10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 18 / 84
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 15 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,220 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I'm smelling has from under the car and it's got a ticking sound and burning oil it looks like
- Deer Lodge, TN, USA
While driving on highway gas pedal failed and engine turned off. Vehicle had to coast slowly. Attempts to start car worked but could not go faster than 10 miles per hour.
- San Jose, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Fort Campbell, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started stalling without warning. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 62,000.
- Columbia, SC, USA
Engine stalled and shut off and wouldn-??t start again
- Columbia , SC, USA
The car suddenly stopped idling while driving at around 40-45 mph and everything seemed normal until it would not drive but the car was on and then the steering was difficult to pull over to a safe area and the brakes were hard to brake and stop but when it came to a full stop the vehicle dash warning lights were flickering and shut off. When I tried to attempt and start the vehicle it would not start but everything turns on ike normal al the lights except the engine was not on. Also it started smelling like some sort of electrical components were burning or something but I couldn't see any smoke or anything coming from the engine area but it seemed like electrical burn somewhere in the car. The vehicle is very unsafe to drive since there was no kind of warning lights or sounds and just stopped working while driving. The vehicle is well maintained and up to date with maintenance services. It became inoperable and had to be towed home since I ended up stuck in a unsafe spot in the middle of a busy street and waited hours for someone to tow it back to my house because it was already about 1 or 2 in the morning. The next day had hired a mechanic to come and do the diagnostics and repairs and still doesn't start or drive and I had to hire another mechanic to diagnose the problem again and was told that the motor is seized and I would need a new engine and other work done on it as well and so me and my family are stuck without a car which is our only car and no more money to fix the car and have no way to bring my child to school and also take my wife to work and etc etc since this problem and don't know what's wrong with it after spending so much money trying to have it fixed so possibly a lemon car.
- Vallejo, CA, USA
Unknown
- Columbus, OH, USA
I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Sonota and it felt like a truck had slammed into the back of my vehicle but it didn-??t, the car was knocking and finally stopped and wouldn-??t accelerate when pushing the pedal. I had to have it towed and the shop didn-??t know what to do and I had it sent to Rick Case Hyundai and I explained the situation about the debris being washed out of the engine and they asked for $1700 just to look at the engine. I had a few recalls and they should have looked at the engine with no problems and no charges. They had my vehicle towed and it took me a few months to figure out what happened to my car? I have been denied EVERYTHING BY HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND TAMMY OFFERED TO LOOK AT THE ENGINE AFTER SENDING THE INFORMATION TO BBB AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD DO IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE END
- Social Circle , GA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, there was an abnormal rattling and ticking noise detected. The air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The dealer requested the maintenance records but denied repair coverage due to old oil in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
My husband was accelerating onto a highway and the engine failed. He was able to pull to the shoulder and brake to a stop. He was not able to start the car. He had the car towed to our mechanic and the mechanic reported that the engine seized, the engine had oil in it, and we needed to bring the car to the dealer to have it looked at. There were no lights, sounds, or warnings that there was a problem with the engine. This is the second engine failure for this car. The first failure was a fire and the engine was replaced. The dealer stated that it would take 3 weeks before they could look at the car. We brought it in 3 weeks later, 12/19/22. No-one has looked at the car. We don't know what the problem is, because they still have not looked at it.
- Parlin, NJ, USA
Engine seased up out of no where in the middle of an intersection no sounds nothing just stopped running
- Port Orchard, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault code: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) and performed an engine bearing test, which the vehicle passed. The dealer updated the KSDS and ECM software; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where the knock sensor and bolt were replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced in 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 118,392.
- Sewell, NJ, USA
My engine has failed, and my steering wheel column has locked. I had the software update on my engine with Napleton that qualified me for a lifetime engine replacement. I submitted maintenance records for my car and pictures of my valvetrain that are well maintained, and hyundai denied my engine claim for exceptional maintenance neglect on Dec8. On December 14th, after reviewing my oil changes, they still denied me for using low quality oil that's obscured. The problem I am having with my car is oil, not being able to get to the pistons inside my engine. It's not fair when the company know they engines have a manufacture defect. Then they blame the customers for lack of maintenance to have an excuse not to replace the engine. Knowing that with or without oil changes in the hyundai sonata 2011 -2012 models the engines will eventually seize anyway.I've reached out to their company over 300 times trying to resolve this matter and I'm still in the same place I started at a month ago. I want to sue for pain and suffering. I've been without a car since nov 9, and it's dec 20. Hyundai has put me and my family life in danger on numerous occasions, with their faulty and defected parts causing two near death experiences. Hyundai sonata has had a recall on every part, and I consider them unsafe and dangerous. I have seven different case reports with Hyundai motor company about excessive oil consumption, and the knocking whining vibrating and shaking. They are very much aware of everything
- Wellington, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel locked, causing the vehicle to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering coupler. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she needed to add 2 quarts of oil weekly. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse, the vehicle shuddered increasingly and failed to respond. The contact stated that as she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the failure ceased, and she was able to drive the vehicle. However, while driving 50 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking and whining sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine and the engine seized while in the middle of an intersection. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact contacted the Police Department who assisted her with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a software update was previously completed on the vehicle under Hyundai Service Campaign Number: 953 (Engine Protection Mode). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
- Wellington, FL, USA
7am turn car on and let it. Warm up for a couple min then out of No we're car turns off. Another day another morning turn car on and seconds pass and car turns off repairs I did as u can see in invoices replaced enginee couple months ago took to dealer ship several times no help or. Any solution.
- Sd, CA, USA
Hyundai has refused to get back to me about my car it's been months they don't return my phone calls or emails or anything. The motor recall had caused me and my children to be stranded in the busy highway after just shutting down 2 times. Amongst other things this is unacceptable
- Sharpsburg , GA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while driving. The steering wheel was making an abnormal humming sound. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was flashing on and off constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the power steering. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V190000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
- Homestead, FL, USA
When I was driving on the highway there was a sudden knocking sound coming out from my engine. I dropped off from the highway and checked the engine and there was a smoke coming out from the engine it was scary. I took my car to the dealership and they took some time and they said I have to replace the engine. Even it is under a safety recall they decided not to replace the engine and they are saying that the engine is rebuilt. Please help me to get my engine replaced, I am a student I am not understanding what to do with this. NHTSA is my final hope to help me in this
- Dento, TX, USA
No heat only A/C and will not turn off. Engine light on and low tire light on but no other information is provided on screen.
- Port St Lucie, FL, USA
- Fort Washington, MD, USA