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.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,150
Average Mileage:
96,400 miles
Total Complaints:
192 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. engine replacement (148 reports)
  2. not sure (33 reports)
  3. junked the car (4 reports)
  4. sold vehicle (4 reports)
  5. replace lower half of engine (3 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 10 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Sep 062014

Sonata Limited 2.4L Dohc 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

I bought a car from a dealership right at a year ago, had factory warranty so I thought, they are telling me now its not covered and Im paying for a car that I can't afford to fix the issues. I have only put 22,000 miles on this vehicle since I bought it. Which should STILL BE UNDER 100,000 miles (at 90,000 now), which Hyundai I thought was known for their GREAT AMERICAN WARRANTY.

DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE FOOL YOU. THEY DO NOT COVER UP TO 100,000 MILES on a HYUNDAI.

MAIN:

I pulled out of a parking lot, didn't even make it over 50 feet merging into a highway at 20MPH, the car just turned off, no engine light was on, no oil light was on, and it would not crank back up. I had to get the car towed back to the dealership where I bought this car because the parking brake locked up and wouldn't come out of park either. Turns out that the dealership is saying that the Engine is Seized, Locked up, saying No oil on the dip stick, however, there was oil on the stick less than 3 weeks ago because I got my oil changed. The lady there told me there WAS oil in the OIL PAN as evidence that it had oil. Lady said the Engine just malfunctioned, saying I needed a NEW engine at the cost of $8000.00. Dealership still has the car in their service department.

Since day one, i have had many issues wrong with this vehicle, is there anything I can do?

I have all my receipts for all of my repairs completed on the car. How can an engine just lock up and no lights were on to indicate a problem on this particular car. I need to get in touch with people with the same ENGINE issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4L, for I plan on consulting a lawyer for further advice. I have read about 27 complaints on the exact same thing on here. I will never buy another Hyundai Sonata in my life for this issue

- Rachele D., Roxboro, NC, US

problem #11

Aug 292014

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Sonata was making a knocking noise around 2200 RPM. Service engine light came on with a P0014 error code. Was going to take into a dealer, until the vehicle stopped at a stop light. Had it towed to a service center. Said the Engine had seized, and there were metal shaving in the oil pan. Sonata also seemed to "magically" lose oil, I was down about 3 quarts between oil changes even though I was unable to locate blue smoke, or a leak.

This has got to be a manufacturing flaw. Will never own another Hyundai during this lifetime.

- Jason R., McHenry, IL, US

problem #10

Sep 032014

Sonata Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Bought our 2011 Sonata Limited from the dealership brand new. Drove fine (minus the various recalls for push button start, etc) until the engine just stalls yesterday while at a red light. No warning lamp indications, nothing, just died. Got it towed to the dealership and sure enough, same thing happened to us as everyone else here.

Dealership put in a warranty claim, send pictures of inside the engine, and the claim was denied because of 'owner neglect'. I was asked to provide every oil change receipt and we could appeal. Since we don't have every oil change and scheduled maintenance receipt (CC receipts will not work), we could not appeal. Even paid the $40 for a CarFax report to show we did do the maintenance, but since not every shop reports oil changes, it was not enough. It was not covered under the 10 year/100K mile "bumper to bumper" warranty.

So do we pay 6K for a used engine and lived pissed off and wondering when it will die, or suck it up and just move on from Hyundai?

- Dan D., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #9

Apr 222014

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Driving on the interstate attempting to pass a vehicle and it lost power so I pulled off and heard the engine knocking. Called a tow truck to take it to the dealer and they checked it over and told me I needed a new motor and that my car lacked 2 1/2 quarts of oil though I just had an oil change done two weeks prior and had no oil leak and the oil pressure light never came on. Of course I have no records of my oil changes seeing as my boyfriend is mechanic and did it all for me. Payed $5,000 for used engine because I am the second owner of the car and the warranty does not apply to the second owner.

- Caitlin C., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #8

Jul 152014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My Hyundai sonata 2011 engine seized at my office parking lot,got the car towed to the dealer and they said the same thing as to all of you above, that my engine seized due to lack of oil. WTF are you serious? It's a car dude. how can the whole engine break down in 3 years and I still have around 2k left to pay off for this piece of crap. As of now it's totally dead and the solution given by Hyundai is to replace it with a new engine for $6500. Bull sh*t !! Never buying a Hyundai ever.

- Krishna B., Lumberton, NJ, US

problem #7

Aug 082014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Bought a used 2011 Hyundai Sonata w/ 42,000 mi, in March of 2012, Dealer said the 100,000 mi warranty was still good.... Not, it only covers you 60,000 mi if you are the second owner. Had regular oil changes, only 62,000 miles, heard a ticking sound (indicating oil may be low ), car died at a stop sign, checked oil and discovered it was 2 1/2 qts low....... no leaks, didn't see any indication it was burning oil..... put in oil and drove it to work, had an appointment same day to have the oil changed..... Car died suddenly in parking lot... ( only drove 6 mi ) wouldn't restart. Had it towed to dealer.. Engine failure, sludge in oil. said I didn't take care of oil changes. Hyundai won't cover the engine replacement because it's out of warranty.. $5200.00 for a USED engine w/ 1 yr warranty..... NO WAY will I ever buy another Hyundai... Signed up for a Class Action Investigation for 2011 Sonata Engine Failure.

