2011 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

Good day, please note that most of my communication with Hyundai has been over the phone. I sent one an email shortly after the event, and after following up on the phone, I received this following string separately. I can forward you more along the way, but Hyundai is in possession of the call recordings. I was hoping they would cover my repairs, my engine had a lifetime warranty, but during this process I learned that there was a recall for this car that I was never aware of as the new owner. I needed a software update to get any repairs covered. Please reach out to me for more info!

NHTSA complaint #11696471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The affected component is the engine/rod bearing (Theta II 2.4L). My 2011 Hyundai Sonata stalled and the engine locked up twice in live traffic (March 2025 and July 2025). The vehicle is available for inspection if needed. This created a serious safety risk to me and others on the road, as the stall occurred on [XXX] at highway speeds. This failure could have been catastrophic had it happened on the DC/Baltimore Beltway or another high-traffic roadway. Hyundai’s system shows Recall 132 was marked complete at very low mileage (around 32,000 miles), but my vehicle later developed oil consumption and stalling consistent with rod bearing failure. Capitol Heights Hyundai noted a warranty pre-authorization (PA) in March 2025 and told me Hyundai needed my mailing address “for the claim,” but later said it was a typo and that no record exists. The dealership charged me for a diagnostic but did not inspect the vehicle for rod bearing failure, despite symptoms consistent with Recall 132. Annapolis Hyundai, where the car was purchased as a CPO, has admitted they have no documentation that Recall 132 was ever performed (no repair order, mileage, or technician notes). Yet Hyundai’s system shows Recall 132 marked “complete.” Without proof that the KSDS software or bearing inspection was done, I belive this recall should be considered open. Hyundai Consumer Affairs has stated that I must pay for towing and diagnosis before they will investigate, with possible reimbursement later. This conflicts with federal law (49 U.S.C. § 30120), which requires recall diagnosis and repair at no cost to the consumer. Prior to the failures, my vehicle had a history of oil consumption and “no oil on dipstick” findings, which are known precursors to rod bearing failure. No warning lamps appeared before the stalls. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in requiring Hyundai to provide documentation or reopen Recall 132 and perform a no-cost inspection/repair to ensure this vehicle is safe to operate INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF

NHTSA complaint #11690938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

on [XXX] iwas driving coming back home from [XXX] by exit [XXX]. the engine turn off and didnt turn back on. i had to get a town to take me out of the highway and pay $141.00 becide that my engine seized. now i dont have a car and the car didn't gave me any notification that something it was going on with the engine. if i had any light on the car i wil take it to the mechanic, know i loss my source of income because hyundai problems with engine. and to get another engine it cost $5000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11687676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Not sure . The car has been regulaurly maintenced and one day the emgine complagely seized up going down the road .

NHTSA complaint #11683818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The gear shift on its own jumps from automatic to manual mode

NHTSA complaint #11602270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

10/31/23 Car lost power on freeway. Dash lit up and stalled, I took picture brought to dealership. Could not find any issues or codes. 11/12/23 Driving on Pacific Coast Highway car started making knocking/ticking noise. Pull off to a side street and car hesitated and check engine light came on. Had it towed to dealership. Still waiting on assessment. Was told will take 2-3 days due to backlog. Clearly a known Engine issue dating back to recall campaign 132 Engine/inspection/replace. (I brought into dealership on 2/9/16 to perform checks on the 132 campaign - shows completed).

NHTSA complaint #11554971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while his wife was driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle jolted, and the transmission slipped into 1st and 2nd gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his wife veered to the side of the road, shifted into neutral(N), and then shifted back into drive(D), and the vehicle responded as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location because the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA complaint #11530952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My Hyundai keeps jumping out of gear it's like the tray is sliding but it don't have one

NHTSA complaint #11530494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

On June 17, 2023, while during this car suddenly it started losing speed, pressing accelerator did not help. I stopped the car and restarted, it drove for another 400 yards and stopped again. I checked with my obd2 and it gave a code of misfiring third cylinder. Car had a recent replacement of engine under warranty by Parks Hyundai of Gainesville as previous engine had started smoking in 2011. My recent calls to the dealership did not result in any return call from them. Car is standing at my house for the past two weeks. I am really SCARED to drive this car. Also fed up with the dealership which does not care even to return my calls.

NHTSA complaint #11530307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I was driving my vehicle and a warning light indicating hybrid system charging failure warning. The vehicle had intermittent power problems and would not move appropriately in relation to the pushing the gas pedal. It would not go then would jerk forward. I was finally able to pull over to the side of the road safely. I turned my car off and when turned back on the error message failed. This happened on two other occasions. Later there was a whining noise when shifting into second gear. I took in for service and the hyundai dealership told me the transmission needed to be replaced. My safety and others were at risk due to loss of ability to drive the vehicle appropriately due to loss of power.

NHTSA complaint #11508052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Sonota and it felt like a truck had slammed into the back of my vehicle but it didn’t, the car was knocking and finally stopped and wouldn’t accelerate when pushing the pedal. I had to have it towed and the shop didn’t know what to do and I had it sent to Rick Case Hyundai and I explained the situation about the debris being washed out of the engine and they asked for $1700 just to look at the engine. I had a few recalls and they should have looked at the engine with no problems and no charges. They had my vehicle towed and it took me a few months to figure out what happened to my car? I have been denied EVERYTHING BY HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND TAMMY OFFERED TO LOOK AT THE ENGINE AFTER SENDING THE INFORMATION TO BBB AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD DO IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE END

