2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. Upon checking under the hood, the contact noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11657515

Incident

Apr 14, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and had recall repair was completed. The contact stated that two weeks after the repair, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and restarted the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to Allen Turner Hyundai (6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505: (850) 479-9667) however, the vehicle was not serviced at the dealer. The vehicle was towed back to the first dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred seven times. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11464527

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

102,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had stated that the engine was replaced; however, the vehicle was not able to be started. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11455903

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

Mileage

176,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving there was an abnormal knocking noise detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign number 20V746000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11431194

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI ATLANTA (5785 PEACHTREE BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341) TO BE DIAGNOSED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC ASSURED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SERVICE SOON AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT A NEARBY PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE RETURNED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, STALLED, WITH A HINT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED FOR TWO DAYS WHILE THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER AND SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT HAD NOTIFIED THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OF THE ISSUES WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME DEALER PERFORMED A MULTI-POINT CHECK ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID

11406895

Incident

Nov 20, 2020

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11403464

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LEE HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 1960 SKIBO RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314, (910) 684-4827) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. VIN TOOL CONFIRM PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11403068

Incident

Mar 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE OVERHEAT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO CONICELLI HYUNDAI (1208 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 624-2029) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS THERMOSTAT BLOCKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11400398

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND DETECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AMARILLO HYUNDAI (1900 INTERSTATE 40 ACCESS RD #3029, AMARILLO, TX 79103, (806) 376-4911) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11397944

Incident

Feb 24, 2021

Mileage

105,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A STRANGE KNOCKING SOUND SO I TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT. I PULLED OVER POPPED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WENT UP LIKE CRAZY. I CALLED 911 AND VACATED IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA ID

11373645

Incident

Nov 6, 2020

Mileage

129,000 mi

ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE THAT BECAME WORSE OVER THREE DAYS (ORIGINALLY MISTAKEN FOR BAD GAS BUT BECAME MUCH LOUDER THAN THAT WOULD BE). WHILE DRIVING ALONG A BUSY STATE ROAD (NC 98) AND CAR CHOKED TWICE WITH A LOUD THUMP AND I FEARED IT WOULD STALL. PULLED OVER, SHUT VEHICLE OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO ACTUAL FLAMES DETECTED. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DESCRIBED HOLES IN THE ENGINE. CONSULTED HYUNDAI AND THEY WILL ONLY OFFER A SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. LABOR COSTS ARE APPROXIMATELY $2500 WHICH I AM REQUIRED TO PAY. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 141K MILES. TOW TRUCK OPERATOR ALSO TOLD ME TO RESEARCH THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED BUT SHOULD BE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE RECALL WAS INCOMPLETE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROADER.

NHTSA ID

11301915

Incident

Jan 11, 2020

Mileage

141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED ORR AUTO MALL RUSSELLVILLE (LOCATED AT 3115 E MAIN ST, RUSSELLVILLE, AR 72802, (877) 742-3331) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11220047

Incident

Jun 13, 2019

Mileage

94,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING O WORK AND SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME THROUGH VENTS AND OUT THE SIDE OF PASSENGER HOOD. I GOT OUT AND IT STARTED TO SMOKE EVEN MORE AND THEN WITH A FEW SECONDS IT BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA ID

11219486

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

104,890 mi

MAY BE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM; LOST POWER ON INTERSTATE FROM 70 MPH TO 20 MPH THEN GOT OFF EXIT, SHUT DOWN AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT UP AND NO PROBLEM AGAIN; HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LAST 4 MONTHS; TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE WITHOUT SUCCESS- NO CODES IN COMPUTER; NOW CAR IS SPUTTERING AND JUMPING WHEN GAS IS APPLIED AFTER SLOW DOWN/STOP. NOW GETTING FLASHING/BLINKS ON/OFF READY LIGHT ON DASH. SAW NHTSA ID NUMBER 10056327 AND SOUNDS LIKE MY ISSUE. DRIVE 40 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK ON INTERSTATE DAILY AND AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING POWER. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO DEALER TWICE AND NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT AND REPORTED IT HYUNDIA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT A CALL BACK TO DATE.

NHTSA ID

11205391

Incident

May 2, 2019

Mileage

156,947 mi

ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AS USED VEHICLE ON FEB 9,2019. IT HAD APPROX. 123000 MILES AND ON MARCH 15, 2019, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AND VEHICLE STALLED ALL OF SUDDEN, HAD TO SPEND $3450 TO REPLACE IT WITH 2012 KIA HYBRID ENGINE. I AM NOT SURE THE CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE. BUT THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD CRACKED AND HAD TWO HOLES ON EITHER SIDES(IMAGE ATTACHED). NEED JUSTICE! CAN YOU HELP NHTSA? PLEASE REACH ME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID

11193243

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

126,901 mi

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I-75. BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. AND STARTED TO STALL. I PULLED OVER TRIED TO GO AGAIN. CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 30MILES PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. DEALERSHIP STATED THE ENGINE WENT OUT.

