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2011 Hyundai Sonata: fuel leak

11 of the 3,380 complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata describe fuel leak.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
0%
typical mileage
90,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

Fuel leak by model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 19, 2024 · Fuel system · 160,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and the low fuel light was illuminated. The contact stated that the alternator was replaced prior to the failure. The vehicle was refueled by a tow truck driver. The contact stated that after several days, the vehicle drove as needed; however, the failure reoccurred at a drive-thru. The vehicle was towed to a nearby hotel. The low fuel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was purchased. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred a week later. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was fuel leaking out of the fuel pump gasket. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2022 · Fuel system · TX

I started smelling a strong fuel odor and my car just started leaking fuel while I was driving it.

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Fuel system · 115,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the dealer previously replaced the fuel tube; however, the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed, and a fuel odor was detected while the defroster was activated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that there was fuel leaking in the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Hyundai recalled my vehicle twice for GDI ENGINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (Recall 132). Subsequently, my vehicle was recalled a 3rd time for HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (Recall 180). During this recall, the dealership inspected and DID NOT replace or repair any equipment. 4/12/2022 I smelled gasoline and took my vehicle to an Auto Shop for inspection. The technician explained that the HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM was leaking fuel significantly and was an extreme safety hazard. I contacted Hyundai Manufacturer right away due to my knowledge of Recall 180. Hyundai set me up with a Dealership Service appointment and I had the vehicle towed to the dealership for safety. The Dealership refuses to honor the recall (Recall 180) and after several phone calls, emails, and tweets; I am still unable to get reconciliation from Hyundai Consumer Affairs. For context, please understand that this Dealership is the same Dealership that FAILED to repair or replace anything when I took my vehicle in for recall (Recall 180). Please help!

Filed Sep 4, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

I took my 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0L Turbo to my Hyundai Dealership and had several overdue recalls done, one being a complete engine replacement. Upon receiving vehicle again, I then took vehicle to Smog Check Center (California resident) and the vehicle failed in one category: Liquid Fuel Leak Check. I have read on the federal safety agency notices and other sites that certain 2011-2014 Sonata 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines are being recalled for this very issue: confirming high pressure fuel pipe was connected by Hyundai dealer to high-pressure fuel pump outlet during engine replacement (Recall 180). My VIN search states I have 0 open recalls though my vehicle appears to suffer from this exact issue.

Filed Nov 11, 2019 · Body, Engine · 90,000 miles · WI · fire

Engine bay caught fire and car is a total loss. Engine had been replaced previously under sonata theta engine recall. Independent mechanic noticed that there was a fuel leak in the engine bay. Was on the way to hyundai dealer when the fire happened. The car was moving at about 20 MPH when it lost power and smoke started spewing from under the hood. Exited the vehicle and the engine bay was ablaze with 60 seconds. No injuries occurred.

Filed Aug 4, 2017 · Electrical · 75,800 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 hyundai sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving, the vehicle started to smoke under the hood. The contact's daughter pulled into a parking space. Upon further inspection, the contact's daughter's boyfriend lifted the hood when the engine compartment suddenly caught fire without warning. The contact stated that a general manager of a nearby store extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained and a police report was not filed. The insurance company had the vehicle inspected and diagnosed that the fire started behind the engine due to a shortage in the windshield wiper wiring. The contact called jim shorkey uniontown kia (724‑317‑0282 located at 1050 pittsburgh rd, uniontown, pa 15401), but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,800. Updated 10/24/17*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was believed to have had a fuel leak between the engine and windshield. Updated 10/26/2017

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the engine seized. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPM gauge needle was in the red. The contact stated that the driver was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed smoke and flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The fire department stated that the cause of the fire appeared to be caused by fuel leaking into the engine block. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed May 6, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 1,677 miles · MI

