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:
18 / 81
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,975 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 14 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #631

Oct 202019

Sonata

  • 118,028 miles

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

While driving on I-75 doing about 65 mph, without any warning whatsoever, engine stopped. It felt like all power steering, breaks and steering wheel, went away. I was lucky enough to be on the right lane and was able to safely pull over to the side. This happened the night of Sunday, the 20th of October. I had the car towed to my local mechanic where I was told the engine had frozen up and needed to be replaced. I read on line that hyndaui had extended engine warranty on '11 Sonatas to 120,000 miles, so I had it towed this morning to potamkim hyndaui. I bought that car brand new back in 2011, and have religiously changed oil every 5000 miles using synthetic oil every single time. The car had 118028 miles when this happened.

- Miami Lakes, FL, USA

problem #630

Apr 092018

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 mph on the highway, the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, and called the police. There were no injuries. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and destroyed. The fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The wreckage was towed away. The contact went to plaza Hyundai (2740 nostrand ave #2, brooklyn, NY 11210, (347) 983-5977) and was informed to call the manufacturer. The contact reached out to the manufacturer, but had not spoken with anyone yet. The contact settled for the recovery cost of the vehicle with his insurance company. The contact felt that the manufacturer ignored him through the entire process. A year before the fire, the engine was replaced with a refurbished engine per an unknown recall. The cause of the failure was not determined. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #629

Oct 082019

Sonata

  • 202,000 miles
Purchased 2011 Hyundai Sonata literally a week later, this happened.unknown.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #628

Oct 052019

Sonata

  • 195,000 miles

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

I was driving down the road the engine just locked and stopped. I am not sure whats going on but I was at a speed of about 65mph. I never had a problem with the engine prior.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #627

Oct 092019

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
Engine was replaced per extended warranty regarding recall. Vehicle was taken into massey Hyundai on 09/07/2019 and returned with reman motor on 09/12/19. Since then the vehicle has showed over heating and the backup camera displays a white screen on 10/09/19. Called after temp light came on and Hyundai has the nerve to say they will not pay for the tow. On top of that they person who answered the phone explained the wiring harness wasn't replaced. Temp light hasn't came back on due to my son not using the A/C. NHTSA has not held Hyundai or Kia accountable for issues they no doubt knew about. The recall should have been a buy back for these motors. We are not asking for a new vehicle. We just wanted the vehicle working properly. Now my son is stuck with a vehicle with all kinds of electrical problems due to Hyundai flaw. The electrical system was working fine prior to the engine replacement and Hyundai should be held accountable. NHTSA is starting to frustrate

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

problem #626

Jun 152015

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
I experienced the issue with my 2011 Hyundai Sonata engine locking up/freezing up, the dealer owner Mr. Mccracken at kearny mesa Hyundai located at 4797 convoy St san diego, ca. 92111 charged me over $770 dollars for labor even though the recall was published/sent out during the dealership rebuilding/replacing my engine. Who is suppose to refund me my money for an issue that was placed on a recall. Your assistance in this manner is appreciated.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #625

Sep 262019

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles

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

I was sitting in my car with the engine off and it caught on fire from under hood out of nowhere!!..

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #624

Sep 142019

Sonata

  • 164,000 miles
Loud knocking noise coming from engine. 164K miles. This is second motor. I was driving down road when this occurred, got vehicle home and has been parked ever since.

- Copemish, MI, USA

problem #623

Sep 252019

Sonata

  • 139,990 miles
My car quit running in the middle of the road last April 2019. I takes it to Hyundai dealer for a recall. They put it on garage for repair on May 21 2019. On June 21 2019 they call telling that the car is ready. I pickup and keep driving it until yesterday after work on my way home the same thing happen. I could lost my life yesterday in the middle of the road.. I have tow to my house and expect Hyundai to take care of this matter for my safety and the safety of others. Thank you. The engine just turn off while I was driving and wouldn't start again. No check engine or any other was on. And the battery is new.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #622

Sep 202019

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 60 mph, the engine suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to tiger hunt auto(2482 spring rd SE, smyrna, ga) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #621

May 032019

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles

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

I bought this car 3 years ago. Ever since the day I bought the vehicle, it makes loud clicking noises when you turn the steering wheel left or right while in drive and reverse. In the 3 years that I have owned this car, I have had to replace the tires 4 times, the brakes and rotors multiple times per year, tie rods, and cv joints and yet the car still clicks when you turn. I had the engine recall done in may of this year. They gave me the car back a month later. I had to take it back the very next day because it was leaking copious amounts of oil and making a clanking noise that was not present when I left my vehicle with them for a month. They "fixed" the oil leak and told me the noise was from my front brakes yet again. I had to return the car again a few days later because it was still leaking oil! so they "fixed" the leak a 2nd time and again said the noise was from my brakes. Less than a week after that the check engine light came back on. I immediately took it back and was told that it was just a "loose gas cap" which I never experienced prior to the engine being replaced. They cleared the light and sent me on my way. I had brand new brakes and rotors put on, again, and yet the clanking noise is still there. 5 days ago, the car began driving the way it was before the engine recall, same engine failure symptoms and my check engine light came back on a second time 3 days ago. I have not had to fill it up with gas in 8 days so there is no way that it is from a "loose gas cap." My seat belt locks up and stays locked up if I lean forward. I should also mention that when I bought the vehicle I had to inform the manager that the front bumper was only attached to the car because someone drilled screws into it to keep it on. He had no idea!! I made them replace it before I would buy the vehicle. The paint is constantly chipping off of the "new bumper" they put on it.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #620

