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.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,380
Average Mileage:
87,300 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace the engine (14 reports)
  2. not sure (9 reports)
  3. recall 132 (5 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Sep 292015

Sonata GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

My car just started making this rattling noise on Tuesday. It is also hesitating at as low as 1300 RPMs. After doing some research, I found that there was a recent recall (132) released which involved the engine, and described the exact symptoms my car is having. I called the Hyundai dealership on Wednesday to schedule an appointment and was told that I should contact Hyundai of America because my car is out of warranty, and the solution for this recall has not yet been released.

After hours on the phone, back and forth with the dealership and Hyundai of America... There is no solution besides the waiting game (they said "check the recall online every day, it should be released at some point in October, we don't have an exact date"). Wait for the solution to be released. In the mean time, I get on the highway, and my check engine light comes on.

I cannot risk driving this vehicle, it is unsafe. If the engine seizes while I am on the highway, it can cost me my life. But Hyundai will not do anything at this time, not even provide me a loaner. So in the meantime, I am buying myself a cheap beater tomorrow to get me around until they decide to fix this issue! How pathetic is that!? I have to continue paying for a car that I can't even drive! And now, just added another car into the mix!

Update from Oct 1, 2015: *I forgot to mention the car is obviously lacking power

- Tiffany D., Spencer, MA, US

problem #7

Jun 292015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,213 miles

I purchased this vehicle in 2011, I brought my Hyundai Sonata with only 29,300 miles on it. Love the car, this is my second Hyundai Sonata. As of March 13, 2015, I knew that I needed to purchase extended warranty for my Sonata. So I made a decision to buy extended warranty with a company called TOCO WARRANTY. I was paying a monthly charge of $60 for this warranty. As of June I started hearing a knocking sound coming from under my hood. So I took my car to Hyundai the next day. They told me that my engine is going bad. My vehicle miles right now is 135,213. I keep up my maintenance on my vehicle. My extended warranty company did not cover my engine, due to they said I went over 7000 miles on my oil change. Bull Sh*t!!! So now I'm ass out a vehicle. Also my car cuts off when put in reverse. That's that SH*T!!!

- Afratisha K., Powder Springs, GA, US

problem #6

Jul 222015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

THE NOISE STARTED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ALARM. IT HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES

I DO THE MAINTENANCE REGULARLY CHANGE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES

- Firas A., Lancaster, PA, US

problem #5

May 252015

Sonata 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,200 miles

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

On May 25, 2015 on my way to work. I just had gotten my oil change that same morning. Once I left Mobile Oil Change my car start driving really funny. I gotten like 3 miles from the oil place when my car start making a loud noise. The engine light never came on. All the lights on the dash did start flashing. The car finally start slowing down until it stopped. I pulled over to try to restart the car, no go.

So I had the car towed to a mechanic in which he later called me and said my engine was gone and it was gone cost me a whopping $6,000 to replace. I'm a single mother of 4, I cant afford that amount to fix this car. So I got a 2nd opinion about the car. The second mechanic told me it was the fuel pump so I had to order one which cost me $498. Come to find out this wasn't the problem. So he tired replacing the spark plugs which didn't work. So he then put the car on diagnostic machine which then told him my engine was gone.

So now I'm stuck with a fuel pump in which I can't take back. Before this problem I had to replace the starter. I really like this car never really had any problems with the car in the 3 years I've had it. I'm still paying $455.96 a month on this car in which I can't drive. I even went as far as informing the finance company about the car. They gave me the run around telling me to go to different dealerships in which they works with, but never responded to my request. I need a car in the area I just relocated to. HELP

- desr5beia, dumbar, WV, US

problem #4

Mar 182015

Sonata GLS 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 57,000 miles

My wife and I love our Hyundai Sonata. A few weeks ago it made a slight rattling sound at 3200 rpm. I told my wife something was loose and the car was resonating at that RPM, no big deal. She took it in and was told by Folsom Lake Hyundai it was an engine problem and that they would ask corporate for OK to replace it. We got an OK shortly thereafter. We got a new short block installed under warranty. They gave us a car to drive while they fix the car over three days. Folsom Lake took care of us with no hassle.

If we do not see complaints on later model Hyundai's we will favor getting another. If other years have a problem like this then we will look elsewhere. So far I see 2011 as the bad year.

- Louis D., Shingle Springs, US

problem #3

Mar 102015

Sonata SE 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,260 miles

My wife and I bought this 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE from a Hyundai employee with 5000 miles on it. The vehicle was given to the employee for work travel. We purchased the car from Hyundai. Since we purchased the car, I have done all of the routine maintenance and serviced the car with Mobil 1 synthetic oil.

With 88100 miles on it, my wife slowed down to make a right turn and the engine stalled. She was able to safely pull off of the road. After a few moments, she started the engine and it made a ticking sound that she described as something caught in the fan. She drove it home, I checked it and it didn't make any noise. The oil was due for a change so I serviced the car. My wife drove it for a few more days with no issues.

She parked it one evening and the next morning when she was leaving for work, she started the car and a loud ticking noise was coming from the engine. Give it a little gas and it makes a knocking sound. We have had no engine issues, no oil light, no check engine light. Now the vehicle is parked with a bad engine, waiting on a response from Hyundai.

- Keith S., Brunswick, GA, US

problem #2

Sep 082014

Sonata GLS 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata "Brand New" I can honestly say at the time and up until this point this is by far the BEST CAR I have ever owned! However NOW because of the inability on behalf of the dealership and Manufacture to stand behind their product I FELL COMPLETLEY THE OPPOSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I drive approx. 80+ Miles to and from work everyday. On Monday the 8th of September I am making my daily commute as usual. I merge onto the freeway and after approx. 12 Miles the car makes a hard jerk (1) time and then there is this awful noise. I turn off the A/C and the Radio only to realize it is even worse. I immediately exit the highway at the next off RAMP approx. 2-Miles. I pull into a parking lot at a local business and stop the car. No Warning lights on dash, no smoke or liquids only a HORRIBLE NOISE!!!!

I shut the car off and call Hyundai Roadside assistance answer questions ect. After having the vehicle towed back to my hometown Hyundai dealership on the afternoon of Monday Sept 8th. They proceed to tell me there is a engine noise! ( REALLY NO $%!# ) That was a great diagnosis! The dealership states they are going to be able to look at the vehicle and they should get back to me before the end of the day. The end of the day passes NO PHONE CALL " No surprise" The next day Tuesday the 9th at approx. 11:30Am I receive a phone call from the service manager who states that they have had a chance to "DIAGNOSE" the problem and they have determined that there is an "INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM" again ( NO S%!# ) These people are so INTELLIGENT. They proceed to tell me that I need a "Longblock Replacement" however that isn't available from Hyundai!!!! So there recommendation is a "Shortblock replacement" which is a little more labor intensive and expensive. (STOP) First off keep in mind I am a consumer not a "Mechanic" I told them they are speaking GREEK to me! I said cut the BS! and tell me what it is I need to do? The Service Manager for Hyundai offered the following as a solution to my problem. Also Keep in mind she is offering her " PROFFESIONAL OPINION " (I) feel better knowing this (NOT!)

" It is our recommendation to replace the engine this repair will run about $7500.00 min" WTF!!!! are you talking about is what I am thinking in my head! I said excuse me this car is 2K outside of the warranty on top of the fact it was just in last week for a recommended engine flush and synthetic oil change to maintain engine performance and prolong the life of the car! (DEALER) " Sir I understand your frustration unfortunately that are some other options we can discuss! (HERE IT COMES !!!!) Dealer " Would you like to talk to someone in Sales to discuss trade options" (HOLY S%!# is this for real) Know I don't want to talk to anyone in sales, I want you tell me what is wrong with my CAR! How much is it going to be to fix? (DEALER) "We would need to diagnose the cars engine to determine what the failure is and why it failed. (ANYONE LISTENING) They just told me that they need to DIAGNOSE the cars engine! In the beginning they said they diagnosed it! NOW there telling me they didn't, WTF! is going on here, am I crazy! (Me) Excuse me, if you need to Diagnose the engine still how did you determine that it needs to be replaced? (Dealer) Well sir it's quite obvious that the engine is making some really bad noises sounds like a broken piston rod or something. (WOW) Sounds like you a complete DA and I am obviously too if I am to sit here and believe any of the BS! coming out of this lady's mouth. (Me) Excuse me so seeing as how you told me that there was a $109.00 Diagnostic charge what exactly did I pay that for? (Dealer) Well sir that was a basic diagnostic we would need to perform an advanced diagnostic to determine the cause and failure" (Me) OK! so how much is this going to cost? (DEALER) Well sir this would run the same rate of $109.00 however this would be on an hourly rate with an avg time of 6-9hrs. ( ME) So you are telling me I could potentially be looking at a $1000 for you tell me what you already recommended in your "Professional OPINION" and that is that the engine needs to be replaced " which you can't get" so you need to do a "short block" which is more expensive and more labor intensive! HOW DOES ANY OF THIS MAKE ANY SENSE!!! (ANYONE) IT DOESN'T!!!

So as it stands right now I have a car that is worth $0.00 cost $8000.00 to fix or a $1000.00 to Diagnose! even though they already diagnosed, NOT REALLY!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO!!!! However I have made one decision and that is that even though HYUNDAI itself isn't the one having this conversation, these are their FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES. I WILL NEVER EVER I REPEAT NEVER consider another product affiliated with or manufactured, recommended, ect my HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA! I will make ever effort to discourage any individual, family, friend, acquaintance, stranger, customer ANYONE from purchasing or considering a vehicle from HYUNDAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO SUPPORT NO BACKING NO CONSIDERATION, NO COMPASSION from HYUNDAI and its DEALER! means NO HYUNDAI. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS STORY and the countless other VICTIMS that have fell PREY to HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP.

- Tayden H., Belvidere, IL, US

problem #1

Jul 202011

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

starting around 5,000 I noticed an engine noise. It's not an exhaust leak, or anything like that, it's simply an annoying valve noise, the dealership claims is the direct injection. I have had a few cars with D.I. and I'm 90% sure its not that, its way louder, it sounds like the valves slap.

- realbig315, Fort Hood, TX, US

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