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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,850
Average Mileage:
100,400 miles
Total Complaints:
47 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (22 reports)
  2. replace engine (22 reports)
  3. hyundai scanned for code, unable to duplicate (1 reports)
  4. replace computer (1 reports)
  5. replaced defective brake switch (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Jul 202016

Sonata GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

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

On july 20th 2016, my son was coming home from work at 11pm and the interior of the dashboard lit up and car slowed down and turned off all while in motion. I met up with him and had to push car home because my tow co. didn't want to come for a few blocks. The next day had car towed to my regular shop n they informed me that this was an engine problem and that I needed to have the Hyundai dealer deal with car because of recall. My car has been at Rick Case Dealership in Plantation since july 24th and still no word or timeline, well initially one of the 3 times that I actually got to speak to him he said 4 to 5 weeks. I called the manufacturing Factory Hyundai USA and every time I speak to them the tell we'll get back to you in 3 business days, I've heard this 3 times already. The service dept nor the manufacturer have made any effort to get me a loaner or a rental. The service manager Earnest never returns calls, I stopped leaving messages and have even left messages with the General manager and have not gotten a courtesy call.

- bsandoval, Hollywood, FL, US

problem #26

Jun 102016

Sonata Limited 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,054 miles

Driving home from work, 75 mph, engine stalls, no warning lights, no knocks or anything, just stalled. Everything still works buy it won't start, turns over but won't fire, pulled the plugs and they look fine. Less than three weeks ago I took it to the dealer because the vin fell into the engine replacement recall, dealer said it passed inspection, didn't need a new motor. This happened yesterday on Friday, 6/10/2016, so it will be Monday before I can contact a Hyundai dealer but I'm the second owner and after reading other complaints I'll probably get the shaft as well. I purchased this car because of the fuel economy and the comfort, I love the interior and body style , the limited 2.0T has every bell and whistle and very peppy for a 4 cylinder but I drive 104 miles a day round trip to work and this thing left me stranded in the middle of a 20 mile stretch of nothing in 98 degree temp. Thankfully I had one bar on my cell and was able to call a wrecker,,,,for $175,,,,.. I'll post an update after I talk to the dealer

- Dana R., Dekalb, TX, US

problem #25

Jan 012016

Sonata ES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

car still idles but does not accelerate while in motion

While driving in the dark (only) my traction light comes on. During this time, while I am driving, the car fails to accelerate. It will lose all momentum. The car never shuts off. I have to remove my foot from the gas and reapply it, for the car to correct itself. Very scary. I drive on the highway everyday to and from work. sometimes it does it repeatedly, giving my car a "hopping" feeling. It does not do it every morning but at least 3-5 times a week. Some days I am worried I will not make it to work or worse get hit from losing speed. My car also makes a clanking noise while I am reversing. I have had it shut off on me once while driving on the highway during rush hour traffic. Sat for about an hour on the shoulder before the car would start again. I received letters in the mail about a recall and took it on February 4, 2016 to the Hyundai dealership. Was there for almost 3 hours. They fixed my Brake Stopping Pad and some handles on the doors but said there was nothing wrong with the engine..... I am not sure if they were honest or not after reading some of these comments.

Update from Aug 3, 2016: The problem is only getting worse. After reading all the complaints, the 2011 is a joke. I guess they will pay attention to my complaint if a lawsuit is filed. Myself and my family are being put in danger and the problem is going ignored.

- Michelle F., Austin, TX, US

problem #24

Jun 202016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,500 miles

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

The car was running fine on a highway trip. I made a brief pit stop. When I got back on the highway, the acceleration was not the same and the engine started to make a metalic clicking noise when I went to accelerate. Eventually, I went to pass someone and the car stalled when I accelerated. I was able to pull off the side of the road and call for a tow. The State Police pushed me off a nearby exit to a safe spot.

Brought it to my regular mechanic, who did an oil change and cleared the codes. Was advised that the car was still making noise, that could indicate a big problem. I pulled out the recall notice (NHTSA 15V 568) related to the metal shavings and realized that this was the problem. I drove the car to the Hyundai Dealership, by the time I got there, the car was making a lot more noise. The guys in the service dept indicated that the engine was shot and would need to be replaced. The car is currently in the shop and they are trying to get me a loaner or rental.

Update from Aug 1, 2016: Hyundai replaced the engine free of charge and paid for a rental car for the 5 weeks that it took to get the new engine.

