VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has 1,008 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 22% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

1,008

Engine complaints

22%

Share of year

21

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

18V934000EngineDecember 28, 2018 · 150,730 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.

15V568000EngineSeptember 10, 2015 · 470,000 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.

Consequence

Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.

What owners report

TOTAL LOSS OF CAR DUE TO ENGINE FIRE. ON DEC 30,2020 AT MILE MARKER 31 ON I95 SOUTH OUTSIDE OF STONEY CREEK VA, WHEN I WAS DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AT THE SAME TIME-THEN WE LOST ABILITY TO ACCERLEATE-GAS PEDAL NOT WORKING. WE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF I95-SMOKE CAME OUT OF ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 30, 2020 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA has 1,008 complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata engine — 22% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 15V568000, 18V934000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.