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:
4 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,389 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #99

Sep 172024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Car spontaneously caught fire while turned on. First smoke started coming from under the hood. Within three - five minutes, the car erupted in flames followed by a minor explosion that burned more than half of the car causing a total loss.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #98

Mar 182024

Sonata

  • miles
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.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #97

Dec 292023

Sonata

  • 202,008 miles
I [XXX] purchased the vehicle from a dealership Mr. T-??s world test drive the car was fine left the dealership had to go back he change the brake lights made it back left to go to the store the next day had to pull over they had smoke coming from under the hood open the hood up the wires was on fire INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lafayette La, LA, USA

problem #96

Dec 132023

Sonata

  • miles

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

My 2011 Hyundai sonata Engine failed in April 2023. Was towed and the engine was replaced due to the recall. Got car back November 4th 2023. Fuel gauge never went out and after driving about 3 miles the engine light came on. Dec 13th was driving on highway and felt like the car was going to fall apart. Able to get off highway only for the car to die. Every light including some I have never seen came on. Was stuck on the side of the road with my ESA dog in 28?. Temp. For over an hour with no power and hazards starting to dim. I'm disabled and had no help. Local PD towed vehicle and drove me home. Car sat at tow yard collecting fees as I was waiting for the dealership to call me back. Finally got help with paying the tow yard company only to be stuck once again for over an hour in the cold and then denied a tow to the dealership since they decided to cancel my appointment by text while I was on with Hyundai roadside assistance. They denied any help. Luckily the tow yard felt bad and made a call for me and a friend came and paid the $160 tow truck to get the car back to my house. They have now not returned my calls and the case manager has not responded as well. This is unacceptable. I don't have any money and I have no idea how they can get away with treating a disabled person in the winter days before Christmas by letting me be stranded twice on the side of the road with an engine that has less than 10 miles on it.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #95

Jul 042022

Sonata

  • miles
2011 sonata se 2.0t door lock-??s acting up won-??t open or lock fuel smell in the car really strong and not measuring the gas keeps going up and down and at times I don-??t even know if I have gas or not and when filling gas at the gas tank entrance where you fill up at won-??t let me fill up gas keeps getting spit out when I-??m filling and I have to keep clicking the gas gun and not put pressure have to fill it very slow

- Waterbury , CT, USA

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problem #94

Jun 182023

Sonata

  • miles
My car caught on fire while I was driving it. I was put at risk of burning, and being struck by other vehicles as I exited the burning car. Warning lamps came on just as another motorist alerted me to flames coming out of my car. Fire Department and Highway Patrol responded. Police report was filed. Insurance has looked at the car and declared it a total loss. Engine was replaced 7 months ago, under a recall for the Theta II 2.4 engine

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #93

May 222023

Sonata

  • miles

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

1) Fuel gauge readings are erratic, empty one minute then full the next then back to empty or in between regardless on actual fuel level. 2) Safety at risk if fuel pump malfunctions and gas gauge readings erratic. 3) Problem has been noted in numerous blogs, internet sites. 4) No open recalls yet this is a serious problem. 5) The only warning lights are fuel gauge flashes empty, but then goes away then comes back. 6) Cause per blogs is defective fuel sending gauge on fuel pump. Mileage at approximately 128k recurring issue, fuel pump failure possibly at high speeds could cause deaths if vehicle out of drivers control.

- Camarillo , CA, USA

problem #92

Jan 012020

Sonata

  • 113,329 miles
Smell of fuel & starting issues. The car has been taken to the dealer multiple times regarding gas fumes and they could not find anything. And it is currently at a mechanic shop to for same reason. When you start the car it doesnt take long before the whole car smells like gas & the smell is so strong it is suffocating. The car is health & fire risk. Also the car sometimes doesnt want to start for days but the starter, battery, alternator all work & even the mechanic doesnt know whats wrong with it. Apperantly there is no recall & if you search online there are alot of people with same cars complaining about gas smell & starting issues..

- Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, USA

problem #91

Feb 232023

Sonata

  • miles
I'm smelling has from under the car and it's got a ticking sound and burning oil it looks like

- Deer Lodge, TN, USA

problem #90

Dec 182022

Sonata

  • miles
I started smelling a strong fuel odor and my car just started leaking fuel while I was driving it.

- Humble , TX, USA

problem #89

Aug 092022

Sonata

  • miles

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

7am turn car on and let it. Warm up for a couple min then out of No we're car turns off. Another day another morning turn car on and seconds pass and car turns off repairs I did as u can see in invoices replaced enginee couple months ago took to dealer ship several times no help or. Any solution.