- jamiect, Stratford, CT, US

problem #23

Jun 062016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Driving back home from work yesterday through one lane streets with speed limit 45mph. Done this routinely for the last 20 years. My Sonata is original owner and now in it's 6 year with 75k. Routinely turned left onto another one lane road and then tried to accelerate to 45mph and realized my car was barely moving along - giving gas sounded similar to car in park and applying gas - just higher rev with transmission acting as if it's in park or 1st gear.

Very slowly and lucky for me I was able to inch my way to a side street that was less than a 20 yards away - parked and turned off the engine. After a few minutes turned it back on and tested going up and down the road. Car seemed fine and was able to get home. Been pinching myself since if this was something of a freak occurrence or a sign of something more serious!

I have had all recalls serviced by a Hyundai dealer in my area and even the most recent "connecting rod bearing" inspection recall tested negative on my Sonata. I have been generally happy with the car thus far. Good service from my dealership and nothing major needed to be fixed but reading the car complaints here does raise some eyebrows. Hopefully this is nothing! But for now I'm just documenting it. Another one of these and it would be straight to the dealer.

- xedo, Houston, TX, US

problem #22

Apr 202016

Sonata SGL 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

The dealer has done nothing yet and they have had it 12 days. They simply say that it is locked up

- gbakos, Irving, TX, US

problem #21

May 162016

Sonata Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

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

I was driving down an off ramp where they had some placed some speed strips to warn vehicles that the road ahead was stripped and under the process of being re-asphalted. I slowed down as I entered the main road and the power turned off and all the dashboard lights lit up. I was lucky no one was behind me and the road was clear to enter. I pulled into the parking lot of a retail store, glided into a parking space and put the vehicle in park. I tried starting the vehicle, which it did, and as soon as I pushed on the accelerator, the vehicle turned off again. I let it sit, called AAA and the dealership where I was having it towed to give them advance warning. While I was waiting for the tow truck, I attempted to restart the vehicle, which it did, and this time when I attempted to drive it, it did NOT stop but acted like nothing happened. I drove the vehicle around the parking lot and nothing happened again and backed the vehicle into a space to allow the tow driver easier access to the car. The dealership has had the vehicle all morning afternoon and still have no diagnosis or solution to the problem. Just waiting for the phone call to let me know what they've found.

Update from May 30, 2016: Hyundai is replacing the engine and given me a rental car until mine is fixed. According to the dealership this may take 3-4 weeks

- Gary O., Middle River, MD, US

problem #20

May 132016

Sonata GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

My '11 Sonata had the engine seize up along with the starter and battery. I am told that they are all connected but Hyundai is only covering the engine so I am responsible for the, approximately $1,000 for the battery and starter, which are subsequent damages of the defect that prompted the recall "Campaign 132"

- ssmith91, Bridgewater, MA, US

problem #19

May 072016

Sonata ES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

My husband is driving up a steep hill with myself and my 2 children in the car and the car out of no where stalls and will not start. We had two have it towed to our house. This happened on a Saturday. The next day Sunday Mother's Day we find out after a mechanic comes to look at it that the engine is locked! Shot! We go online to find out that there was a recall that was supposeably sent out in October 2015 and we were never sent it. So here we are stressing out about our ONLY car not starting, engine shot, my sons have school tomorrow, I have work and no vehicle. We are calling the service department as soon as they open and they better have this looked at tomorrow and if possible fixed!! VERY UPSET that we were NEVER informed of this recall! We have been sent letters for other recalls that I have taken the car in as soon as I received the recall notice.

- emyt, Wayne, NJ, US

problem #18

Nov 022015

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,282 miles

This has happened 3 times in the past as many months. Last time it happened was yesterday. As I went on to accelerate after stopping at a light the engine started spluttering with jerks and within a few seconds the car would not move. The engine was on but the gas paddle did not work. I switched off the car and then it worked normally.

- spatel, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #17

Oct 132015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

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

My 16yo daughter was driving the car (going about 40 mph) when warning lights became illuminated and the car started lurching. She was barely able to get the car home. The next day we took it around the corner to closest garage. The mechanic said it sounded like it threw a rod. We had it towed to the dealership. The car only has about 52,000 miles on it and we are the original owners. They have confirmed there was metallic debris in the oil pan- the service rep even had a picture of it on his cellphone to show me.The dealership has been great, giving us a loaner. However, tomorrow the car will have been there for a month and we still have no idea when it will be fixed! The repair parts are unavailable! I thought about trading it in for a new car, but the car is paid for and I don't want to incur anymore debt. I actually had to tell the dealership about the recall (Campaign 132). It was so new they were unaware of it. When I tried the automated line for Hyundai corporation it told me my car was NOT involved in the recall. HOWEVER, when I asked to speak to a representative and repeated the VIN #, then I was told it was indeed included in the recall. If my car became inoperable a month ago, how on earth do they plan on handling 1/2 a million cars when they can't even fix one?

