Engine can easily become hydro-locked in heavy rain and road splash back from other vehicles due to the design of the direct air intake of the sonata hybrid. With its design, it does not have any water baffles to prevent water from entering the air filter and once it enters the air filter box, there are no drain holes for it to drain out. This forces the water through the engine as that is the only way for it to get out of the filter box. When the engine stalled, no electronic control warning lights were illuminated and the car remained in the 'ready' state. This could lead to damage of the hev system and battery pack. Per the technician servicing the car, they stated that the hev warning light only illuminated when the hev battery reaches 15% charge (the point at which they have to replace it), this contradicts with the owner's manual as well as counteracts the purpose of a warning lamp. Due to the nature of the design where the computer controls when the engine start/stops, the engine can damage itself before preventative action can be taken. For example, when the engine stalls due to water ingestion through the air filter and the oxygen sensor determines it cannot compensate, the engine will stall, but before the situation can be rectified, the computer attempted to restart the engine causing it to become hydro-locked. With my experience, I am convinced that the design of the car is flawed and is unreliable to drive in a heavy rain scenario which leaves it unusable several times a year. I have owned several hybrids in the past (2001 and 2005 toyota prius) that I operated through the same conditions as your vehicle and I did not experience any problems with them. Additionally, with the toyota, when the engine stalls against the computer's control (e.g.: running out of fuel), the hev and engine warning light both illuminated and the 'ready' light was de-illuminated.
2011 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints
Page 35 of 35: complaints 1,001 to 1,012 of 1,012, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have owned my 2011 hyundai sonata for one year. On july 15, 2011, I went to start the car and I could not depress the brake or start the car. The acc stuff would come on but no ignition to the motor. I tried and tried to start it and ended up calling the dealership. I was told to "kick" the brake pedal "hard" several times; which I did. I finally got it started and drove it to the dealership. I was told "brake light switch" replaced. Left the dealership and drove to my office and when I went to tried to start the car to leave the car would not start, but this time I had to call roadside assistance for the car to be towed back to dealership. Dealership told me they replaced brake light switch again. Now the traction control light comes on and my brake lights are not working. When I did get it to start the car would not go into any gear; it just was locked in park. Well, yesterday, july 20, 2011 the car had to be towed again because of all the same problems. So, the car has been back to the dealership three times within the past five days; two of which the car was towed. I am very concerned about my safety because I believe the brakes have something to do with the air bags not to mention the unknown electrical issues.
I have a 2011 hyundai sonata. I purchased the car in august of 2010. About a month after owning the vehicle, the engine light came on. When I took it to the dealer, they recorded the code and then said it was the AC. I was asked to wait 15 seconds before turning the AC on after starting car. So I did that. About a week or so later, the light comes on again. Take it back twice after this, they record the code and then the switch is replaced. I maintain my car with all maintenance requested and I drive it on the highway. I had the tire light come on a few months later - was told it was the temperature. That eventually went off. Next was the engine light yet again. This time it occurred after I took the car in on june 17th for an oil change. They told me a recall was on the transmission and they did the recall update. Immediately after this update, the car drove terribly. Very loud, very rough. About a week after this update, the car breaks down in the parking lot. It has done this now about 5 or 6 times since june (today is july 20th). I take it to the dealer and told I need the engine light on in order to repair. The light needs to come on two or three times before hyundai will replace. The engine light sometimes comes on, sometimes does not, but it is guaranteed to break down. It is most definitely the transmission as it will stall and then hesitate. The lights on the gear shaft go away completely and the dash lights go away so you have no idea if you are in park, reverse, etc. Last time my engine light came on, it went back off that night. The problem continues and hyundai can't seem to fix. I read online from a general search on this car that this is a resounding issue across the board with others as well. I am frustrated and something should be done. I called corporate and got nowhere. I continue to get the runaround. They should be investigated before someone dies from their transmission issue/lack of concern for the safety and wellbeing of their drivers.
Since the day I purchased 2011 sonata...I had/have burning smell coming from engine compartment (air open to outside). Told the dealer about it and pointed to them that the drive belt has unusual wear. They check it and compared with other sonatas with same mileage and found no unusual wear. I am ex toyota tech. With ase certs. I have now 20k on my sonata and they still did not correct the problem.
