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.
First the engine blew! That's right, blew up! Hyundai replaced it because they were forced to.
Now, the fuel gauge gets stuck or doesn't work sometimes. You never know until it says 1/4 tank and you run out of gas out in the desert! This car is a piece of junk!! I'm done with Hyundai FOREVER!! Stay away!!!
You ever fill up your gas tank and as soon as your vehicle starts up, it goes from empty, to full, back to empty again? So because I was unable to afford the repairs, I had to learn about how many miles I could drive before I was really out of fuel. That was before the engine replacement (engine seized because of a recall).
On top of that I didn't even know that I was getting terrible gas mileage because of the faulty engine, but I figured I'd get about 300 miles before I should probably make my way to a gas station to fill up. If I was in a rush, it didn't matter because I HAD to fill up my tank otherwise how would I know how much gas I roughly have? It's a mystery.
Seriously, avoid this car like the plague, because if you don't, I hope you're rich and like spending a lot of your time at your local Hyundai service department.
This is just the latest in a series of problems. All previous problems covered under extended warranty and after market warranty I purchased at point of sale. Car was 2 years old with 18,000 miles. Problems have included the following:
NEW ENGINE, AC Compressor replace twice (2), Alternator, Brake Recall, Power Steering unit Recall (excessive play), Belt and Belt Tensioner replace (making noise).
Like the car when it is running. Dealer had the car for over two months to replace the engine!!! They said there was such a back order for the 2011 engines!!!
The gas gauge says empty when we fill it up. have to keep putting gas in it to keep from running out. Can't afford to get a new part that cost $300 then pay someone to do it. It's just a pain but don't want my daughter to
have to sit on the side of the road. its dangerous.
- karendnanney,
Pontotoc, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
First the engine blew! That's right, blew up! Hyundai replaced it because they were forced to.
Now, the fuel gauge gets stuck or doesn't work sometimes. You never know until it says 1/4 tank and you run out of gas out in the desert! This car is a piece of junk!! I'm done with Hyundai FOREVER!! Stay away!!!
- George J., Lake Forest, US