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 4 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #831

Nov 182022

Sonata

  • miles

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

When I was driving on the highway there was a sudden knocking sound coming out from my engine. I dropped off from the highway and checked the engine and there was a smoke coming out from the engine it was scary. I took my car to the dealership and they took some time and they said I have to replace the engine. Even it is under a safety recall they decided not to replace the engine and they are saying that the engine is rebuilt. Please help me to get my engine replaced, I am a student I am not understanding what to do with this. NHTSA is my final hope to help me in this

- Dento, TX, USA

problem #830

Nov 172022

Sonata

  • miles
No heat only A/C and will not turn off. Engine light on and low tire light on but no other information is provided on screen.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #829

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 #828

Oct 152022

Sonata

  • miles

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

I was driving home from work & out of NOWHERE the engine seized & power steering was very hard due to it being electric. Hyundai then denied my engine for "Lack of maintenance" AFTER they KNOWINGLY put my life & others t risk for even letting these cars be driving without proper caution or engine replacement.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #827

Oct 202022

Sonata

  • miles
My vehicle should be covered under a recall for my engine, however Hyundai is denying the claim due to my title being branded as salvage, however according to my research a salvage title does not affect the recall. I believe my engine should be replaced, and Hyundai is refusing to return my calls at this point.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #826

Aug 202022

Sonata

  • 162,594 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 73 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to approximately 10-20 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to her destination, parked, and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the engine was making abnormal knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact notified the local dealer who informed her that they did not have any appointment availability. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,594.

- Holly Springs, MS, USA

problem #825

Oct 132022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Hi-€¦I just financed this vehicle in January and in September-€¦ I was driving and the vehicle stalled -€¦-€¦thankfully there was no one behind me but I did cause traffic -€¦.. I had to get it towed to the Hyundai dealership and found out that I had a blown engine-€¦I didn-€™t get any signs that something was wrong with the vehicle-€¦not even a check engine light -€¦.. it-€™s been in the shop for a month-€¦-€¦and I have no way of paying for it-€¦-€¦ This has been a nightmare and I-€™m still paying on it-€¦.. I-€™m so confused and I don-€™t know what to do-€¦. Please find out what about s going on with this car-€¦-€¦it has 109,000 miles on

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #824

Jun 082019

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would emit abnormal loud knocking sounds. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption; the vehicle was consuming about 4 quarts of oil per week. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the electric power steering assist and the brake assist were no longer operable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Oxford, PA, USA

problem #823

Feb 012022

Sonata

  • miles
Aig bag light on, Horn and nearby control panel stop working. Engine noise-€¦da da da-€¦ stater fails-€¦

- Duarte, CA, USA

problem #822

Sep 052022

Sonata

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact waited for a while before being able to restart and drive the vehicle. The failure also occurred while idling at a red light. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was 161,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #821

Sep 122022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The engine siezed while driving on the highway. This is the second engine that has done this since I-€™ve been the owner in 2019.

- Bluffton , SC, USA

problem #820

Aug 032022

Sonata

  • miles
My car had a recall on the engine 3 months ago and now it is not there but long story short when I bought the car I drove it 300 miles, the engine blew the extended warranty company covered the engine replacement I drove it 7,000 miles changing the oil every 3,000 miles as per the warranty needed the engine blew again Warranty company replaced the engine I then found out about the recall and had it towed to the Hyundai dealership but they said since there was a different engine in the car they couldn't honor the recall even though the new engine that was put in was also recalled drove the car 3,000 more miles engine blew again it's been in the shop 6 and 1/2 months of the 12 months I've had it and twice I broke down in the middle of the street and on the highway once at a busy off ramp in the middle of crazy traffic I was stranded this past time for 2 hours during rush hour and in a blind spot and could not move my vehicle off the side of the road and was almost hit numerous times the warranty company has voided the contract since they have capped out the max limit spending the worth of the car but the mechanic says he could put the original engine back in the car so Hyundai would honor the recall however now the recall has suddenly disappeared and I know it was there because the mechanic told me about the recall I called Hyundai's recall customer service number they validated it and told me to have the car towed to Hyundai Hyundai validated the recall and said they could not honor it because it was a different engine it's just been a really big Mess and now I'm out of a car once again and now the recall has suddenly disappeared I'm not too sure what to do at this moment as I'm the only income in the house with a fiance and three kids and no car, since the first week of having the car I've had nothing but issues and I have service records and receipts to prove all of this and the shop verified the breakdown was caused by what the recall was for, engines from AL plant

