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 1 of 45)

problem #891

Nov 152021

Sonata

  • miles

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

November 2021 I was coming home from work when the engine started making a horrible noise. I limped the vehicle home and contacted Hyundai and was told to bring the vehicle in to the dealership. It was stated that Hyundai had closed the campaign on the knock sensor the week before bringing it in, but they would try. About a month later the dealership called and said that I needed to come get the car due to they were selling the dealership lot. I towed it there and towed it home and have continued to peruse actions to correct the lifetime warranty that is offered due to shavings left in the engine when manufactured. Found another recall that said my vehicle is affected by this recall and to scheduled a service appointment. When delivering the car back off yesterday at the new dealership that took over, I was informed that the recall would probably fail due to another recall that had never been preformed, which is a recall that I had never been presented with by mail or communication of any sort. This was in the middle of the global pandemic when the world was shut down, and I have never been presented with any recalls from Hyundai. They may have sent notification through the US POSTAL SERVICE, but never came in to my possession, knowledge or mailbox.

- Athens, WV, USA

problem #890

Jan 282024

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle shuddered and then lost motive power. The contact shifted the transmission into neutral(N) while stopping or reversing to prevent the vehicle from shutting off. The check engine, air bag, and fuel level warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine was faulty and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had previously been repaired in 2015 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that he did not own the vehicle at the time of the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- North Miami, FL, USA

problem #889

Feb 122024

Sonata

  • miles
Engine leaks/burns oil too frequently. Every other week I-??m continuously having to put oil to refill levels. Also electrical system for turn signals is always going in and out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn-??t. Safety hazard because other vehicles can-??t tell that I-??m turning.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #888

Feb 012024

Sonata

  • 189,000 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 while driving approximately 45 MPH, the instrument cluster started showing numerous warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact started smelling a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the hood, and a large cloud of smoke was released. There were no flames, but the contact smelled the odor of melted plastic and rubber. The Fire Department was called but the vehicle did not catch on fire. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had been consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The contact stated he was adding one quart of engine oil per week. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #887

Jan 012017

Sonata

  • miles
Oil consumption excessive. I've been doing my monthly and annual maintenance engine ticks. I've added oil every 2 weeks every 200 miles.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #886

Dec 182023

Sonata

  • miles
We bought this used car for my daughter, then I found out there was issues with the engine. We had it for 6 months and the engine seized as she was driving it on the highway. She got to pull off to the side of highway. We had it towed to our mechanic, hoping it was the battery or something simple. He told us it was a blown engine and there was PLENTY OF OIL AND ANTIFREEZE IN IT. HE THEN TOLD US THE HE LOOKED AT IT AND COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WAS BLOWN, WITH THE OIL STILL IN IT. WE had to buy a new rebuilt engine and pay for the mechanics time. There has been issues with this engine-??s. How do we get the engine payed for, with the problem they have. This wasn-??t a neglect part on us. I would like to get REIMBURSE FOR THE NEW ENGINE ( rebuilt ) not our neglect, but the way they built the engine / oil pan

- Lawrence , MA, USA

problem #885

Sep 212023

Sonata

  • miles

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

Engine uses oil excessively, stopped suddenly on highway, Hyundai America refused to authorize oil consumption test car is now in limp mode

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #884

Dec 132023

Sonata

  • miles
My 2011 Hyundai sonata Engine failed in April 2023. Was towed and the engine was replaced due to the recall. Got car back November 4th 2023. Fuel gauge never went out and after driving about 3 miles the engine light came on. Dec 13th was driving on highway and felt like the car was going to fall apart. Able to get off highway only for the car to die. Every light including some I have never seen came on. Was stuck on the side of the road with my ESA dog in 28?. Temp. For over an hour with no power and hazards starting to dim. I'm disabled and had no help. Local PD towed vehicle and drove me home. Car sat at tow yard collecting fees as I was waiting for the dealership to call me back. Finally got help with paying the tow yard company only to be stuck once again for over an hour in the cold and then denied a tow to the dealership since they decided to cancel my appointment by text while I was on with Hyundai roadside assistance. They denied any help. Luckily the tow yard felt bad and made a call for me and a friend came and paid the $160 tow truck to get the car back to my house. They have now not returned my calls and the case manager has not responded as well. This is unacceptable. I don't have any money and I have no idea how they can get away with treating a disabled person in the winter days before Christmas by letting me be stranded twice on the side of the road with an engine that has less than 10 miles on it.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #883

Dec 082023

Sonata

  • miles
Code p1326; vehicle equipped with YELLOW diptick

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #882

Dec 112023

Sonata

  • miles
I have a problem that Hyundai is known for Hyundai oil consumption. I bought my car into a nearby shop for service because my car shut down while driving on the highway. The shop advised me the engine was full of oil.

- Burlington, FL, USA

problem #881

Dec 052020

Sonata

  • miles

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

Very high oil consumption. Tested with dealer and came out at 1qt/1 mile. Knok sensor detection system was installed while in warranty but they won't replace the engine.