Sep 152019

Sonata

  • miles
Engine is making a knocking noise and it's locking

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #619

Aug 162019

Sonata

  • miles
Acceleration problems car stop on me I got my car towed no codes or nothing showed up try to start car at shop smelled a burning smell needs new starter new starter repaired. Couple of days later I stop for a update entire engine gone will call Hyundai tomorrow I have two kids and this is horrible

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #618

Jul 182019

Sonata

  • 145,789 miles
My brakes acting almost hit the curve when I was trying to stop, the transmission stalled almost causing another car to hit me from behind as I drove down the highway also the engine is using excessive oil afraid the engine will lock up causing an accident.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #617

Jul 312019

Sonata

  • miles
I had just bought my car, two months later, I'm driving to work which is less then 5 miles away.. and my car ts making a knocking noise. I got no light signal warning me about oil or engine, it just started the noise so I stopped driving it so no further damage was done. My car lights never came on ever about my oil or engine. Not even for tire pressure.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #616

Aug 232019

Sonata

  • 199,000 miles
I have only had the car for about 6-7 months I bought it from a private owner I changed the oil and bought a new battery. The car did high milage at 194,000 miles I still bought the car. Last week while on my lunch break I was in my way to go pay my car insurance when I seen I had 32 miles to empty which I never let it get that low but I did obviously that day. As I begin to go up hill it felt like it stuttered so I figured I was running out of gas. But as I came over the hill I press on the gas and noticed that it revved up and to my knowledge the car was locked up the steering wheel was not able to turn the breaks were locked up and all my dash lights were on. I was scared and just let the car coast down the hill approaching a red light with traffic stopped all I could do was hope I didnt get it or hit no one else for not having much control over the car I braked as much as I could and coasted it into a gas station to where. I made it to the pump and turned the off off and went and got gas for the car. Tried to turn it over and not a thing happen sounded dead battery like it wanted to start but once I turned the key and it did not start if I tried right after just made a click click noise. I took my battery out and home to charge thinking maybe a bad cell or maybe alternator. Bought new battery and it not start so no not the alternator. I am at lost for words tried to turn the crankshaft and wont budge. Am I able to still get this looked at by Hyundai even if I just bought the car. Its registered to me if it is caused by these recalls does the car have to still be running for me to be able to recieve the benefits I have never had a car just straight die. Never made any noise or smoke or got hot. Also I noticed when I have the key and drop it down into all the gears it goes but when I slap it over to the manual side I can go from 1st to 2sd and that's it.

- Sutter Creek, CA, USA

problem #615

Aug 232019

Sonata

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While idling at a stop sign, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk forward. The contact also heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated that when he depressed the accelerator pedal, the hesitation stopped. However, when the vehicle decelerated, it began to hesitate and jerk again. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle near his residence because it was unable to be driven. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced on February 16, 2018 per NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact's VIN was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was towed to mcgrath city Hyundai (located at 6750 w grand ave, Chicago, il 60707, (773) 889-9090), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #614

Aug 212019

Sonata

  • 98,000 miles
I bought this car in 2013 for the Hyundai dealership in gurnee il. Since then I have had nothing but recalls, and issues. All of the recalls for this year and affected my car as in the warning they way may happen actually happen to me. My engine seized up while I was driving with 2 kids in the car on a busy street and I was almost re ended as a result only to have the dealership tell me it wasn't the recall! then later they had to fix it after I work to corporate because it was the 132 campaign recall. The 3 dealership I have dealt with are all rude none want to actually fix your car or help you because its recall work not actually work that they make money off of. Now as of today my airbag light has come on after the "fixed" the newest safety recall, when I called the dealership they informed me they fixed the issue so I will be charged $139.99 for them to even look at it. When will Hyundai be actually held responsible for all of these car issues they are all safety. So far the recalls have been for the engine, seat belts, brakes, air bags, body corrosion, and so on! I thought there was lemon law in place to remedy this, Hyundai product faulty vehicles with the model year 2011 and the consumer if the one lose and spending out of pocket. I had even called corporate before this to try and remedy the issue myself and was told they are sorry some will call in 3-5 days. At this point I am a mother driving around with children in a vehicle that may or may not pop the air bags whenever it feels like or they will not deploy if I do get in an accident. Something needs to be done with these cars they are not safe to be driving at any given time another recall can cause a major safety related crash or death at this point. I have had way to many close call with myself or my kids lives at risk due to Hyundai lack of care for their consumers.

- Harvard, IL, USA

problem #613

Mar 192019

Sonata

  • 129,000 miles
Reference VIN# 5npe C4ac 5bh1 7045 4 2011 Hyundai Sonata 129,044 miles at engine failure on March 19, 2019 Hyundai case# 15847818, campaign 132, total engine failure, claim is in the sum of $5054.95, complaint: All requested documentation for invoices, owner registration, and associated information has been submitted to the Hyundai client care specialist in a timely manner. Hyundai campaign 132 document rcmn-15V568-2234 directs that required vehicle inspection will be done at no cost to claimant. Hyundai client care specialist, refuses to contact the Hyundai dealer to authorize vehicle inspection at no cost to claimant per referenced Hyundai procedure. Local Hyundai dealer in savannah, Georgia, refuses to contact Hyundai for authorization to perform the required vehicle inspection at no cost to claimant. Dealer advises that we make a claim for this expense to Hyundai. At this point, August 19, 2019, Hyundai has made no indication that they will actually honor any claim for expenses.

- Savannlah, GA, USA

problem #612

Aug 152019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact called on behalf of her spouse the driver, stating while he was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the roadway but was unable to restart. The contact stated that her spouse saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that they received a call from the police department making them aware that the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. A police report and fire department report was made as the fire department had taken photos of the fire. The manufacturer or the dealer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Brandon, WI, USA

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