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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 13 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #651

Feb 192020

Sonata

  • 134,000 miles

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

The contact owned 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the driver was driving was on the highway, the speedometer started to go crazy. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into the driveway at her residence, she saw smoke coming from the engine, the vehicle blowup. The driver and passengers was able to exit the vehicle safely and did not sustained any injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire and file a report. A police report was also filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and later was towed by an insurance company lot. Was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #650

Feb 262020

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
I was driving on a city street in kernersville, when the motor locked up and almost cause me to wreck. The motor had around 120,000 miles on it.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #649

Feb 012018

Sonata

  • miles
The engi E failed rendering the vehicle inoperable

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #648

Feb 042020

Sonata

  • 85,000 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 after multiple attempts to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that an unknown warning light had appeared while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective fuel pump. The contact spoke with len stoler Hyundai 11279 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md 21117 who informed her that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #647

Feb 032020

Sonata

  • 104,500 miles
My car caught fire and was not involved in an accident. I was going around 30mph, all the dashboard lights came on, the car would not accelerate, so I stopped the car and turned on the hazards. The car started smoking soon after so I left the car. A few moments later it caught fire. I called 911 and had the fire put out. I have never received any notices from Hyundai about my car. I purchased the car late April of 2017 used. I have read this issue is not uncommon with this car.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #646

Jan 062020

Sonata

  • miles
Car stalled while getting on interstate highway turned off started it backup it started making a weird knocking noise in the engine it shut right back off got to emergency lane checked under hood checked fluids everything seemed fine called to have towed home would not crank up. Not sure where to go from here, but feel like this is nothing I did wrong

- Elgin, SC, USA

problem #645

Jan 012020

Sonata

  • miles

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

Vehicle turned off a few months ago while driving on the highway. Waited a few minutes then turned it back on and nothing. A week ago I get a check engine light with code P0014. The dealer said it was a sensor problem and I bought the pieces and replaced but problem still occurred with the same codes. Now the dealer says it is an engine problem and it might be replaced. After doing some research I have seen that many people have got this code before when their engine on 2011-2012 Sonatas have seized or stopped working. The dealer isn't being compliant in changing or fixing engine. I I believe the engine recall has affected my vehicle and it passed initially but two years later once my car is over the 65K limit now it is becoming a problem.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #644

Jan 062020

Sonata

  • 126,000 miles
Driving on highway car stalled shut down no warning tried to restart when it did it started knocking and shut right back off would not restart again. Called home and they came to where I was checked fluids all fluids were fine. Had to have car towed to grandparents home.

- Elgin, SC, USA

problem #643

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 #642

Dec 052019

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
Car was going down road when engine stalled and wouldn't turn back on. Seems to be the typical issue that most 2011 Sonatas are having where the engine seized. Dealer diagnosed and confirmed that the engine did seize while driving. This should be a mandatory recall to swap the engine in all of these vehicles. Hyundai should not just be allowed to extend their warranty and hope it doesnt happen to the others.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #641

Dec 032019

Sonata

  • 149,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off of the roadway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Hyundai of moreno valley (27500 eucalyptus ave, moreno valley, ca 92555, (951) 383-3071) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000. The VIN was not available.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #640

Nov 262019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
I am a senior citizen who in 2015 purchased a pre-owned 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle has received 15 recalls in the time I've owned it most of which are life threatening safety issues, complete motor lock up, sudden loss of fuel and stalling.(brake stopper pad malfunction 3 times), seat belt anchor failure, complete safety air bag failure, exhaust system failure, high pressure fuel line leaks, my wife and I live on very limited social security monthly benefits and not in a position to afford a new car or repeatedly have to spend 100's of dollars every few months for repairs due to manufacture error / damage in construction of the vehicle. We have been nearly killed several times on the highway due to the fact that the motor either ceases to get fuel while traveling on the freeway or entering such on an onramp just as a semi truck and trailer approached at 70 mph and we had no fuel acceleration. On yet another near fatal situation the motor locked up completely in the middle of a busy four lane highway, which immediately resulted in a a fire under our hood.........all caused by the deficiency of the engine which was the subject of a recall and we were told had been addressed. The fire destroyed most all other components in the engine compartment and had to be replaced, some at our expense. Shortly thereafter, the entire transmission had to be replaced and we had to pay $3500 to repair......fyi, we live on $1700 per month social security and this caused us a very extreme financial difficulty for months thereafter. There is more to our disastrous experience as a Hyundai Sonata product owner and what we're wishing for is that Hyundai might buy back this vehicle at fair price so that we may find a safe vehicle to drive without fear of being stranded, injured in an accident or killed. Other Sonata owners have experienced many of these same issues.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #639

