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 11 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #691

Aug 012020

Sonata

  • 172,000 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 operating the vehicle, a tapping and knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment and the driving speed failed to exceed 20 mph before the engine suddenly stalled. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #690

Oct 222020

Sonata

  • miles
My steering wheel shakes and my radio blew out and the airbag light is on and won't go out. I'm

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #689

Oct 172020

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
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.

- Iberia, MO, USA

problem #688

Sep 232020

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles

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

Driving home from work one day at 55miles per hr my engine just stalled out and turned off, since then the engine makes a clicking sound and has lost all power, and the tires make a clicking sound when I turn

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #687

Oct 042020

Sonata

  • 137,700 miles
Engine seized on highway with flashing lights

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #686

Oct 032020

Sonata

  • miles
I bought this used O this summer had it looked at and had oil change and the engine needs replaced. Oil was completely gone but no leak. And cruise control stopped working. This was supposed to be a reliable car for my daughter to get back and forth to college.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #685

Oct 042020

Sonata

  • 141,263 miles

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

Started to drive on a highway, vehicle cut off in motion. It will not turn back on anymore

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #684

Sep 152020

Sonata

  • miles
Suspension making loud thump noise while driving and check engine light is on after engine been replaced and seatbelt light is on...and paint and clear coat is pealing

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #683

Mar 012020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer frank Hyundai located at 3150 national city blvd, national city, ca 91950, (888) 355-2980, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #682

Sep 232020

Sonata

  • 101,000 miles
On 9/23//2020, my engine was on fire after driving a few minutes down the road and parking. The vehicle is at Hyundai now. 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #681

Sep 202020

Sonata

  • 142,537 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, there was an abnormal odor and noises coming from the engine, all the warning lights illuminated, and then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the engine. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was unable to start. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking lot where it currently was parked. The contact called an independent mechanic where it was advised that a new engine be installed. The contact later contacted world car Hyundai North, 12908 interstate 35 North bldg 2, san antonio, tx 78233, and informed them of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty was only for a 120,000 miles and provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,537.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #680

Sep 052020

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
My car just died on me I believe it the motor just died on me I may havw 140,000 miles no indication. The car stop on me while I was on freeway I had to cruise to the next exit and park in 09 a motel parking lot

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #679

Sep 062020

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles
This is my daughter's car. On the evening of 9/6/2020, they were driving home when the car just stalled out and would not restart. This was on a city street a couple of blocks from their home. They pushed it to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Within 5 minutes, the car was ablaze and police and fire were called to the scene. We contacted Hyundai the next day and they have opened a case number 17293089 and we are waiting to hear from therm.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #678

Sep 062020

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving on the highway the engine light came on and the engine started knocking

- Watervliet, NY, USA

problem #677

Apr 092020

Sonata

  • miles
- engine had metal shavings in it which led to excessive amounts of oil consumption, it took the dealership almost a year to admit that the engine was going out -the brake light switch keeps going out, I have replaced my third switch in my 7 years of owning this car. -the taillight wiring harness warp the taillight housing for the brake lights due to excessive heat generated from the 2537 bulbs. In general, the wiring harness don't even last that long

- Round Rok, TX, USA

problem #676

Sep 012020

Sonata

  • 194,000 miles
Torque converter went out all of a sudden. Cost me $3150 to have it replaced. Then the gear shifter moved back and forth but will not go into gear.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #675

Jul 222020

Sonata

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that her son was driving at 70 mph and the engine ceased. The contact's son guided the vehicle from the middle lane to the side of the highway. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed first to an independnent mechanic and he diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer Hyundai of central Florida (17325 E highway 50 clermont, fl 34711, 888-566-5820) who confirmed the same diagnosis of the engine ceasing. The contact was not given the specific reason as to why the engine ceased. The dealer initially stated that there was a recall on the engine and would submit a request to the manufacturer. The contact called and confirmed with the manufacturer the engine was covered under a recall and would contact the dealer to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer then declined the repair by email stating that the vehicle was four years out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 53,000.

- Otoee, FL, USA

problem #674

Aug 062020

Sonata

  • 138,000 miles
My car stall whiljng driving then stop in front of another vehicles. I had to push it over on neutral. My vehicles had knocking sound when trying to get it back up running. Let it sit for a while and it start back up on its own. I took it to hynduai 8/8 the service worker jim said he can't diagnostic cause the light is gone. I told him that I cant risk driving this vehicle when I know it had a knock sensor recall last year campaign 953 and its doing it again. He told me their is noth I ng he can do and advice me to drive it back home until it happens again and then get tow. J scold him and said and risk my kids life and others. It stalls in the middle of driving. The engine completely goes out for almost 40 minute. This the 6th time it happen between Oct 2019 to Aug 2020.

- East Chicago, IN, USA

problem #673

Jul 272020

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
The car spontaneously caught on fire. Originated from engine bay and engulfed within seconds had to jump out of vehicle.

- Santa Teresa, NM, USA

problem #672

Jul 072020

Sonata

  • 124,900 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the connecting rod was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer bergstrom automotive (3023 N victory ln, appleton, wi 54913) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 124,900.

- Appleton, WI, USA

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