2011 Hyundai Sonata: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power, an alarm sounded for the braking system, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. After originally paying out-of-pocket for an ABS module at the dealer and was informed that the engine needed to be repaired and the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic repaired the vehicle. There was a recall for the ABS module and the contact returned to the dealer, and the dealer confirmed that the independent mechanic had correctly installed the part. The dealer performed the official recall repair and refused to reimburse the contact for the previous expenses. Three months later, the braking system failed again. The contact stated that the vehicle temporarily returned to normal after a restart, but the failure worsened and required a return trip to the dealer for another repair. In January 2026, the failure recurred for a third time with a loud squealing sound. The dealer was not notified of the third failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Engine · 167,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and stopped independently. The contact stated the vehicle went into LIMP Mode independently, with a clinking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled into a parking lot, awaiting tow truck assistance. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was inspected and the contact that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters, rod bearings, and piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V568000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied the claim. The failure mileage was 167,000.

Filed May 2, 2024 · Engine · OH

My vehicle has the flashing engine light on. The code that comes up is the P1326, causing it to go into “limp mode” making it unsafe to drive. My local Hyundai dealership in Vandalia, Ohio and they only reset the code, giving me the impression they actually FIXED the issue. Five days later, it is doing the same thing. I have asked multiple times for a loaner vehicle while they work on mine, I have been told that is not possible due to the fact they have not found out if my vehicle has a warranted covered issue. I had the engine replaced before in 2019, now I’m having more issues. More assistance should be provided

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Engine · NC

Engine uses oil excessively, stopped suddenly on highway, Hyundai America refused to authorize oil consumption test car is now in limp mode

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Engine · 118,392 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault code: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) and performed an engine bearing test, which the vehicle passed. The dealer updated the KSDS and ECM software; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where the knock sensor and bolt were replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced in 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 118,392.

Filed Aug 31, 2021 · IL

When I’m driving out of nowhere it will only go 20 miles an hour and I can put the gas petal to the floor it hesitates My shifter will get stuck in park and my brake lights stay on even when it’s in park

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine · 194,000 miles · GA

Torque converter went out all of a sudden. Cost me $3150 to have it replaced. Then the gear shifter moved back and forth but will not go into gear.

Filed May 23, 2020 · Transmission · 137,000 miles · GA

I have been having intermittent transmission problems for a while now. I?ve had the codes checked several times and by several people, and each one says that its a code for a faulty automatic transmission temperature sensor. It causes very hard and unpredictable shifting. We?ve had to stop driving it all together because of safety concerns due to the fact that the last time I drove it I had my 11 year old daughter in the car with me and the car would not shift into the proper gear while going through a busy intersection, and we were almost t-boned by a large SUV, the impact would have been on the passenger side where my daughter was and I have refused to drive or allow the car to be driven since. I have found a very large number of complaints for this same issue on several sites online, most of which I have come across on a sonata forum. This is a known issue by the manufacturer. This is not something that is uncommon among these cars, but it is extremely dangerous, and the fact that there has not been a recall issued to correct it is, in my opinion, reckless and irresponsible. We put our lives, and the lives of our family and loved ones, in these cars because we trusted this company/manufacturer to keep us safe, and they have failed and continue to fail by not addressing this issue properly.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Transmission · 109,780 miles · WI

Loud clunk noise will driving and car was stuck in 4th gear (limp mode) and check engine light turned on. Codes p0753, p2709 and p0758 revealed failure of 2 shift solenoids and line pressure solenoid due to transmission wire harness shortening out.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · NM

My car is at 77000 miles it scary driving it anymore it revs up at a very low speed won't shift and then it jumps so hard that it feels like your neck is going to break I took it to the dealer they did a transmission flush it got worse I took it back they did another transmission flush now it's terrible I took it to a transmission shop I now need a new transmission $4,500 for a rebuild this car is dangerous it's not only happening to me it's happening to a lot of other people I know that have the same vehicle I don't drive on the freeways this is just on city streets

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 147,000 miles · TN

I have had issue after issue with my 2011 sonata. In just a year and a half I have had 5 things fixed or replaced 2 of them major. I've had the whole break assembly fixed for my break lights not working. Most recently I had to have the engine replaced due to it seizing up with just barely over 100k miles. Then 3 months after that I'm having issues with the cruise randomly turning off, the break lights not working. Also the gear shifter will not go into gear at times. One of the major issues ive had is the engine randomly stalling or the accelerator nor working at all. The issue ive had with the cruise control will randomly happen whether I'm moving or in park and during this is also effects the stability control as well and it will turn its self off. With the car stalling, it randomly happens whether I'm at a traffic light trying to accelerate or while I'm driving.

Filed Jun 24, 2018 · Transmission · 117,900 miles · FL

Transmission is not going into gear, the shift gear is slipping and the what the display shows as the gear is not the actual gear the car is in or the gear display is blank and the car does not go into gear.