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 6 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #92

Jul 302015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

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

My wife was traveling down the interstate the other day when the car had no power. She managed to get if off onto a exit ramp. We had it towed. Then I had to go pick it up with a transport trailer the next day, when I had to call into work to go get it seeing it was over a hour and a half from my home. Took it to my mechanic who does all my oil changes and maintenance on it. We always use synthetic oils on it being higher mileage. Just got the call today Aug 3rd that something broke in the engine (he said most likely a bearing or crank). He said it wasn't getting oil pressure. He took filter off and it was clogged with shavings. Never own another Hyundai product again!

- James F., harrisville, NY, US

problem #91

Aug 022015

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

Add another one to the list! While out of town yesterday, my 2011 Hyundai Sonata just stopped running in the middle of the highway. Like the rest of you, no warning lights, nothing, engine just stops running. My oil has been changed every 3000 miles. There has been no oil leaks, nothing, and it just stops running!

Towed my car back to my mechanic. After he inspected everything, he found that the oil was low, metal shavings in the oil pan and the engine seized. Now I have to replace the engine!

I called the local Hyundai service department and asked if about any recalls on the engine and if they have had others with this same problem. He said yes and proceed to tell me, that's what happen when you do not get your oil changed. (Reminder, I have my oil changed every 3000 miles.)

Then I called the Hyundai Consumer Affairs and explained to them the problem, of course nothing they can do.

Please tell me where to sign up for this class action lawsuit. I do not have money just lying around to put a new engine in my car. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI PRODUCT!!!!

- dcallaway, Groves, TX, US

problem #90

May 152015

Sonata 4S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I bought this car so my daughter in law school would have a safe dependable ride since she was 700 miles from home. When she called me and told me she was stranded I finally got it towed to a local dealership. Then had to argue with the extended warranty people to just get her a rental. Then the dealership called and told me the problem.Thank God I got the extended warranty!!!!!!!!! It would have cost me over 4 grand for the engine. and with a kid in law school and me being a single parent I was freaking out! They tried to eliminate that it was her fault but I told them and proved it was serviced regularly!! So they fixed it with a used engine! and when checking said the transmission was bad also! that's another complaint!!

So now here it is 6 months later and the Sonata that I bought at the same time for me has done the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is 9-7-2015. which I will report here also!!! I am beginning to smell a rat here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Something is not right!!!!! My sonata is also a 2011 and I pray it is under warranty!!!!!!!! Very upset and very pissed!!!!!!!!! Two cars with about the same mileage and the same year doing the same thing???????? Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update from Sep 23, 2015: HYUNDAI said my extra warrenty would not cover the motor...I raised hell about that...then they said since it was hyundai certified that they would tear down the engine for $500.00 and if it was approved by their adjuster then they would approve the engine replacement. and the tear down cost would be covered. So I told them go ahead and the new engine was approved. Thank goodness. All I know is I will want to trade it this car before the engine gets another 60,000 miles on it or I will be doing this again!!!!!!!!!!!!! and since there is a class action lawsuit and I told them I knew there was maybe that helped me. so thats my story...Its sad that many people have gotten screwed over and /or couldnt afford to replace it and end up with another car payment along with the other one. Hyundai needs to make this right with ALL the owners PAST and present. I am sure some peoples credit got ruined over this mess. Shame on you Hyundai...... :(

- Robin B., New Bern, NC, US

problem #89

Sep 042015

Sonata GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

My girlfriend and I were coming home from about an 1hr 30min trip from Tampa Fl. We were proceeding onto the highway accelerating up the ramp when the entire engine seized and the gas disabled and trying to press the break was pretty disabled. Luckily it was in the middle of the night and no other cars were present. I coasted off the highway and stopped in the middle of a one way road where I got out and pushed the vehicle out of traffic.

When we first purchased the vehicle is only had 9,000 miles in 2012. After driving it for a month it had a transmission issue. This was covered by the 60,000 mile 5 year warranty with no question. I kept up with oil changes and necessary maintenance on the vehicle. There were no oil leaks, check engine light, or oil lights on in the car ever since we were driving it. All of a sudden our car drops even with it still having 55,000 miles.

I had the vehicle towed to the dealership at about 3 o'clock in the morning. I woke up to a phone call from the dealership service department telling me that there was sludge in the engine and the entire engine needed replacement all costing 5,500 dollars. I told him that warranty should cover it but the he said It doesn't cover it because I was being negligent with oil changes. I asked if I could provide him with receipts and he said it would not matter I still had to pay.

