There are 50 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Sonatain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended, and the contact noticed a strong fuel odor coming from underneath the hood. Upon inspecting underneath the hood, the contact noticed a leak. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel line was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was contacted, but only the automated system was available. The failure mileage was unknown.
1. The car began to randomly stall and stop running. This happened while driving and it was extremely dangerous. Typically, the engine would restart after at least waiting 15 minutes. Any attempt to start the car before that time would fail. 2. When the stalls happened, the car acted as if it had run out of gas. The engine would simply stop running WITHOUT WARNING, at intersections, on city streets, and on the freeway at high speed. It did not matter how full the gas tank was. 3. My brother and I diagnosed the problem as intermittent loss of fuel pressure. 4. My brother and I replaced the FACTORY fuel pump, and to hour horror, when we unplugged the electrical connection/plug, one of the pins from the fuel pump came out with the plug/connector. 5. We inspected the fuel pump and discovered that parts of the electrical plug INSIDE THE FUEL TANK had become burned and melted. See Image SANY0135.JPG === This is a SAFETY DEFECT - either the internal fuel pump electrical connections were faulty from the factory or the problem developed over time. There have been other recalls for this model of car for random engine stalls but this is a NEW and DIFFERENT cause. A dealer with a relatively inexpensive Infrared camera could likely spot this problem with minimal vehicle disassembly. There was clearly a LOT of heat concentrated in the area of the electrical connection to the fuel pump. We hope this report triggers a recall and prevents extremely dangerous random loss of engine power events, fires, or worse. Please recall all the vehicles that used that fuel pump for inspection before there is a disaster.
I tried pumping gas and the car would not let me pump the gas into the car. I had to hold the the gas pump hose and pull the trigger myself to pump the gas, which would still make the clicking stop noise that stops the pumping of the gas. Then when I started driving, the check engine light came on. Went O'Reilly to test the check engine light code and it popped up with a P0449 code for the evaporative emissions (EVAP) vent control valve.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and the low fuel light was illuminated. The contact stated that the alternator was replaced prior to the failure. The vehicle was refueled by a tow truck driver. The contact stated that after several days, the vehicle drove as needed; however, the failure reoccurred at a drive-thru. The vehicle was towed to a nearby hotel. The low fuel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was purchased. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred a week later. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was fuel leaking out of the fuel pump gasket. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds on four occasions. During the first occasion, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the low-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but approximately a year later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was advised to contact a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump and electrical wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, both her and her passenger smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle's cabin. The contact then noticed that flames were coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and both her and her passenger exited the vehicle. As the contact waited for a fire truck, the vehicle burned to the ground. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was apart of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000(Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
1) Fuel gauge readings are erratic, empty one minute then full the next then back to empty or in between regardless on actual fuel level. 2) Safety at risk if fuel pump malfunctions and gas gauge readings erratic. 3) Problem has been noted in numerous blogs, internet sites. 4) No open recalls yet this is a serious problem. 5) The only warning lights are fuel gauge flashes empty, but then goes away then comes back. 6) Cause per blogs is defective fuel sending gauge on fuel pump. Mileage at approximately 128k recurring issue, fuel pump failure possibly at high speeds could cause deaths if vehicle out of drivers control.
