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 went to the nearest Hyundai dealership to get some open recalls that I had done and I had like 5 or 6, many of which were very critical. I got a call next day asking me to come and pick up my car, which I was very skeptical about. They asked me to sign a paper indicating that everything is done. I asked if I can speak to someone to explain why this happened so quickly and if there's anything to worry about and they couldn't connect me with anyone neither did they ask for my information to contact me when that expert is available. Now about a month since taking the car to the dealership, I check my VIN online and to my surprise 4 of the most critical open recalls are still not closed or remedied. They involve problems with the engine, transmission, seatbelt, and brake pedal. There are all issues that could result in a fatal accident. I don't really know what to do because this is a matter of honesty. I should not have had to check for them to begin with. This Hyundai dealer is sunbury motors Hyundai.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle completely lost power and would not restart when prompted. Hyundai of greer in greer, South Carolina was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was engine failure. The dealer (thompson Hyundai, 1000 merritt blvd, baltimore, md 21222, (410) 288-5700) serviced the vehicle for four recalls, of which one that pertained to the engine assembly. However, the failure continued and the service engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to more than one independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer issued ten tsbs for the engine and engine cooling and one recall for the engine assembly, but the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 92,633.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and all the warning indicators illuminated. In order to move the vehicle out of traffic, a police officer had to physically push the vehicle over to the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Knocking in the engine, cruise control doesn't go off when brake is pressed, shift lock doesn't work.have to manually press override button to put in gear.car stalls sometimes after a turn. Ecs light is constantly on. Loss of power sometimes, had to replace brake light bulb twice in the last 6 months and they were completely black, like burnt.vehicle was generally in motion when issues occurred.
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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Engine failed at 102,999 miles. Stopped at stop sign, just started forward when engine made a loud noise and entire car started shaking and finally died. Able to pull off to the side of the road and towed to repair shop. Impact damage caused oil leak and dove a distance while leaking; shut off while driving and unable to start. Entire engine replaced at a cost of $3,918.44. Engine recalled 11/21/2017. I am requesting reimbursement.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle lost power and the oil warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an unknown mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine consumed the oil prematurely. The mechanic placed oil in the engine; however, the repair did not correct the failure. Also, the engine lost acceleration while driving. The vehicle was towed to benson Hyundai (2550 reidville road, spartanburg, South Carolina 29301, phone (864) 541-0029) where it was diagnosed that there was internal damage to the engine, which needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
I purchased my lemon vehicle from webb Hyundai in highland, in and purchased it used in March of 2013. I'm always hearing about this 100000 miles warranty, my vehicle hadn't quite made it to that, when I first questioned the clicking in the steering wheel and shaking of my vehicle; because my car was used for me to daily travel throughout the entire state of Indiana, my vehicle in July 2017 had exceeded the 100000 mile and the used warranty stated coverage only up to 60,000. However, I wrote Hyundai, took it back on several occassion and they did actually fix my engine, thanks to the recall, in which they first denied me for 45 days, when I receive my vehicle back I told them about the clicking noise and I always was given some lame excuse and it's amazing how in July of 2017 they were constantly calling my phone and I even got an email on July 12, 2017 on how they've been attempting to phone me, not mentioning all the continual calls I had given them prior to this. However, during this time our family was dealing with a crisis in which me getting back with them was not as urgent and when I did try returning the call on several attempts between August and September of 2017, I never received a call back and I still have ownership of the awesome lemon that was sold to me.
I had a warning light turned on my display and when taken to the dealership, they charged me 240$ for the repair. Now I see that the part they replaced was on the recall campaign which started 4 months prior to my servicing. Are they supposed to charge for the parts which are in the recall?
Over the last month or so, my car has been losing power while driving. It started happening randomly on the highway and I decided to take into dealership to disables the issue. After a diagnostic test, it was determined to be the PCM. After replacing the PCM, I now have been experiencing this loss of power even while driving on side streets and off highway. I have since been back to this same dealership located in new london ct and have been given another possible cause for this issue and that is the motor. I am extremely frustrated and upset bc not only did I spend 1500 to fix the problem, the problem is not fixed and is actually worse. I have read several forums that indicate a safety recall on my motor however it seems as though my car is outside of the parameters that cover my motor. Please get back to me with any advice or suggestions in going about resolving this safety issue.
The steering wheel began clunking when it was turned even slightly. When I took it to get repaired, they could not tell me if it was the steering shaft or the rack and pinion. Also, shortly after we got the car, the engine went out in it (before the engine recall was issued). The dealership put in a junkyard engine and now I am having the same issue with it knocking. The left front axle boot is torn as well, and there is no indication how this occurred. The rear brake and tail lights are impossible to keep working. We change one and another goes out. We went as far as to change all of the brake and tail lights at the same time and less than a week later one was out again. The cruise control will come on but is unable to be set to control the speed of the car.
