2011 Hyundai Sonata problems

“I was driving down the road going the speed limit and all of a sudden it felt like I hit a brick wall my car staked out and I was stuck in the middle of the road for about 20 minutes and finally I got it to start and drove home it did it again 2 months later”

“My 2011 Hyundai Sonata with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine developed an engine failure at 99,928 miles. On XXX Hyundai’s dealer (McFarland Hyundai, [XXX]) ran Hyundai’s T3G connecting-rod-bearing test, and the engine returned NO PASS. Hyundai’s own test recorded the oil level as full. This engine family is the subject of Hyundai’s connecting-rod-bearing safety campaigns and its extended engine warranty. Hyundai declined the repair (#XXX) as “exceptional maintenance neglect,” although the oil and filter were changed about 730 miles before the failure, with two more documented oil changes in the prior 16 months. Connecting-rod-bearing failure in this engine can cause engine seizure or stalling while driving, which creates a crash risk. The vehicle is at the dealer and has not been repaired. I am reporting this so NHTSA has a record of a Theta II failure in a vehicle covered by these campaigns that was denied repair.”

“On September 24, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Kelly Hyundai Service Center for two recall repairs: IBU/BCM Anti-Theft Software Upgrade and Decal Application Anti-Theft Ignition Cylinder Protector and Decal Installation My vehicle was at the dealership all day. At the end of the day, I received a call from the technician advising me that the recall work could not be completed due to an electrical issue. When I returned home, I immediately noticed several problems that did not exist prior to the service appointment. Specifically: The high beams no longer worked. The dashboard illumination was not functioning properly. The automatic door lock system stopped working. The trunk could only be opened with the key. I contacted the service center and was informed that the only way they could determine the cause of these issues was for me to bring the vehicle back and pay a $200 diagnostic fee. I explained that I did not believe I should be charged to diagnose problems that appeared immediately after their attempted recall repair. I requested to speak with the service manager, but I was told he was unavailable. I never received a return call from management. On October…”

“The passenger frontal airbag deployed on its own while the vehicle was being driven, with no collision or impact that the driver is aware of. The driver airbag did not deploy. The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, at about 11:14 PM, shortly after the driver refueled at a gas station and was heading toward the highway. The airbag tore open the dashboard panel and cracked the windshield from the inside where the bag struck the glass. The driver brought the vehicle back to the gas station and it was towed. It has not been driven since. Safety risk: The sudden deployment startled the driver and the cracked windshield reduced visibility while the vehicle was moving. Anyone in the passenger seat would have been struck at close range. Recall history: This vehicle received the Recall 174 / NHTSA 18V-137 airbag control unit remedy (ACU main wiring harness installation, part 91700-4R100-QQH) at a Hyundai dealer in September 2025, at about 305,800 miles. The deployment occurred about 13 months and 18,400 miles later, at 324,243 miles. Warning signs: No airbag warning light or other warning appeared before the deployment. The vehicle was serviced at a Hyundai dealer…”

“I had taken my Sonata to Mike Miller Hyndia in Peoria,I'll and they agreed to do the recall although they had my vehicle for two weeks. They did not service it and when I picked it up they said I had to drive it till the service engine light come on. I was driving it five days later and heard a loud noise and car started malfunctioning I was stuck in a middle of a intersection and I had to push vehicle off road. I broke my right hand in this process and I have also lost my job I am very concerned why they did not service it after they agreed too and sent me off in it in that condition ..The car is currently parked and unsure what to do with it ..”

“Good day, please note that most of my communication with Hyundai has been over the phone. I sent one an email shortly after the event, and after following up on the phone, I received this following string separately. I can forward you more along the way, but Hyundai is in possession of the call recordings. I was hoping they would cover my repairs, my engine had a lifetime warranty, but during this process I learned that there was a recall for this car that I was never aware of as the new owner. I needed a software update to get any repairs covered. Please reach out to me for more info!”