8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
73,850 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
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problem #9

May 302022

Sonata 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,800 miles

Engine knock is noticeable. Started when I was on the freeway in fairly moderate traffic (not commute traffic, but traffic was moving at a steady clip, with many drivers exceeding the speed limit). Car decelerated. Independent mechanic recommends: replacing old engine with new one -the price tag: engine, parts and labor: $9,895. Car is not driveable - I need to have it towed it to the dealer. Had to wait =4 weeks= for a service appointment. : (

- rb_48, Belmont, US

problem #8

Jul 312016

Sonata Limited 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

2012 Sonata Limited 2.0T began having loud engine knock, similar to banging a wrench on a metal pole. I was concerned it was a failed piston rod and had it towed to a dealer today. I have yet to hear back from the dealer with an update. A couple or 3 months back, we did bring the car in for a check engine light and strange noise and was told nothing was wrong.

I'll update as I learn more.

Update from Aug 3, 2016: I was contacted by the dealer yesterday and they advised that I need a new engine and it will be paid for by Hyundai. I'm still waiting on a rental car which I was told will also be paid for by Hyundai. The service manager stated that he has one other customer with the same situation and they have been waiting on the new engine for over 1 1/2 months.

- mrwndrfl, Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #7

Jan 092017

Sonata Limited 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,126 miles

I drive a 2012 Hyundai Sonata on 1/9/2017 I was coming to a stop when then engine shut off. I had no brakes and no steering. Needless to say ran through a ditch busting the front bumper. I started the car up and there was a terrible knock. I got out checked my car over noticed the bumper was dragging the ground so I used a wood screw to hold the bumper off the ground. I am taking my car to the Hyundai dealership in Fort Mill in the am. I got a notice about metal shaving in the pan so I took my Sonata to the same dealership about a month ago and they said everything was o.k. How do you check for internal damage without pulling the engine and inspecting each bearing? I change oil religiously and take great care of this car. I was so surprised when it shut off and even more surprised when I heard the knock. I will update this complaint when I hear more. I am without a car.

- Eric B., Kings Mountain, NC, US

problem #6

Dec 042016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD THIS LOUD RATTLING GRINDING NOISE, CAR VIBRATING, LIKE IT'S READY TO FALL APART. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR, RESTARTED AND DROVE OFF,SAME SOUND AGAIN, SAW A GAS STATION AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR THERE, WHERE IT JUST PROMTLY SHUT DOWN

HAD TO GET IT TOWED, SO NOW I AWAITING FOR MONDAY MORNING TO HEAR WHAT THE DEALER HAS TO SAY AS I SEE THER IS A RECALL ON THE 2012 SONATA SINCE 2015 FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND IWAS NEVER NOTIFIED, AND I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR EVERY OIL CHANGE.....GO FIGURE

- Heather W., Coco, FL, US

problem #5

Jan 242016

Sonata Limited 2.1L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

There is a crackling noise coming from the engine. I am told, by Hyundai service personnel, "turbos are noise", nothing to be concerned about. Yet Hyundai has a recall which per the service techs have been completed, twice, yet my car still makes this noise.

- Andrea F., Spotsylvania, VA, US

problem #4

Aug 192016

Sonata Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

click to see larger images

noise from engine

On August 19th 2016 my husband was driving my car on the highway on his way home from work and heard a loud pop in the engine. while it started smoking he was able to get to the side of the highway and open the hood where he saw smoke coming out and a flame. He quickly closed the hood and called 911. I had full coverage on the car but they only paid half of what I paid for it a year and a half ago. I called Hyundai and they called me today and told me that they cannot do anything to help me recoup any of my loses.

- teresakrammen, Greenville, MI, US

problem #3

Oct 032016

Sonata LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

I purchased my 2012 Sonata Hybrid new and now find myself wondering from the reviews of the 2011 Sonata's if the dealerships can disguise the true year model of the vehicle. When I purchased it I was first given a different VIN number than the one that is on my paperwork!!

Does anyone have any thoughts about this? The issue with my vehicle are spot on to the recall for 2011 and 2012 vehicles but the VIN comes up as an error when trying to verify if it is included in the recall for engine failure.

Thanks in advance for your comments. I have already contacted an attorney and the attorney generals office.

- Sherry K., Irving, TX, US

problem #2

Jun 132016

Sonata 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,700 miles

Putting in a complaint to add in yet another Hyundai Sonata engine failure. I have a limited 2.0T. Always took to the dealership I bought it from for service; oil changes and the up keep service. I should mention I am the first owner of this car. My car is part of the recall. Took it in to be checked for the possible engine failure, had an oil change and then the fuel injections cleaned. Within a month of this service and supposedly passing the engine failure, my car started experiencing engine knocking on my way home from work. So whatever test is being done on your car to check this problem does not work! I was lucky in that my engine never seized up. Was able to get it to the dealer and left it there. The dealer rented me the Accent while I wait for my car to be repaired at Hyundai's expense. I had to call the person that sold me the car to get my rental by the way; great guy.

Now there for two weeks, the service manager could not provide a completion date. So I called customer service and then corporate. I will inform you, corporate stated that this repair will take 2 months; something the service manager could not tell me. So, for two months I will be paying on a vehical that I will not have.

This complaint is added to let you know that if you have the engine failure or knocking, call the person that sold you the car to get a rental, know that is will be an estimated 2 months to get your car back, know that if you are still paying on it, you will keep paying on it during this time and call corporate office as a complaint to get any results on possible getting your car back sooner. The material used to replace the engine is also within corporate headquarters, so I was informed they could provide more information on the purchase order of the material and when it would be shipped; still waiting and will provide and update.

- lindleyfl, Oldsmar, FL, US

problem #1

Jan 062016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,710 miles

worn connecting rod bearing

We started hearing a noise in the engine a couple of weeks ago. We remembered a safety recall notice we received and called the dealer. They told us that we had to fork out the money to have it looked at, even though we were insistent that it was the issue in the recall. We then called Hyundai Canada and they said they would contact the dealer and have the dealer make an appointment for us to bring it in. While waiting for an answer, the car quit and wouldn't restart. We had it towed to the dealer. They inspected it and contacted Hyundai Canada, waiting to see if it fell under the warranty. No courtesy car is available and we had to borrow one from family. We are STILL waiting for an answer. Has anyone been through this, and how much did they have to fork out for the repair ?

We will NEVER buy a Hyundai again!

- Lance C., Hamilton, ON, Canada