The ironic thing is that they told me I was coming to the end of my warranty in about 2 months. I made an appointment with the service department a week before to inspect and fix remaining items that were covered under warranty and also replace things that have been causing other issues when I was driving.

After reading so many reports and seeing a pending lawsuit on this particular problem I concluded that this is no coincidence that the engine on these cars fail around the times that the warranty ends or in general. Please contact me if you can so that I may join the class action lawsuit as well. Jmaner7@gmail.com

- jmaner7, Orlando, FL, US

problem #88

Jul 222015

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

I started to accelerate from a traffic signal going up hill, and my car stopped accelerating. A bunch of warning lights came on, while the car still had power. The car would not move and every time I hit the accelerator, my car rolled backwards. The EPS light, low oil pressure light, and engine light came on. When my vehicle arrived at the dealership, the mechanic stated that my oil was dirty, and then proceeded to say there was no oil in my car. The mechanic estimated $6100 for repair to replace the lower half of the engine block, and stated my engine had seized.

- Ronald S., Essex, MD, US

problem #87

Jul 132015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,484 miles

So let me start by saying that I purchased this car in March 2014 with 47000 miles on it. I had paid an extra $500 to have engine flushed and a tune up before I took it off the lot. I'd say in about August of 2014 I had gotten the call to fix the 6 recalls on it. During that visit the dealership had completely broken the frame of the car so they paid for a rental, I was without car for a week and half.

In October of 2014, the car did not start. When I called the dealership they had told me that it was the starter and that it wasn't covered by warranty. I was like how could it not be covered. I just bought the car and was like what about the 100,000 mile warranty. After I kept calling them a manager told me that it was covered, I only had a 60,000 mile warranty, and that I could bring it in to get it fixed for nothing. Got my car back and week later the battery went. I replaced the battery.

Now on July 12th 2015, I had changed my oil. Husband drove the car that day was perfectly fine. I drove to work on Monday the 13th, drove car home from work. Hubby went to store right around the corner from my house a couple times. NO LIGHTS NO WARNING, at the end of the street from my house car completely shut off. He had to coast it into driveway. CAR IS AT 60,484 MILES. Now figuring it was the starter again and trying to get money for diagnostic fee I waited until that Friday. Friday at 8:30am I got the car towed from my house to dealer. I didn't hear anything from them until July 20th, 2015. So the person from the dealership tells me it is the starter again but it is not warrantied, WHY I ASK, RESPONSE IS BECAUSE I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE PART WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY.

First off why would ANYONE pay for a part under warranty. Second anyone who works on cars knows that when you buy a part the part is warrantied and the work. Whether I paid for it or not YOU GUYS PUT THE F IN PART ON THE CAR IN OCTOBER. 10 MONTHS AGO!!!!!! She then proceeds to tell me that that is not the worst of it. Now I've been researching the car and the complaints and the lawsuit since the car went in and I JUST KNEW this is what she was getting ready to tell me. I piston has seized and the engine is shot and I'm gonna have to buy a new motor. I got a new motor the car has 60,000 MILES ON IT!!!! She goes she has seen cars seize at 500 miles. I then tell her I had a piece of crap 1999 Pontiac Grand Am that went to 206,000 miles how can this happen to a new car. SHE THEN GOES WELL YOUR CAR IS LEAKING OIL. SO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR SAT FOR A WHOLE WEEK, NO OIL LEAKS IN MY DRIVEWAY, NO OIL LEAKS IN THE TOW TRUCK BUT ALLLLLLLL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR IS LEAKING PROFUSELY. She goes well maybe you should check with where you got the oil change, maybe they didn't put the filter on correctly. Ok I've had the same people change my oil for years and conveniently when the engine is seized they don't know how to do an oil change. SHE TRIES TO BLAME IT ON THE OIL CHANGE BUT I TELL HER WELLLL I DROVE THE CAR AFTER THE OIL CHANGE SO DUH IT CANT BE THAT. I then ask her how much it's gonna cost she goes $8000 for an old engine and $6000 for a new one plus the starter. My family cannot afford that.

I SAY WE ALL GO TO THE NEWS ABOUT THIS!!!!!!! PUSH THIS LAWSUIT THING FASTER. THIS IS COMPLETE AN UTTER BS!!!!!!! AND THEN TO HEAR EVEN IF YOU PUT A NEW ENGINE THAT ONE IS GONNA FAIL TOO!!!! WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING YALL!!!!!

