How many engine complaints does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA lists 1,078 engine complaints for the 2011 Sonata, which is 32% of the 3,376 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there an engine recall for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

Yes. Recall 15V568000 covers 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles with certain engines and requires dealers to inspect and replace the engine assembly as necessary. Recall 18V934000 addresses a high-pressure fuel pipe connection on Sonatas previously repaired under earlier engine recalls.

At what mileage do 2011 Sonata engine problems usually happen?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 Sonata is 93,000 miles.

How serious are the 2011 Sonata engine complaints?

NHTSA data tied to engine complaints on this model year include 86 fires, 38 crashes, and 24 injuries.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 1,078 engine complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 32% of all complaints filed for the year. Two related engine recalls exist, including one covering engine assembly replacement. Median mileage at failure was 93,000 miles, with 86 fires and 38 crashes reported.

Engine complaints: 1,078; 32% of 3,376
Crashes reported: 38
Fires reported: 86
Injuries reported: 24
Median mileage: 93,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report sudden stalling at speed, sometimes followed by loss of engine power and smoke inside the cabin.
Some describe a clicking noise from the engine before warning lights illuminate and the instrument panel fails.
Several complaints describe unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, causing the vehicle to jump curbs or crash into structures.
Owners report the engine catching fire, in some cases with smoke pouring from under the hood while the vehicle would not restart.
A recall-related complaint describes a high-pressure fuel pipe that was not properly reconnected after an earlier engine replacement under prior recalls.

When 2011 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 17, 2010, latest Sep 3, 2026.

1078 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q4 (107).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata

NHTSA 18V934000Dec 28, 2018Engine150,730 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA 15V568000Sep 10, 2015Engine470,000 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.

Engine complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

200516 (10%)
2006108 (10%)
200766 (9%)
200863 (15%)
200992 (20%)
201040 (12%)
20111,078 (32%)
2012638 (41%)
2013831 (44%)
2014331 (44%)
2015666 (58%)
2016472 (65%)
2017409 (54%)
2018233 (62%)
201994 (58%)
202037 (21%)
202136 (27%)
202231 (33%)
202332 (37%)
20248 (17%)
20254 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata have?: NHTSA lists 1,078 engine complaints for the 2011 Sonata, which is 32% of the 3,376 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?: Yes. Recall 15V568000 covers 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles with certain engines and requires dealers to inspect and replace the engine assembly as necessary. Recall 18V934000 addresses a high-pressure fuel pipe connection on Sonatas previously repaired under earlier engine recalls.
At what mileage do 2011 Sonata engine problems usually happen?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 Sonata is 93,000 miles.
How serious are the 2011 Sonata engine complaints?: NHTSA data tied to engine complaints on this model year include 86 fires, 38 crashes, and 24 injuries.