- Raleigh , NC, USA

problem #819

Sep 112022

Sonata

  • miles
Car stalls when accelerating, beginning to smoke, flashing check engine light in on.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #818

Aug 162022

Sonata

  • miles
drove vehicle down the street when knocking noise started, check engine light turned on, then immediately stalled. Car will not start or drive now. called hyundai recall campain and they gave me a case number of #203-102-81 with recall campaigns that could fall under 953, and or 132. There may have been an issue with the connecting rod bearings wwith a cyclic knocking noise from ther engine

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #817

Sep 072022

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 5-10 MPH into parking lot, the vehicle started shuddering and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the wait time for diagnostic test was 2-3 months. The dealer informed the contact that Hyundai Independent Recall Number: 953 (ECM & Cluster Update-Engine Monitoring Logic Product Improvement) needed to be completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #816

Feb 132019

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle would accelerate whenever the volume for the radio is turned up. The vehicle would suddenly accelerate inadvertently when other functions of the vehicle were activated. The vehicle also suddenly stalled at various speeds, causing the contact to turn off and then restart the vehicle several times to regain normal functionality. The brakes also failed intermittently. The vehicle displayed a warning light however, the contact was unsure of the meaning. The failure mileage was unknown due to odometer fraud that was linked with the vehicle. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #815

May 312022

Sonata

  • miles
Car stalled on the highway without warning, putting myself and others in danger. Motor was inspected and the engine needs replaced. Hyundai not honoring recall settlement

- Hartville, MO, USA

problem #814

Aug 192022

Sonata

  • miles
I have code P1326- Manufacturer Control show up on code scanner, first appearing on 08/19/2022, the engine light blinks on and off. Looking up the scan code one of connecting rod bearing is possibly getting to the point of failing through wear and tear on my 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited. The problem has been reproduced while Accelerating to 40mph before car will Decelerate and only shifting between 1800-2000 rpm, on a busy road near my home, that may could have caused an incident

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #813

Aug 152022

Sonata

  • miles
I own a 2011 Hyundai sonata limited edition 2.4 my sonata is making a horrible knocking sound from the engine in 2019 Hyundai dealership installed the knock sensor which is default my sonata is knocking no engine light has come on to make me aware of the knock the problem has progressively gotton worse I can hear the knock now is why I'm aware of this my sonata has a salvaged title also is one of the many built in Alabama the engine recall campaign says metal matalic shavings are stuck in oil ports which could ruin rod bearings crankshaft and other internal components I took my car to Hyundai dealership they ran a mpt test on rod bearing and ignoring the faulty knock sensor that they installed dealership said the bearing test passed but something else in my engine is knocking really bad and still ignored the faulty knock sensor even after telling them about it mind you the engine light is still not on although the engine is knocking all recalls for this vehicle are up to date Hyundai dealership has denied me of any help with my sonata because it has a salvaged title but didn't deny me in 2019 when knock sensor was installed my sonata has been maintained oil change tune up ECT why am I being denied of this recall they was aware of the engine recall campaign or would have never ran a rod bearing test so why am I being denied my sonata stalled on the freeway in a lemp mode this could have caused serious injuries due to Hyundai dealership not fixing the problem how and why are they able to do this if a vehicle is recalled no matter what needs to be fixed

- New Caney, TX, USA

problem #812

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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