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.
I changed my oil on Saturday and it now has no oil. The engine light started flashing and my engine seized up. Now it does not run at all. It turns on halfway where the dashboard turns on but the motor/engine does not turn. It appears to be white smoke coming out of the car after trying to turn it back on.
On 1/3/2024 the car was at a low speed - once when parking and once stopping at an intersection - when it suddenly accelerated without the accelerator being touched. The only way that the car stopped was that I was able to shift it into neutral. According to online forums, this has been a known issue with several Kia and Hyundai models.
This is a 'Stop Lamp Switch' issue. The car will randomly turn on the ABS light causing the ABS system to engage and not allow you to use the accelerator pedal. This is very dangerous as if you are about to merge on or off a highway the car does not allow you to correctly control your speed. This issue happens more prevalently at night time when the full beam headlights (auto or manually turn on when dark out), which is very concerning. This issue has been going on for a year now and no mechanics at Hyundai can fix or diagnose. It happened again to me this morning and came very close to causing an accident as I could not engage the accelerator pedal on a turn. Please, in the interest of safety and saving lives fix this dangerous defective part issue.
My car had engine seized while driving on the road with no warning light prior nor other mechanical issues. When the engine seized, all mechanical powers are have lost power including brakes and power steering in which have almost caused a near accident at an early morning rushed hours. The vehicle's odometer reading at 120,836 and was up to date on all normal tune up performances. Other issues that have arise after purchasing the car are: warning light came on for airbag, real loud clunking sound on roof when hitting a bump on the road and engine will not start because of fuel line system issues. Cruise control had also stopped working after a year of purchased.
in July of 2022 the buttons on the steering wheel like cruise control trip/reset button as well as radio controls eventually all quit working did not become fully aware of this until I was on the interstate and was driving with the cruise control set and when I needed to turn off cruise control it wouldn't turn off by the steering wheel thankfully I know can hit the brakes and the car will shut it off however after this all happened the air bag light came on and stayed illuminated I called my dealer and they insisted that there was no recall on the CLOCK Spring in the steering wheel of my car and wanted me to pay out of pocket for an issue that they claim was non existint as well them also telling me all the recalls were taken care of when I purchased the vehicle in novemember of 2020 and im only the second owner had the car for 3 months and Hyundai stated that my vehicle had the knock sensor update and then a week later the motor went
- Luthersburg, PA, USA
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The brake lights stay on all the time, thus preventing vehicles behind mine from knowing if I'm actually stopping. Hence, they may stop without reason, and endanger drivers behind them. The manufacturer has likely known of this being an issue in Sonatas from, at least, 2007 through 2013 models. The manufacturer is putting the task of solving the problem (if that's even possible), upon a dealer. And, my trip to that (nearest) dealership (75 miles away) creates its own danger. The danger is added to by a pre-existing unsolved issue of the horn not functioning. As per the brake light issue, I've been to the dealership about it twice, and they weren't even aware that the brake light switch they think attaches to my car doesn't. So, I wonder if the manufacturer tried to address the issue in the middle of the 2011 model year, installed a different model switch and wiring on more newly built cars in that model year, and decided to ignore the owners of vehicles sold earlier in that model year. As for an additional related issue, unless I disconnect my battery when not in the car. the lights stay on and run down the battery. That can contribute to its own safety issue.
My right brake light has melted my housing due to the bulb getting too hot and my cruise control suddenly stopped working one day the light comes on but when I go to hit the set button it doesn't set or activate
Starting 6 months ago air bag light is on constantly. Horn stopped working, speed control doesn't work. The whole steering wheel and buttons with horn doesn't work.
Even on a perfectly dry road, the cruise control can't be set and the traction control light comes on. The nearest dealer (75 miles away) said it was likely in need of a new brake light switch. That didn't solve the problem. Now, it is beyond the fact that the brake lights stay on whether the car is running or not. The brake light switch is clearly impacting various other functions and makes the car unsafe to drive, because vehicles following it conclude (incorrectly) that the driver is engaging the brakes. Additionally, if someone doesn't detach the battery cables when spending some time at a destination, they can be stranded as the result of a dead battery. If the manufacturer had integrity, they would replace whatever related parts are needed to make the car drive safely, They know there's a problem in such vehicles, and even the head of the nearest service department is currently stumped. And, today I was told by the manufacturer that I have to drive it to that distant dealer to see what kind of offer they might give for the car "as is". There should be a recall.
While driving on the interstate, the car suddenly stopped accelerating even though my foot was still pressing the accelerator. I took my foot off the gas pedal and let the car coast for a moment, though the deceleration seemed faster than normal coasting, almost as if the brake was slightly engaged. When I pressed the gas pedal again, it started to accelerate for a moment but then the same thing happened and it felt like the brake was engaging and the car was slowing down even though I was still pressing the gas pedal. So I took my foot off again and tried this process several more times, and in the meantime moved to the right lane and put my flashers on because I could not get the car to go more than 30 miles per hour and I was nearly hit several times. I was about to pull over when the issue seemed to resolve itself just as quickly as it had started. I called the dealership and they said because the car is not under any active recall, there's nothing they can do. This is a big safety issue! I was nearly run down by a truck! I just read that NHTSA has an active investigation for throttle issues, and that my 2011 Sonata is one of the affected vehicles. Please conclude your investigation and fix this issue before someone gets killed!
