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 5 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #811

May 172022

Sonata

  • 110,000 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 approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #810

Aug 012021

Sonata

  • miles
I would like to report a serious Safety Hazard. Hyundai Motor America replaced my 2011 Sonata's defective engine in January 2020. The new engine turned off on its own approximately 20 times without the "Check Engine" light turning on between August 2021 and January 2022. The "Check Engine" light did not turn on until January 24, 2022. I had my car towed to El Cajon Hyundai in August 2021 after the engine turned off on its own while my car was traveling more than 40 MPH. El Cajon Hyundai could not diagnose the cause of the problem in August 2021 because the "Check Engine" light never turned on each time the engine turned off on its own. I had to work when the non-flashing -€œCheck Engine-€ light finally turned for three days starting on January 24, 2021. The engine turned off on its own approximately 20 more times from January 27, 2021 until July 22, 2022 without the -€œCheck Engine-€ light turning on. The -€œCheck Engine-€ light finally turned on again on July 22, 2022, but it was not for Crankshaft Position Sensor. I told the mechanic what my Sonata has been doing since August 2021 after he initially could not diagnose the problem. The mechanic checked the computer again and he was able to locate the Check Engine Light message for the Crankshaft Position Sensor that occurred on January 24, 2022. I paid El Cajon Hyundai $593.71 on July 25, 2022 and July 29, 2022 to replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor. Unfortunately, my car turned off on its own again on July 30, 2022 and August 13, 2022 after the new Crankshaft Position Sensor was installed. My 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been posing a serious safety hazard for me each time I turn the engine on since early August 2021. Hyundai Motor America is ethically and financially responsible for ensuring that my 2011 Sonata is safe to drive. I am also concern that this serious safety hazard may be impacting other Hyundai owners.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #809

Mar 052022

Sonata

  • miles
On March 5, 2020 I was entering a highway and increased my speed a little so I can get into my lane. After I made it into the highway my car lost power in the middle of the road and immediately would not go past 20 mph. I had to drive slowly and get all the way over into another lane and stopped in a nearby neighborhood. I went to not having any dashboard indicators to now a check engine light, oil light, and ABS. I checked my dip stick to see how much oil did I have in my car and I was completely empty but I was not due for an oil change yet. I had to get my car towed to my home. The next day, we tried to let my car rest so it sat. On that Morning, I drove my car maybe 8 minutes up the road to stop at an auto zone place. There weren-€™t any dashboard lights so I assumed my car was okay. The representative did a diagnostic on my car and he said he didn-€™t find any problems except I needed my brakes worked on & I didn-€™t have any oil. He put new oil in my car and told me I should be able to drive it up the road to my mechanic. I let my car run a little with the oil topped off and maybe drove no more than 15 minutes before those previous dashboard lights appeared on my car again and my car stopped power and wouldn-€™t drive any more than 20 mph. Long story short, I had to get my car towed twice since then. To my mechanic and then to the Hyundai dealership in Gaithersburg, MD. The rep. at the dealership said her mechanic recommended that I get an engine combustion cleaning, a new pcv valve and a oil change because I didn-€™t have any oil in my car. I told her that was weird because I had put oil in my car from the auto zone place and I believe my car must be leaking oil. Today, August 15th I am still having problems with running out of oil before my oil change mileage and date and I am not having any indicators on my dashboard to alert me. This can cause me to drive around without knowing and my engine can lock. That is a safety issue!!

- Germantown , MD, USA

problem #808

Jul 262022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The car started having issues like turn off itself while running and the oil warning lamp lights up. It did that twice then the engine burst on the third time. Oil leaked on the ground in the middle of the freeway, I am lucky I didn't get myself into a bad accident.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #807

Aug 082022

Sonata

  • miles
No warning lights on. Police and Fire department inspected car. Car towed as total lost. Safety was at risk per car caught fire while been driven

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #806

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 #805

Jul 062022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Around 174,000 miles, the motor started knocking, the engine blew, metal shavings in oil.

- North East, MD, USA

problem #804

Sep 092021

Sonata

  • miles
Engine knocking. If engine would-€™ve turned off it could have caused an accident. Yes, problem has been reproduced. Component has been inspected by dealer. No, warnings.

- Oklahoma City , OK, USA

problem #803

Jul 172022

Sonata

  • miles
We broke down in the middle of the highway where there wasn-€™t a emergency lane available. A another vehicle struck the car in the rear.