Update from Sep 9, 2015: I spoke to a rep tonight named Chris Lowe who is basically the one who tells you are screwed. He claims that my oil gasket washer had been missing and that's why my engine seized. He claims that these go bad and that is the initial reason why my oil leaked at the dealership and caused my engine seizure. I tried to upload its joke of a conversation for you guys but I can't figure out how to get it from my cell to my kindle right now. I do have other recorded conversations though that I can post. Listen I'm determined to get them to do right by their vehicle. That car was the only one I had. I've created a Facebook page so we can figure out how to speed this class action suit up together. Just search hyundai engine failure on fb. This is complete b.s.. I really wish you could hear was this guy said about our problems with their vehicle! I will continue to try to upload to page.

Update from Sep 11, 2015: In addition to my initial update mind you it took 2 months to tell me about a .94 $ washer. And has anyone else ever been told about a crushed gasket washer? Let me know on my page. If needed leave me Ur email and I can send u the recording of the conversation with this guy.

Update from Oct 27, 2015: As of October 3rd, my car got repoed. Yes it was my fault due to lack of payment but who pays for a car that doesn't work and ur trying to save up for an engine or possibly a new car cause they are taking forever to tell you whats wrong. The day before it got repoed I had called the dealership to be able to pick up my car and they stated that there were fees, I asked them what fees were there, they were not able to tell me. the very next day I received a call from Steve the manager stating that the car company had sent a repo company to pick up the vehicle and he also stated that he had been in contact with my bank for weeks. Well he also stated to me that he had charged my bank $2,500 plus in fees to pick up the vehicle. Once I talked to my bank they had stated that the fees were a result of storage fees from July 17th, all the way up into when they towed the car, also it was a fee based on the Free engine teardown that Hyundai corporate had gave to me on good faith. Once I called Hyundai corporate to ask them about the fees and why they had charged my bank for the fees, they stated that they had already paid the dealership the fees and there was no reason why the Hyundai dealership would have charged my bank for the fees. When we had mentioned the 470000 vehicles that had been recalled they stated Oh your engine is part of that recall we can get it fixed for you let us make it right . When my husband had went up to the dealership to get all the paperwork describing what they had told me, the month previous to why the engine has failed, Steve the manager could not provide any of the documentation that he said that he would be able to provide to me a month earlier nor was he able to retrieve what the Hyundai representative that made the determination of my vehicle, and why my car had failed. I just got my recall letter a couple days ago. Again I am asking for anyone to join my fb page along with some others at HYUNDAI ENGINE FAILURE so we can help each other figure out how to nail these crooks.

- dadacapone, Dover, DE, US

problem #86

Oct 042014

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

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

I purchased a certified used 2011 Hyundai Sonata, plus I purchased the extended warranty. On Oct 4th, 2014, I was exiting the freeway when the car just died, no sounds, no warning, no check engine lights, nothing. I was able to coast to a gas station and I noticed a little smoke coming from the engine. I couldn't get it to start again so I had it towed to a dealership.

2 days later they called & told me the engine seized, but the oil was only about half a quart low. The Dealership wouldn't honor the powertrain warranty because they said it's limited to 60K miles (I'm the 2nd owner & my car had 66K miles). I filed a claim with extended warranty service and they sent out an inspector. His finding was it was 23 quarts low, there was "sludge" in the oil and we'd need a new engine. Because I couldn't produce the receipt from my last oil change, they cited owner neglect and denied the claim. I used Royal Purple Synthetic Oil (and have used this same oil for the past 15 yrs in all my vehicles). I changed my own oil in July, approximately 3 months prior.

Note: There were NEVER any oil leaks or stains on the driveway, no low oil/engine light at all. To replace the engine, it is going to cost around $6000.00 through the dealership. I couldn't afford that, so I ended up having to get another car. Which sucks because now I am paying 2 car notes, on 2 cars, but I am only able to drive one. I don't want to mess my credit up by letting it go back, so I'm really trying to hold on to it as long as I can, but I really don't know when I'm going to have the extra $$ to get a new engine put in.

- Sarah G., Spring, TX, US

problem #85

Aug 112015

Sonata LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

Accelerating to enter PA turnpike. Heard very faint click noise then lost all engine power. Luckily was able to coast to shoulder of entrance ramp. Checked oil level and it was low, about 1/2 inch from bottom of stick. Towed to Hyundai dealer and next day informed me that engine seized. Installing used engine (24,000k) at est cost of $5500. Regularly change oil and filter every 5000k or less. Oil level was never below full level when checked over the past 4 years.