NHTSA ID

11191044

Incident

Mar 2, 2019

Mileage

170,140 mi

CAR WAS IN MOTION. LOST POWER TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM AND WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED RAPIDLY. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED CAR ON AND THEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY.

NHTSA ID

11166706

Incident

Jan 13, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, COMPLETE ENGINE AND BATTERY FAILURE, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE "READY" LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE BATTERY LEVEL STARTED DROPPING WITHOUT THE ENGINE STARTING AND RECHARGING. I WAS THEN UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE "READY" LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF THEN STAYED OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI WHERE I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE 'LOCKED UP' AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE RECHARGED.

NHTSA ID

11162547

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY BECAME DRAINED AND COULD NOT BE RECHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPRADLEY BARR MOTORS INC. (2200 WESTLAND RD, CHEYENNE, WY 82001, 307-638-3335) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FILTER CONTAINED METAL FRAGMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11142385

Incident

Oct 12, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I TRY TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN BUT DOES NOT STARTED. I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THE ENGINE GET LOCK AND I NEED TO REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ID

11111318

Incident

Jul 8, 2018

Mileage

118,447 mi

THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT WORRIED ME WITH MY VEHICLE WAS WHEN I WAS EXITING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. I REVERSED OUT SUCCESSFULLY, BUT WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWING WHETHER I WAS IN DRIVE, PARK ETC. WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN A PARK POSITION (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS STILL BLANK) AND RESTART THE CAR. I WENT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CABLE. I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. SINCE THAT INCIDENT, I DECIDED THAT I WOULD MAKE SURE TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AT ALL TIMES. A FEW DAYS AGO, I WAS DRIVING ON THE PALMETTO EXPRESSWAY AT 60 MPH ON THE RIGHT LANE. WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS, I NOTICED MY VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THE MPH GAUGE STEADILY WENT FROM 60 TO 40. ACCELERATING WAS NO LONGER WORKING EVEN WHEN I PUT MORE PRESSURE WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN THAT RIGHT LANE AND WAS CLOSEST TO THE SHOULDER SO I COULD PULL OVER SAFELY. AGAIN, I VISITED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID

11101897

Incident

Jun 12, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND RADIATING FROM MY ENGINE AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH IT THE NOISE INCREASED AND THEN THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE FAILING. MY GAGES WHERE THE RMP'S REFLECT WHERE NOT FUNCTIONING EITHER. AMONGST THE ENGINE ISSUE MY POWER STEERING COLUMN IS ALSO RATTLING AS IF IT IS LOOSE AND STEERING IS BECOME DIFFICULT. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO NOT FEEL SAFE IN YOUR OWN VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11088909

Incident

Apr 18, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED SONATA HYBRID WAS NOT UNDER THE CLASS ACTION RECALL BUT HAS TWICE NOW HAD THE SAME ENGINE FAILURE AS THE SONATAS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. FIRST ENGINE FAILURE- CAR WAS AT DEALER FROM NOV 2015 TO JAN 2016 AND ENGINE WAS REBUILT. SECOND ENGINE FAILURE, RELATED ENGINE ISSUE- DEC 2017 TO CURRENT TIME. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR STATE ROAD AND ENTIRE SYSTEM SEIZED UP, COULD NOT EVEN GO INTO NEUTRAL. SECOND TIME, OIL SPATTERED ALL OVER ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON STATE HIGHWAY- MAJOR LEAK ON ENGINE MOUNT. FIRST REPAIR INDICATED THE SAME PARTICLES IN ENGINE THAT CAUSED ENGINE TO SEIZE AS THE RECALLED SONATAS THOUGH MY VIN WAS/IS NOT INCLUDED IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT NOR UNDER THAT OFFICIAL RECALL. CAR STILL NOT REPAIRED AFTER 2 MONTHS AT DEALER THIS SECOND TIME. HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH HYUNDAI MOTOR REGIONAL CUSTOMER COMPLAINT, LOCAL DEALER AND WARRANTY COMPANY FOR LAST 2 MONTHS WITH NO RESOLUTION AND STILL NO CAR.

NHTSA ID

11067202

Incident

Dec 13, 2017

Mileage

73,000 mi

CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING COMES ON. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.

NHTSA ID

11055781

Incident

Dec 15, 2017

Mileage

72,092 mi

HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO SERIOUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

11033984

Incident

Sep 25, 2017

Mileage

86,000 mi