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. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault code: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) and performed an engine bearing test, which the vehicle passed. The dealer updated the KSDS and ECM software; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where the knock sensor and bolt were replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced in 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 118,392.
My engine has failed, and my steering wheel column has locked. I had the software update on my engine with Napleton that qualified me for a lifetime engine replacement. I submitted maintenance records for my car and pictures of my valvetrain that are well maintained, and hyundai denied my engine claim for exceptional maintenance neglect on Dec8. On December 14th, after reviewing my oil changes, they still denied me for using low quality oil that's obscured. The problem I am having with my car is oil, not being able to get to the pistons inside my engine. It's not fair when the company know they engines have a manufacture defect. Then they blame the customers for lack of maintenance to have an excuse not to replace the engine. Knowing that with or without oil changes in the hyundai sonata 2011 -2012 models the engines will eventually seize anyway.I've reached out to their company over 300 times trying to resolve this matter and I'm still in the same place I started at a month ago. I want to sue for pain and suffering. I've been without a car since nov 9, and it's dec 20. Hyundai has put me and my family life in danger on numerous occasions, with their faulty and defected parts causing two near death experiences. Hyundai sonata has had a recall on every part, and I consider them unsafe and dangerous. I have seven different case reports with Hyundai motor company about excessive oil consumption, and the knocking whining vibrating and shaking. They are very much aware of everything
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel locked, causing the vehicle to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering coupler. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she needed to add 2 quarts of oil weekly. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse, the vehicle shuddered increasingly and failed to respond. The contact stated that as she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the failure ceased, and she was able to drive the vehicle. However, while driving 50 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking and whining sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine and the engine seized while in the middle of an intersection. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact contacted the Police Department who assisted her with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a software update was previously completed on the vehicle under Hyundai Service Campaign Number: 953 (Engine Protection Mode). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
7am turn car on and let it. Warm up for a couple min then out of No we're car turns off. Another day another morning turn car on and seconds pass and car turns off repairs I did as u can see in invoices replaced enginee couple months ago took to dealer ship several times no help or. Any solution.
Hyundai has refused to get back to me about my car it's been months they don't return my phone calls or emails or anything. The motor recall had caused me and my children to be stranded in the busy highway after just shutting down 2 times. Amongst other things this is unacceptable
- Sharpsburg , GA, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while driving. The steering wheel was making an abnormal humming sound. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was flashing on and off constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the power steering. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
When I was driving on the highway there was a sudden knocking sound coming out from my engine. I dropped off from the highway and checked the engine and there was a smoke coming out from the engine it was scary. I took my car to the dealership and they took some time and they said I have to replace the engine. Even it is under a safety recall they decided not to replace the engine and they are saying that the engine is rebuilt. Please help me to get my engine replaced, I am a student I am not understanding what to do with this. NHTSA is my final hope to help me in this
In May 2022 the engine was recalled and replaced by Schomp Hyundai located at 100 Havan St, Aurora, CO 80010, and I purchased this car right after the engine recall. Since I bought the car vehicle the engine has been making noise and the AC and heater smell gas and burned fuel inside the vehicle through cabin air vents. I took the car to the Schomp Hyundai and asked them to fix the noise problem as the engine is not properly installed but they refused to fix it and asked me to pay $180 to diagnose the problem and to pay additional for the fix. The second time when I took the car for the gas and fuel fume and I was told that it is not part of the engine warranty; I have to pay $180 to diagnose the problem and pay additional for the fix. As the engine was replaced, the service may have resulted in damage to the high-pressure fuel pipe. While maneuvering the engine into place, the fuel pipe may have been crushed, poorly torqued, or simply not aligned properly. The dealer is not accepting any responsibility.
I was driving home from work & out of NOWHERE the engine seized & power steering was very hard due to it being electric. Hyundai then denied my engine for "Lack of maintenance" AFTER they KNOWINGLY put my life & others t risk for even letting these cars be driving without proper caution or engine replacement.
My vehicle should be covered under a recall for my engine, however Hyundai is denying the claim due to my title being branded as salvage, however according to my research a salvage title does not affect the recall. I believe my engine should be replaced, and Hyundai is refusing to return my calls at this point.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 73 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to approximately 10-20 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to her destination, parked, and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the engine was making abnormal knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact notified the local dealer who informed her that they did not have any appointment availability. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,594.
Hi-??I just financed this vehicle in January and in September-?? I was driving and the vehicle stalled -??-??thankfully there was no one behind me but I did cause traffic -??.. I had to get it towed to the Hyundai dealership and found out that I had a blown engine-??I didn-??t get any signs that something was wrong with the vehicle-??not even a check engine light -??.. it-??s been in the shop for a month-??-??and I have no way of paying for it-??-?? This has been a nightmare and I-??m still paying on it-??.. I-??m so confused and I don-??t know what to do-??. Please find out what about s going on with this car-??-??it has 109,000 miles on
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would emit abnormal loud knocking sounds. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption; the vehicle was consuming about 4 quarts of oil per week. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the electric power steering assist and the brake assist were no longer operable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact waited for a while before being able to restart and drive the vehicle. The failure also occurred while idling at a red light. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was 161,000.
My car had a recall on the engine 3 months ago and now it is not there but long story short when I bought the car I drove it 300 miles, the engine blew the extended warranty company covered the engine replacement I drove it 7,000 miles changing the oil every 3,000 miles as per the warranty needed the engine blew again Warranty company replaced the engine I then found out about the recall and had it towed to the Hyundai dealership but they said since there was a different engine in the car they couldn't honor the recall even though the new engine that was put in was also recalled drove the car 3,000 more miles engine blew again it's been in the shop 6 and 1/2 months of the 12 months I've had it and twice I broke down in the middle of the street and on the highway once at a busy off ramp in the middle of crazy traffic I was stranded this past time for 2 hours during rush hour and in a blind spot and could not move my vehicle off the side of the road and was almost hit numerous times the warranty company has voided the contract since they have capped out the max limit spending the worth of the car but the mechanic says he could put the original engine back in the car so Hyundai would honor the recall however now the recall has suddenly disappeared and I know it was there because the mechanic told me about the recall I called Hyundai's recall customer service number they validated it and told me to have the car towed to Hyundai Hyundai validated the recall and said they could not honor it because it was a different engine it's just been a really big Mess and now I'm out of a car once again and now the recall has suddenly disappeared I'm not too sure what to do at this moment as I'm the only income in the house with a fiance and three kids and no car, since the first week of having the car I've had nothing but issues and I have service records and receipts to prove all of this and the shop verified the breakdown was caused by what the recall was for, engines from AL plant
drove vehicle down the street when knocking noise started, check engine light turned on, then immediately stalled. Car will not start or drive now. called hyundai recall campain and they gave me a case number of #203-102-81 with recall campaigns that could fall under 953, and or 132. There may have been an issue with the connecting rod bearings wwith a cyclic knocking noise from ther engine
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sewell, NJ, USA