- Bill T., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #84

Jul 052015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

My engine just seized for what seems to be the same problem as a lot of you are having. The local dealer has 4 other cars in his shop for the same thing. Engine seized, 4th bearing threw all due to a FAULTY OIL PUMP. The oil pump apparently is only working intermittently.

I bought preowned-precertified, which meant I got to keep my 10/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I'm glad this happened now at 79,000 miles instead of 100,001. :-) Warranty has delayed the repairs of my engine, they took a week to go over the engine with a fine tooth comb trying to find sludge, ha good luck, I was meticulous. So after a week, warranty has finally approved my engine, however they will not grant a rental while waiting for parts. You guessed it, the damn engine is on BACK ORDER. I also have 2 other cars ahead of me waiting for the same engine. Now call me crazy, my husband is very car savvy, built a car, computer management and all, stated and asked the following:

Husband: That’s great we are getting a new engine. Dealer: Well a re-manufactured one. Husband: So, we have no way of knowing the history of the re-manufactured engine, was it in a accident? Where is it coming from? How many miles? Also, wait, since it was a faulty oil pump, are they replacing that too or is the same defect pump going back on? In other words, have they corrected the oil pump issue? Dealer: I not sure of that, I will have to get back to you.

Its been two days and no word, no word as to how long the re-manufactured engine will take or even if Hyundai has corrected the oil pump issue. It seems to me that Hyundai should recall these cars and put replacement oil pumps on them that actually work. It looks as though, most cars are going up after their warranties are done. So not an issue for Hyundai, why would they care, not their problem, right? Hyundai does not stand by their product and I honestly was considering buying a Hyundai Santa Fe for our growing family, nope never again. Sad part is we will never get the money back we owe on this car. (8000 grand still owed) Who wants a car that has a known problem and that the engine could go up at anytime because of a faulty oil pump?

Hyundai, I am saddened to say this, because I loved this car up until this point, you not only don’t stand by your product, but aren’t willing to correct this issue, this is a damn safety issue. I was driving on a freeway, with my 5-month old infant in the car, when the car decided to take a crap. Started making noise, drove maybe a quarter of mile before it completely shut off while going 60 miles and hour. It was scary and unsafe, all because you don’t stand by your product. Fix your mistake Hyundai!!!!

- jnagle, Bel Air, MD, US

problem #83

Jul 112015

Sonata SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,400 miles

5.25 years old, 62,400 mi

7/7/2015 - Engineer light (Malfunctioning Warning Light) on dash went on. Called a dealership, set up appointment for 7/9/2015.

7/9/2015 - Dealership replaced the Oil Flow Control Valve and completed oil change at a cost of $345.60

7/10/2015 - Car would not start and was towed to dealership. Dealership replaced Starter Lever at a cost of $253.50.

7/11/2015 - While driving with my daughter, heard a "pop" sound and engine ceased, all power was cut from car in the middle of a busy street. Engineer started to smoke. Could not move the car into neutral to get off road. Car towed to dealership.

as of 07/15/2015, we are still waiting for Hyundai to approve engine replacement under the 10 yr/ 100,000 mi warranty.

- Andrea M., Bristol, PA, US

problem #82

Jun 042015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,305 miles

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

Here is the sad story of how the engine of my 2011 Hyundai Sonata gone... when I still have another payments (7K) on this brand new looking car... Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY A PRE-OWNED HYUNDAI !!!...

100K miles power-train warranty is a complete lie... So is 60K miles warranty for Pre-Owned users...

I bought this Hyundai Sonata on March 1st, 2012. It was a “certified” 2011 Hyundai Sonata from a “certified” Hyundai dealer: Action Hyundai in Flemington, New Jersey.

My experience was horrible. It did not leave a good feeling from the beginning. From the scratches on the left mirror to the missing mats that I had to fight for, and a number of other things which I hadn't experienced in my previous car purchases. The sound of the engine didn't feel right. When I asked about it, I was told, “Each car has its own sound, it may not sound like your a V6 engine but it is still a good 2.4L Sonata”. Well, I said... “Fine, let's drive this “better” Sonata!”

