2011 Hyundai Sonata: engine failure

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine · NJ

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 the federal safety agency has a record of a Theta II failure in a vehicle covered by these campaigns that was denied repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Engine · CA

The vehicle suffered an internal connecting rod bearing failure, a known manufacturing defect affecting the Theta II GDI engine. The failure was explicitly diagnosed via the manufacturer - specific OBD-II fault code p1326 Knock Sensor Detector System. This defect causes sudden engine stalling poses an immediate risk of catastrophic engine failure or fire while driving. Hyundai Motor America has denied financial reimbursement for the required engine repair because the work was completed by an independent shop and third-party arbitration deadline (BBB Auto Line) communicated to me. The manufacturer is actively refusing to remedy an acknowledged safety defect.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine · CA

Rod bearing issue due to particles in engine causing engine to not accelerate as normal and jerk when goes over 10 MPH can’t exceed 50 miles causing safety issues and knocking/clicking noise took it to Hyundai and was informed it is apart of the recall but wont replace engine my vehicle has ALL the same issues as the Hyundai recall but my VIN isn’t registered on the site for recall on carfax it shows a pattern of the previous owners being car in for maintenance and engine issues but engine never being replace under recall

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine · MN

My 2011 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX] ) was brought to Gateway Hyundai in [XXX] for the mandatory P1326/KSDS engine recall inspection. I had a confirmed appointment on XXX at 7:30 AM. The dealership acknowledged the P1326 code and that the KSDS test was required.Instead of performing the recall, the dealership refused to inspect the vehicle. They contacted a third party who was not in possession of the vehicle and released the vehicle to that person without my authorization. The plates were removed and the vehicle was later sold without my consent. The recall was never performed and the engine defect was never inspected.This is a failure to perform a required safety recall and a violation of chain-of-custody procedures. A vehicle with a known engine failure risk was put back into public circulation without inspection. This creates a safety hazard for the public.I also suffered financial harm including $1,500 in towing, parts, labor, and storage fees. I have a signed tow invoice showing the VIN and the total amount paid.I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate Gateway Hyundai’s handling of recall vehicles, review their authorization and release procedures, and take enforcement action if violations are found. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 19, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata suffered engine failure consistent with Hyundai Theta II engine defects. The vehicle became inoperable/unsafe. Hyundai denied warranty coverage despite my maintenance records and documentation.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · MD

The vehicle suddenly stopped and died while driving. The mechanic confirms that the engine is gone, contact Hyundai. Ourisman of Rockville and Hyundai Motor America (HMA) refuses to replace the engine for free. The vehicle has now developed a severe engine knock consistent with the well-documented defect affecting Hyundai’s Theta II engines. Hyundai has publicly acknowledged this issue and issued a major recall covering approximately 470,000 vehicles with the following specifications: • Model Years: 2011–2012 • Engines: 2.0L and 2.4L • Manufacturing Period: December 11, 2009 – April 12, 2012 Hyundai and federal regulators identified the safety concern as manufacturing debris that could restrict oil flow to rod bearings. This defect can lead to engine knocking and eventual engine failure. Critically, Hyundai has acknowledged that engine failure may stall the vehicle while driving, significantly increasing the risk of a crash. Hyundai’s official remedy for this defect required dealerships to: • Inspect engines for bearing noise • Replace the engine if necessary • Honor Hyundai’s extended engine warranty of 10 years / 120,000 miles for affected vehicles. This issue has also been the subject of significant litigation, including the class action lawsuit Case No. [XXX], filed January 23, 2018, against Hyundai Motor America (HMA), Kia Motors America, Inc. (KMA), Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), and Kia Motors Corporation (KMC). Despite these well-known issues, Ourisman of Rockville failed to disclose any of the following when selling my daughter's this vehicle: 1. The widespread engine defects associated with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. 2. The recall and safety concerns related to debris restricting oil flow to rod bearings. 3. The extended Hyundai engine warranty covering affected vehicles up to 120,000 miles. This omission is particularly concerning because this defect presents a serious safety hazard and a clear and present danger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2011 Hyundai Sonata experienced sudden engine failure and the engine is now locked up. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be taken to a Hyundai dealership. The dealership confirmed the engine is locked and not drivable. Hyundai denied the engine replacement claim stating the vehicle has A04/A08 branding indicating the engine originates from a scrapped or rebuilt vehicle. However, Hyundai refused to provide any documentation supporting this claim. They also refused to verify the engine serial number against the VIN to confirm whether the engine is original to the vehicle. A NMVTIS vehicle history report shows the title status as ACTIVE with no salvage, junk, or rebuilt branding. Despite this, Hyundai continues to deny the claim without documentation. This vehicle contains the Hyundai Theta II engine that has been the subject of recalls and settlement actions related to premature engine failure. The failure pattern in this case matches the known defect where engines seize or lock up unexpectedly.

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Engine · NY

My Hyundai Sonata has encounter two failing cylinders (compression loss) due to scoring. When driving in the highway I got engine shudder and loss of power (speed) that could have put me in dangerous driving condition, accident or other. These GDI engines are notorious for poor oil circulation due to faulty designed piston rings. Hyundai has long history with these poorly manufactured engines and class action lawsuits. I notified Hyundai but they are not willing to remedy the situation. I have worked with local dealership Miller Hyundai, as well as corporate. All I get are excuses and that I’m not covered. These engines are completely problematic with oil consumption and oil blow by, causing seizing, rod bearing failure, carbon buildup, cylinder damage, etc. The info on the internet over customers and these GDI engines is overwhelming. Oil related Fires are another issue as well. Hyundai needs more accountability than the class action for rod baring failures. Because of the damage to my pistons, I could have gotten in accident with loss of power on highway…full due to poor piston rings, damage from improper oil flow and near complete engine failure.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Engine, Steering · 138,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, there was a grinding sensation coming from the front wheels, and the grinding sensation was felt in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings and hubs had failed, causing the grinding sound. The contact was informed that the rod bearings and hubs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the following day, there was a loud grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The sound also occurred while the vehicle was parked. While attempting to accelerate from 25 - 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle clunked and jerked. The vehicle decelerated, and the contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact became aware that the accelerator pedal was not operating as needed. While on the side of the road, the contact turned off the vehicle and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had failed, and the mechanic recommended the engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer, Capital Hyundai of Greensboro (801 E Bessemer Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), and the contact was informed of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer stated that the maintenance history was not satisfactory enough to warrant an engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine · 183,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable and could not be restarted, and the vehicle was towed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer stated that the failure was related to a previous recall associated with the VIN; however, the recall number was not provided. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied coverage for the repair and alleged that the engine failure was a result of negligence in the maintenance records. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine · MO

I am reporting a safety-related engine failure involving my 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. In November 2025, at approximately 90,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure while driving, including loss of power and abnormal engine noise. This created an unsafe driving condition and required the vehicle to be removed from service. Component/System Involved: The engine (Theta II 2.0T) suffered a catastrophic internal failure. The engine and internal components remain available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The sudden loss of engine power reduced my ability to maintain speed and maneuver in traffic, posing a safety risk to myself and other motorists. Confirmation and Inspection: The failure was confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership, which inspected the vehicle and documented the internal valve train condition through photographs. Hyundai Motor America reviewed the claim and issued a written denial. No independent third-party technical inspection was performed. Prior Symptoms: Before the failure, the vehicle had a history of excessive oil consumption requiring frequent monitoring and oil addition despite regular maintenance. Abnormal engine noise was present for approximately one minute before failure. No warning lights adequately predicted the sudden failure. Additional Context: This vehicle is equipped with a Theta II engine, which has been the subject of prior recalls and settlements related to internal engine defects. Hyundai denied warranty coverage alleging “exceptional maintenance neglect”; however, inspection photos show a well maintained valve train with no sludge or oil flow obstruction, only light surface varnish consistent with normal engine aging. I am concerned this failure represents a continuation of a known Theta II engine defect (confirmed by Hyundai technician who performed inspection with OBD code P1326 followed by engine failure) and poses a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of engine power while driving.

Filed Nov 15, 2025 · Engine · CA

While driving home from work after 7 PM on the 215 NB freeway, the oil warning light suddenly illuminated, and the vehicle immediately lost engine power. Within seconds, the engine shut off completely, leaving me unable to accelerate or safely maneuver. I was forced to coast across lanes with no power, creating a significant risk of collision and nearly resulting in a rear-end accident. After the incident, I performed a crankshaft rotation test, which the engine failed, confirming that the crankshaft would not turn. I also verified that the timing chain remained intact. The vehicle has since been inspected by Hyundai technicians, who confirmed the engine failure under Service Campaign 953. Hyundai further communicated via email that my vehicle is eligible under the TXXI Theta Engine Settlement Agreement and expressed a willingness to discuss my recent engine concerns and the details of the settlement.