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:
12 / 28
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,666 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.
Driving down highway the car just stopped going. The steering wheel got increasingly harder to turn. Once on side of road, I noticed a bunch of the warning lights lit up the dashboard. I turned off the car and tried turning it back on, however, it would just make a weird clicking noise and not start. I scheduled an appointment with a Hyundai dealership, so I-??m not sure what is wrong with car.
Everything worked good until I had to take my car to the dealer for knock sensor, air bag check, software update, and my engine was also part of the affected engine recall... well ever since then I have had to replace my car battery a few times and now I just invested in a battery charger because now my cars battery gets drained whether or not I use it" I asked the dealer on a couple of occasions to check out why my dash and lights flicker and shut off and come back on seconds later when I turn my lights on at night? also told the service writer that I noticed this happening when I used my turn signal, because I could notice the dash lights and head beams behave erratic and most dangerously? I know I was told more than once that they could not find nothing wrong and there were no codes either" I have to disconnect my battery now because of this dangerous issue and just gets very frustrating that now I have a car that sits there in my car port more than its driven nowadays but because car prices are high I really need my car repaired so that it could work safely like it used to before. I'm afraid that my car will catch on fire because of this and just wished that Hyundai Motor Corporation would look into this matter more seriously and more importantly find a solution for this big safety mater. I just finally got tired of all this that I have to go through and still probably wont ever hear of a safety recall for this big problem...
Was driving fine for a few minutes, made a stop at a light then when I proceed to make my left turn, my steering wheel was completely hard to turn. A light EPS came on right away and I was able to move forward but made it completely hard to turn towards my destination. Drive my car home at 10 mph I could not steer my steering wheel
on my 2011 hyundai sonata BOTH of my brake light bulbs and wiring caught fire and started smoking from the inside of my trunk. I have notified Hyundai of this and they refused to do anything about it even though it is an EXTREMELY dangerous issue that hyundai should fix free of charge!!!!! Now i have no brake lights on my vehicle because of this !!!!!!
Start losing speed cutting back overheating AC stop function then smoke from good and cut out Had it towed and seek what the problem is This occur on 08/24/2021 just purchase on July 7,2021 from dealer in Auto Land of Thornburg paid cash
- Charlottesville , VA, USA
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I almost got into an accident on the highway with my family when returning home with my family my car started to sputter and the check engine light started blinking the car wouldnt accelerate on the highway almost got into an accident with a truck. my family and i was terrified. i took it to autozone they notified me its an problem with my engine, rod bearings, the representative, informed me alot of sonatas have came in with the same issue. that occurance reminded me on the letter i received few months back informing me on a national recall. I truly need assistance fixing my car ive lost days from work due to my transportation not working properly. Please help
I was driving approximately 55 mph on a highway and it started raining. I turned my headlights on and the traction control light came on. I also lost acceleration power until I completely let off the gas pedal. This has happened several times over the last month. I also am unable to set the cruise control if my headlights are on.
Car would not start took it to dealership they said alternator was bad had it took it to mechanic shop paid 300 alternator drove it to car wash car would not start again. Was told it has something to do with push to start and sensor in break pedal. Paid cash for the vehicle drove it from the individual I bought froms location to the store and it's left me stranded ever since. Dealership keeps diagnosing alternator, starter get online and read and there are complaints and even videos on you tube about this same issue but Hyundai refuses to fix it. Wish I had never throw my money down the drain now I'm just out of a car no way to work and don't know what I'm gonna do. Poured every last penny I have into it and it still will not start. Single mother of two children no financial help other than my work income which I may not have much longer if I'm unable to have transportation to get there. Thanks Hyundai what a way to treat customers who's put faith in your vehicles.
My VIN is showing 2 recalls that are incomplete that I have taken to a local dealership to be corrected. My 2011 Hyundai burns oil very quickly within weeks of an oil change. I am constantly adding oil. There is no oil leak detected in the vehicle. I was assured that the engine recall was looked at and not affected but according to this site that recall is incomplete. I also have to replace tail and headlights and when I use a blinker at night the headlights turn off. I had my vehicle serviced at jenkins Hyundai of jacksonville fl 904/420-7171
Total loss of car due to engine fire. On Dec 30,2020 at mile marker 31 on I95 South outside of stoney creek va, when I was driving, all lights came on the dashboard at the same time-then we lost ability to accerleate-gas pedal not working. We pulled over on the side of I95-smoke came out of engine and within 10 minutes the entire car was engulfed in flames.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard under the vehicle after going over a bump in the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently with the fuel system and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel system and map sensor were faulty and needed to be replaced. The fuel system was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the struts were not inspected. Crain Hyundai little rock (11701 colonel glenn road, little rock, ar 72210 (501) 604-1500) was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls was under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 15V629000 (suspension) and 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) as possible solutions to the failures however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to contact NHTSA to place a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. Invalid VIN.
I had transmission problems my transmission stop working and I could not change gears so I took my car to Hyundai shop and paid out of pocket over $900 and come to found out it was a recall #123, so Hyundai call me after I left the shop saying they not gone reimburse me which is not right.
Cruise control works off and on one day it works fine and the next day it don't work! very annoying I just don't understand how something will work and then it won't work
I starting hearing a clicking then the car lost all power, steering was so stiff, brakes would not prss down I was able to get off the road then smoke was pouring out the front. I could smell wires buring we pour water down in the motor but the hoses were still hot to the touch. The car will not restart. I scared me to death in so glad I slowed down. I bought the car less than 1yr ago. Dont dealers have to check these things. I'm so frustrated. Should not be allowed to sell a car if you know theres an open recall. I'm thankful my kids werent with me.
My car changed to cruise control on its own. I couldn't get out of it until I parked. My lights don't work the constantly flick on and off while I'm driving. The dealership also failed to replace my airbag deployment sensor after I reported that they never fixed it. They put it in the database that it was repaired but I was still waiting on a part I never received
During normal driving with headlight setting on auto, headlights turn off when turn signal is activated. Headlights turn on when turn signal is off (either manually turned off or when turn is completed). This can happen while moving or stopped at light. Consistent problem with left turn, less often for right turn.
Lights occasionally shut off while driving. Happens on its own but happens more often when switching on high beams. All lights shut off inside and outside car. Has happened many times since owning the car
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA