2011 Hyundai Sonata: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · KS

Even on a perfectly dry road, the cruise control can't be set and the traction control light comes on. The nearest dealer (75 miles away) said it was likely in need of a new brake light switch. That didn't solve the problem. Now, it is beyond the fact that the brake lights stay on whether the car is running or not. The brake light switch is clearly impacting various other functions and makes the car unsafe to drive, because vehicles following it conclude (incorrectly) that the driver is engaging the brakes. Additionally, if someone doesn't detach the battery cables when spending some time at a destination, they can be stranded as the result of a dead battery. If the manufacturer had integrity, they would replace whatever related parts are needed to make the car drive safely, They know there's a problem in such vehicles, and even the head of the nearest service department is currently stumped. And, today I was told by the manufacturer that I have to drive it to that distant dealer to see what kind of offer they might give for the car "as is". There should be a recall.

Filed May 15, 2022 · IL

The Sonata Hyundai Hybrid trunk will not open when the battery dies, and since the battery for the Hybrid is in the trunk, when the battery dies, the car has to be towed because, unfortunately, the key to the trunk has never worked. The last time my battery died, the dealer, after many hours, finally managed to get the trunk open but not without damaging the mechanism. Now there is no way for someone to get out of the trunk if they should get locked in. It's my understanding that a trunk latch malfunction has been a problem with Hyundai Sonata Hybrids for a long time. There is a recall on the newer models. Why not the 2011? The latch does not work. There were no warnings that the battery was low before the trunk became unaccessable.

Filed Aug 5, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · FL

The first problem is about the headlights when turning the car on whether it is stationary or in motion, the headlights intermittently blinking or cutting off shortly which is dangerous when driving in dark. The problem may be related to the multi-function switch. The second problem is related to the battery, the battery on this car, 2011 hyundai sonata gls, can not last long and it needs to be replaced every couple of months. The problem is related to parasitic electricity in this model as the dealership told me. It might be caused by electricity drainage on the radio part. The third common problem in this model is the overheating engine. I realized the radiator fan is not working until I stop the car, open the hood, and then give the fan blades a push! Also, the fan can turn on by itself only if I turn on the AC on high blowing level.

Filed Aug 28, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 199,000 miles · CA

I have only had the car for about 6-7 months I bought it from a private owner I changed the oil and bought a new battery. The car did high milage at 194,000 miles I still bought the car. Last week while on my lunch break I was in my way to go pay my car insurance when I seen I had 32 miles to empty which I never let it get that low but I did obviously that day. As I begin to go up hill it felt like it stuttered so I figured I was running out of gas. But as I came over the hill I press on the gas and noticed that it revved up and to my knowledge the car was locked up the steering wheel was not able to turn the breaks were locked up and all my dash lights were on. I was scared and just let the car coast down the hill approaching a red light with traffic stopped all I could do was hope I didnt get it or hit no one else for not having much control over the car I braked as much as I could and coasted it into a gas station to where. I made it to the pump and turned the off off and went and got gas for the car. Tried to turn it over and not a thing happen sounded dead battery like it wanted to start but once I turned the key and it did not start if I tried right after just made a click click noise. I took my battery out and home to charge thinking maybe a bad cell or maybe alternator. Bought new battery and it not start so no not the alternator. I am at lost for words tried to turn the crankshaft and wont budge. Am I able to still get this looked at by hyundai even if I just bought the car. Its registered to me if it is caused by these recalls does the car have to still be running for me to be able to recieve the benefits I have never had a car just straight die. Never made any noise or smoke or got hot. Also I noticed when I have the key and drop it down into all the gears it goes but when I slap it over to the manual side I can go from 1st to 2sd and that's it.

Filed Jan 22, 2019 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · CA

The car has a major electrical flaw, I keep getting recall letters but the one thing no one has mentioned is the grounding. After numerous electrical issues. I ran a parasitic draw test on the system. The grounds are non existent. The car has no good grounds at every point of ground there's no metal. They grounded the car to painted surfaces. This is a major flaw that is causing I would guess the majority of the issues in electrical failures. My brake lights would not turn off. Ever. No matter if the the car was off or on. The recall work was done by hyundai and when I contacted them to plead with them to please recheck it they flat out refused saying the work has already been done. I was left with no choice but to try and determine the issue. My car started without pressing the brakes. I could shift and out of park and reverse without pressing the brakes. I drove around with my brakes illuminated all the time. Then they just quit working since the bulbs burnt out when the housing for the bulbs melted. The car suffered the known engine failure issue but the electrical started long before this. The grounding is not sufficient. Period these cars are a major hazard and should all be taken off the road. I have photographs off the electrical bulb holders that melted. I've included photos of the way it's supposed to look and the melted one. The one bulb was so burnt I had to break it out of the holder.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Brakes, Lights · 80,000 miles · DC

