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 21 of 45)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #491

Aug 222018

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles

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

Takata recall my 2011 Hyundai Sonata limited has been having problems with the engine not turning completely. My car is a push to start, so when holding the brake and pushing the start button the car still hesitates to come on but the lights on the dashboard do so I know it's not a battery issue. This has happened a couple years ago and I was stranded in my car at work, after several tries it eventually switches over and comes on. I've read several complaints from other Hyundai Sonata owners having the same exact issue, I'm hoping Hyundai takes action in resolving this malfunction.

- Rixeyville, VA, USA

problem #490

Aug 132018

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
Engine seized up while driving again. The engine was replaced 2 years ago with the Hyundai engine recall campaign. The vehicle has been maintained but Hyundai will not cover the engine even though it is under warranty. I was driving down 35 in dallas with my 6 year old son and the engine seized up and I could not control the vehicle.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #489

Jul 182018

Sonata

  • 186,185 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was in park, the engine would occasionally fail to start. The contact would have to place the vehicle in neutral and make several attempts before the vehicle would start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing, but the computer could not read the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,185.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #488

Mar 242018

Sonata

  • 121,787 miles

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

I was driving on the highway and started to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine three days later car stopped turning on and there's smoke coming out the engine when you try to start it, car will not turn

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #487

Feb 012018

Sonata

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise progressing from the engine compartment. The dealer (seidel Hyundai, 9 parkside ave, reading, pa 19607, (610) 775-5100) indicated that the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable and on backorder. The vehicle was at the dealer for over two months. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V617000 (seat belts) and 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- West Lawn, PA, USA

problem #486

Jul 302018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. In order to pull over to the side of the road, the vehicle had to be restarted multiple times as it continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to route 60 Hyundai (8575 20th St, vero beach, fl 32966, (772) 569-6004) where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. * consumer stated the manufactuter was made aware of the incident. They replaced the engine but refused to assist in replacing the vehicle. The car pulled to the left heavily afterwards. The dealer assisted me with discounts to replace the vehicle as I no longer trusted the vehicle. My complaint is solely against the manufacturer. Updated 10/22/18

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #485

Aug 082018

Sonata

  • 120,029 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 the vehicle was difficult to start and an abnormal grinding sound was heard when driving. In addition, the vehicle stalled when switching gears and the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The contact also received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (seat belts, air bags). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the manifold air pressure sensor was faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,029.

- Jefferson, MA, USA

problem #484

Aug 032018

Sonata

  • 70,144 miles
I was driving to work, stop at the stop sign, as I traveled 30 feet through the intersection my car died on me. The car wouldn't crank, no sound, nothing. I pop the hood and notice there is smoke coming form the engine compartment, I check all my fluids and there was no engine oil present in the engine. No low oil indicator came on. I just had a 60,000 miles maintenance to included an oil change as well. The vehicle as towed to a local mechanic shop to have them diagnose it.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #483

Jul 202018

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
I was on the highway going 55 mph and my acceleration started to decrease and I could not pick up speed, as I exited off the highway I heard a knocking noise and my car died. I had to call my insurance company for a tow to the dealership napleton Hyundai, 649 dunn rd, hazelwood, mo 63042.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #482

Jul 062018

Sonata

  • 162,234 miles
My car has been blowing out white smoke out of the exhaust. I seen there has been alot of recall issues on the Hyundai. I got a letter informing the recall of the air bags. I bought this car in September 2017. I dont know if the previous owner had the issue fixed on the recalls about the engine, brakes, and seat belts.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #481

Jul 022018

Sonata

  • 15,300 miles

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

Air bag light on so air bags wont deploy. Engine lock

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #480

Jun 292018

Sonata

  • 100,400 miles
While driving on a city street, the car began to stall with no pulling power, followed by a knocking noise, then it just cut off in moving traffic. Tried to restart it, no luck. There was a smell of burning metal. Put on hazard signal. Had to be pushed out of traffic by another driver. Checked fluids and there was no oil flow. (wasn't due for oil change) dip stick was dry. There wasn't a indicator light displayed on dashboard for low oil. Had car towed to dealership for diagnostic test.( test will be done ON7/17/18) earliest appointment.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #479

Jul 072018

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
Driving car and lost all power diagnosis showed nothing by my mechanic after Hyundai told me car VIN not on recall during on vacation engine died had to have it towed back to my from Maryland was garage said engine bearing broke will cost me 7000 to my mechanic

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #478

Jul 052018

Sonata

  • 93,000 miles
Motor locked up because no oil. I had oil changed 2 months before and no leaks on carport and oil light never came on. So, I was driving the car and it went dead at a red light. Could not get it to start back up. Had to have it pushed to an empty lot. Had it towed and they said it had no oil in it therefore it locked motor up. We are very upset because the car is paid for and we had no idea that there was a problem with the oil.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #477

Jul 082018

Sonata

  • miles
Engine lock with oil in recall not fix.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #476

Jul 032018

Sonata

  • 144,650 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 70 mph, a knocking sound was heard coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (sport durst Hyundai, 4507 durham-chapel hill blvd, durham, North Carolina, (919) 251-5996) where it was diagnosed that the oil level was low. Two quarts of oil were added and the dealer also wanted to conduct an oil consumption test on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and case number: 11415617 was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 144,650.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #475

Jun 242018

Sonata

  • 113,000 miles
Takata recall: I got an oil change on May 25th and on June 24th (4 weeks later 1800 miles) the car completely ran out of oil and seized the engine. No oil light indicator came on and there were no leaks. Now this is a $3000 fix for a engine replacement.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #474

Feb 072018

Sonata

  • 117,400 miles
The transmission needs to be replaced.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #473

Jun 302018

Sonata

  • 129,414 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 70 mph, the engine seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would not be able to be repaired because of its excessive mileage. The failure mileage was 129,414.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #472

Jun 012018

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present and the engine stalled. In addition, while checking the oil, metal shavings were present on the oil dip stick. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. A local unknown dealer was notified, but the manufacturer was not. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Jackson, MI, USA

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