Aug 082019

Sonata

  • 88,000 miles
The car is still throwing the ECM code up after its been replaced supposedly the brakes have been grinding since day 1 the brake actuator is bad something is making the throttle position sensor to keep going bad the dealership was aware of all the issues and made us aware of 2

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #638

Nov 012019

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to van Hyundai (located at 1301 S interstate 35E, carrollton, tx 75006, (972) 437-8334) where it was diagnosed that the engine passed the test and did not need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #637

Jul 012019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
In motion car surges and jerks forward randomly. There is a gas smell when driving and car begins to shake when engine is engaged. Backup camera will not engage at random times or car will not turn on with push to start system. Diagnoses engine and electrical issue but Hyundai won't include in their recall campaign.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #636

Nov 112019

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
Engine bay caught fire and car is a total loss. Engine had been replaced previously under Sonata theta engine recall. Independent mechanic noticed that there was a fuel leak in the engine bay. Was on the way to Hyundai dealer when the fire happened. The car was moving at about 20 mph when it lost power and smoke started spewing from under the hood. Exited the vehicle and the engine bay was ablaze with 60 seconds. No injuries occurred.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

problem #635

Nov 072019

Sonata

  • 111,000 miles
This vehicle has stalled on me while driving on the highway and streets. I've taken it into the shop for the problem was told the pc module is going out. The price to fix this a $2300. This should be covered on a warranty. They've me told that it's not. This is a major componet for these vehicle it should be cover. This has happened several times prior. When the vehicle accelerated there is smokes for the tail pipe.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #634

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • 138,241 miles
Vehicle stalled on highway would not start had to be towed on 10/1/19.towed to service vendor, not a Hyundai dealer. They stated engine locked. Vehicle had been at St charles Hyundai automotive 8/19/19 replaced oil flow control valve. Contacted Hyundai dealer stated nothing they could do. Mileage 138,000 and all required service had been done. Recall 132 inspection had been done at approximately 58,000 on 2/15/16. Noted number of complaints to NHTSA showing numerous 2011 Sonata had engine failure after the extended format of 120,000 and many had failed a second time after engines failed. This vehicle was built at Alabama plant. The Hyundai dealership stated the vehicle would have to be towed to their facility and inspected. The decision would be Hyundai usa not the dealership. It is hard to understand how this can not be a defective vehicle. The number of units repaired and repaired a second time goes against the averages. The number of fires that have resulted in total loss of vehicles appears to be and indication of numerous issues with vehicles from this plant. It will cost $4500 to replace this engine and Hyundai usa should bear some of the cost. If after engine replacement vehicle performed properly that would prove the correction, but many units had to have the neck filler replaced the plant had a problem. Engines failed with only 10,000, 30,000 65,000, 135,000 miles. The units that burnt were handled by insurance and Hyundai usa not held accountable. Please reopen the investigation on recall 132 the number of owners are bearing the brunt of Hyundai poor quality. Understanding they completely changed that engine in 2012 knowing the 2011 issues could not be fixed correctly

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #633

Oct 282019

Sonata

  • 96,000 miles
Out of nowhere when vehicle is sitting still, the airbag light keeps popping on. It will stay on for a while, but then go off. I went to have my oil changed and event though it was at 3,000 miles, the oil was low, dark, sludgy and metal shavings were found in my oil pan---engine sometimes sputters. Finally my interior lights won't go off, I have to just keep them to the off position versus "door" so that my battery doesn't drain.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #632

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

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?