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 1 of 46)

problem #917

Nov 302024

Sonata

  • miles

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

After my car gets going and warms up, the engine has a problem. When it is time for the engine to shift to a higher gear, it makes a revving sound like the clutch has been pushed in and the gas pedal is being pushed. This mostly happens around 25 and 45mph. When you hit the as to make it stop it jerks and sometimes skids. If you take you foot off the gas it stops, but also slows down. When you hit the gas again it jerks again. If you try to speed up to get it to stop, it jerks again and this time pretty badly.

- Patriot, OH, USA

problem #916

Dec 062024

Sonata

  • miles
When my car is turned on there is a very noticeable shake coming from the engine area. It's not that bad once the car is driving. However, I was driving 40 miles an hour when my check engine light came on, then I was unable to accelerate and my car stalled (it's an automatic car).Once my car started up again, the check engine light was flashing, and I could only drive at like 15-20 miles per hour for my speed. Made it to O'Reilly and had them run the check engine light codes for me and it popped up with the P1326 code regarding the knock signal range/performance. I recently got a check engine light code for a p0449 EVAP vent control valve (it wouldnt allow me to pump gas into the car). I'm unsure if the issues are related but wanted to provide all the details.

- Orting, WA, USA

problem #915

Nov 302024

Sonata

  • miles
After taking my mom to the airport the vehicle engine blew up what absolutely no warning at all leave me on the side of the road the key keep getting stuck inside the car

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #914

Nov 062024

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car will randomly shut off while I-??m driving. My seatbelt comes undone My door has opened while I was driving down the highway.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #913

Nov 102024

Sonata

  • miles
The car engine seized while driving on the highway.

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

problem #912

Oct 302024

Sonata

  • 280,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (ENGINE) because the maintenance records were not provided and the dealer deemed that the vehicle was poorly maintained. The approximate failure mileage was 280,000.

- Pass Christian, MS, USA

problem #911

Aug 232024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Engine consumes oil profusely. 175000miles. Complaint #: [XXX], 8/23/24. Car is not drivable parked. Common complaint. Should have been RECALLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Charlotte , NC, USA

problem #910

Oct 292024

Sonata

  • miles
Leaking

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #909

Sep 172024

Sonata

  • miles
Car is overheating. Took it to a mechanic They replaced the thermostat but car is still overheating, jerking and so much more. The mechanic wants to charge more to fix it. I got a second opinion from another mechanic and after he reviewed the paperwork from the first mechanic. He searched my vin number and told me to contact this number because my vehicle is on a recall list. So I need someone to contact me about where and how we can get my vehicle fixed.

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #908

Aug 162024

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized, and the electrical system became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) nor 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Kensington, MD, USA

problem #907

Jan 012023

Sonata

  • 83,000 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 vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull onto the median. The vehicle failed to restart and 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 dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty because the oil change service records were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #906

Sep 172024

Sonata

  • miles
Car spontaneously caught fire while turned on. First smoke started coming from under the hood. Within three - five minutes, the car erupted in flames followed by a minor explosion that burned more than half of the car causing a total loss.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #905

Sep 102024

Sonata

  • miles
Oil keeps drying out and keep smelling antifreeze

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #904

Jul 192024

Sonata

  • miles
On July 19 I started my car and there was a loud knocking noise coming from underneath my hood when I lifted the hood the knocking sound was coming from my engine I-??ve had this car for 3 years never had any problems or issues at all with my car not sure what-??s going on or if there are any recalls on parts for my car

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #903

Jun 162024

Sonata

  • miles
The car has throw a rod in the engine. The safety of my dog and I was okay. And the safety of other drivers were good also. Yes it was inspected and there were no lights on when the car went down.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #902

May 292024

Sonata

  • 174,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and while attempting to turn, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was restarted but made the abnormal sound and stalled. The contact smelled smoke upon veering to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered a liquid substance coming from the under carriage. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine was cracked, and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for service. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.

- Antioch, IL, USA

problem #901

Apr 222024

Sonata

  • miles
Driving from home to a shopping center, approximately 25 miles, I did not observe any unusual noises nor smoke nor dashboard warning lights. Once I parked and shut off the engine in the shopping center parking lot, I observed a small amount of thick, white smoke coming from the hood on the front passenger side of my car, and then the smoke abruptly stopped. I was concerned enough that I decided I should probably move my car to a parking space a bit further away from the store I planned to go into in order to be further away from other vehicles. I started the engine again, and once again, no smoke nor unusual noises nor warning lights. I drove around to the next parking aisle and parked in a different parking space. Once I turned off the engine again, the smoke then immediately started from the right side of the hood again and quickly smoke started coming from the left side of the hood. I was quickly trying to grab my things to get out of the car as I saw the paint starting to peel off of the hood of my car. I was barely able to get out of my car as fire flames and very thick white smoke were then emerging from the hood. A person in the parking lot called 911 for me, and the local fire department arrived and put the fire out that destroyed my car. I am in the process of securing the Fire Marshall's lengthy report. At the present time, my vehicle is at our home where we paid to have it towed.

- Springtown , TX, USA

problem #900

May 092024

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 80 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but was stiff and difficult to depress. The contact stated that her daughter accelerated to steer the vehicle away from slower traffic. The contact stated that her daughter depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond and started losing motive power. The contact stated that her daughter was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the road and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine check brake and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

problem #899

Apr 252024

Sonata

  • miles
My vehicle has the flashing engine light on. The code that comes up is the P1326, causing it to go into -??limp mode-?? making it unsafe to drive. My local Hyundai dealership in Vandalia, Ohio and they only reset the code, giving me the impression they actually FIXED the issue. Five days later, it is doing the same thing. I have asked multiple times for a loaner vehicle while they work on mine, I have been told that is not possible due to the fact they have not found out if my vehicle has a warranted covered issue. I had the engine replaced before in 2019, now I-??m having more issues. More assistance should be provided

- Dayton , OH, USA

problem #898

Jan 082024

Sonata

  • miles
The engine locked up on the highway My daughter got over to the breakdown lane. We had it towed to a garage and was told the engine locked up -?" we called Hyundai and got the run around. So we moved on and paid for an engine and got it installed. Then I have been reaching out to see if we could get some type of reimbursement for motor and labor ( something -?" 91,000 miles when it locked up engine no good) But know I finally got through to a few different people and now they are telling me, because we didn-??t go to a Hyundai dealer they won-??t do anything. We bought a engine that was from Hyundai [XXX] And my first claim # from you is 11566045 this is HORRIBLE JUST LOOK FOR SOME HELP ON THIS THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lawrence, MA, USA

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