Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle, and while inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was a puddle of oil on the ground underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a nearby Ford dealer, where it was diagnosed with camshaft and engine failure. The contact was informed that the camshaft and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 22-EM-006H-2. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to a Hyundai dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to an alternate dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and had recall repair was completed. The contact stated that two weeks after the repair, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound with the battery warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and restarted the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to Allen Turner Hyundai (6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505: [phone]) however, the vehicle was not serviced at the dealer. The vehicle was towed back to the first dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. Upon checking under the hood, the contact noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving there was an abnormal knocking noise detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign number 20V746000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had stated that the engine was replaced; however, the vehicle was not able to be started. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was driving around 55 MPH down the highway and noticed a strange knocking sound so I turned around to go home when I noticed smoke billowing out. I pulled over popped the hood and flames went up like crazy. I called 911 and vacated immediately
I was driving o work and sat at a traffic light when smoke started to come through vents and out the side of passenger hood. I got out and it started to smoke even more and then with a few seconds it burst into flames under the hood
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine and service engine soon warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle jim ellis Hyundai atlanta (5785 peachtree blvd, atlanta, ga 30341) to be diagnosed on several occasions. The mechanic inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause for the failure. The mechanic assured her that the vehicle was safe to drive. Several months later while driving 70 MPH, the service soon and check engine warning lights illuminated and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was left at a nearby parking lot overnight. …
The first incident that worried me with my vehicle was when I was exiting out of a parking lot. I reversed out successfully, but when putting the vehicle in drive the instrument cluster showing whether I was in drive, park etc. Went out completely. I had to put the car in a park position (instrument cluster was still blank) and restart the car. I went to my local Hyundai dealer to have it checked out and was told it was a faulty transmission cable. I paid to have it fixed. Since that incident, I decided that I would make sure to drive at low speeds at all times. A few days ago, I was driving on the palmetto expressway at 60 MPH on the right lane. While driving with my foot on the gas, I noticed my vehicle started slowing down. The MPH gauge steadily went from 60 to 40. Accelerating was no longer working even when I put more pressure with my foot on the gas pedal. …
My certified pre-owned Sonata Hybrid was not under the class action recall but has twice now had the same engine failure as the sonatas that have been recalled. First engine failure- car was at dealer from nov 2015 to jan 2016 and engine was rebuilt. Second engine failure, related engine issue- dec 2017 to current time. It is very dangerous, car stalled while driving on a major state road and entire system seized up, could not even go into neutral. Second time, oil spattered all over engine and oil light came on while on state highway- major leak on engine mount. First repair indicated the same particles in engine that caused engine to seize as the recalled sonatas though my VIN was/is not included in class action settlement nor under that official recall. Car still not repaired after 2 months at dealer this second time. …
Related recalls
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System…
NHTSA investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Engine complaints in other Sonata Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 43% of the model year's 96 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-746 (engine, Dec 1, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.