Problems · by component

2011 Hyundai Sonata engine and engine cooling problems

45 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata cite engine and engine cooling, 1% of all 3,380 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
45
1% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to overheat, with the check engine and temperature warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11696100
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact opened the hood, and there was smoke coming from the valve cover and coolant reservoir. The contact waited for the engine to cool down and the vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after turning off the vehicle after arriving at work, there was an abnormal bubbling sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact opened the hood and there were bubbles coming from the radiator. Prior to the failure, the contact had replaced the radiator, due to the engine overheating. Two weeks later the radiator hose detached. The contact stated that the fluid leaking from the radiator was dark brown and seemed to be mixed with slush. The vehicle was taken to an independent…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11680645
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that cylinder #4 had failed causing the engine to seize. The engine was replaced with a used engine. The engine was replaced at approximately 109,000 miles. The contact stated that while driving for approximately 45 minutes, the contact noticed that the vehicle would not exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light started flashing. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to a rest stop. After being parked for a while and then restarting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle then failed to exceed 45 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had seized due to a lack of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine oil had been changed approximately 2 weeks prior to the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11546849
“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated there was a piston failure in the engine allowing oil to leak onto the ground. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was invalid.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2022Engine and engine coolingODI 11469669
“We have refill engine oil weekly. After every oil change a month the oil is dark and a needs a quart more to refill. This is regularly since 2015. We purchased the car in 2012. 2019 the front ball joints started clumping in reverse, replaced in 2021. While driving on the freeway and exiting off onto a ramp the car dramatically down shifted and was unable to correct itself. Later discovered the computer module needed replacement. We still are refilling oil weekly. Not to mention replacing the clock spring twice.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2022Engine and engine coolingODI 11461255
“2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 15V-568. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AS THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THERE WAS METALLIC DEBRIS IN THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAUSED THE ROD BEARINGS TO BE RESTRICTED OF OIL FLOW AND CAUSED MY ROD BEARINGS TO BE DAMAGED. THE ENGINE FAILED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2021Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11437505

Showing 6 of 45 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.