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 12 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #671

Jul 292020

Sonata

  • 142,000 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 at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact called atlantic Hyundai located at 193 sunrise hwy North service rd, West islip, NY 11795, (631) 587-0700, and was informed to have the vehicle brought in for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall and any repair would be an out of pocket expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #670

Apr 172019

Sonata

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was pushed over to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that an abnormal fuel odor entered the vehicle through the air conditioning vents while attempting to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called randy wise Hyundai (4350 lennon rd, flint, mi 48507, (810) 230-2500) and informed the dealer of the failure and to schedule an appointment. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) however, the repair failed to fix the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number: The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #669

Jul 172020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 109,366 miles
First, my low beams quit working months ago. Bulbs are good. I even took it in to a shop to have it checked. They said they couldn't find anything and that it was an electrical issue. That makes sense since I just started having issues with the dome lights inside as well. Have to have the inside lights turned off or they will not go off. Most recently, on the highway on my way to work, my car lost power and the dash lit up with lights and I had to pull over. Started making a loud clanging noise as well. Took it to the shop again to get it looked at. They said my oil was almost gone. No oil on the dipstick. I just recently had the oil changed! should not be out of oil. They further noted that there were no signs of oil leakage anywhere. Suggested that the engine was faulty and was excessively burning oil. Not sure what I aza M supposed to do now. I have a issues with safety due to my lights not working, and a bigger issue with my engine not working properly. I need help!

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #668

Jul 102020

Sonata

  • miles

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

I bought a 2011 Sonata 24 hours later I took it on the road. Just as I get an hour away from home I was going up a steep hill... the next thing I know my rpms shot up past four and then next thing U know every light on my dash came on and my gas peddle stopped working. I also made sure to get an oil change before I left. Once I finally got the car towed back home I tried again to start it now my engine is knocking... I contacted the guy who sold it (licensed to sell cars) mentioned he did not know of any recall. Will be calling a Hyundai dealership near me in the am for more info.

- Washington, PA, USA

problem #667

Jun 302020

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the started needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #666

Jun 302020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
I was at a complete stop and when I accelerated to approximately 15-20 mph, the rpms increased to over 5,000 and engine began to shake however when pressing on the gas pedal vehicle would no longer accelerate. My engine, eps, and oil lights all illuminated and vehicle stalled in the middle of the lane. Vehicle ignition would not engage after stalling. I had to have the vehicle towed. In Sept of 2019 I had a similar issue with high rpms, vehicle not accelerating properly and safety light illuminating. I brought it in to the dealership where we purchased it used (June of 2019) and they claimed they could not find any problems. No recall was mentioned by them so I am assuming it was never looked into. Had it not of been for the tow truck driver I would have never been made aware of a possible recall issue.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #665

Jun 252020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 118,600 miles

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

I was driving about 60 on highway my car lost all ability to accelerate and eventually killed my battery so I restart the car to which my speed was no longer getting above 20 mph and barely cost to a parking lot mind you I would have power but no acceleration and I herd a knocking that was not present before my car just was serviced for a oil change and filter was put on it about two weeks from the day it happened which this all came about June 25, 2020 and my ac also quit working it blows but no cold comes out just recently happened with in the past two weeks.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #664

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

problem #663

Sep 012019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
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 #662

Jun 022020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 146,145 miles
Starting this past weekend, my son's car stalled while driving but was able to restart and get to his destination. Yesterday 6/2/2020 he received an oil change and headed to work. His engine started knocking loudly and started to stall again while he was on the hwy. He was able to pull over safely. We had the car towed to a garage. They said it was the engine specifically #3 rod. They told us it has been an issue with Hyundai for this engine.

- El Reno, OK, USA

problem #661

Jan 102020

Sonata

  • 132,000 miles

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

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 #660

May 082020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 127,130 miles
Purchased car from carmax in 2019 they said there was no open recalls. Car had 110, xxx miles. Car yesterday died on me while driving 3 times to and from work. Nearly got into an accident twice. Once stalled on highway at 65 mph. Second time was coasting to a stop light almost rear ended a car. Third time was at stop light. After the third stall I was approaching the highway on-ramp and T made knocking noises and stalled. I coasted to safe place off the side of the road. Popped the hood saw oil all under the car and trail up to it. Then I saw broken pieces of aluminum block and piece of connecting rod. Needless to say it experienced catastrophic failure. Then got home and seen there was recall for this very problem. My car has 127,133 miles on it now.

- Marion, CT, USA

problem #659

May 042020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Engine has been replaced 2 times doing 65 mph on freeway loses power in addition air bag light is on when they had car for 3 weeks they gave it back and said they didn't know what was wrong with airbags I had vehicle towed there 2 days ago again and spoke to [xxx] at palm springs Hyundai and he said they were trying to figure out problem with engine they installed and if I wanted him to diagnose airbags problems it would be a 150 diagnosis fee they had the car there the first time for 3 weeks and released it and til my daughter that they could not figure it out airbags issues are dangerous if they are not working correctly and deploy on freeway I told [xxx] service guy this but he giggled and said it would cost 150 dollars diagnostic fee which he said they checked several months ago I lent my daughter who drives my 8 year old grandson my vehicle because I was concerned of their safety I am a cancer patient and need a vehicle to get back and forth to my doctors when I asked [xxx] about a rental he brushed me off and said there were none available at this point I am going to call abc investigative reporters because I am at a wits end I really need help with this matter thank you [xxx] airbags also [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cathedral, CA, USA

problem #658

Sep 182019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Engine would consume all the oil within 2 weeks of driving.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #657

Sep 012019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Well, very simply I was merging onto a parkway and pushing down on the accelerator, car was speeding up then I noticed that it seemed like I wasn't getting any acceleration. Looked at the dashboard and saw that it seemed all the lights were on and realized that the engine had shut itself down. Pulled off to the shoulder and tried to restart it (head kind of a whirring noise), but it wouldn't start.

- Social Circle, GA, USA

problem #656

Apr 062020

Sonata

  • 125,000 miles
The engine locked up on motion and seized the oil pump

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #655

Mar 242020

Sonata

  • 121,000 miles
Engine seized while driving on March 24, 2020

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #654

Feb 262020

Sonata

  • 141,562 miles
It jerks time to time we took it to a local Hyundai dealership and they said they checked transmission and test came back fine. I have a 3 year old and the intermittent jerking scares us. It happens when it has difficulty shifting sometimes. Don't know when to expect it. It cut off one day in city streets then started back. On highway it doesn't have as many problems, but every now and then I have to manually shift on highway. It is a hybrid Sonata 2011

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #653

Feb 222020

Sonata

  • 104,000 miles
I was driving this vehicle on the highway and the engine just caught fire and the vehicle burnt down

- Coralville, IA, USA

problem #652

Feb 292020

Sonata

  • 115,000 miles
While exiting the freeway, my engine, eps, battery and oil lights all went on and my engine stalled out. This resulted in a tow to an auto repair shop, where I was told there was likely a rod bearing failure in the engine, which requires replacing the engine. After some research, I discovered active Hyundai recall 132 - engine inspection / replacement, which is very similar to what I experienced.this recall is not currently associated with my VIN, however, despite fitting the description and model years affected. Shouldn't I have been issued a recall notice for this?

- Hopkins, MN, USA

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