2011 Hyundai Sonata: shudder or vibration when accelerating

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 Feb 28, 2024 · Engine · 150,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle shuddered and then lost motive power. The contact shifted the transmission into neutral(N) while stopping or reversing to prevent the vehicle from shutting off. The check engine, air bag, and fuel level warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine was faulty and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had previously been repaired in 2015 under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that he did not own the vehicle at the time of the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Engine · 61,000 miles · KS

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 40 MPH, the engine seized. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was replaced with a rebuilt engine. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the engine seized a second time at 96,000 miles. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no oil in the vehicle. The dealer performed an oil change on the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred a week later and there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the engine was not replaced but was rebuilt by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2022 · Engine · 96,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel locked, causing the vehicle to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering coupler. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she needed to add 2 quarts of oil weekly. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse, the vehicle shuddered increasingly and failed to respond. The contact stated that as she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the failure ceased, and she was able to drive the vehicle. However, while driving 50 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking and whining sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, she heard a clicking sound coming from the engine and the engine seized while in the middle of an intersection. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact contacted the Police Department who assisted her with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a software update was previously completed on the vehicle under Hyundai Service Campaign Number: 953 (Engine Protection Mode). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Engine · 118,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would emit abnormal loud knocking sounds. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption; the vehicle was consuming about 4 quarts of oil per week. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the electric power steering assist and the brake assist were no longer operable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 5-10 MPH into parking lot, the vehicle started shuddering and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the wait time for diagnostic test was 2-3 months. The dealer informed the contact that Hyundai Independent Recall Number: 953 (ECM & Cluster Update-Engine Monitoring Logic Product Improvement) needed to be completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine · MO

I was driving my car on the highway and it suddenly shuddered while I was going 70+mph and the engine light came on and kept flashing. I had to pull off to the side of the road and call for service. I took my car to my local mechanic who told me it was a knock sensor issue and it had to go to the dealership for repair. I then had it towed to the dealership where they told me my motor needed to be replaced. The dealership had my car for almost 3 months to replace the motor. The next day after I picked up my car from the dealership for the engine replacement my battery quit, my headlights quit and my passenger side window motor quit. These were all working fine before the engine went out. Then on the Monday after my check engine light came on. I took it back to the dealer and they told me it was an EVAP sensor that needed to be replaced but wast part of the engine replacement so I had to pay for it to be repaired. They had my car for another week and replaced the sensor. One week exactly after getting it back for the 2nd time my check engine light came on again. The dealership told me it was the EVAP sensor again but they had to call technical support to get a plan to fix it. They told me it was perfectly fine to drive while they are waiting to hear what to do from technical support. The car is now parked in my driveway because I can not physically put gas in it and the one time I was able to put gas in it, I drove approx 120 miles on a full tank of gas and my low fuel light came on and it shows little to no gas on the gas gauge. I am afraid to drive it because I am afraid it will catch on fire or I will mess up the fuel injectors or worse.

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Engine · 120,315 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station, checked the engine oil level, and topped off the engine oil. Later that day the contact started the vehicle and drove to his brother’s residence and heard the loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle shuddered. The vehicle remained parked at his brother’s residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,315.

Filed Nov 7, 2016 · Steering · 177,000 miles · TN

You turn the wheel from side to side. Excessive shaking and shuddering of the steering wheel when driving speeds of 60 MPH or higher. Clicking noise when wheel is turned during backing up. Shaking of the steering wheel is not starting at lower speeds.

Filed Oct 20, 2015 · Steering · 82,500 miles · MI

On a two lane surface street driving on a straight course at 35 MPH the steering wheel suddenly began to shake back and forth so violently that I could barely hang on and keep the car on the road until I could get it to stop on the road's shoulder. It continued to shudder until the engine was turned off. Upon proceeding at about 20 MPH to a phone to call for a tow to a dealer it happened again and jerked the car into the oncoming opposite lane. It could not be driven safely at any speed. It happened a third time when loading the car onto the tow truck. The violent shaking of the steering wheel continued well after the engine was powered off. The dealer's service mechanics were able to replicate this violent shaking condition in their shop with the engine both running and with the engine off. They submitted a video on it to hyundai engineers. The diagnosis was "internal failure of the power steering pump /module that is built into the steering column." a replacement module was ordered and replaced in about four days and $1033.92.

Filed Dec 5, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 66,000 miles · CA

I am reporting a third incident that occurred after the date of the earlier two incidents I previously reported in my earlier complaints. After the previous incident, hyundai burlingame (1025 rollins road, burlingame, ca 94010), installed a new engine and installed a new fuel intake valve. On october 19, 2013, the second repair work was completed and I picked up the car. On december 4, 2013, I was driving the car on us 101, northbound traveling approximately 70 MPH when the car began to make loud clanging noises and violently shake and shudder and the engine light came on. I was able to pull off the highway just as the car again experienced a catastrophic engine failure. As the engine failed, the power to the steering went out and this made the car difficult to maneuver. The car was towed to hyundai burlingam and is awaiting repair.

Filed Oct 4, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

I am reporting a second incident that occurred after the date of the first incident I previously reported in my earlier complaint. As noted in my earlier complaint, the car had experienced catastrophic engine failure. I had the car taken for repair to the hyundai licensed dealer and automotive repair service center operated by hyundai burlingame (1025 rollins road, burlingame, ca 94010). The repair center explained the engine would have to be completely replaced and so would the fuel intake valve. A new engine and intake valve were installed in the car. On 10/2/2013, the repair work was completed and my spouse picked up the car and returned to our residence. On 10/3/2013, my spouse was driving the repaired car to work during the morning commute on southbound I-280 in the bay area when the car began to make loud clanging noises and violently shake and shudder. My spouse was able to pull of the highway just as the car again experienced catastrophic engine failure and the engine began releasing very heavy dark smoke. As the engine failed, the power to the steering went out and this made the car difficult to maneuver. The car was towed to the nearest authorized hyundai dealer and service repair center, stevens creek hyundai (4425 steven creek blvd., santa clara, ca 95051). Stevens creek hyundai opened the hood of the car and examined the engine. Steven creek hyundai told my spouse there was a high pressure gasoline leak and gasoline had been spurting on the hot engine and also that there was some sort of catastrophic engine failure.