Even though I performed all the necessary maintenance since 2012, the car broke down multiple times including a clicking noise from the front wheels and a broken starter arm. The replacement of the starter arm was performed by Action Hyundai Service with no cost. But the clicking noise was never solved and the technicians told me that they couldn't find anything! I had to accept the fact that they are the experts and I'm just a driver and had to ignore the noise. But I could not underestimate the engine noise that I had been hearing for several months. I even mentioned about it to my mechanic in the neighborhood and his comment was “This doesn't sound good”. When Action Hyundai performed the replacement of this broken starter arm and a few recalls, I told mentioned about the engine noise again. The technician said the engine was 3 Qts low on oil. As an experienced Sonata driver, even though I told the technicians that the car had only 55K miles and it was an unusual sound, they said that they added more oil and I'm good to go!

Until June 3rd, 2015, I did whatever is possible in order to maintain the car – especially the engine! I even had an engine internal oil flush 2 weeks ago. But unfortunately, my car broke down after I dropped my daughter to school that day. While driving, I heard a big sound coming from the engine and a loud constant clicking noise. I couldn't drive any longer, I pulled over and looked around. I looked under the car and found a piece of metal. A metal in the size of my hand came off from the block of engine and fell on the ground! I was shocked because this Hyundai Sonata had only 65K on it and the engine literally fell apart even though I maintained it the best way possible!

I had my car towed to Brad-Benson Hyundai (South Brunswick, NJ), the dealership closer to where I live. I explained what the car went through. I was hoping that they could give me a rental car, and get the engine fixed since there was obviously a manufacturing problem here. They asked for a diagnosis fee of $120, and they told me that they don't have any rental car, or any car for me to drive to work. I said “Fine, thanks for the help anyway. Please take a look at my car and have it fixed at least.” I had to take a cab to work.

They called me at the end of the day and told me that something went wrong internally and the engine was broken into pieces like that - and asked for another $500 to take some pictures and send it to Hyundai! They also told me that there is no guarantee that Hyundai will fix this. I said, “That's impossible, this car only has 65K miles on it. What happened to the 100K miles power train warranty?”...

“That's only for the original owner the vehicle - and you were covered until 60K”, they responded. I said “Wait a minute! I bought this “certified” 2011 Hyundai Sonata from a “certified” Hyundai dealer. And even though I mentioned about a noise from the engine the Hyundai Service has not done anything about it other than adding oil to the engine! And here is the most interesting part: The mileage on the car was 55K then! The complaint can be clearly seen on the service reports!.

I have done everything humanly possible to maintain my 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Oil changes were done regularly just like they recommend! And this vehicle had an engine failure in 65K miles! Imagine how bad of a car this could be... And the worst is you are making payments on a junk car that is sitting at the backyard!...

Soon people will have a lot of reasons to hate Hyundai - and its dealers...

- Fatih B., North Brunswick, NJ, US

problem #81

Aug 102015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

My fiance was driving and the car spontaneously started sputtering, the engine stopped while driving, he rolled the car to a center island and the car did not restart. Religiously churned the oil and got my car serviced. Local dealership said engine seized and without a doubt needs to be replaced.

- liquid_sunset820, Minot, ND, US

problem #80

Feb 202015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,304 miles

So I was driving on the highway, getting off of the exit ramp and my engine totally stopped!!! I was on my way to a clients office and this happens. It was the worst! I checked my oil, tried starting it, but finally I had to get it towed. Now mind you, I happened to be 50 miles from my house ( and my local mechanic) so I got it towed to a local shop. Their initial quote for the fix was between $5,000 and $6,000. I wasn't feeling that, so I had a friend who had the AAA gold card so then I got it towed from that shop to my local shop. Local shop wound up doing the fix for about $4800. LUCKILY, I had the extended warranty and this was covered, if not, this would be a much more "colorful" paragraph.

**ALSO, while talking to the extended warranty guy, HE ADMITTED that my claim would be an easy win because they have replaced MANY of these engines (2011-2014) and he said that this is a KNOWN issue and these engines have a PREDISPOSITION TO FAIL!!! Generally between 60-90k miles.

Its a nice looking car, affordable, and honestly I do like my car, BUT if you're looking at a Hyundai skip these model years and try the 2015. you'll probably have better luck.

My warranty is over once I hit 106,000 miles and I'm about 89,000 now. (even though I got a used engine with 35,000 put in my vehicle) I plan to sell before my warranty is over and before I hit that 60-90k threshold. (because I can't go through is again)

In the end, I was without my car for a month and a half (waiting for parts and approval)...why so long you ask?? MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TOO!! ....but that's a whole other complaint :-)

Best of luck.