- River Forest, IL, USA

problem #880

Dec 032023

Sonata

  • miles
My car is at the Hyundai dealership now for almost 3 months to get 14 recalls done and also there was a lawsuit a few years ago that the engine was getting still an oil into the engine. My car was affected by that I just bought the car in 2021 I did not know about it. I-??m needing them to swap out the engine as well and it-??s been almost 3 months And it-??s all recalls that are supposed to be done with my car 14 of them including the engine and the engine is part of the settlement that was done a few years ago Number was ran and it was a part of it, and it had me select the dealership I and that-??s where I chose for it to go and it was supposed to be switched out for free

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #879

Nov 302023

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving in the middle lane of the NJ parkway going 50mph and the car stalled. I was able to coast to the shoulder and have the car towed to my mechanic. Today I was information the engine is dead and I should contact the dealer. This a replacement engine as the first engine died while driving when the car had 70,000 miles. Hyundai replaced the engine but at 90,000 miles the replacement engine died. I'm wondering if you have reports of this happening. unfortunately the class action suit will not cover my 2011 Hyundai Sonata with 160,000 as it is over the years and mileage of the warranty. The warranty did not start at the time and mileage of the replacement engine but at the time of orginal purchase.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #878

Nov 122023

Sonata

  • miles
10/31/23 Car lost power on freeway. Dash lit up and stalled, I took picture brought to dealership. Could not find any issues or codes. 11/12/23 Driving on Pacific Coast Highway car started making knocking/ticking noise. Pull off to a side street and car hesitated and check engine light came on. Had it towed to dealership. Still waiting on assessment. Was told will take 2-3 days due to backlog. Clearly a known Engine issue dating back to recall campaign 132 Engine/inspection/replace. (I brought into dealership on 2/9/16 to perform checks on the 132 campaign - shows completed).

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #877

Dec 242018

Sonata

  • 61,000 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 40 MPH, the engine seized. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was replaced with a rebuilt engine. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the engine seized a second time at 96,000 miles. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no oil in the vehicle. The dealer performed an oil change on the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred a week later and there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the engine was not replaced but was rebuilt by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #876

Oct 102023

Sonata

  • miles
I started to get engine knocking noises about 6 months after the purchase of the used car. This knocking noise began to increase in frequency as I pressed my foot on the accelerator and the car would not accelerate when I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. Then the car would shut down in the middle of traffic. After waiting about 30 -45 mins, I would try to start the car again and would start and initially run as long as I drove less than 20 miles/hour the knocking noise level would decrease but if I went above 15 - 20 mph the car would shut down. The check engine light and engine oil light would come on. So I would check the engine oil level oil using the dip stick and it showed oil levels were ok. On October 10 2023 while driving to Walmart the engine turned off and would not start after waiting over 1 hour and I was stuck in the mall entrance road. A concerned driver with his passengers pushed the car to a Walmart parking spot where it is currently at. In addition, the traction light kept coming on and I paid the Hyundai dealership $2,800 to repair to keep the car from drifting to the left and to get the light off.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #875

Aug 152023

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, both her and her passenger smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle's cabin. The contact then noticed that flames were coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and both her and her passenger exited the vehicle. As the contact waited for a fire truck, the vehicle burned to the ground. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was apart of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000(Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #874

Sep 272023

Sonata

  • miles
My car had engine seized while driving on the road with no warning light prior nor other mechanical issues. When the engine seized, all mechanical powers are have lost power including brakes and power steering in which have almost caused a near accident at an early morning rushed hours. The vehicle's odometer reading at 120,836 and was up to date on all normal tune up performances. Other issues that have arise after purchasing the car are: warning light came on for airbag, real loud clunking sound on roof when hitting a bump on the road and engine will not start because of fuel line system issues. Cruise control had also stopped working after a year of purchased.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #873

Mar 302023

Sonata

  • miles
We bought this 2011 Hyundai Sonata from a local dealer in August 2021. The engine failed in March of 2022 (smoking and then died while my daughter was driving the car). We paid a local mechanic to replace the engine with another used engine, not knowing the engine issues associated with Hyundai Sonata models, specifically the 2011 year. The replaced engine died in July 2023, about 5 months later. The warranty we had on the replaced engine was denied to due to a heat tab melting. The first engine (to us, we do not know if was replaced during the 2016 recall) and now the replaced GDI engine have both died. The engine should not be on the market and we contacted the local Hyundai dealer to see if they could help us out. They denied service because we replaced the engine ourselves with another mechanic. This is a critical safety issue and Hyundai should be held responsible to get these engines off the market and reimburse customers for all expenses related to the repair or replacement of the engines regardless of where it was fixed. Now there is a new recall related to these engines https://apnews.com/article/hyundai-kia-engine-fire-recall-park-outside-93d012a52e7b884889cdaf2e6c22a458, where customers are being told to not park in structures due to fire hazard/risk. And I read recently that Hyundai has been slow to recall cars and fined by NHTSA for this very reason. Our model is not currently in an open recall, but it doesn't make sense that both engines failed...both GDI engines. This should be addressed by Hyundai and we should be reimbursed for the expenses paid by us to fix their poor engine design and the safety issues associated with this make/model/year.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #872

Jun 122023

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure was not duplicated and only noted as consuming unusual amounts of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

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