- Lisa E., North Augusta, US

problem #16

Oct 052015

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,419 miles

I was driving on the highway, trying to pass someone and the engine shut off. The car remained on and I coasted home where I had to push the car the remaining feet. I tried to restart the car and it would start, then bog out and die. Took the negative terminal off the battery to reset the computer and started it again and it stayed started. Took to dealership and they said I needed to replace the MAP sensor from the code that came up on the check engine light. Haven't replaced it yet, more problems arising.

- Nicole P., Red Deer, AB, Canada

problem #15

Oct 032015

Sonata Limited 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,235 miles

I purchased my car from a dealer August 4, 2015. A few days ago I noticed lose of power going around a corner when I tried to accelerate, but then it kicked in. Saturday, I tried to start my car & it was slow to start but finally it did. (it hasn't been reading my key very well- it has to be very close) When it did start, I tried to accelerate & the car would not go above 1500 RPMs. So I parked it. I know there is a new recall on some motors that started on September 25. I'm not sure if this is one?

Update from Aug 3, 2016: so now I have another problem...my car is not revving passed 1500 rpms! It has done it three times on me. I have taken it back to the dealer & they have tried to fix it but haven't been able to yet. I talked to another Hyundai dealer & they said it will never get fixed; its a common problem that they can't find so people trade them in & they just get wholesaled! Any ideas?? He also told me if I try to lemon law it I will be lucky if Hyundai is generous & gives me 9000. I just bought my car last august so of course I owe more than that...

- hnoe, Keysvilles, VA, US

problem #14

Sep 032015

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I own a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE with a 2.4 liter engine with 106,000 miles on it. I was driving down the expressway at about 70 mph and all of a sudden heard a quick knocking sound. I looked at my instrument panel and all the warning lights were lit up. I was still stepping on the gas and realized I was no longer accelerating and my car had no power. I had to coast to the side of the road.

I had my car towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership. After inspection, they said the engine was knocking and it had inner engine damage and the engine needed to be replaced, it would cost $6,000. I had an extended warranty which of course expired at 100,000 miles. The mechanic noted it had oil in it and no leaks, also previous to the engine dying, there were no warning lights such as low engine oil, overheating, or knocking sounds.

- Elizabeth A., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #13

Sep 022015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,686 miles

Today my husband and I were driving to the airport we got about 8 miles from our house, when we stop at a red light our car stalled. When we restarted the car the motor is now making a ticking/knocking noise. I called a Hyundai dealership in my area and they informed me that since I was not the original owner my warranty expired at 60,000 miles. So now I am stuck making payments on a car I can't drive, for fear that it will quit running and I will be stranded.

- Angela N., Rhome, TX, US

problem #12

Aug 132015

Sonata 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

I read a lot of the same problems that I'm having. Hyundai has sold a poor product. I worked construction at Subaru, Lafayette, In. I've been all over that plant, Their one thing is Quality before it leave each department. Hyundai SUCKS as a car company!

Update from Aug 14, 2015: I was driving the care down the highway at approx 45 miles per hour, when suddenly heard a loud knocking noise, banging, and then I I lost all power, and by the time I pulled it off the road, I had smoke coming from the hood area. The car would not turn over at that point. I was on my way to taking my 16 year to his first job interview when this occurred, this is our only what I thought reliable vehicle, and now I have none. I invested in this car for the long run, and it is already a piece of crap, now what? I don't have the extra funds to put 2500 $ into a engine at this time, I still owe payments on this vehicle. I trusted in this brand of car and now it has failed me. I have received no recall notices or engine notice failures from this company to alert me of the reported problems.

- jimmy.jones88, Crawfordsville, IN, US

problem #11

Nov 252014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

First off let me start by saying that I purchases my car in February 2011. It had 20,000 miles on it. I was very excited about my car. It was so stylish and pretty. Fast forward to a couple of years later, I started hearing a noise, so I took my car to Tuscaloosa Hyundai Dealership. The mechanic he didn't hear a noise but it had a recall on something and they fixed that.