- Baltimore , MD, USA

problem #802

Jul 232021

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle has been slowing down and failing to drive. Took it to the mechanic and the vehicle caught on fire. The mechanic said other vehicles had the same issue. When I called Hyundai they said my VIN was not apart of that recall and they can only go off of that. I have a vehicle that has been sitting for a long time unable to use because of engine problems that Hyundai is well aware of.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #801

Jul 032022

Sonata

  • miles

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

My engine seized while I was driving a few miles from home at 104,000 miles. I was told by the mechanic that there was not enough oil in the vehicle and that caused the problem. However, I have never missed a maintenance on this car and it was only 4,000 miles out of warranty. I don't understand how the car could have no oil. I checked and I was just a few hundred miles passed the date for an oil change but I never received any light indicating that oil was a problem and I cannot understand how the car could be using that much oil without me having any prior indication from the car.. just the engine seizing and now I am told the car is toast unless I put in a new engine! I don't see my car on recall but it seems that I have the same problem of many other people and I feel that Hyundai should make this problem right and fix it.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #800

Jun 082022

Sonata

  • miles
Approx. 6/8 While driving car, engine ceases, had towed to mechanic shop, Towne Hyundai dealer advised have car again towed to them. Dealer advised needed oil change receipts for 69,000-90,000 which they received, I had been calling to check status several times. Called 7/1 advising I-€™m inconveniencing everyone using their car. Was advised they had to now remove valve cover & send pictures, they were waiting for Hyundai-€™s response but later on Towne left me voicemail they were trying to get me a rental car, none were available but probably on Tuesday they would have better luck. Well got the call today (Tuesday) it was denied for coverage due to maintenance on the vehicle -€¦. So my car which I take great care of I was told there is no one that they could respond to with my dispute! Gave me Hyundai csr service #, I called & was advised when Hyundai denies coverage that is the final decision & there is no dispute & no one else to speak to. I was advised I could call the Better Business Bureau & given the # to call. When this first happened I went on the site where Hyundai was being fined & put my vin to check, it showed I should-€™ve been art of the recall, now after I-€™m denied the status changed! I advised the rep at Towne after he said I was denied I was part of that recall & I checked he said I wasn-€™t, so I feel like things were altered, I took a screenshot of my vin covered, is there anything else I can do or speak to on this, I-€™m so upset!

- Buffalo , NY, USA

problem #799

Jul 012022

Sonata

  • miles
I was attending a wedding on 7/01/2022 as I was leaving for dropping my child off at the hospital as I was leaving to go change clothes my car had shut off in the middle of the road without no warning of what so ever it started smoking and wouldn't start or do anything for me to get out of the road which could've cause a bad wreck thank God for some gentleman helping me getting out of the road I have had mechanic look at there so many problems he don't know where to begin and I just spent out money fixing my car

- Alma, GA, USA

problem #798

Jun 072022

Sonata

  • 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and inadvertently lost motive power while driving. The contact was able to drive safely to the side of the highway. The check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated the air bag warning light had since illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #797

Mar 282022

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle safely, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall but stated that the vehicle was not included. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Carrollton, GA, USA

problem #796

Jun 252022

Sonata

  • 159,719 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The contact then restarted the vehicle; however, there was a metallic grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and had it towed by AAA to a local dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,719.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #795

Jun 202022

Sonata

  • miles
Going down the highway at 70mph the engine just shut down. I couldn-€™t drive over 35 mph hr.

- Choctaw , OK, USA

problem #794

Jun 142022

Sonata

  • miles
My engine seized up on me while driving in heavy traffic. I just purchased this vehicle in April 2022, and other than me having to replace a headlight, the car drives smooth and has never stalled or given any check engine, or oil lights, or any type of indication that there was something wrong with my vehicle. I just drove it and out of the blue my dashboard lights go off and my engine locks up while I'm driving. I wasn't able to get the car back started. I had it towed to a shop and they weren't able to get the engine to turn either. I am now resorting to a Hyundai dealership to inspect.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #793

Jun 022022

Sonata

  • miles
After doing some research, I am now aware that there was a recall 20V-746 or 21V-727 that my car was affected by & was never notified about. On 6/2/2022, I was driving and just exited the freeway. Smoke started coming out of the passengers side of the engine. Cars were honking at me & flames started coming out as I drove into a parking lot. I was terrified as my life was at risk & felt fortunate that this did not happen on the freeway. I feel lucky to have been able to escape this life threatening experience. There is now an open claim with my insurance. I had brake lights changed at Frank Hyundai on 4/08/2022 in National City, CA where they also ran a diagnostic check on the car. There was never mention of a recall & my car was cleared of any issues. In addition to the photos I have attached, I also have videos that I am not able to upload.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #792

May 212022

Sonata

  • miles
The car began exhibiting a knocking noise on 5/21/2022 when increasing speed up to around 60 mph. Vehicle did the same thing again on 5/24/2022 and was shaking for a few minutes around the 50-60 mph mark. I took it to my local mechanic who drove it 6 blocks and then towed it back to his shop because he "didn't want to be the one to blow the motor out." At that point there was a consistent knocking noise in the engine even when in park. I did some research and discovered the "engine rod bearing failure" recall associated with similar model and year Hyundai Sonatas. So I had my car towed on 6/2/2022 to the nearest Hyundai dealership from Alpena, Michigan to Traverse City, Michigan, where they ran the engine rod diagnostic test and my vehicle failed the test. So the service rep at the dealership informed me on 6/3/2022 that my car failed the test and would be receiving a full engine replacement and knock sensors with the 10-year warranty.

- Alpena, MI, USA

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