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 / 79
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,001 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 23 of 44)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #428

Nov 072017

Sonata

  • 89,000 miles

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

Car stopped and turned off on the highway. All warning lights lit then went off and car stopped. It stalled 3 times before. Took it to the dealer made appointment for service on my way home same day it lit up again I pulled over and it stayed running.

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #427

Oct 012017

Sonata

  • 86,500 miles
A catastrophic engine failure occurred on the freeway while driving at 70-80 mph. The first warning was sudden engine noise, a loud ticking or knocking sound. This was shortly followed by the oil light illuminating, then the engine light, and then engine seizure (RPM dropped to 0). As I was pulling to the side, smoke began billowing through the vents. Upon exiting the vehicle I realized the engine was on fire. The vehicle was well maintained with no prior warning. The fire was put out with gatorade from an observer who pulled over.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #426

Jul 102016

Sonata

  • miles
My car use too much oil, every week I have to add a quart in a half of oil, that is becoming extremely pricey for me and getting oil changes is worthless to me because it like I'm wasting money by getting them. It would also help to have a low oil warning light show up because before I noticed this problem with my car I was very low on oil getting off the highway that god I was only blocks away from a auto part store to by some motor oil...this really do suck

- Ramsey, MN, USA

problem #425

Oct 122017

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and lost power without warning. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was no oil in the engine and the engine seized. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle had already been serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine), although the contact stated that the vehicle had never been serviced for that recall. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Dunn, NC, USA

problem #424

Oct 122016

Sonata

  • 90,043 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 20 mph, the vehicle sputtered, made a knocking noise, and lost power. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to southern states Subaru of raleigh (2511 wake forest rd, raleigh, nc 27608 (888) 439-5154) where it was diagnosed with a faulty engine that needed replacement. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). Upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, a clicking sound was heard coming from the steering column and underneath the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact of a recall for the steering coupler, but the vehicle was over the mileage and could not be repaired per the manufacturer recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V190000 (steering), but was unsure if the recall was serviced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and reffered the contact to Hyundai awards to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer inquired of an estimate of the repairs. Without an estimate, the contact quoated $500. The vehicle was then taken to johnson Hyundai of cary (5000 old raleigh rd, cary, nc 27511(919) 439-2059) where it was diagnosed with a steering coupler and axle failure. The technician stated that the axle damage occurred at the time of the engine replacement. The contact called the manufacturer again with a more accurate repair cost of $800, and was informed that they would only pay $500 towards the repair. The failure mileage was 90,043.

- Coats, NC, USA

problem #423

Oct 082017

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
This vehicle is burning a qt of oil every 500 miles! I have had the engine recall done with no issues but oil is still disappearing. There are no puddles nor any on the outside of the engine. There are numerous complaints about this same issue and after all the recalls and repairs I've dumped into this car, I wish I hadn't bought it.

- New Richmond, OH, USA

problem #422

Mar 012017

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles

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

I experienced a total engine loss in 2015 while travelling on an interstate highway in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata. My mechanic diagnosed it as an engine debris problem. This was prior to Hyundai disclosing that it had a known engine debris flaw with the engine. Rather than scrapping a four-year old vehicle, I had the engine replaced because the rest of the vehicle was in good shape. At the time of replacement new 2011 Sonata theta II engines were impossible to obtain (because of the high failure rate) so a low mileage (53K) used theta II engine from a different 2011 Sonata was obtained by my mechanic and installed in my vehicle. Obviously, this occurred before it became public knowledge that the Alabama manufactured theta II engine had inherent and dangerous flaws. Tragically but predictably the new engine is now exhibiting the same symptoms as the old one. Upon inspection the engine was diagnosed by my Hyundai dealership as having failed the campaign 132 diagnostic test. Hyundai has however repeatedly refused to provide any remedy to this second engine problem, saying that they don't want to provide remedy because the engine was sourced from a different 2011 Sonata (and that the engine is not the original one). It is unconscionable to deny compensation because I had the unfortunate experience of being the recipient of not one, but two engines that failed due to the same faulty design flaw. Hyundai should stand behind its faulty product and provide a remedy to the problem of their making.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #421

Feb 032017

Sonata

  • 112,943 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine while attempting to accelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine); however, the remedy failed to repair the recall. Earlier this year, the vehicle was diagnosed for a check engine warning indicator that illuminated and the remedy was a fuel injection flush. The local dealer (North freeway Hyundai, 20440 interstate 45 N, spring, tx, 77373) was contacted and scheduled an appointment through the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 10640136. The failure mileage was approximately 112,943.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #420

Sep 262017

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
My engine is knocking and consuming oil. It worsens with increased RPM. Something sounds wrong in the engine and it has a high oil consumption rate yet there is no evidence of oil leak under vehicle. The dealer does all service, its under warranty and yet they have not taken care of the problem though they have been notified of this issue several times and inspected the vehicle. I am afraid I will have a total engine failure and put my safety at risk either from a crash or being stranded in a deserted area.....also Hyundai charged me last year to replace a coupling in the steering which was causing the issue and yet there has been a recall on this coupling. Bentley Hyundai of huntsville, al. They keep charging me money for repairs or inspections that should be covered under warranty.....please help!