I have had two separate incidents where my vehicle's engine completely lose power while driving. There is no warning and the steering locks up and my car is immediately disabled each time I came extremely close to being hit by on coming traffic.with the incident the car suddenly start slowing down and when I pressed the gas pedal nothing happened but all the sensors popped up I was able to pull over just as it lost power and the car wouldn't restart and I had it towed. Few days later car started as if nothing happened I began to drive it again but after about a week I was on the highway during morning rush hour attempted to cross lanes and it suddenly lost power again and I couldn't move the vehicle at all I feel very unsafe driving the car beacuse this happens randomly and without warning
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact made several times to restart the vehicle, but it failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to modern Hyundai of concord (965 concord pkwy S, concord, nc 28027, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and that the contact had to pay for the repair. The manufacturer was contacted at 855-671-3059 and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall and nothing could be done. A case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 70 mph, a noise was heard and the engine stalled. The check engine and other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road as other drivers alerted him of flames coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. There were no injuries. The police and fire department were notified as the fire was extinguished by the fire department. Fire and police reports were not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and awaiting inspection by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
On 7-18-2017 my 2011 Hyundai Sonata lost power as I was driving in the city and I was able to coast to safer place off a busy road. Immediately fellow driver alerted me that there is fire under the front of the car. 911 was called but the fire developed very quickly and the car was not saved. Special chemicals were used to put out the fire. The police ordered the vehicle to be towed. On 7-19 I informed Hyundai dealership in des plaines Illinois of the event and offered them the vehicle to inspect if needed. They declined and told me to open the case with hq. I contacted them and case was open as the vehicle was under recall for danger of engine catching fire. Asked them to take position of the vehicle or agree to pay storage charges but they declined. Over one month later Hyundai requested me to provide the vehicle for inspection. The car was no longer available and case was closed as there was no vehicle to inspect. Police report along with pictures were submitted to Hyundai with the original claim.
On 7-18-2017 my 2011 Hyundai Sonata lost power as I was driving in the city and I was able to coast to safer place off a busy road. Immediately fellow driver alerted me that there is fire under the front of the car. 911 was called but the fire developed very quickly and the car was not saved. Special chemicals were used to put out the fire. The police ordered the vehicle to be towed. On 7-19 I informed Hyundai dealership in des plaines Illinois of the event and offered them the vehicle to inspect if needed. They declined and told me to open the case with hq. I contacted them and case was open as the vehicle was under recall for danger of engine catching fire. Asked them to take position of the vehicle or agree to pay storage charges but they declined. Over one month later Hyundai requested me to provide the vehicle for inspection. The car was no longer available and case was closed as there was no vehicle to inspect. Police report along with pictures were submitted to Hyundai with the original claim.
My car model, Hyundai Sonata 2011, has been recalled for engine issues. I checked the VIN number of my car and my car has been affected. When I took my car to dealership they told me because my car is not making a clicking noise they will not fix it. I told them that my car has been recalled and I want them to take care of it. They refused it because according to them they did not hear anything. Recently my car started making clicking noises when I turn my wheel. It seems that the steering wheel is loose. I can especially feel it when I go through bumps. Even when I am stopped and turn the wheel from side to side I can hear the noise. I am hoping that when I take my car to dealership they will fix the problem as I saw a recall for this issue as well. Looks like the dealership only wants to fix the smaller type of recalls and not the major pricy ones.
Engine failure due to metal debris that may not have been removed during manufacturing. Loud and irregular knocking and squeaking noises from the lower portion of the engine. While driving on the highway 126 in columbia SC my car started with this loud noise I was in the middle lane had to move over quickly to the right lane where I had to immediately pull over off the road because my car cut off. Very dangerous to be in motion on a highway and have your car out of no where make a loud noise before your car completely turning off. According to the inspector the NHTSA issued recall 15V568000 my vehicle manufactured on 8/27/10 was one of the units that should be included. However Hyundai has no record of a recall for my model year 2011, please tell me why my car is not on a list with a recall? I do have a copy of documentation
While driving on the freeway, all the warning lights on my car's dashboard lit up all at once, and suddenly my car stalled. I immediately tried repeatedly to restart it and it wouldn't start. My car was towed to a nearby mechanic shop and I was told that my car's engine had to be replaced. I was in disbelief, so then had my car towed to a Hyundai dealer and was told that my car was indeed going to need a new engine. I was told that I would receive notice within 72 hours, as to whether my car's engine would be replaced by Hyundai due to a recall that affected my car.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle began drifting to the left side of the road. The contact could not restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic's auto shop. Heritage Hyundai towson in towson, Maryland was made aware of the failure and stated that the engine seized because there was no oil in the vehicle, which was contested by an independent mechanic who stated that there was indeed oil in the vehicle. The source of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 97,097.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lewisburg, PA, USA