Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2011)
3,476 consumer complaints on file.
- #11528049June 21, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Took vehicle in for recall due to check engine light flashing on March 26,2023 .Received a call from dealership that car was ready March 28,2023 upon driving home car overheats. Call dealership to relay problem was advised to bring vehicle back. Had vehicle towed back to dealership at my own expense. Two weeks later I get a call stating that it was the radiator and that they would fix it and get it back to me . Two weeks after not hearing from dealership I called do an update to my surprise now it the engine is bad. So I ask the service manager where do we go from here. He proceeds to tell me that it’s one of those things where the recall didn’t help but hurt my engine. Then he proceeds to say I would have to give the dealership $2,000 dollars to fix the problem they caused. So here we are 4 months in and I still do not have a vehicle nor do I know who is responsible for fixing it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11527992June 20, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1) Fuel gauge readings are erratic, empty one minute then full the next then back to empty or in between regardless on actual fuel level. 2) Safety at risk if fuel pump malfunctions and gas gauge readings erratic. 3) Problem has been noted in numerous blogs, internet sites. 4) No open recalls yet this is a serious problem. 5) The only warning lights are fuel gauge flashes empty, but then goes away then comes back. 6) Cause per blogs is defective fuel sending gauge on fuel pump. Mileage at approximately 128k recurring issue, fuel pump failure possibly at high speeds could cause deaths if vehicle out of drivers control.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11527761June 19, 2023ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
as i was drivim back home from engine started a smoke green, smelling like burn wires electricity ect. the shut off , i ran out the car. in the middle of traffic. i contacted mechanic , has inform me that the engine has siezed .will no longer turn on. and maybe some ECM or electrical but dat the engine is locked.oil looks very clean radiator fluid clean aswell. what could have caused this no idea. im scare to try to start the car
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11527530June 17, 2023ENGINE
Engine stalled while merging onto interstate. Mechanic friend looked at motor and believed the motor seized even after motor recall was ok'ed, repaired.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11527125June 15, 2023ENGINE
My engine stop suddently and it wont start it seems like its stuck
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11525757June 7, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine seized at 87337 miles today. Fuel gauge wrong. Left us stranded on the interstate for 3 hours. Couldn't get it off highyway without pushing. No warning or lights before engine blew. All fluid levels correct. Silver Rock and Carvana refuse repair.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11525238June 4, 2023ENGINE
My engine is knocking/tapping
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11524337May 29, 2023AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Warning light for airbag continues to stay on , and cruise control does not work at all.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11523088May 21, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Brake light housing has melted and deformed so that the bulb is stuck in the tail light assembly and cannot be changed. Without working brake lights the car is unsafe to be driven on the road. I’m assuming there is an electrical problem that caused the lights to overheat and melt the housing. This is a common complaint with this make and model based on my research. The socket also does not lock into the assembly due to the deformed housing. My daughter is the owner of the vehicle and made me aware of the issue today.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11521494May 11, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY OF THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SWITCHED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. PURCHASED NEW AND ALL, YET THE CAR KEEPS GETTING DRAINED AND LEFT POWERLESS. SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE ENERGY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ROOT TO THE PROBLEM IS NOT KNOWN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11520736May 6, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have had replaced my taillight bulbs 8 times in the last year. They keep blowing out and getting so hot they melt the taillight assembly. I replaced the whole assembly a couple months ago and it is already melted so bad the light bulb will not fit properly or stay in place. This is a fire hazard and also a safety hazard as my taillights quit working at anytime.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11520270May 3, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights ceased to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the headlight bulbs were replaced three times within a month; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11519258April 27, 2023AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the warning light was cleared; however, the light returned soon after. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518084April 20, 2023ENGINE
My engine was replaced under warranty due to the major Theta engine recall, after 20k miles on the new engine its failing too, burning oil, smoking, making loud valve train noise on acceleration, and at time operates very sluggishly and strangely no engine codes ,almost like my engine code system was programmed to ignore these issues. My new replaced engine seems to be failing again and they don't care. I'm afraid this car will catastrophically fail or catch fire like I've been reading about.. Because its past the 12k warranty they are declining to fix,12k warranty REALLY ???!! Here's my concern, I am hearing many many ,many stories from others and even the dealer people that Hyundai is replacing the recall engines with BAD faulty engines, some I've heard have received 3 engines. My dealer lied to me saying it was a PCV ,the PCV valve was replaced and my engine is still failing like the first engine. Please help, Hyundai is basically getting away with ignoring the recall settlement by replacing the engines with still known faulty engines !
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516468April 11, 2023ENGINE
I was accelerating from a county road onto a state road, and the engine quit. The dash board displayed a bunch of tiny colored symbols of which I hadn't seen before. I coasted and pulled into an Elementary School parking lot and braked to a stop. I attempted to restart but got nothing. I smelled something and got out and opened the hood. The bottom end of the motor was on fire! I flagged down a lady and described my situation. She was the principal and went to get a matinance man with a extinguisher. Soon, two guys with water bottles stopped and extinguisher the flames. The principal and matinance man arrived and the guys pushed my Sonata into a parking spot. The principal (nice lady) gave me a ride home. I bought it used, no warranty, from a used car lot. I still owe a lot on it. Up until that point, I liked the car as so did my friends. Having full coverage insurance on it, I'm waiting to see what Allstate is going to do. This happened this past Friday , first week of April in the evening.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515341April 4, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Smell of fuel & starting issues. The car has been taken to the dealer multiple times regarding gas fumes and they could not find anything. And it is currently at a mechanic shop to for same reason. When you start the car it doesnt take long before the whole car smells like gas & the smell is so strong it is suffocating. The car is health & fire risk. Also the car sometimes doesnt want to start for days but the starter, battery, alternator all work & even the mechanic doesnt know whats wrong with it. Apperantly there is no recall & if you search online there are alot of people with same cars complaining about gas smell & starting issues..
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515214April 3, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast into a parking lot. The engine, oil, air bag, traction control, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that it would be four to five weeks before being serviced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced in 2018. The manufacturer was notified and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11513983March 27, 2023STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 161V190000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512148March 16, 2023SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started swerving in the lane to the right and the left. The contact heard an abnormal thumping noise from underneath the floorboard. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes functioned as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V354000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511357March 11, 2023AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
The NHTSA has filed a Consent Order (RQ17-004) for a Engine Replacement due to safety concerns while driving the vehicle on the road, Vehicle may stall and cause / be involved in a accident. Please make this recall public so the affected vehicles can be properly repaired as the Consent Order states I have reviewed the Consent Order and I will not continue to drive this vehicle, I will not risk being involved in a accident The Hyundai dealership in Alexandria Virginia has refused to repair this recall under the Consent Order, My vehicle Vin# is [XXX] My vehicle has been at this dealership location for over 3 weeks and I was told that they were not going to perform this recall and I noted that If I pick up my vehicle and drive it away and the engine fails, stalls or stops in the middle of the highway and I survive I will have to file a lawsuit in this matter and the dealership still told me to pick up my vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0