2011 Hyundai Sonata Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 1%of 3,379 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,150miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 1% of the 3,379 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,150 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When pulling out of a parking lot from a stop the service light came on and the car's ready light started flashing. The car lost almost all power while I was in the center of the road. Other cars were able to avoid me, but they could have easily ran into me. Shutting the car off and restarting it restored normal operations.”
NHTSA complaint #10424057, filed 2011-09, 2,440 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10397410, filed 2011-04, 100 miles“This is on the hybrid Sonata. Twice in 2 weeks, I am driving down a highway, I felt a jerk in the car, the ready light flashes and the wrench symbol shows up. The car is on battery power only. I coast on battery till I can pull into a parking lot. Shut the car off. Luckily both times it started back up. Bob king Hyundai in winston-salem says they don't know why it would do that. We are waiting on some parts that are updates, but don't know if that will fix the shut down issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10440380, filed 2011-12, 4,800 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10385065, filed 2011-02, 10,500 miles“2011 Hyundai Sonata hybrid stops loses power comes to complete stop - for the second time in two months when I started my car the service indicator light came on and stayed on. I noticed this time that the car would not go faster than 40 MPH and the engine is not running the car appears to be running just off the electric motor and the battery. The car went for about 2 miles and the car lost power and came to complete stop. I had to completely shut off the car and restart it before it would move again.”
NHTSA complaint #10422930, filed 2011-09, 6,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247189Oct 13, 2023This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- 10217251Jul 28, 2022Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or…
- 10211674Apr 15, 2022The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to 10 years or 120,000…
- 10211673Apr 15, 2022The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime…
- 10211669Apr 15, 2022Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No…
- 10211665Apr 15, 2022Certain vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise or no…
- 10207813Jan 31, 2022This bulletin provides additional service diagnostic information and repair procedures related to Electric Waste Gate Actuator (EWGA) equipped vehicles listed below. Refer to the…
- 10207811Jan 21, 2022The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime…
- 10207801Jan 19, 2022The warranty coverage for certain Theta II engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a…
- 10204252Nov 3, 2021Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% |
| 2017 | 19 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 2% |
| 2015 | 21 | 2% |
| 2014 | 21 | 3% |
| 2013 | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 | 11 | 1% |
| 2011 | 45 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 8 | 1% |
| 2006 | 30 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 5% |
| 2001 | 23 | 11% |
| 2000 | 31 | 11% |
| 1999 | 23 | 19% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 7 | 14% |
| 1996 | 6 | 26% |
| 1995 | 9 | 14% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 4 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 21% |
| 1989 | 5 | 45% |
Other parts of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
1,171 complaintsEngine
968 complaintsElectrical system
443 complaintsAir bags
419 complaintsExterior lighting
248 complaintsOther or unknown
217 complaintsBrakes
175 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
173 complaintsSuspension
149 complaintsFuel system
133 complaintsSeat belts
106 complaintsVehicle speed control
95 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology