2011 Hyundai Sonata: engine overheating

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Engine · 184,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Engine · TN

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 mechanic who determined that there was foreign parts inside the radiator. The contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and confirmed that the radiator needed to be replaced and an unknown valve on top of the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure became progressively worse, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Airbags, Engine · AL

Car is overheating. Took it to a mechanic They replaced the thermostat but car is still overheating, jerking and so much more. The mechanic wants to charge more to fix it. I got a second opinion from another mechanic and after he reviewed the paperwork from the first mechanic. He searched my vin number and told me to contact this number because my vehicle is on a recall list. So I need someone to contact me about where and how we can get my vehicle fixed.

Filed Jun 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Took vehicle in for recall due to check engine light flashing on March 26,2023 .Received a call from dealership that car was ready March 28,2023 upon driving home car overheats. Call dealership to relay problem was advised to bring vehicle back. Had vehicle towed back to dealership at my own expense. Two weeks later I get a call stating that it was the radiator and that they would fix it and get it back to me . Two weeks after not hearing from dealership I called do an update to my surprise now it the engine is bad. So I ask the service manager where do we go from here. He proceeds to tell me that it’s one of those things where the recall didn’t help but hurt my engine. Then he proceeds to say I would have to give the dealership $2,000 dollars to fix the problem they caused. So here we are 4 months in and I still do not have a vehicle nor do I know who is responsible for fixing it.

Filed May 21, 2023 · Lights · NC

Brake light housing has melted and deformed so that the bulb is stuck in the tail light assembly and cannot be changed. Without working brake lights the car is unsafe to be driven on the road. I’m assuming there is an electrical problem that caused the lights to overheat and melt the housing. This is a common complaint with this make and model based on my research. The socket also does not lock into the assembly due to the deformed housing. My daughter is the owner of the vehicle and made me aware of the issue today.

Filed Dec 21, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · CA

2020 wiring harness overheated and melted - replaced taillight 6 times in 1 year. Hyundai fixed. 2021 tailight out again - Hyundai stated the taillight assembly melted, needs to be replaced (403.00) light bulb cannot be replaced (warped). Safety issue is what is causing things to heat up and melt. Many others reported same issue online - Hyundai is not taking ownership to fix whatever is causing this? No warning lamps.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · VA

Start losing speed cutting back overheating AC stop function then smoke from good and cut out Had it towed and seek what the problem is This occur on 08/24/2021 just purchase on July 7,2021 from dealer in Auto Land of Thornburg paid cash

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Airbags · CO

Headlights have burnt out 4 times in 1 year w/install, break/tail lights have burnt out 6 times in 1 year w/ install. Cruise control isn't staying set and airbag light is on unknown reason after OBD scan. Break lights have burnt thru the connection piece, causing damage, overpower from the wiring harness has caused over load of power which caused lights to burn out and even burst. Multiple drivers with similar problems, airbag may still deploy for no reason or not deploy at all. Cruise control malfunction possibly due to airbag issues, but may also be from faulty wiring throughout the vehicle and ultimately into the sterring console. Computer or motherboard may also now have damages cause by over amped volts of electricity without a serge protecter. Possibility of electrical damages, caused by overload from power supply and directed throught the vehicle may have cause exponential damages to electrical in the sonata. Causing a serious safety concern and hazard. Exterior lighting requires new wiring harnesses and connection pieces as well as new casing from over amp overload, resulting in overheating and bulb combustion damages. New airbag assembly is probable and reset of mother board with upgraded features and completely new wiring with serge protection is necessary.

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 Jan 6, 2020 · Lights · 130,000 miles · GA

Tail light wiring harness melts, then overheats bulbs and melts the tail light housing. Side effect was that my headlights turn off when using a blinker at night. This happens at speed. Not only is it a fire hazard from the wiring melting / bulb overheating / melted tail light housing, but it is a safety hazard from the lake of headlights on a turn. Hundreds of complaints online for 2011-2013 sonatas with this exact issue. Paid $400 at dealership to get wiring harness and housing replaced, but it is original stock gear so it will likely happena gain.

Filed Nov 8, 2018 · Airbags · 87,568 miles · TX

I received a recall notice from hyundai that there was a problem with the airbag being in danger of "electrical overstress" causing operation failure. The letter said they were working on a fix. Prior to receiving the letter for the fix, my airbag warning light came on while I was driving. I called mike brown hyundai (granbury, tx) and they said they could do the warranty work. I took my car in and they said they did the recall work. However my airbag warning light is still on. I feel that my airbag overheated prior the recall work that is supposed to prevent it. The dealer wanted to charge me for a diagnosis and hyundai consumer affairs would not offer assistance. I believe my airbag system has a catastrophic failure and is unsafe.

Filed Oct 11, 2018 · Engine · 123,700 miles · NC

Bought car 4/2017 5 days later engine locked 4/2017 replaced by hyundai under warranty and received back 5/2017. Was driving started smelling antifreeze, car never showed overheat, pulled over, it blew radiator cap off, bought new cap, went back to car, added fluid and cap, drive 1/10 of a mile and car cut off and would not start back. My mechanic picked up and reports water in engine and metal in oil. Same as first engine. Hyundai claims no warranty on this new engine. This engine has metal in oil the same as their recall.