Turned into driveway, car slowed to 5 MPH. Suddenly car rapidly acelerated and car struck garage door pillar on lh side. Car stopped by impact. Extensive damage to garage structure. Car has extensive damage to left fender, head light, bumper and hood. May have hidden damages.
I drove to the local tom thumb store and was pulling into a parking space. My foot was on the brake and the car was almost to a complete stop when it suddenly lurched forward and the engine spontaneously went to full throttle. I mashed down on the brake peddle as the car jumped the curbed and crashed through the store front. The engine continued to race until I switched off the key. Skid marks were evident on the pavement where the brakes tried to hold the car with the engine racing. The florida highway patrol investigator did not issue a citation stating that there "was an obvious vehicle malfunction".
When starting from a stop, the vehicle would accelerate for a very few feet - maybe 6-8 feet, and then quit - like the engine had died, but it hadn't. This has happened 4-5 times and 3 of these times were when turning left through an intersection with on-coming traffic. The last time was especially harrowing because it was during rush hour traffic. It seems to take 3-5 seconds for the engine to "catch" and accelerate on through the intersection. Pumping the accelerator peddle did not help. It is like the engine is receiving no fuel, or it is flooding out from too much fuel (no smell of gasoline was detected, however). This is a potentially dangerous situation if the engine ever fails to "recover" and accelerate as it should. It should also be noted that I have complained to my dealer that this car does not run from idle as other cars of the same make I test drove - it is somewhat hesitant all the time - sluggish.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata. The contact stated the engine light was illuminated on the instrumental panel on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired four times in six months. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Took delivery of a new sonata limited turbo 2.0 on the 24th of november. Check engine light appeared same day. Purchasing dealership reset the check engine light, said nothing to worry about. Light reappeared on the drive home. 2 days later, engine stalled. After being towed to the dealership, they discovered an exhaust valve melted/cracked and damaged the combustion chamber. Brand new engine ordered and replaced.
Our 2011 hyundai sonata purchased 30 april 2010 could not be started on 4 occasions since date of purchase (keyless, pushbutton). Fortunately, the events occurred either in the garage or on a parking lot. After "muscling" the steering column left-right and/or playing with the shift lever, the car started after some time. The brake pedal was hard in all cases.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the contact noticed that the brakes pulsated and made a grinding noise when she attempted to slow down. The vehicle then suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but five minutes, the engine stalled again. The same failure occurred on two different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The current mileage was 470. The failure mileage was 220.
2011 hyundai sonata: I had heard about the door latch recall on my new sonata via news reports. I purchased this sonata on feb 16th,2010. So,I called and the dealer(st.augustine hyundai)said I wasn't included in the door latch recall. The dealer said there was 2 bulletins on my sonata anyhow. #1,the ignition wire needs rerouting or it could become afraid. #2,the ECM computer needed re-programming at that time with an explanation that some new software from hyundai when it arrived to the dealer,they would check the parameters of the ECM computer program. Now,I haven't to this date received any information regarding any of these 3 issues with my new 2011 sonata from anyone in the mail? On 3/16/2010 yesterday I received a call from hyundai USA corporation. The man said my car" is" affected now by the door latch recall. I didn't ask him about the other 2 bulletins mentioned by the dealer nor did he mention them to me. He said I would receive a letter about the door latch recall soon. But nothing again about the other 2 issues? I have been on hold for 45 mins once today and 35 mins yesterday and just hung up because its been too difficult getting anyone at hyundai,the press(or speak) recall option to route ones call on phone or dept said its having high call volume due to recent recalls.I called st.augustine hyundai back yesterday and spoke to service manager and he said it's showing now about the door latch and the other 2 issues still exist like he told be weeks back already on the phone. I asked what needs reprogrammed with the ECM computer. He asked me to hold,came back and said if that isn't tended too. The engine could stall or the car might suddenly be able to go no faster then 20mph. This sounds unsafe and I haven't received any letter official from hyundai corporation. If I'm driving and my car stalls or I'm on the freeway and the car drops from 70mph to 20mph without my desire to do so is unsafe?they supposedly spent 4 years developing the vehicle.
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