My brake lights remained illuminated when I was not pressing the brake. I discovered this after they stayed on even while the car was off and parked, and drained the battery so the car would not start. The mechanic replaced the brake light switch and rubber stopper pad.

Filed Oct 17, 2017 · Electrical · MI

The battery dies every night. I cut off all the lights, the radio, and etc. Yet I continuously wake up to a dead battery! Something is draining my battery.

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Engine · 88,000 miles · NC

Upon purchasing the car from conicelli hyundai in conshohocken, pa the very next day I had to take it back to the dealership because the battery died. Two days later I had to take it back again for a grinding sound under the hood. They told me it had an axel issue and that they would replace it. They gave it bck to me about 3 days later I drove it off the lot and right back on for the same sound. They took it again and a few days later called me and assured me that nothing was wrong with the car and that there was nothing more they could do. A few months later my wife was driving the car in mention and it stalled on her in the middle of a busy road. Firemen passing by stopped traffic and helped to get the car to safety until the tow came. Furious aight this I called conicelli hyundai where I purchased the car and they told me that it was not their problem and that the car was out of warranty. I took it to my mechanic who told me it was a starter issue and replaced the starter for me. Once that was done the car still would not start. After a few days my mechanic called me back to tell me the engine had seized and it would cost me $3,500 to get it fixed. I relayed this back to the dealership and once again they brushed me off. So I went to news stations, filed a complaint with the pennsylvania attorney general and spoke with several other consumer complaint agencies to have something done. Nothing but a mediation between myself and the dealership was reached and the dealership once again said they were going to do nothing. My wife's safety was at stake in a car that was later recalled for engine problem that was sold to me by this dealership. After fighting with all these people and no solution being reached I decided to let the loan company take the vehicle which in term ended up as a negative on my credit.

Filed Apr 18, 2015 · Engine · 74,000 miles · MO

I have a 2011 hyundai sonata,my first car I purchase it almost 4 months ago I'll had 2 oil changes including the one the dealer did before I bought it. I was simply driving home & heard a weird noise so I pulled over my battery died and car engine started to smoke I was giving no warning sign or indicator to check my oil or anything. I had my car towed to suntrup hyundai were I was told my engine was seized and would cost me from 5,000-9,000 for a new or used. How does a well-maintained car go from normal to a total lost? I'll done my research so my question for you is when will you recall this entire car? Will indeed be joining the class action lawsuit against hyundai. I have no warranty & don't even want the car with a new engine. I just want hyundai to buy the car back it's a serious safety risk I'll stick with american made vehicles.

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Electrical · ID

Last night, I was told, I had left a dome light on. After several attempts trying to get it off. Thought I had it off, locked car all lights were off when I left it. Come out this morning to head to work and it would not start. This is not my first incident. If I leave the keys in the car it kills it? I use to do this with my bmw and no problems at all. Why does it suck the life out of my battery? This morning, tho I dont understand. I had all the lights off,,,I thought. Do not know what drained it. Is the battery a cheap battery? Do I need to change it out? Its just a 2011, thought should last longer. Any other issues with dead battery?

Filed May 28, 2013 · Engine · 27,000 miles · TX

On 4/14/2013 and again this morning 05/28/2013, my vehicle fails to start. The engine does turn over so this is not completely dead like other reports. Both last time and this time the situation is the same: 1 take the car for a short drive (~1 mile) 2 park on an incline in my driveway. 3 a few hours later, get in car, push the start and the engine just turns over - does not start. The first time, I tried to start the car until the battery died - I then called hyundai and they sent a roadside service person. He jumped the car and it started right up. Very frustrating. I assumed it was bad gas and that my tank was very low (red lamp was on for low fuel) also note: car was on a flat service at this point. So today: I called hyundai dealer 45 minutes ago, and am waiting on a callback from the service department. Im sure just to have me get roadside assistance again.