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:
4 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,696 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Nov 202020

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles

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

Vehicle stalled while driving on the highway, in motion and on city streets. And will not restart. On 11/10/20, Hyundai dealer inspection found engine seized causing a no start condition. Pa approved engine replacement under campaign T3G. Performed tsb 17-em-001 and replaced both starter and intake manifold due to having debris and starter intermittly not engaging 8P1326ko 8.3 replaced engine under campaign T3G per pa. An in depth multi point inspection promoting safety and reliability minimizing mechanical failure was performed. On 5/6/2021 the engine failed again, dealership in norman ok finally serviced the vehicle on 5/11/2021 under engine recall warranty after multiple escalation complaints claiming to have passed bearing clearance test, computer updates and replaced engine knock sensor. Vehicle engine failed again 10 miles from dealership who refuses to inspect engine warranty problems without an open recall: NHTSA campaign number 18V934000 affects engine, fuel system, gas, PE19003/PE198003 affects engine, electrical system, fuel system, gas, unknown, RQ17004 affects scope and timeliness, 18V934000 affects high pressure fuel pipe may leak from engine, fuel system, gas, 15V-568/17V-226 affects gas direct injection engines, the high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump may be damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during engine replacement procedure. Dealer refuses to inspect instead keeps guessing soliciting service repairs to replace fuel pumps and belts out of pocket ranging costs from $500 to $1200 while college student is stranded 400 miles away from home.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #76

Feb 122021

Sonata

  • 110,980 miles
On Friday the 13th of February while driving on a main intersection my car just stopped in the middle of the road. There was traffic on both sides of the road and of course people didn't have any patience and I was stuck and placed my blinkers on. And waited for aaa to arrive. The car was in motion and then stationary.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #75

Feb 112019

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
Back lights always going out not working during braking, air bag light won't go off, fuel gauge doesn't work, noted rattling noise under the front end, always having to replace tires.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #74

Jul 302020

Sonata

  • 108,000 miles

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

First I notice a smell of gas the see a leak under the car closer to de rear passenger side big leak

- Gorham, ME, USA

problem #73

Jun 212020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Driving car and it stalled and died. Engine making clucking sound. Had to tow to mechanic engine locked up. Also before engine failure car hard to start.the vehicle was in motion when died in the city.

- Keller, TX, USA

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problem #72

May 062020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 156,470 miles
The Hyundai Sonata 2011 fuel pump failed and the car stopped in the middle of the road. Putting me in danger of an accident. The engine had been replaced, and other Sonatas have reported problems with the fuel pump. The cost of repair was $605 for the pump and $300 for the labor. This pump is in the fuel tank and is very dangerous. It should be recalled just like the ones in the 2013 & 2014. I want a refund of my money to fix this dangerous problem.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #71

Sep 012019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

The fuel sensor stopped working. Can not tell how much gas is in the car. My daughter ran out of gas in the middle of the highway on her way home from college! the car has now failed inspection. I was told that it was the fuel sensor. Paid to have this replaced at Firestone auto care. Did not fix the problem. Was then told that the Hyundai dealership would have to fix it because it must have to do with the computer system. This car has multiple recalls and even the engine itself blew up. I can not keep lights on it because every time the bulbs are replaced they blow. I even ordered whole other tail light package thinking that would help but it did not. This car is nothing but a safety hazard!!!!!

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #70

Jan 102020

Sonata

  • 132,000 miles
I have had issues with this vehicle since Oct 2019. At that time I had a recall for the hard knock sensor after that it continues to give me issues. The check engine comes on continuously every week. I fix one issue then the lights comes back on for another. My car shakes while driving like engine wants to stop, doesn't want to accelerate over 40 miles in the middle of the highway streets it's not safe for a vehicle to stop accelerating without any warning theirs other bystanders that can crash into me.I contacted hynduai every month since Oct urging them to do a full diagnostic cause my vehicle already has 13 recalls on it previously and I strongly feel this vehicle is one of the defective ones. Hynduai keeps turning their back on me and tells me I need to fix this then this then that. I also have a fuel smell and a evap code that keeps coming on which this recall was supposed to be fixed and if it happend again its guarantee to be fixed again. Hynduai told me no. They keep turning their back on me. I fear that my vehicle will cause harm to me and others due to the lack of Hyundai not taking my vehicle safety seriously.

