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:
12 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,296 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 3 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #354

Jul 222021

Sonata

  • miles

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

I almost got into an accident on the highway with my family when returning home with my family my car started to sputter and the check engine light started blinking the car wouldnt accelerate on the highway almost got into an accident with a truck. my family and i was terrified. i took it to autozone they notified me its an problem with my engine, rod bearings, the representative, informed me alot of sonatas have came in with the same issue. that occurance reminded me on the letter i received few months back informing me on a national recall. I truly need assistance fixing my car ive lost days from work due to my transportation not working properly. Please help

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #353

May 042021

Sonata

  • 156,000 miles
I was driving approximately 55 mph on a highway and it started raining. I turned my headlights on and the traction control light came on. I also lost acceleration power until I completely let off the gas pedal. This has happened several times over the last month. I also am unable to set the cruise control if my headlights are on.

- Coshocton, OH, USA

problem #352

Mar 122021

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
Car would not start took it to dealership they said alternator was bad had it took it to mechanic shop paid 300 alternator drove it to car wash car would not start again. Was told it has something to do with push to start and sensor in break pedal. Paid cash for the vehicle drove it from the individual I bought froms location to the store and it's left me stranded ever since. Dealership keeps diagnosing alternator, starter get online and read and there are complaints and even videos on you tube about this same issue but Hyundai refuses to fix it. Wish I had never throw my money down the drain now I'm just out of a car no way to work and don't know what I'm gonna do. Poured every last penny I have into it and it still will not start. Single mother of two children no financial help other than my work income which I may not have much longer if I'm unable to have transportation to get there. Thanks Hyundai what a way to treat customers who's put faith in your vehicles.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #351

Feb 112021

Sonata

  • miles

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

My VIN is showing 2 recalls that are incomplete that I have taken to a local dealership to be corrected. My 2011 Hyundai burns oil very quickly within weeks of an oil change. I am constantly adding oil. There is no oil leak detected in the vehicle. I was assured that the engine recall was looked at and not affected but according to this site that recall is incomplete. I also have to replace tail and headlights and when I use a blinker at night the headlights turn off. I had my vehicle serviced at jenkins Hyundai of jacksonville fl 904/420-7171

- Neptune Beach, FL, USA

problem #350

Jan 232021

Sonata

  • miles
Radio went completely out. Head lights and tail light always going out.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #349

Dec 302020

Sonata

  • 106,000 miles
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.

- Wyomissing, PA, USA

problem #348

Jan 072020

Sonata

  • 139,000 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 various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard under the vehicle after going over a bump in the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently with the fuel system and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel system and map sensor were faulty and needed to be replaced. The fuel system was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the struts were not inspected. Crain Hyundai little rock (11701 colonel glenn road, little rock, ar 72210 (501) 604-1500) was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls was under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 15V629000 (suspension) and 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) as possible solutions to the failures however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to contact NHTSA to place a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. Invalid VIN.

- Whitehall, AR, USA

problem #347

Dec 102020

Sonata

  • 92,957 miles
I had transmission problems my transmission stop working and I could not change gears so I took my car to Hyundai shop and paid out of pocket over $900 and come to found out it was a recall #123, so Hyundai call me after I left the shop saying they not gone reimburse me which is not right.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #346

Oct 292019

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles
Cruise control works off and on one day it works fine and the next day it don't work! very annoying I just don't understand how something will work and then it won't work

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #345

Oct 272020

Sonata

  • miles
As I was driving my car's engine started to smoke and within 2 minutes the fire started.

- Brentwood, NY, USA

problem #344

Oct 172020

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles

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

I starting hearing a clicking then the car lost all power, steering was so stiff, brakes would not prss down I was able to get off the road then smoke was pouring out the front. I could smell wires buring we pour water down in the motor but the hoses were still hot to the touch. The car will not restart. I scared me to death in so glad I slowed down. I bought the car less than 1yr ago. Dont dealers have to check these things. I'm so frustrated. Should not be allowed to sell a car if you know theres an open recall. I'm thankful my kids werent with me.

- Iberia, MO, USA

problem #343

Oct 042020

Sonata

  • 141,263 miles
Started to drive on a highway, vehicle cut off in motion. It will not turn back on anymore

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #342

Oct 012020

Sonata

  • 175,000 miles
My car changed to cruise control on its own. I couldn't get out of it until I parked. My lights don't work the constantly flick on and off while I'm driving. The dealership also failed to replace my airbag deployment sensor after I reported that they never fixed it. They put it in the database that it was repaired but I was still waiting on a part I never received

- Huntsville, TX, USA

problem #341

Sep 252020

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles
During normal driving with headlight setting on auto, headlights turn off when turn signal is activated. Headlights turn on when turn signal is off (either manually turned off or when turn is completed). This can happen while moving or stopped at light. Consistent problem with left turn, less often for right turn.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #340

Aug 312020

Sonata

  • miles
Lights occasionally shut off while driving. Happens on its own but happens more often when switching on high beams. All lights shut off inside and outside car. Has happened many times since owning the car

- New Lebanon, NY, USA

problem #339

Sep 072020

Sonata

  • 164,000 miles
I am consistently having to replace my tail and brake lights on both the driver and passenger side every 2-6 months. I just replaced the bulbs in July and now in September, they're bad again. But now even with new bulbs in, the tail lights do not work but the brake lights do. I am also having an issue with the interior dome light not turning off while set on the "door" setting with all doors closed. For this, I have checked the door jamb switch and the inside of the dome light switch and there are no obvious causes for this issue. I'm not sure if these light problems are connected or not, but the dome light worked perfectly fine until I replaced my tail/brake light bulbs yesterday and discovered that they aren't working at all.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #338

Apr 092020

Sonata

  • miles
- engine had metal shavings in it which led to excessive amounts of oil consumption, it took the dealership almost a year to admit that the engine was going out -the brake light switch keeps going out, I have replaced my third switch in my 7 years of owning this car. -the taillight wiring harness warp the taillight housing for the brake lights due to excessive heat generated from the 2537 bulbs. In general, the wiring harness don't even last that long

- Round Rok, TX, USA

problem #337

Aug 142020

Sonata

  • miles
Having problems with my door locks. I look on forums and its a known problem. My passenger front door lock makes a loud noise, and my drivers rear door will not open from the inside or outside. Any help would be nice

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #336

Dec 012017

Sonata

  • miles
The first problem is about the headlights when turning the car on whether it is stationary or in motion, the headlights intermittently blinking or cutting off shortly which is dangerous when driving in dark. The problem may be related to the multi-function switch. The second problem is related to the battery, the battery on this car, 2011 Hyundai Sonata gls, can not last long and it needs to be replaced every couple of months. The problem is related to parasitic electricity in this model as the dealership told me. It might be caused by electricity drainage on the radio part. The third common problem in this model is the overheating engine. I realized the radiator fan is not working until I stop the car, open the hood, and then give the fan blades a push! also, the fan can turn on by itself only if I turn on the ac on high blowing level.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #335

Jul 062020

Sonata

  • 200,000 miles
Headlights going out at night as well as the interior dash lights going out for no reason, while driving. Benn happing every few days since July

- Haslet, TX, USA

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