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 6 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #791

Apr 262022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Upon accelerating to enter traffic the engine stalled. Subsequent attempts to restart the vehicle have been unsuccessful. The engine will not turn at all. A mechanic determined the engine was locked. Prior to this the check engine light had been on and the defective part had been replaced based on diagnostic code P0449.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #790

May 232022

Sonata

  • miles
The engine failed going down the highway and wouldn-€™t go over 30min. The engine needs to be replaced agin. But the dealership won-€™t because there are no open recalls. They should replace with a working engine.

- Okc , OK, USA

problem #789

Jan 152018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle skidded and stopped. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then sought medical assistance and was informed that she had sustained a left shoulder rotator cuff tear. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was thrown to the right and to the driver's side door. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact was informed by her orthopedist that her left shoulder rotator cuff tear was reinjured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer Bob Johnson Kia (3817 W Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623), where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed to engage and did not need to be reset. The vehicle was then taken to an auto collision mechanic where it was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor. Upon parking the vehicle at her residence, the contact saw smoke coming in through the instrument panel and AC vents. The contact stated that all four doors were then locked. The contact then released the key from the ignition and unlock the doors using the key fob. The contact saw a flame coming through the AC vent just before she exited the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact saw that the front seats were on fire and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene but was unable to

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #788

Apr 122022

Sonata

  • miles

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

When driving, I would get an unusual loud alarm sound, then the car start to cut off, couldn't stop the car using the brakes, had to wait until it slows down, usually when I'm in traffic, which is dangerous. This has happened several times off/on, I would get warning saying check brake, when all this is happening, no warning before the alarm sound or when the car has cutoff. Took car to Hyundai in olive branch, ms on 04/22/2022, therefore it has not been repaired, I was not offered a loaner car, I asked for a loaner, she (lexi) quickly said "they don't offer loaner cars" so I'm having to borrow a vehicle to get to work. I've called, left messages, no one has returned my calls.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #787

May 012022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the car, the engine just stopped. We had to push the car to the side of the road and it would not start again. The car was towed to a mechanic and the engine had seized up completely.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #786

Dec 012019

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 65 MPH, blackish smoke began to emit from the engine without warning. His son immediately pulled over as his girlfriend and their dogs exited the vehicle. The smoke quickly turned into flames as the vehicle became engulfed in a fire. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard where they deemed the vehicle a complete loss. The contact spoke to several attorneys and was advised to keep the vehicle in his possession if possible. The contact then had the vehicle towed to his home where it remained in his possession. The contact's son notified the manufacturer of the failure and received no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #785

Apr 052022

Sonata

  • miles

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

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

- Blackstone, VA, USA

problem #784

Apr 122022

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai recalled my vehicle twice for GDI ENGINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (Recall 132). Subsequently, my vehicle was recalled a 3rd time for HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (Recall 180). During this recall, the dealership inspected and DID NOT replace or repair any equipment. 4/12/2022 I smelled gasoline and took my vehicle to an Auto Shop for inspection. The technician explained that the HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM was leaking fuel significantly and was an extreme safety hazard. I contacted Hyundai Manufacturer right away due to my knowledge of Recall 180. Hyundai set me up with a Dealership Service appointment and I had the vehicle towed to the dealership for safety. The Dealership refuses to honor the recall (Recall 180) and after several phone calls, emails, and tweets; I am still unable to get reconciliation from Hyundai Consumer Affairs. For context, please understand that this Dealership is the same Dealership that FAILED to repair or replace anything when I took my vehicle in for recall (Recall 180). Please help!

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #783

Apr 142022

Sonata

  • miles
Driving down the road my car just shut down and wouldn't start it happened once before but I was able to jump it and it worked but this time after we replace the battery and got it running there was a knocking under the hood that sounds like a rod going out or the engine is toast. There's no knocking before the engine totally just shut down it was running perfectly fine and because it started and ran fine the last time the car just died when I was driving I thought it was the battery and low and behold I replaced the battery and it turns on perfectly fine but now the knocking in the engine. It also will not drive over so many miles per hour cuz if it goes up to those miles per hour then it shuts down or the knocking gets louder and it starts to die. Again no warning about this which is why I replace the battery cuz that's what happened last time and when it came back on this time after getting the battery replaced and put in lonely hold there's knocking in the engine and it won't drive. I've seen on YouTube a guy with the same problem find out there is something recalled on the engines for the 2011 Hyundai sonata. The manufacturer replaced his engine for the same exact thing my car is doing. I just inherited this vehicle from my dad who passed away but he had just put it in his name from my brothers who passed away from COVID so I have not had this car long at all. Literally just received title in the mail. This is my only vehicle and my husband is blind and we have two kids that we have to get to and from school and very limited income right now and this problem needs to be fixed by the manufacturer because I did nothing wrong

- Roseville , CA, USA

problem #782

Nov 112021

Sonata

  • miles
Had took it and called servals times to dealer complaining that something is wrong with the engine all they said is get a new car even thou was still making payments and told me warranty was not covered. After waiting a year later asked again and said warranty was covered due to the recall but when I took ot they denied my engine replaced saying I caused the head gasket to be replaced. Explaining the car showed no signs of over heating and just shut off once I got off the exit.

