
I no longer have fog lights that entire area has melted. My tail lights go out every two or 3 weeks and the bulbs are black. There is a burning smell coming from the vehicle only when the car is being driven or parked on. The ac line that should be cold is hot. Recently the car was leaking oil and smoking the dealership said it had to do with the engine recall. My engine seized while driving in 2016 and I had to get a engine replacement. After the engine replacement my turbo went out which only allowed the car to drive slow and the engine sounded the whole time driving. It had something to do with when they replaced the engine.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #524

Oct 142018

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles
Driving down highway and started hearing a ticking, then car died. I barely got off a busy highway. Saw smoke, had to have it towed. Told my engine locked up. I haven't had any problems with my engine since I bought this car new. It has been serviced at a local station routinely.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #523

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 171,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the brake lights remained illuminated. When the contact pressed the push start button, the engine started without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to craft Hyundai (2625 lakeside dr, lynchburg, va 24501, 434-455-7060) where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the contact should have an extended warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #522

Nov 032018

Sonata

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced and there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #521

Aug 082018

Sonata

  • 100,015 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving between 65 to 75 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle lost at least a quart of oil and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to two independent mechanics and the dealer (butler Hyundai, 5000 crater lake ave, medford, or 97504, (541) 245-5335). The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated that the check engine indicator did not illuminate and the oil may have been overfilled. The independent mechanics stated that the oil leak could be due to an internal leak. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,015.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #520

Jun 092018

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
While I was driving the car turned off and started to smell like burned plastic. The car did not turned back on and had it towed back to my house.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #519

Oct 292018

Sonata

  • 131,000 miles
My engine completely seized while driving. No warning lights, no oil light. Nothing

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #518

Jan 012018

Sonata

  • miles
My car goes through at least 5 quarts of oil a month. When I get an oil change it turns dark right away. There is no visual leak seen on ground from vehical.

- Oroville, CA, USA

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