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #419

Aug 302017

Sonata

  • miles
Vehicle is making a loud clicking sound in the steering column and while turning either left or right its a double clicking loud sound. While the vehicle is at a still position when you turn the wheel you can hear a clicking noise both right or left. If you hit a bump you can hear a loud annoying sound like something is loose. It gets louder and louder. You can hear it over the radio. This happens either on streets and the interstate aka highway

- Dunbar, WV, USA

problem #418

Sep 242017

Sonata

  • 69,500 miles

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

After starting the car on the street I pulled the car into the driveway to wash it. After about an hour, I tried to start the car to move it out of the driveway. It would no longer start. Turns out the starter had burned out. Took the car to the shop. They stated that the even after replacing the starter, the starter continues to try to start the car while the car is running. This will cause the starter to burn out. I have had to replace the starter with 69K miles on the car and now have been warned that there is an electrical problem that will burnout the new starter unless I get it fixed.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

problem #417

Sep 102015

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (southern states Hyundai of raleigh, 2511 wake forest rd, raleigh, nc 27609) and was informed that he would have to pay to have the vehicle inspected for the noise coming from the left side of the motor. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-633-5151 and stated that the VIN was included in the recall and was not sure why the dealer was not repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer also stated that they would contact the dealer, but had not at the time of the complaint. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #416

Sep 102017

Sonata

  • miles
The starter on my 2011 Hyundai Sonata is inoperable. It doesnt turnover. Ive the key in the ignition several times. There is no clicking noise; it's silent. My Hyundai only has 67,281 miles. I've kept up with all recalls and the regular maintenance schedule of my vehicle. Please advise.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #415

Sep 132017

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
Vehicle would shut off unexpectally while driving on a busy mail road without any warning signs. This iincident occurred mntiple times. I am very concern for my safety for my family

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #414

Sep 042017

Sonata

  • 108,800 miles
Took car to dealership for engine recall check in 2016, was told my car was fine only to have the engine seize 12 months later while driving. Engine was replaced by northtowne Hyundai in kc, mo and car was returned after 7 weeks. Within a few days of driving with the new engine I heard a distinct whining at about 2500 RPM and noticed a steady leak due to spots on my driveway. I returned the car to the dealership who said that the leak was from the transmission and that they have no liability since the engine replacement did not cause them to have to actually touch the transmission since the two systems are completely independent of one another. Corporate Hyundai says that the powertrain (I.e. transmission) is not covered under their extended 120,000 mile warranty and the cost of the repair is going to be an out of pocket expense to me.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #413

Aug 252017

Sonata

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer. Later, the vehicle was towed to Suburban Hyundai of lansing (5827 S Pennsylvania ave, lansing, mi 48911; (517) 913-9500 where) it was diagnosed that the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-633-5151 and stated that the contact had to pay for the charges since the contact had a salvaged title. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

problem #412

Sep 022017

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
I was driving my car about 45 miles per hour. All of a sudden my engine just cut out. I began to pump the gas and there was no acceleration and no sound from the engine. It was completely dead. The lights were on and all other functions were working properly. The yellow engine light came on. I had to pull over and was hoping and praying that my brakes were still working. They did. There was no warming. No oil lights or coolant lights came on. It was about 75 degrees and a clear night with no rain. I have taken my engine in 2 other times due to weird sounds and odd issues for the recall. All time it has passed the "pressure test". my car was towed into the dealer. They are admitting there is definite noise in the engine, but it is still passing this random test. I have had all my oil changes and am at the dealer enough that they know who I am. This could have killed me if I was on the freeway here in southern California. My dealer has been amazing. The corporation is giving me the run around. (please let me know if you need my dealer print out to show that it is in for service)

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #411

Aug 302017

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles
Engine failure while driving in middle of road without any warning. When attempting to restart vehicle smoked and smelled of electrical burning. Hyundai service center originally said this vehicle was not part of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata theta II engine recall, but when advising I found online (specifically at autoservice.hyundaiusa.com) that it indeed was, they agreed to check vehicle and contact Hyundai to have added to the recall. This vehicle exhibits all the problems mentioned in the recall/lawsuit. They occurred suddenly and without notice. We were at risk of crashing or being hit by a vehicle due to manner in which it broke down. Vehicle was at risk of fire, as it smelled of burning and smoked.vehicle was left at service center and am awaiting response.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #410

Sep 012017

Sonata

  • 142,000 miles
I never received the notice on my car recall number 123. I have taken my car in for all recalls I have received and I was never told that the engine could fail because of metallic debris wasn't removed from the crankshaft. My car is in the shop because the motor is locked. It just stopped and then would not move. Southern states Hyundai in raleigh is where I have taken my car for all recalls for four years. They knew about this defect in 1915, but have never informed me or done the work required by the recall. My car was made in Alabama and the Hyundai web site confirms that my car should have been covered under this recall. Southern states is saying they have no recall for my car but one small thing that needs to be done. They don't want to fix my car even though it is there fault that the recall work has never been done.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #409

Aug 152017

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was not operable. The vehicle was taken to capitol Hyundai montgomery (2820 eastern boulevard, montgomery, al) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Clayton, AL, USA

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