- Myles W., Naperville, IL, US

problem #79

May 262015

Sonata 4 Cyc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,962 miles

At 96,500 km this car had engine failure. Hyundai is asking for service records and saying unless service was done with Hyundai or a Hyundai approved business the warranty is void!!

- Barb W., 100 Mile House, BC, Canada

problem #78

Apr 062015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I purchased my car as a certified pre-owned from a dealer in Paramus, NJ in October 2012. At that time, the car was less than a year old and had previously been leased and had approximately 25,000 miles on it. I purchased an extended warranty from Fidelity Warranty Services that was supposed to cover me for 10 years or up to 10,000 miles.

Since purchasing the car, I have been religious about oil changes and service- getting my oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles even though the maintenance guide for this car only recommends oil changes every 7500 miles. I have never been in an accident. Then on Monday, April 6, 2015 I was driving from Maryland to New Jersey and while driving at approx. 70 mph on a highway in PA, I heard a clicking noise that I thought was coming from the road, then my air conditioner shut off, and then the entire engine shut off. While I was driving, no warning lights were on and I had just had an oil change approx. three months prior and the mechanic reported no issues. I let the car roll off to the side of the road- thank God no one was behind me at the time this happened and I was in the right lane otherwise I could have been in a serious accident.

The power in the car was working - lights would turn on etc. but the engine would not restart. I waited several hours for AAA to come out and they towed me all the way back to NJ to my trusted mechanic. My mechanic, who my family has been going to for decades, spent a lot of time looking at the car and a few days later told me that it appeared my timing belt had broken.

My mechanic saw no evidence of oil sludge, etc. I thought, "Great! This will be covered under my warranty." And had the car towed from my private mechanic to a local dealership. At the dealership, they looked at the engine and reported that the entire engine was "covered in thick sludge." While confused as to why the first mechanic who looked at the car did not see this, I immediately submitted proof of all my oil change records proving I had maintained the car as recommended.

Fidelity Warranty Services then looked at the car on three separate occasions, ordering further tear down (more labor hours $) between each visit and then today informed me that my claimed had ultimately been denied. FWS states that "sludge is only caused by lack of maintenance." This is a ludicrous considering I was meticulous about my oil changes and providing proof of that. It clearly makes no difference how well you take care of this car- there is something seriously wrong with the engines and Hyundai should be held responsible for all the damage they've done.

I was so happy to hear that a class action lawsuit has been filed against them after reading complaints from all the other people this has happened to. Of course now I have no car to drive, haven't in almost two months, while still making my $325/m payments + insurance payments on it. They quoted that a new engine would be between $8,000-$10,000 + all the labor that's already been done and the further labor that will be needed.

Considering I still owe $9,000 on this car and I only bought it less than 3 years ago, I refuse to put that much money into a new engine. My car had only 61,000 miles on it when it broke down. I am seeking legal action against Fidelity Warranty Services as well as Hyundai and I hope everyone else who experienced this problem will do the same.

- Shannon M., Morris Plains, NJ, US

problem #77

May 312015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

It makes me sick to my stomach as I'm reading everyone's complaint. My husband and I bought this car for our daughter a year ago when she turned 16. We purchased from a friend who is a salesman. He had taken really good care of it. Kept up with the maintenance like a person should. We felt really good about purchasing the car, even though it had high mileage. Our daughter absolutely loves her car! She hardly lets it get dirty. She had rims put on it, windows tinted, you know what every 16 yrs old wants.

Well on Sunday night, May 31st, her and 3 of her girlfriends took off to Charlotte to a concert. On the way home with no warning she and the other girls are on the side of the road with a car that quit on them. I had to get out of bed at 12:30am to go get 4 girls on side of highway. Not a very happy mom or dad that could only think about the safety of those girls alone on side of road. We, like everyone else took the car in for every maintenance and now 16 yr old without her car that she loved so very much....

- Ashley B., Shelby, NC, US

problem #76

Jun 132015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,350 miles

IT IS THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY THAT CANNOT HANDLE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER (MUCH PAST 60,000 MILES) WHICH THEN CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SEIZE.

