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.
My drivers side rear tail light assembly failed out whilst i was driving home. When i parked at home it was partially out and only held in place by the one electrical harness that feeds it. Luckily it did not detach whilst driving on the freeway. there are 5 screws that are embedded in plastic round holes. The plastic holding those screws is brittle and has failed. I'll have to try work out a way to glue it back together or purchase another assembly.
Update from Oct 18, 2018: I ended up purchasing a new assembly from the dealership parts store for about $170.
So my 2011 Sonata turns 30000 miles and we notice that the passenger tail light is hanging out. To my surprise all of the studs are broke. Me being in the plastics industry with automotive this is a defect. Evidently the tensile strength of the plastic is not suitable for the weight of the light after a period of time.It also happens just after the five year warranty.
The driver's side rear tail light is being held in place by duct tape. The plastic sprockets have disintegrated and shattered and no longer hold the light in place. Fortunately the duct tape matches my car so that if any is showing around the trunk area, it is not too noticeable.
I was at work and I noticed the tail light was not completely attached to the car. I thought it was a hit and run at first, but the car had no signs of damage where the tail light was. I pulled the light out a little to see why it was not like it should be and I noticed the studs holding the light to the car were broken.
I also checked online to see if I was just a victim of bad luck, and other have the same issue. I will update this later, but so far I know that it will cost me at least $60 to $80 for the headlight. Removing the broken headlight parts from the car so they can install a new headlight will probably also increase the service fee. This really should not be put on the customer to take care of since it is a manufacturing fault from the company.
- mrrandom77,
new bern, NC, US
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My drivers side rear tail light assembly failed out whilst i was driving home. When i parked at home it was partially out and only held in place by the one electrical harness that feeds it. Luckily it did not detach whilst driving on the freeway. there are 5 screws that are embedded in plastic round holes. The plastic holding those screws is brittle and has failed. I'll have to try work out a way to glue it back together or purchase another assembly.
Update from Oct 18, 2018: I ended up purchasing a new assembly from the dealership parts store for about $170.
- Jim S., San Pedro, CA, US