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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,915 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 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #70

Jan 252020

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles

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

While driving this vehicle at slow speeds in a parking lot, the engine went to full throttle without touching the gas petal at all. The vehicle was put into neutral and the engine kept reeving at full speed. There was nearly a crash as a result of this failure. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer since the engine would not stop operating at full speed. It is now at the Hyundai dealer for repair again. This is the second occurrence of this issue. The same issue occurred 1 year prior and a Hyundai service center repaired the problem. There are many of these issues reported on-line. The manufacturer has apparently taken no responsibility. This vehicle is not safe to drive. Please help us with resolving this issue with the manufacture before someone get hurt.

- North Haledon, NJ, USA

problem #69

Sep 012013

Sonata

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata hybrid. While driving 65 mph, the cruise control failed to engage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to centennial Hyundai (located at 6200 centennial center blvd, las vegas, nv 89149, (702) 483-2200) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #68

Aug 232019

Sonata

  • 199,000 miles
I have only had the car for about 6-7 months I bought it from a private owner I changed the oil and bought a new battery. The car did high milage at 194,000 miles I still bought the car. Last week while on my lunch break I was in my way to go pay my car insurance when I seen I had 32 miles to empty which I never let it get that low but I did obviously that day. As I begin to go up hill it felt like it stuttered so I figured I was running out of gas. But as I came over the hill I press on the gas and noticed that it revved up and to my knowledge the car was locked up the steering wheel was not able to turn the breaks were locked up and all my dash lights were on. I was scared and just let the car coast down the hill approaching a red light with traffic stopped all I could do was hope I didnt get it or hit no one else for not having much control over the car I braked as much as I could and coasted it into a gas station to where. I made it to the pump and turned the off off and went and got gas for the car. Tried to turn it over and not a thing happen sounded dead battery like it wanted to start but once I turned the key and it did not start if I tried right after just made a click click noise. I took my battery out and home to charge thinking maybe a bad cell or maybe alternator. Bought new battery and it not start so no not the alternator. I am at lost for words tried to turn the crankshaft and wont budge. Am I able to still get this looked at by Hyundai even if I just bought the car. Its registered to me if it is caused by these recalls does the car have to still be running for me to be able to recieve the benefits I have never had a car just straight die. Never made any noise or smoke or got hot. Also I noticed when I have the key and drop it down into all the gears it goes but when I slap it over to the manual side I can go from 1st to 2sd and that's it.

- Sutter Creek, CA, USA

problem #67

Aug 282019

Sonata

  • miles

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

Hyundai Sonata 2011 when driving through bumps or a smooth service it feels as if the car is going to fall apart. Since I purchased the car it has a clunking and rattling sounds underneath and a few replacements has been done but it still feels as if its loose underneath. The car has gone through many recalls plus was out of service for about 3 months for engine replacement. The driver side of the car is not aligned as it should. The best part is while driving the entire inner cover of the wheel on the driver side fell off, and almost caused an accident while having my child in the car. Engine was recently replaced. While driving the car has no type of acellator pick up. When turning left it sounds like a cranking noise "cluck, cluck, cluck" its horrible. I have this car in and out of the shop plenty of times since I first purchased it but my theory is that I purchased a lemon car but apparently because the miles it don't qualify. Okay now what it qualifies for? manufacturing defects smh when I drive in the rain the windows do not defross as it should therefore I'm afraid to drive it during bad weather

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #66

Jul 042019

Sonata

  • miles
Car randomly would not accelerate and car came to a stop and just would not cut back on. There is a engine recall on my car

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #65

Apr 012019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
I pulled out on to a 4 lane highway and the engine stalled and the car coasted across. After a few seconds car regained power and went on but still losing power. When driving on interstate car keeps stalling at high rates of speed. When I cut on lights while driving car stalls/loses power for a few seconds then goes on. Brake lights aren't working all the time plus 3rd brake light keeps sticking. I need answers to this before we get seriously hurt!!!!!

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #64

Jun 072019

Sonata

  • miles

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

I have gotten my car in March 2018 since then I had to change my brakes rogers and now I have a knocking noise in steering wheel and when press down on brakes tires double turn at time

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #63

Nov 202018

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle would decelerate without warning. An independent mechanic reset the computer, but the failure continued. In addition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was unable to be safely driven due to the multiple failures. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V568000 (engine), 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 17V152000 (seat belts), and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags); however, the contact did not receive any notifications. The contact was also not notified of manufacturer service campaigns: 946 (under body corrosion preventative service and service campaign) and 953 (ECM & cluster update-engine monitoring logic product improvement). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- Kinston, NC, USA

problem #62

Jan 012019

Sonata

  • miles
Since I bought this vehicle, they had replaced the engie due to, the recall, they had to, replace my fual sensors, steering column piece, and another part. But since they replaced my engine, my electrical in my car is, mever accurate. Speed sensoer is wrong, the radio shorts all the time, and my cruise control doesnt work. The problems countniue to get worse especially with the electrical. This car has costed me 1000's of dollars and it just countniues to have problems. I have taken it to Hyundai in redlands ca. They have all documentation on the vehicle.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #61