NHTSA complaint #11503607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My engine has failed, and my steering wheel column has locked. I had the software update on my engine with Napleton that qualified me for a lifetime engine replacement. I submitted maintenance records for my car and pictures of my valvetrain that are well maintained, and hyundai denied my engine claim for exceptional maintenance neglect on Dec8. On December 14th, after reviewing my oil changes, they still denied me for using low quality oil that's obscured. The problem I am having with my car is oil, not being able to get to the pistons inside my engine. It's not fair when the company know they engines have a manufacture defect. Then they blame the customers for lack of maintenance to have an excuse not to replace the engine. Knowing that with or without oil changes in the hyundai sonata 2011 -2012 models the engines will eventually seize anyway.I've reached out to their company over 300 times trying to resolve this matter and I'm still in the same place I started at a month ago. I want to sue for pain and suffering. I've been without a car since nov 9, and it's dec 20. Hyundai has put me and my family life in danger on numerous occasions, with their faulty and defected parts causing two near death experiences. Hyundai sonata has had a recall on every part, and I consider them unsafe and dangerous. I have seven different case reports with Hyundai motor company about excessive oil consumption, and the knocking whining vibrating and shaking. They are very much aware of everything

NHTSA complaint #11498399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

when driving randomly the cars engine will rev really high while pressing the gas pedal but the car doesn't move. After a little while the car eventually makes a loud clunking noise which shakes the car and typically causes the tires to spin. It seems to happen when the car is trying to decide whether to switch the gas engine or back to EV mode. This has been happening for a long time an even after the engine was replace under the recall. This is a safety issue that causes major concerns for myself an passengers. Also it happen when turning onto highways or exits which at high speeds there is a high likelihood of causing an accident. I have reported this to Hyundai several times but they cannot figure out the cause but rather keep trying different things an charging me. the car also seems to burn oil fast which doesn't make any sense being that its a newly installed engine.

NHTSA complaint #11493938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

car not fully shifting into park and will not allow key to be released from ignition

NHTSA complaint #11485443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

drove vehicle down the street when knocking noise started, check engine light turned on, then immediately stalled. Car will not start or drive now. called hyundai recall campain and they gave me a case number of #203-102-81 with recall campaigns that could fall under 953, and or 132. There may have been an issue with the connecting rod bearings wwith a cyclic knocking noise from ther engine

NHTSA complaint #11484442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the vehicle in Drive Mode, the transmission erroneously shifted into the sport mode. During the failure, the gears failed to shift as needed, and the vehicle would not accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. After restarting the vehicle, the failure had self-corrected but would eventually the failure had recurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11482583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to shift from drive to reverse, the gear shifter seized in the drive. The contact stated that the shifter cable had detached. The contact's husband informed the contact that a pin was missing from the shifter cable. The contact's husband opened the hood and shifted the gear manually with someone seated in the driver’s seat. The contact's husband was able to drive the vehicle to their residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA complaint #11438379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My daughter and a passenger were driving our car at night October 3, 2021and the entire car suddenly and without notice began shaking and convulsing, became non responsive and all the electrical components and the engine went dead including inside lights, brakes, power steering and lighting system. It was nighttime and the traffic was medium but she was able to ease the vehicle onto the shoulder without incident but had a few close calls as drivers eased around her. They could have been severely injured by the traffic as it attempted to get past her on this narrow two lane road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had blown, was seized and locked up. He also mentioned that there is a recall for the 2011 Sonata and numerous problems such as this have been reported. We had no idea there was a recall on this vehicle. We are very concerned and upset that this incident could have caused severe injury to our daughter, her friend and other drivers around her. There were no prior notifications or signals with the car having any problems prior to this incident.

NHTSA complaint #11435465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the contact depressed on the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle did not accelerator properly. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission, but the vehicle was not fully diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,700.

NHTSA complaint #11429643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANTWERPEN HYUNDAI OF CLARKSVILLE (12440 AUTO DR, CLARKSVILLE, MD 21029) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OIL CHANGE INTERVALS WHICH WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11400130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

HELLO I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE TRANSMISSION CABLE DETACH FROM THE CONTROL ARM,SO I GOT IT REPLACED AND PAID CASH WHICH WAS OVER $900 BECAUSE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION CABLE,SO I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A RECALL AND SENT IT TO HYUNDAI AND NOW THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY IT BACK,PLEASE READ THE EMAIL RESPONSE FROM THEM.

NHTSA complaint #11384532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS MY TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING AND I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS SO I TOOK MY CAR TO HYUNDAI SHOP AND PAID OUT OF POCKET OVER $900 AND COME TO FOUND OUT IT WAS A RECALL #123,SO HYUNDAI CALL ME AFTER I LEFT THE SHOP SAYING THEY NOT GONE REIMBURSE ME WHICH IS NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11383540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY CUTS OUT WHEN CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11361532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE SLIPPING. REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT FAR BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #11354777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11325650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON MARCH 24, 2020

NHTSA complaint #11319187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

OUR CAR HAD A RECALL, THE RECALL WAS FIXED IN 2014, BUT IT HAS SINCE BROKEN. DURING THAT TIME WE HAVE PUT ONLY 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE SNAPPED AND THEY ARE CHARGING US $1000 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT THEY SAID THEY FIXED. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULDN'T BREAK FOR THE WHOLE LIFE OF THE CAR. OUR CAR HAD A RECALL, IT WAS REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI, AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR THE 'REPAIRED' WORK. WE CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICES AND GOT THE RUN AROUND. I FEEL, IF THIS WAS A NATIONAL ISSUE, TO WHERE THEY HAD TO RECALL 850,000 CARS, THEY MUST HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. THEY FIXED OUR CAR 5 YEARS AGO AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BREAK IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR BREAKS. PLEASE ADVISE US WHAT OUR NEXT STEP IS,. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION

NHTSA complaint #11310644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.