- Sd, CA, USA

problem #88

Jul 012022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
In May 2022 the engine was recalled and replaced by Schomp Hyundai located at 100 Havan St, Aurora, CO 80010, and I purchased this car right after the engine recall. Since I bought the car vehicle the engine has been making noise and the AC and heater smell gas and burned fuel inside the vehicle through cabin air vents. I took the car to the Schomp Hyundai and asked them to fix the noise problem as the engine is not properly installed but they refused to fix it and asked me to pay $180 to diagnose the problem and to pay additional for the fix. The second time when I took the car for the gas and fuel fume and I was told that it is not part of the engine warranty; I have to pay $180 to diagnose the problem and pay additional for the fix. As the engine was replaced, the service may have resulted in damage to the high-pressure fuel pipe. While maneuvering the engine into place, the fuel pipe may have been crushed, poorly torqued, or simply not aligned properly. The dealer is not accepting any responsibility.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #87

May 182022

Sonata

  • miles
when driving randomly the cars engine will rev really high while pressing the gas pedal but the car doesn't move. After a little while the car eventually makes a loud clunking noise which shakes the car and typically causes the tires to spin. It seems to happen when the car is trying to decide whether to switch the gas engine or back to EV mode. This has been happening for a long time an even after the engine was replace under the recall. This is a safety issue that causes major concerns for myself an passengers. Also it happen when turning onto highways or exits which at high speeds there is a high likelihood of causing an accident. I have reported this to Hyundai several times but they cannot figure out the cause but rather keep trying different things an charging me. the car also seems to burn oil fast which doesn't make any sense being that its a newly installed engine.

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #86

Aug 062022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the vehicle on the interstate, crossing the expansion joint on an overpass, the check engine light illuminated. Immediately following, smoke began coming from under the hood. Pulled off the side of the road to check, and flames were coming out of the car. Quickly removed what personal items that were possible while the car started becoming engulfed in flames. The car burned until the fire department arrived and put the vehicle out. While we cannot be certain, it is believed that the high voltage wiring chafed and arced leading to the fire. If it wouldn't have been possible to immediately pull to the shoulder, the car would have been engulfed while rolling and could have lead to death. The car is a total loss.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #85

Jun 022022

Sonata

  • miles
After doing some research, I am now aware that there was a recall 20V-746 or 21V-727 that my car was affected by & was never notified about. On 6/2/2022, I was driving and just exited the freeway. Smoke started coming out of the passengers side of the engine. Cars were honking at me & flames started coming out as I drove into a parking lot. I was terrified as my life was at risk & felt fortunate that this did not happen on the freeway. I feel lucky to have been able to escape this life threatening experience. There is now an open claim with my insurance. I had brake lights changed at Frank Hyundai on 4/08/2022 in National City, CA where they also ran a diagnostic check on the car. There was never mention of a recall & my car was cleared of any issues. In addition to the photos I have attached, I also have videos that I am not able to upload.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #84

Apr 122022

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai recalled my vehicle twice for GDI ENGINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (Recall 132). Subsequently, my vehicle was recalled a 3rd time for HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (Recall 180). During this recall, the dealership inspected and DID NOT replace or repair any equipment. 4/12/2022 I smelled gasoline and took my vehicle to an Auto Shop for inspection. The technician explained that the HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM was leaking fuel significantly and was an extreme safety hazard. I contacted Hyundai Manufacturer right away due to my knowledge of Recall 180. Hyundai set me up with a Dealership Service appointment and I had the vehicle towed to the dealership for safety. The Dealership refuses to honor the recall (Recall 180) and after several phone calls, emails, and tweets; I am still unable to get reconciliation from Hyundai Consumer Affairs. For context, please understand that this Dealership is the same Dealership that FAILED to repair or replace anything when I took my vehicle in for recall (Recall 180). Please help!

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #83

Jan 152022

Sonata

  • 99,000 miles
All the lights appear os dash. Tpms, taction control, maintenance check engine, , brake malfunction message power steering light. Car start beeping alarm. Transmision weard beheaving. Brakes weard, acceleration. Scare moments, stop the car. Dangerous driving. After 5 mjnutes problem desapear and afret 10 more milles problem appear again. Bring car to the dealer february 10th for diagnostic they charge $457.38 dolars fr diagnostic. Almost a month after they found anything nothing. Feel robbed by dealer.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #82

Oct 292021

Sonata

  • miles
When fuel tank is quarter full, car shuts down when i make complete stops like on traffic lights or when turning. i have to turn it completely off and have gear on park and restart

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #81

Oct 032021

Sonata

  • miles
My daughter and a passenger were driving our car at night October 3, 2021and the entire car suddenly and without notice began shaking and convulsing, became non responsive and all the electrical components and the engine went dead including inside lights, brakes, power steering and lighting system. It was nighttime and the traffic was medium but she was able to ease the vehicle onto the shoulder without incident but had a few close calls as drivers eased around her. They could have been severely injured by the traffic as it attempted to get past her on this narrow two lane road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had blown, was seized and locked up. He also mentioned that there is a recall for the 2011 Sonata and numerous problems such as this have been reported. We had no idea there was a recall on this vehicle. We are very concerned and upset that this incident could have caused severe injury to our daughter, her friend and other drivers around her. There were no prior notifications or signals with the car having any problems prior to this incident.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #80

Sep 132021

Sonata

  • miles
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.

- Providence, RI, USA

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