A friend borrowed my car to go to the corner store to get me a couple of things while my husband was getting surgery. My friend ended up in a rollover accident after hitting a tree. All recalls were up to date on my vehicle, he stated that no airbags deployed. Now after the vehicle was rolled back over and taken to the tow yard the insurance adjuster was the first to see and the driver airbag had deployed. I was not there I cannot say when the airbag deployed however none of the curtain airbags deployed. Also my friend stated that the car accelerated just before impact he swerved to miss something in the road and ended up rolling the vehicle after hitting the tree. The car should not have been accelerating but it was like the car had a mind of its own. I thought the recall was to fix the air bags. He could have been killed.. no reason these cars are still on the road. Not to mention all of the mechanical issues. And I'm sorry to say that I'm glad my kids weren't in the car.
My engine keeps making a knocking sound. When I am driving it will reduce speed, and begins to idle while already driving. Which concerns me that these same issues occurred on my same year, make and model on my vehicle and some how Hyundai dealership will tell me that my car does not have a recall. 470,000 cars of the same year make, and model went in for exactly what my car is doing.
Start losing speed cutting back overheating AC stop function then smoke from good and cut out Had it towed and seek what the problem is This occur on 08/24/2021 just purchase on July 7,2021 from dealer in Auto Land of Thornburg paid cash
I was doing 60 and my car just died out of no where on March 9 2021. I then got it to start and every time I pick up speed it dies again. I smell what may be electrical burning. I called dealership in vandaila they said no recall on motor so I have to figure the problem out.
The front bumper and grill have partially detached from broken or faulty clips, wheels original size rub against wheel well covering and constant sensor failure for tire api. Actual speed is lower then the speed indicated on the vehicle where as 55 mph actual speed shows 59 on the gage. Cruis control will not work and traction control will not turn off, after replacement of all tires and sensors. Exterior- head lights need replaced every 2 to 3 months due to failure, break lights replaced 6X in 4 months and wiring harness to breaklights has partially melted the casing and entry spot for bulb. Replacement bulb didn't remedy the problem, as break lights now do not work at all on vehicle, only tail lights. Fog light have also been replaced 1X im 1 year and 1 is out. Rear plate light also not wiring. Fuses are good. Possible wiring issue. Faulty body issue and possible computer and or sensor issue.
Total loss of car due to engine fire. On Dec 30,2020 at mile marker 31 on I95 South outside of stoney creek va, when I was driving, all lights came on the dashboard at the same time-then we lost ability to accerleate-gas pedal not working. We pulled over on the side of I95-smoke came out of engine and within 10 minutes the entire car was engulfed in flames.
Ever since I had a new engine put in my car, my car hasn't been the same. It acts like it doesn't want to go when pressing the gas pedal right after (was told it was the eco mode), then my dash started to crack, now is extremely cracked which has an air bag, gas gage has a mind of its own, burning a severe amount of oil a week so there is no point in 'changing the oil', oil light never once comes on letting me know its low, no oil on my driveway or under the hood, interior dome light sometimes doesn't shut off, the brake lights short out on a monthly basis and get pulled over by the cops all the time. Now with only 50,000 miles on the 'new engine', I take it back to the dealership because its smoking when I crank it, doesn't accelerate sometimes going down the road when I press the gas, then starts smoking, headlights flicker, engine light stays on and low tire light stays on (even after getting new tires & alignment). Took it in yesterday, Hyundai is stating my oxygen sensors, catalytic converter & gaskets and intake manifold need to be replaced at $3,177. The car isn't even worth that much. This is not the reason why my car is using excessive amounts of oil, smoking when I crank it and acts like the engine is about to blow up. Then they come back to tell me it needs the above, plus an engine replacement but out of 'goodwill' they will only charge me 20% ($2,000) with no loaner car. Its going on 3 weeks now. The corporate office is useless and very rude. I have a voicemail stating 'this is the highest customer service department and once the decision has be made, those decisions are fianl and its up to you to decline or accept our offer.' It's the engine, again! which then lead to other issues! I will never buy another Hyundai again!! this car has caused nothing but money and time, complete waste of junk!
My car stall whiljng driving then stop in front of another vehicles. I had to push it over on neutral. My vehicles had knocking sound when trying to get it back up running. Let it sit for a while and it start back up on its own. I took it to hynduai 8/8 the service worker jim said he can't diagnostic cause the light is gone. I told him that I cant risk driving this vehicle when I know it had a knock sensor recall last year campaign 953 and its doing it again. He told me their is noth I ng he can do and advice me to drive it back home until it happens again and then get tow. J scold him and said and risk my kids life and others. It stalls in the middle of driving. The engine completely goes out for almost 40 minute. This the 6th time it happen between Oct 2019 to Aug 2020.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bothell, WA, USA