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.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While accelerating to 40 mph, the instrument panel began to flash and the radio and air conditioning turned on and off. The vehicle completely shut off. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke and flames from the driver's side of the hood. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 144,000. The VIN was unknown. * consumer stated mileage on the car was 143,424. Updated 11/8/18
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 75 mph, the engine failed and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to duncan Hyundai (2050 roanoke street, christiansburg, Virginia 24073, (540) 382-2100) where it was diagnosed that the motor failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 114-85-200. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Car was towed to dealership no service code showed up said I need to buy a new starter / authorized repair they drove it it stalled they restarted it engine caught fire oil wasn't going through engine etc etc etc damage extensive needs new engine
Engine was recalled in 2015, the warranty for the engine recalled was extended to 10 years 120,000 mile warranty. I just recently bought a 2011 Hyundai Sonata turbo 2.0 with 146,000 miles. After less than a month of my son driving it the engine began stalling out and smelled of smoke. I contacted Hyundai to see if they would perform the inspection and do the repair work they stated they would not since the car exceeded had exceeded the mileage warranty. I am currently having a new engine installed, and would like the NHTSA to investigate and see if I can get a reimbursement for the engine replacement cost
- Southaven, MS, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Engine oil light keeps apprearing and then disappearing. Oil is disappearing like crazy, car is stalling on the road. Was going about 30 miles per hour
Takata recall my 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited has been having problems with the engine not turning completely. My car is a push to start, so when holding the brake and pushing the start button the car still hesitates to come on but the lights on the dashboard do so I know it's not a battery issue. This has happened a couple years ago and I was stranded in my car at work, after several tries it eventually switches over and comes on. I've read several complaints from other Hyundai Sonata owners having the same exact issue, I'm hoping Hyundai takes action in resolving this malfunction.
Engine seized up while driving again. The engine was replaced 2 years ago with the Hyundai engine recall campaign. The vehicle has been maintained but Hyundai will not cover the engine even though it is under warranty. I was driving down 35 in dallas with my 6 year old son and the engine seized up and I could not control the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was in park, the engine would occasionally fail to start. The contact would have to place the vehicle in neutral and make several attempts before the vehicle would start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing, but the computer could not read the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,185.
I was driving on the highway and started to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine three days later car stopped turning on and there's smoke coming out the engine when you try to start it, car will not turn
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise progressing from the engine compartment. The dealer (seidel Hyundai, 9 parkside ave, reading, pa 19607, (610) 775-5100) indicated that the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable and on backorder. The vehicle was at the dealer for over two months. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V617000 (seat belts) and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. In order to pull over to the side of the road, the vehicle had to be restarted multiple times as it continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to route 60 Hyundai (8575 20th St, vero beach, fl 32966, (772) 569-6004) where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. * consumer stated the manufactuter was made aware of the incident. They replaced the engine but refused to assist in replacing the vehicle. The car pulled to the left heavily afterwards. The dealer assisted me with discounts to replace the vehicle as I no longer trusted the vehicle. My complaint is solely against the manufacturer. Updated 10/22/18
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start and an abnormal grinding sound was heard when driving. In addition, the vehicle stalled when switching gears and the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The contact also received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the manifold air pressure sensor was faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,029.
I was driving to work, stop at the stop sign, as I traveled 30 feet through the intersection my car died on me. The car wouldn't crank, no sound, nothing. I pop the hood and notice there is smoke coming form the engine compartment, I check all my fluids and there was no engine oil present in the engine. No low oil indicator came on. I just had a 60,000 miles maintenance to included an oil change as well. The vehicle as towed to a local mechanic shop to have them diagnose it.
I was on the highway going 55 mph and my acceleration started to decrease and I could not pick up speed, as I exited off the highway I heard a knocking noise and my car died. I had to call my insurance company for a tow to the dealership napleton Hyundai, 649 dunn rd, hazelwood, mo 63042.
My car has been blowing out white smoke out of the exhaust. I seen there has been alot of recall issues on the Hyundai. I got a letter informing the recall of the air bags. I bought this car in September 2017. I dont know if the previous owner had the issue fixed on the recalls about the engine, brakes, and seat belts.
While driving on a city street, the car began to stall with no pulling power, followed by a knocking noise, then it just cut off in moving traffic. Tried to restart it, no luck. There was a smell of burning metal. Put on hazard signal. Had to be pushed out of traffic by another driver. Checked fluids and there was no oil flow. (wasn't due for oil change) dip stick was dry. There wasn't a indicator light displayed on dashboard for low oil. Had car towed to dealership for diagnostic test.( test will be done ON7/17/18) earliest appointment.
Driving car and lost all power diagnosis showed nothing by my mechanic after Hyundai told me car VIN not on recall during on vacation engine died had to have it towed back to my from Maryland was garage said engine bearing broke will cost me 7000 to my mechanic
Motor locked up because no oil. I had oil changed 2 months before and no leaks on carport and oil light never came on. So, I was driving the car and it went dead at a red light. Could not get it to start back up. Had to have it pushed to an empty lot. Had it towed and they said it had no oil in it therefore it locked motor up. We are very upset because the car is paid for and we had no idea that there was a problem with the oil.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Medford, NY, USA