Aug 252018

Sonata

  • miles
Car steering wheel making clicking sound when turned and car accelerate while coming to a complete stop it's inconsistent also brake light constantly burning out and the car horn recently just stop working thank you for your interest on my concern

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #60

Jul 072018

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles

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

Driving car and lost all power diagnosis showed nothing by my mechanic after Hyundai told me car VIN not on recall during on vacation engine died had to have it towed back to my from Maryland was garage said engine bearing broke will cost me 7000 to my mechanic

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #59

Apr 122018

Sonata

  • 116,350 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. On several occasions, while driving 70 mph, the cruise control engaged independently and the speed increased to 80 mph. The contact was forced to apply the brake pedal twice before the cruise control disengaged to approximately 75 mph. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified.the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 116,350.

- Stamford, TX, USA

problem #58

Oct 242014

Sonata

  • miles
2011 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. The consumer stated the vehicle suddenly accelerated and caused an accident. The airbags did not deploy.

- Devon, PA, USA

problem #57

Jan 062016

Sonata

  • miles
"takada recall" the push to start won't work sometimes, (stationary )it has me stranded at times. I have had the batteries changed several times and it still won't work, my front suspension is making a very loud noise when I step on my brakes(everytime I'm in motion) I've had new brake pads, rotors and $700 Michelin tires put on in Aug 2017 and this noise is getting worst, the wiper blades are top of the line and I cannot drive at night or in the rain because it's very hard to see, lastly I try to use my cruise control on the (highway) and I set it and bounces back down very low

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #56

Apr 062016

Sonata

  • 51,000 miles
Knocking in the engine, cruise control doesn't go off when brake is pressed, shift lock doesn't work.have to manually press override button to put in gear.car stalls sometimes after a turn. Ecs light is constantly on. Loss of power sometimes, had to replace brake light bulb twice in the last 6 months and they were completely black, like burnt.vehicle was generally in motion when issues occurred.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #55

Jan 192018

Sonata

  • 154,800 miles
Over the last month or so, my car has been losing power while driving. It started happening randomly on the highway and I decided to take into dealership to disables the issue. After a diagnostic test, it was determined to be the PCM. After replacing the PCM, I now have been experiencing this loss of power even while driving on side streets and off highway. I have since been back to this same dealership located in new london ct and have been given another possible cause for this issue and that is the motor. I am extremely frustrated and upset bc not only did I spend 1500 to fix the problem, the problem is not fixed and is actually worse. I have read several forums that indicate a safety recall on my motor however it seems as though my car is outside of the parameters that cover my motor. Please get back to me with any advice or suggestions in going about resolving this safety issue.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

problem #54

Dec 122017

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
After a complete stop, the vehicle will delay its acceleration, as if it was going to turn off, the after 3-4 seconds it accelerates, it happens several time a day while driving.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #53

Oct 202015

Sonata

  • 58,000 miles
The controls on my steering wheel will randomly quit working. The cruise control will work fine one time and then the next I can't hit set or the cancel button will be the cruise or it will flip through the other options (trip button). If I hit the steering wheel in this vicinity it will work correctly sometimes. The volume button will either mute, or the + will actual decrease the volume. The button to change the station (presets) will change the mode (am, cd, sirius...) sometimes one direction (up) works and the other does something else random. All of the steering wheel controls seem to have a mind of their own and do not work correctly most days vs some days the buttons work fine. I took it to the dealership prior to the warranty expiring and it worked fine. Next day, issues again. I saw other complaints about this but can't seem to make it happen when I need it to. Frustrating since it is safer to use these controls that the buttons on the dash.

- York, PA, USA

problem #52

Oct 222017

Sonata

  • 121,000 miles
Cruise control fails to disengage by repeatedly and firmly depressing the cancel switch on the steering wheel. Cruise control must be disengaged by manually depressing the brake pedal. Upon harshly hitting the wheel in the general proximity of the switch it will sometimes begin to work again randomly, other times it will not function at all.

- Swansboro, NC, USA

problem #51

Aug 302015

Sonata

  • 25 miles
Tuvo un accidente Y fue declarado perdida total, las bolsas no explotaron

- Miami, FL, USA

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