- Pembroke Pines , FL, USA

problem #781

Mar 122022

Sonata

  • miles

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

This vehicle's engine made a rattling noise and then suddenly stalled while I was driving it. I had it towed to the closest manufacturer dealership and the mechanic submitted a claim on my behalf to the manufacturer. It denied because the car has a salvage title. After reviewing your website it looks like the manufacturer can not solely deny a recall claim based on salvage title. This vehicle's engine has acted just like all the other recall's on this manufacturer, make & model.

- Vinton, IA, USA

problem #780

Mar 142022

Sonata

  • miles
My engine has failed due to a well known manufacturing defect. I never received the recall notice Service Campaign 953, as I am not the original owner. This Theta engine is part of a class action lawsuit and Hyundai is aware however they may try to not pay for a replacement engine according to the dealership. Please assist. Thank you so much.

- North Saint Paul , MN, USA

problem #779

Mar 122022

Sonata

  • miles
My engine seized-up at approximately 125,000 miles. We were on the highway traveling about 75mph and heard an unusual sound from the engine compartment. We exited the highway on an exit ramp and at the stop, I hit the gas and lost most power - could only go about 15mph tops. Had to have it towed to my local Hyundai dealership and they determined that the engine was seized. My check engine light and low oil light were on when the problem presented. This was on 03/12/22. Thankfully this occurred when I and a buddy were traveling home from a basketball game, however, the primary driver of this car has been my 18 yo daughter - I'm SUPER glad it happened on my drive and not on hers.

- Crawfordsvlle, IN, USA

problem #778

Mar 172022

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and exiting a highway the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated and the instrument panel went blank. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle had engine failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number 20V746000 (Engine) and 15V568000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA

problem #777

Mar 162022

Sonata

  • 188,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon pulling out of a driveway, the vehicle began to stall as he placed the vehicle into drive (D) and depressed the accelerator pedal. The contact then stated that several warning unknown lights appeared on the instrument panel as a dark colored smoke began to emit from underneath the hood of the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided him with a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

- Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #776

Mar 122022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
As I was driving to work Saturday 3/12/22, four blocks from my home my Sonata with 064,000 miles stalled. I was able to restart the engine twice after which it made a lot of noise and, according to my mechanic, locked up. The mechanic tried to rotate the motor from the crankshaft pulley bolt and no movement, locked up. We suspect the failure may be connecting rod bearings premature wear, as has caused engine damage in the Sonata Hybrid currently on Recall. How can we determine the cause of this failure, and request satisfaction from Hyundai? Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #775

Mar 052022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving, the engine in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata hybrid with the 2.4 liter engine shut off without notice (depressing the gas pedal and zero power)! I found myself and family in a difficult and potentially deadly situation as the speed limit on this road was 55mph, a large heavy duty tri axle dump truck was bearing down on my coasting car and family. I had few options from a safety stand point and had to make a snap decision. There was not a berm to pull off the road to the right side without trying to make a crash stop into the wilderness, or try to coast to the next available side street to get off the main road. As the vehicles coasting speed decreased I was very lucky that the oncoming traffic had a small gap between a another truck and a car. With few options I had to to make a decision and decided to try and make it to the side street almost causing a potential head on accident with that traffic. We were very fortunate to make it off the main road to the side street where we were now stranded. As one would realize we were very shook up emotionally do to this flaw in this vehicle. After many hours of research I see that a class action law suit was settled in 2021 for this exact engine bearing failure which seizes the engine and is now closed. From a safety stand point, reliability stand point and documented stand point a safety recall should be implemented to hold Hyundai Motor Cars responsible for all repairs to correct this safety issue. Additionally the obvious potential for the crashes and death become very apparent unless corrective action is not taken.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #774

Feb 192022

Sonata

  • miles
Out of the blue, in the middle of driving, this car stopped working. This could have been a very dangerous situation. There was absolutely no warning. Apparently, there is a recall, but it has not been publicized by Hyundai. Why was the recall not registered with the NHTSA" What efforts have been made, IN EARNEST, by Hyundai to reach owners? What advertisements, social media posts, outreach by dealers have been made? How many letters has each owner been sent, and how clear and serious was the wording on these letters" We had no idea there may be an issue with the engine, as we never received a notification from Hyundai. We never even heard of the recall until the car died in the middle of driving it. It is very dangerous that this issue exists and that no earnest effort has been made to notify the public. Not only are drivers and passengers being put in serious danger by the lack of information about this potential engine failure/potential fire, other drivers and passengers are being put at risk by having these cars out on the road. NHTSA should be advocating for the following: 1. More robust, earnest outreach on the failure issue. 2. Hyundai needs to give an accounting of how many affected vehicles have been sold in the US and how many have participated in their barely advertised recall (in order to let you know the scope of vehicles still affected.) 3. Hyundai needs to replace these engines or get these dangerous cars off the road by providing reasonable trade in value for people to stop using these cars. 4. This recall must be registered with the NHTSA and owners need to be alerted.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #773

Jul 302021

Sonata

  • 234,875 miles
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 #772

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

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