Update from Aug 25, 2014: Just wanted to throw something out there to those who have the same engine failure on their 2011 Hyundai Sonata, I found this web site with an investigation into the engine failure... maybe if enough of us sign up this will go somewhere.. http://www.chimicles.com/2011-hyundai-sonata-engine-failure-class-action-lawsuit... give it a look and sign up... I did

- T H., Union, KY, US

problem #6

Jun 192014

Sonata LX 2.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Car engine seized. Dealer claimed low oil and dirty oil caused it Did not keep oil change records. Factory denied warranty coverage

- Lowell T., Stevensville, MD, US

problem #5

Apr 252014

Sonata LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,859 miles

Car good as gold, wife was driving back from an appointment, engine started sounding like an egg beater. She got it home. We were going to drive it the next day to our mechanic, but the noise frightened us so much we immediately turned it off and had it towed. It started again at the mechanic and then made a awful thud noise and stopped. We turned it off immediately, fearing a seizure. waited minutes, and to our surprise it started again. Not wanting to tempt fate we turned it off.

Mechanic said catastrophic engine failure, we bought second hand, mileage is over the allotted amount. Local Hyundai dealer told me- HYUNDAI KNOWS THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH EARLY BUILDS ON THIS NEW ENGINE. He had dealt with the same problem the week before and now had another car in his garage with the same problem. He advised persistence in dealing with National Hyundai.

- Brian F., Blairstown, NJ, US

problem #4

Jun 232014

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,000 miles

I purchased the car brand new, and have records of oil changes since I am a VIP member with the dealer, they change it for free. I have all the required maintenance done due to my heavy driving and yes I have all the records. Yet after 147,000 miles, the engine, without any prior warning, while I was driving it, made a loud noise and just died. I had to get it towed and that's when they said the engine was done. When they took it apart, it showed metal residue in the oil pan, something about ..."having ran out of oil"! The oil was just changed one week prior to the engine failing...yet no one can tell me how this can happen?? Once again, I have receipts and records of all the maintenance that has taken place in the car but, no one wants to talk to me or address this issue due that the car is out of warranty!

I drove my Honda Odyssey up to 286,000 miles, I am going back to a HONDA!!

If anyone out there has had similar issue please contact me, it may be worth talking to a lawyer if there is more of us out there!

vdevine23@yahoo.com

- vad, Montclair, VA, US

problem #3

Jun 112014

Sonata 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Hyundai factory said the engine warranty was invalid because I did not keep oil change records.

There was no indication of an oil leak and the engine had oil although they said it was dirty and had sludge in the oil pan.

- Lowell T., Stevensville, MD, US

problem #2

May 012014

Sonata GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I was driving along and my dash suddenly flashed once then the car died. I had it towed and ultimately the AAA Garage and Hyundai dealership said that my engine ceased due to lack of oil. It had been 6 months since my last service, I had driven about 3,100 in that time frame, why would my car be out of oil? No one seemed to be able to answer that question and no one wanted to accept 'blame' so to speak. I was told that Hyundai's warranty ran out due to the 65,000 mileage on the car so they won't pay to cover.

The Hyundai dealership, who actually serviced the car 6 months ago said they will not pay because it had nothing to do with them. What I'm concerned about is that no one found an oil leak. I've Googled and found many others to have the same issue with the same exact car. I've also discovered lawsuits against Honda and another company (I think GM) for having this same kind of issue. Has anyone thought of a class action lawsuit?

- Karen B., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #1

Feb 192014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

My Hyundai Sonata 2011 engine seized while I was driving it late at night in February of 2014. I feel thankful that I had not yet got on the freeway (as I was headed there). The engine died and the car lost power completely. Scary for me as I am not car savvy. There were no lights and nothing warned me that there was an issue. No oil light, no engine light. We had to have it towed to the dealer in Riverside.

The month previous the car had failed to start and I had it towed to Temecula Hyundai. The starter was the culprit and was repaired. I was given an invoice (not under warranty) which stated they had performed a multi point inspection on the car (not provided to me). I did not think much about it. I was happy the car was running. They suggested my 60K maintenance which I declined as I preferred to get it done closer to home.

One month later (Feb 2014) (no I had not got the maintenance yet, I did not feel there was urgency and had not had time), the engine dies and is towed to Riverside Hyundai who informs me the engine is seized and asks me for maintenance records. They say the engine is not warranted due to lack of maintenance records. They said I had oil sludge in my engine.

I immediately started searching and calling around for records of maintenance. I called Temecula Hyundai to get my records from the starter problem. They took 5 days to get me the Multi Point Inspection they performed. They readily had my invoice but not the MPI they supposedly performed on the car. They said their filing system had been moved/changed and they had to find the MPI. After 5 days they sent me the MPI that did not have my name, did not have any service persons name on it, had only a portion of my VIN # and was basically partially filled it out but .........................it showed I HAD oil in my car. Where did my oil go ?

So, we are in debate with Hyundai now in order to get it repaired under warranty. We feel that the car had oil in January unless someone failed us and did not check the oil as they said they had. Where did the oil go??? Also, the records for the MPI from Temecula Hyundai were very unprofessional and the content incomplete. Is this how they legally should be doing business? Errors and Omissions appear dishonest or negligent.

The car is only 3 years old !!

- Sheri D., Riverside, CA, US

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