I too had no warning, no nothing and then I really had no engine. I immediately investigated the situation and downloaded a copy of the complaint filed in federal court in California. Wherein it clearly states that the rotor assembly fails in 2011 and newer Sonatas. I advised the service manager that I was aware of the aforementioned problem Hyundai was having and that they'd best be ordering me a new engine at their expense. Yes, they did try to tell me it was my fault, but I had done my homework.

They got me a new engine and paid for the rental car I had for over two weeks. Please try to talk to the service people kindly because they are given a ridiculous set of verbal parameters with which to work and unless your dealership wants your good will and realizes the importance of repeat buyers - then you may need an attorney to make a phone or send a letter of intent.

Either way, good luck to everyone and I hope that Hyundai fixes the problem as they trickle in rather than waiting for the NHTSA to order a recall after their investigation. My dealership really stands by the product and I know how fortunate I am.

Update from Jul 2, 2015: If and when you have the engine replaced, be aware that chances are that you will still have the rotor assembly issue plaguing you going forward. Hyundai will eventually need to admit that it is a bad component, get the supplier to fix it and start putting them in newer vehicles.

- Mj M., Detroit, US

problem #75

Apr 032015

Sonata Limited 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,098 miles

Engine had 131,098 miles and I have had the oil changed ever 5,000 miles at a Merchants tire dealer. While I was accelerating into traffic, I heard a clicking noise the red engine oil light came on for about 3 to 5 seconds and then went off. This is the one and only time the engine light ever came on. I check the oil level and there was no oil line showing on the dip stick. I added over 4 quarts of oil and took the car to a recommended repair shop. They said the engine had internal damage and could last anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 years. They couldn't tell. Since I was out of town I tried to get home. The car lasted 15 minutes.

While searching the Internet to see what a new engine would cost me I found this website and figured I had no option but to disposed of the car. I found a Toyota dealer that would give me $2,000 trade in on it, so I took it. The blue book value was between $7,000 and $8,000 so my loss was $5,000 to $6,000. I really liked the Sonata, but it needs to do more than sit in the driveway. Lesson learned, do not buy a Korean automobile.

- Paul E., Cary, NC, US

problem #74

Jun 232015

Sonata Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

As I was driving my daughter to the Emergency Room, my car started to feel sluggish and making a clacking sound. I stopped at a red light, coming off a busy intersection, and the car stopped running and all my dashboard lights came on and when I tried to restart it started smoking. At first I was told it was the alternator or starter and now have found that it's the engine. I just had the oil changed less than three weeks ago (about 2500 miles.) As a single mom, I don't have the money to fix something like this. This is awful.

- kellygirl3795, Ridgely, MD, US

problem #73

Jul 302015

Sonata SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,500 miles

click to see larger images

engine seized

On Wednesday Aug. 29, 2015 I had my car in for an oil change, new tires, inspection, and for them to replace a temperature sensor in the transmission which had been causing the engine light to come on. The car passed inspection after the $738 in fees and costs.

On Thursday Aug. 30, 2015 I was on my way out of town, over an hour from home, when the car began to make a noise under the hood. After just a few moments I was looking in my rear view mirror to pull over when the car had a violent shake, black smoke poured from the vehicle and the dash lit up. I was able to get to the side of the road (US 79N in PA) which is a very busy and fast highway. The engine seized and all power was lost. A truck driver was stopped and came to be sure I was ok as the car continued to smoke. He said that there was obviously a huge oil leak and showed me fresh oil he had put his finger in. He advised me to get out of the car which he helped me to do because it is such a busy and dangerous highway.

I called the service dept. at the dealership and I have to say they were exceptionally kind to me. They told me to call Roadside Assist and I told them that THEY could call! They agreed that they would. I informed the local police via 911 that my car was going to be left on the side of the road for better or for worse and that I was going to continue with my boyfriend to our destination, which was Canada. They were all very kind.

2 days later I received a call letting me know the engine had completely blown and would need to be replaced (pix attached) due to the pistons freezing/jamming/quitting. They told me they had FOUR other Sonata's in the garage with the same issue! When I returned I went to the dealership, which sells other brands, and wanted out of the car. They gave me what I consider to be a horrible deal on the trade, but I was desperate to get out of this car and just have it be over with. I'm a single mom with a new teen driver, so I can't have car issues.

Interested in the class action and how to join..... and also to hear of so many other issues. It could have been a disaster, but luckily everything did turn out alright. I just wish Hyundai or the sales folks would have better compensated me for my trade, esp since I had just dumped almost $800 into it.

- jmel, Pittsburgh, PA, US

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