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:
2 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,327 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #175

Oct 102022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Air conditioning drain drips onto front sub frame, which holds the engine and transmission. It also holds the suspension bolts. Dripping from air conditioning drain is causing sub frame to rust, rot out and weaken prematurely. This will cause the engine and transmission to drop out of the vehicle when the sub frame collapses.

- Franklin, MA, USA

problem #174

Sep 012022

Sonata

  • miles
Rear brake light bulb socket melted. Brake light will not work it melted the bulb in the wire harness.

- Ozark, AL, USA

problem #173

Sep 052022

Sonata

  • miles
Car accelerates randomly. Makes a sort of "vroom" sound and lurches forward. Causing my vehicle to run into my friends garage door. Also noticed acceleration at various times while moving.

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #172

Apr 202022

Sonata

  • miles

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

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.

- Plevna, KS, USA

problem #171

Aug 182022

Sonata

  • miles
I know for a fact that one of the recalls I was told by Green Hyundai they could not do because they did not have a solution for the recall I know in 2019 I had the recall for my seatbelt done and it still comes on buckled I also know because I have one with blue Drive that if you hold the battery for the electric out without turning off blue drive it affects it I did not do this but somebody breaking into my car dead And I-??m not sure all of the effects it had but I have had motor problems because the same dealer who told me they had no resolution for Yoru fact that there is no recalls that were undone even though are not done even though I was told that one they had no solution for and couldn-??t do so I know at least one has not been done, also forgot to connect the coolant line resulting in motor damage..

- Rock Island, IL, USA

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problem #170

Sep 302021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
My vehicle has an excessive oil consumption issue that started approximately in September 2021 after I got an oil change and had to put more oil in it after about 2 months when the oil change light went off. I have taken the vehicle to 2 different mechanics and they are unable to find an oil leak. There has been no oil leaking on the ground, no burning smell, no smoke showing, but the oil is somehow being consumed rapidly. The check oil light has not gone off since. I literally have to check the oil level every 2-3 weeks to check the levels. I got another oil change in February 2022 and have had to put 12 quarts in since that time. In July 2022 my car started driving funny with low power issues and the check engine light came on. I had the spark plugs and coil packs replaced. Now I'm dealing with low power on inclines and the catalytic converter now needs to be replaced. The mechanic believes it's due to the excessive oil consumption issue. It's my understanding that several Hyundais have been recalled due to excessive oil consumption issues. The contact has stated that during one incident, the vehicle lost power going up an incline. The oil levels were checked and were normal. A tow truck mechanic was able to get the vehicle started back up so that the contact could drive it home. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told the catalytic converter was bad. Unfortunately, the part is on back order and the vehicle is unable to be repaired. Aside from the catalytic converter, the vehicle has an oil consumption issue.

- Pearl City, HI, USA

problem #169

Aug 062022

Sonata

  • miles

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

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 #168

Jun 072022

Sonata

  • miles
Car shook violently 5 Seconds later shuts off on freeway. Took to dealership 3 times they say nothing wrong with it but coils they swapped out coils and still doing something.

- Sd, CA, USA

problem #167

Mar 262020

Sonata

  • miles
The Sonata Hyundai Hybrid trunk will not open when the battery dies, and since the battery for the Hybrid is in the trunk, when the battery dies, the car has to be towed because, unfortunately, the key to the trunk has never worked. The last time my battery died, the dealer, after many hours, finally managed to get the trunk open but not without damaging the mechanism. Now there is no way for someone to get out of the trunk if they should get locked in. It's my understanding that a trunk latch malfunction has been a problem with Hyundai Sonata Hybrids for a long time. There is a recall on the newer models. Why not the 2011? The latch does not work. There were no warnings that the battery was low before the trunk became unaccessable.

- Winnebago, IL, USA

problem #166

Apr 052022

Sonata

  • miles
Engine-locked up(with oil inside) Gearshift-does not change to next gear unless I use emergency shift lock.

- Blackstone, VA, USA

problem #165

Jul 302021

Sonata

  • 234,875 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined the engine replacement since the mileage did not match the title mileage. The manufacturer informed the contact to park the vehicle as it was not safe to drive. The failure mileage was 234,875.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #164

Feb 232022

Sonata

  • miles
The shifter is not being recognized in park by the motor therefore, it is not wanting to start. Once i do get it started, then i can not shift out of park i have to stick the key down in the shift unlock position to get it to move out of park.

- Ashland City, TN, USA

problem #163

Nov 162021

Sonata

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle last year with a new engine at 189,000 miles. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle began to stall, and an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, he had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the engine was disassembled to diagnose the cause of the failure. The dealer requested the maintenance records for the vehicle; based on his available maintenance records, the dealer determined that the failure was caused by poor maintenance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to another dealer for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #162

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 #161

Oct 082021

Sonata

  • miles
UNKNOWN....Dome lights got switched and the car wouldnt turn back on after that.. Thought it was the alternator so a brand new one got put in it... Wasnt it.... Thought it was the battery terminal so got a brand new 1 of those... Not it.... Without the key being in the center console faub the car doesnt have power at all..... Car just wont start at all now.... So Really Unsure with what going

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #160

Sep 062021

Sonata

  • miles
This car had an open recall fixed a few years ago for EPS (electrical power steering). It is now same issue occurred and has ruined the starter. Mechanic can-??t even turn it on to fix EPS. Hyundai is refusing to pay for starter. It-??s due to their faulty EPS system!! So, the car can-??t even be diagnosed for the EPS because of the bad starter. It-??s extremely hard to drive and to turn because of EPS recall. It is not safe. They said they-??d fix it since it was associated with previous recall now they are denying to pay for it. Hyundai case is 18735488. I have escalated the case with Hyundai but no one ever reached out to me. The car is just sitting at the Hyundai mechanic shop until they respond and pay for their faulty parts.

- Port Saint Lucie , FL, USA

problem #159

Aug 282021

Sonata

  • miles
When I-??m driving out of nowhere it will only go 20 miles an hour and I can put the gas petal to the floor it hesitates My shifter will get stuck in park and my brake lights stay on even when it-??s in park

- Granite City , IL, USA

problem #158

Feb 012020

Sonata

  • miles
The contact called on behalf of her son who owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall and shut-off with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed on multiple occasions to an independent mechanic who topped off the fluids however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the Vin was not included. The contact also stated that the vehicle would run hot as the temperature gauge would indicate a rise in engine temperature. Additionally, the contact stated the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #157

Jul 212021

Sonata

  • miles
I was on the on ramp of the freeway with the closest vehicle several hundred yards in front and no vehicles behind or on the side of me when my sunroof "exploded". Fortunately the curtain was drawn so no glass poured in the vehicle, but when I pulled over half the sunroof was gone and the remainder in shredded. I do no believe anything struck the vehicle.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #156

Apr 102021

Sonata

  • miles
Unknown Rear taillight out, but unable to replace bulb because something melted. Making it impossible to simply change the bulb with replacing the whole unit/light. Rear stoplight keeps going out

- Humble , TX, USA

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