I started smelling a strong fuel odor and my car just started leaking fuel while I was driving it.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the dealer previously replaced the fuel tube; however, the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed, and a fuel odor was detected while the defroster was activated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that there was fuel leaking in the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
2011 sonata se 2.0t door lock’s acting up won’t open or lock fuel smell in the car really strong and not measuring the gas keeps going up and down and at times I don’t even know if I have gas or not and when filling gas at the gas tank entrance where you fill up at won’t let me fill up gas keeps getting spit out when I’m filling and I have to keep clicking the gas gun and not put pressure have to fill it very slow
It's a if the gas isn't getting to the engine. Check engine light is on. The code had read P0451..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO BILL DUBE HYUNDAI (271 MAIN ST, WILMINGTON, MA 01887) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V934000 ( ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.*DT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER FORCED THE SEAT BELT INTO THE LATCH TO SECURELY LATCH THE SEAT BELT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE VALLEY HYUNDAI (2934 VALLEY AVE, WINCHESTER, VA 22601, (855) 463-5530) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V617000 (SEAT BELTS) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
FIRST I NOTICE A SMELL OF GAS THE SEE A LEAK UNDER THE CAR CLOSER TO DE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BIG LEAK
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I PUT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THERE ARE SKIDS MARKS ON THE CEMENT SHOWING THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED FROM BRAKING BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO PUSH ME FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF MY FORD RANGER.. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND SINCE BRAKING WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR I SHOVED IT INTO PARK. THE CAR CAME TO A HALT BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. AN ARTICLE ON AUTOWISE.COM DATED 10/26/2019 REFERS TO THIS PROBLEM AS "HYUNDAI'S SECRET ACCELERATION PROBLEMS" AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMENTS FROM ABOUT 40 DIFFERENT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE BUT NOT WITH NO DAMAGE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF I HAD BEEN IN ANY OTHER SITUATION. IT IS TIME FOR A FEDERAL RECALL. *TR
THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2011 FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. PUTTING ME IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED, AND OTHER SONATAS HAVE REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $605 FOR THE PUMP AND $300 FOR THE LABOR. THIS PUMP IS IN THE FUEL TANK AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED JUST LIKE THE ONES IN THE 2013 & 2014. I WANT A REFUND OF MY MONEY TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR TOOK IT TO A SHOP I WAS TOLD HAD TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP AN I DID THE PROBLEM NEVER SEEM TO HAVE BEEN FIX AFTER THAT TOOK IT MY DEALER AN THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A MONTH TOLD ME IT WAS A RECALL ON IT BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SIGNS OF OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V934000 (ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
I took my 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0L Turbo to my Hyundai Dealership and had several overdue recalls done, one being a complete engine replacement. Upon receiving vehicle again, I then took vehicle to Smog Check Center (California resident) and the vehicle failed in one category: Liquid Fuel Leak Check. I have read on NHTSA notices and other sites that certain 2011-2014 Sonata 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines are being recalled for this very issue: confirming high pressure fuel pipe was connected by Hyundai dealer to high-pressure fuel pump outlet during engine replacement (Recall 180). My VIN search states I have 0 open recalls though my vehicle appears to suffer from this exact issue.
FIRSTLY, I HAVE HAD 13 RECALLS ON MY CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE DRIVEN NOTHING BUT HYUNDAIS FOR YEARS. I AM SO SICK OF THIS 2011. I HAVE TO GO BACK YET AGAIN TO A DEALERSHIP TO GET THE AIRBAGS DONE ON MONDAY, 9-30-2019. IT TOOK A LONG TIME AND I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER CAR. YOUR TALKING ABOUT MY LIFE HEER. I AM JUST SO FED UP. LAST TIME I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN BROCKTON, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FLEX PIPE. OKAY, I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS TO BE FIXED 245.00 BUT THAT WASN'T THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS CODE PO456, EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK. ARE YOU KIDDING? I HAVE TO BRING IT TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE TO HAVE THIS FIXED! CONSIDERING ALL OF THE TIME THAT I HAVE HAD TO WASTE AND TO ARRANGE FOR RIDES, I MUST NOW PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED???? I AM SO ANGRY, I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND AGGRAVATION. I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THIS? WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR AIRBAGS TO COME IN? WHY WAS I NOT OFFERED A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL MY CAR WAS FIXED? WHY SHOULD I PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE SITUATION NOW? I AM NOT RICH, I AM PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND I DO NOT RECEIVE A TON OF MONEY. I AM SO TIRED OF HAVING TO RUN AROUND WITH THIS CAR ....I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS AS THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT IT COULD BE RIGHT DOWN TO THE GAS TANK. UGH
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026