Months passed but guess what, I still was hearing the noise and the warranty was now up. Then my car started hesitating when pulling off. I was also hearing a rattling when I would accelerate. Now in November of 2014, the car just stopped and the oil light popped on. Tried restarting the car and it would not start. This happened on a long and dark county road at 11 pm. I had to leave my car on side of the road. When I went back to get the car, I saw large oil spots on the road and also under the spot where my car sat. Under the hood oil was every where. Every spot under the hood had oil on it.

Update from May 21, 2015: I just talked to a mechanic from Tuscaloosa Hyundai. His name was John. He was the service manager. I told him that I had read some the complaints on carcomplaints.com, and his exact words were "Well you just can't believe everything that you read!" John told me that I would have to have a new engine because it was gone with such a cocky tone. As soon as I got off the phone with cocky John, I called a lawyers office about the class action lawsuit against Hyundai.

- Ebony C., Brent, AL, US

problem #10

Apr 292015

Sonata Limited Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

The car stopped working while I was driving. The car shut off without noise or warning. I dropped it off at the dealership. They called me in the morning and told me the valve had locked up due to engine sludge and that I needed my engine replaced. I change my oil regularly and recently had the oil flushed for sludge. This isn't adding up.

- Dominic H., Owings Mills, MD, US

problem #9

Mar 312015

Sonata GLS 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,910 miles

I purchased my 2011 Sonata in July of 2013, it only had 27,300 miles on it at the time. The previous owner kept up with all the maintenance, I take good care of my car. It hasn't even been two damn years and my engine goes out on me!!!!!. I haven't even averaged 1000 miles a month since I had this car. It's currently at 42,910 miles!!!!!!

I was on my way back to work from my lunch break. All of a sudden I can't accelerate and it was hell to try to brake. I almost got hit 3 different times!!!! If I was on the interstate then I'm pretty sure I would have been dead right now. No warning at all. All the lights came on at the same time. I get it towed to the Hyundai dealer. They tell me that there is no oil in the engine. But then the Service Adviser checks it and there was a little bit of oil in the motor. My car never had an oil leak, no low oil light ever came on. The car is still under warranty. They pretty much are trying to claim that I was negligent with the maintenance on my car. BULLSHIT!!!!

I love my car. I hate the 535 dollar payment but I love my car. I always use Full synthetic oil. I was told that it would cost $5500!!!. I have been taking cabs and buses to get to work and it's killing my pockets. Not to mention I'm still making payments.They are trying their best not to honor their warranty. People work their asses off for their money. We deserve a good vehicle that will last. Once again 42,910 miles and the engine goes????? Something needs to be done ASAP. I can't afford cabs and buses for much longer.

- Eugene D., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #8

Mar 032015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Like the other complaints, the engine died out of the blue. I was going 60 mph on a crowded highway, so it was a dangerous and unnerving catastrophe. I have a 100,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty, yet the dealership tried blaming me for the problem, that I didn't go to them for my oil changes.

They said if they found sludge in the oil it would be proof the problem was my fault and I'd have to pay for the repair. I told them that if they came to that conclusion I wanted them to call me immediately so I could come out with my lawyer, a mechanic and a photographer. They said they didn't like my attitude and had me pay out of my pocket for a day's rental car.

Then the next day I got a free loaner car and they agreed the engine was covered under warranty. It took them several weeks to get a new engine, and then when I finally picked up my car the engine light went on as I drove to work. I came back and they fixed it. Then on the drive back to work the engine light came on again. They had me take it back in, gave me a different loaner, and fixed the problem. I've had my car now for a day and the engine light hasn't come on. Yet.

I then got a call from Hyundai national yesterday about their customer service and I told him I regret ever walking onto their lot. I said my dad's 1976 Ford Pinto was a better car, as its engine never died on the highway. I told him I didn't want my technician to get a bad grade because he was a kind, decent guy in a bad situation. My beef was with Hyundai's inferior product and their business practice of searching for evidence to blame me for a defective product and thus stick me with the repair bill. He claimed he'd never heard such a complaint before, that he only hears from satisfied customers. I told him that's the same line the dealership gave and I find both claims hard to believe. Then today I Googled "Hyundai Sonata 2011 engine problem" and came across this website and learned of the epidemic I seem to be a part of.

- Patrick D., Edina, MN, US

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