- East Chicago, IN, USA

problem #69

May 112020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I pulled into my driveway and as I put on the brake the car suddenly accelerated. There are skids marks on the cement showing the front wheels were locked from braking but the car continued to push me forward into the back of my Ford Ranger.. the engine was revving and since braking was not stopping the car I shoved it into park. The car came to a halt but the engine was still revving and did not stop until I turned off the motor. An article on autowise.com dated 10/26/2019 refers to this problem as "Hyundai's secret acceleration problems" and there are a lot of comments from about 40 different people talking about this type of problem. This happened to me once before but not with no damage. This could have been fatal if I had been in any other situation. It is time for a federal recall.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #68

Jan 172020

Sonata

  • miles
1) seatbelt latch will unlatch while driving. 2) the fule light indicator is never correct show empty all the time. Will go to full and back to empty while driving. 3) while fueling the pump will jump off before soon as gas starts going into tank. 4) struts are not working all 4 are out and down hitting the roads hard while driving. 5) paint is peeling off al th sides back panels while driving.

- Coldwater, MS, USA

problem #67

Jan 072020

Sonata

  • 151,000 miles

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

I had problems with my car took it to a shop I was told had to replace my fuel pump an I did the problem never seem to have been fix after that took it my dealer an they had my car for a month told me it was a recall on it but they didn't fix the problem

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #66

Dec 162019

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the vehicle exhibited signs of oil consumption. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #65

Dec 142019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
At 1st my car my consuming a lot of oil. I was going to get top off at my oil place every week. I tried to take it to my nearby Hyundai, they told me they wanted $350 to do a test. Then my car was not gasing the way it usually did. It was stalling, I had a burning smell coming from my engine. I took it to my mechanic and he replaced the O2 sensor, heating sensor, PCV valve, he did a transmission flush. It started to work ok, and I was driving with my disabled husband and our 4 year old daughter when the car engine went out on us on the highway. We got the car tow to our mechanic and its more problems then solutions. Its now the Cadillac converter, this car is extremely dangerous to drive. I have receipts of the repairs, towing and daily oil inputs.

- Hackensack, NJ, USA

problem #64

Sep 012019

Sonata

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While operating the vehicle, smoke was present coming from the engine and oil was leaking on top of the valve cover. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump return pressure unit was cracked, which damaged the ignition coil and caused a flame to occur. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #63

Oct 082019

Sonata

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

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #62

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • miles
My 2011 Sonata suddenly lost power while driving at 65 mph after pulling over restarting car check engine light came on. Car only has 107599 miles

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #61

Sep 272019

Sonata

  • miles
Firstly, I have had 13 recalls on my car. This has been a huge inconvenience. I have driven nothing but Hyundai for years. I am so sick of this 2011. I have to go back yet again to a dealership to get the airbags done on Monday, 9-30-2019. It took a long time and I was not offered a loaner car. Your talking about my life heer. I am just so fed up. Last time I brought it to the dealership in brockton, the engine light was on. I was told it was a flex pipe. Okay, I paid out of pocket for this to be fixed $245 but that wasn't the issue. The issue is code PO456, evaporative emission system leak. Are you kidding" I have to bring it to a different garage to have this fixed! considering all of the time that I have had to waste and to arrange for rides, I must now pay for this to be fixed???? I am so angry, I would like Hyundai to reimburse me for my time and aggravation. I wonder what will happen after this? why did it take so long for airbags to come in? why was I not offered a loaner vehicle until my car was fixed? why should I pay out of pocket for the situation now" I am not rich, I am permanently disabled and I do not receive a ton of money. I am so tired of having to run around with this car....I do not know what caused this as there are so many things that it could be right down to the gas tank. Ugh

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #60

Jul 272019

Sonata

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic because the check engine warning indicator illuminated and a burning odor was present. The mechanic determined that the oil can gasket needed replacement. The gasket was replaced, but the warning indicator was still illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #59

Jul 192019

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles
I had smelling a gas smell coming from the vents on Friday July 19th andi took it to Firestone for a new battery and a oil change. I called the Hyundai dealership because Firestone told me about a new recall for the fire pressure fuel regulator and they highly suggested I take it into them. I called Hyundai and they said for me to bring it in and I didn't need an appointment so I told them I would be there around 3-4pm yesterday. So I left work early, picked up my car from Firestone and headed to the dealership which was about 10 miles away. I got on I-35 doing about 40mph or so because of traffic. All of a sudden the car next to me starts honking and waving saying my cars of fire. I try to apply the break but there was no pressure. My instrument column lit up like the 4th of July and then almost immediately smoke starts coming in from the vents, dashboard and floor. So my only option is to tuck and roll doing about 35-40mph on one of the busiest highways in austin. So I tuck and roll, people are stopped to help. I see my car continue to roll into the barrier and while car burst into flames.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #58

Jul 102019

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
Vehicle will shut down while driving down the road. No warning lights or sounds. The engine will just shut down completely. Engine starts up again but will again shut down while driving. No codes will come up on the ECM when scanned at a mechanic shop. No way to tell what is going on. Hyundai dealer has no answers for me.

- Rochester, MN, USA

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