There is a smell of gas/engine fumes notable in the vehicle on occasion. The problem does not happen consistently, however there are some common factors to when the smell in noticeable. These factors include: 1) the engine must be hot, generally having been driven for at least 15 minutes or more. The smell is never noticeable when the engine is cold, such as after sitting overnight. 2) the vehicle must be either moving at very slow speeds of 25 m.p.h. To clear out the cabin air, followed by activating the HVAC recirculation button will lessens immediate recurrence the smell to some extent. Finding ways to "mask" the smell are of lesser concern than determining why the smell exists in the first place. The vehicle has been in for this concern twice, with neither trip to the service bay having resolved the concern. While it does not appear to be an issue causing immediate danger (no noticeable fuel leaks or signs of fire), the smell of gas and engine fumes entering the passenger cabin is a bit concerning, both from a potential fire hazard in the future, and/or exposure to carbon dioxide and other noxious fumes while operating the vehicle. I will return the vehicle for a third visit to resolve this concern.

Filed Aug 30, 2011 · Fuel system · AZ

The vehicle (2011 hyundai sonata 2.0t) leaks gas at the rear of the vehicle after fill up. This can continue after 2 bars removed off from fuel gauge. It has leaked in the garage, which inturn has got gas fumes in the house. There is also an extremely strong odor of gas in the cabin. We have to drive with the windows down to clear the fumes. This is an extremely dangerous situation that the hyundai dealership is not taking serious. Will it take an explosion for someone to do something about the problem. I have read numerous complaints about similar issues. This needs to be investigated before someone is hurt. This problem happens every time that we fill up the car. The vehicle has been into the dealership 3 times for this complaint.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Fuel system · 4,200 miles · IL

There has been an odor of gasoline entering the passenger cabin of the vehicle. I noticed it started at my last gas fill up. I did not top off the tank. The pump shut off when full, and I stopped pumping. This odor starts when sitting at a stoplight and stays in the cabin until I'm moving again. I thought it only started when I came to a stop at a light and sat for a couple of minutes, however when I was driving home in a blizzard yesterday at slow speeds (15-25 MPH) continuous, the smell was constant. Lately it is so bad I have to roll down the window. One time, I almost pulled over at the roadside, and was going to get out of my car to get fresh air, but there was too much traffic. There are no fuel leaks that I can find. No standing fuel under the car after I park. It has done this most times I've driven the car to more or less degrees, but not everytime - most times. I have not been to a dealer yet, but I will be taking it in to have it checked. Apparently there are quite a few other owners of this car who have noticed this same thing based on a hyundai internet forum. I read it previously in this forum, but I did not have this problem until lately. I can't imagine that this is not a safety issue with the gas odor. Not only are passengers having to inhale these fumes, but I'm wondering if it could be a potential source of fire/explosion. Here is a link to the forum where people are claiming to have the same problem. I'm not so sure these are just very few, isolated incidents. I see a problem starting to emerge. Certainly, I will not drive a car that I have to smell gas fumes nearly everytime I drive it, not even to mention the profound safety problem this may cause. Http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?showtopic=54148&hl=gasoline+odor.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata fuel leak

Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

11 of 3,380 owner complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata (0%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Engine failure 335Stalling 310Steering noise 302Knocking 265Airbag light 243Pulling 193Check engine light 183Won't start 126Loss of power 120Harsh shifting 118Fire or smoke 117Headlights 103Oil consumption 63Jerking 61Power steering loss 60Adaptive cruise 53Warning lights 43No deployment 38Grinding brakes 33Key fob 33Coil spring 32Door locks 32Fuel pump 32Hesitation 30Fuel gauge 28Fuel smell 28Steering lock-up 28ABS 23Ball joint 22Won't shift 21Sudden acceleration 21Seat belt 19Overheating 18Brake failure 14Shudder 13Slipping 13Battery drain 11Sunroof shattered 11Transmission failure 11Tire blowout 10Whining noise 6Wipers 6

All model years of the Hyundai Sonata

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