Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a...
1987-2026 · 37 model years
Hyundai Sonata Problems by year
Owners have filed 15,779 complaints about the Hyundai Sonata across 37 model years, and it has 67 recalls. The 2011 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (3,380), while 1987, 1990, 1994 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the steering.
- Complaints
- 15,779
- Recalls
- 67
- Crashes
- 718
- Fires
- 527
- Injuries
- 690
- Deaths
- 15
Sonata complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | A |
| 2023 | 0 | 2 | A |
| 2022 | 0 | 3 | A |
| 2021 | 0 | 4 | A |
| 2020 | 183 | 4 | C |
| 2019 | 163 | 0 | C |
| 2018 | 375 | 1 | D |
| 2017 | 769 | 3 | F |
| 2016 | 728 | 6 | F |
| 2015 | 1,157 | 9 | F |
| 2014 | 751 | 7 | F |
| 2013 | 1,920 | 9 | F |
| 2012 | 1,559 | 8 | F |
| 2011 | 3,380 | 14 | F |
| 2010 | 345 | 2 | D |
| 2009 | 460 | 2 | D |
| 2008 | 425 | 5 | D |
| 2007 | 696 | 7 | F |
| 2006 | 1,047 | 11 | F |
| 2005 | 165 | 1 | C |
| 2004 | 202 | 1 | C |
| 2003 | 199 | 6 | C |
| 2002 | 326 | 7 | D |
| 2001 | 219 | 3 | C |
| 2000 | 278 | 4 | C |
| 1999 | 124 | 4 | B |
| 1998 | 50 | 1 | A |
| 1997 | 52 | 2 | A |
| 1996 | 24 | 1 | A |
| 1995 | 70 | 2 | A |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | A |
| 1993 | 27 | 1 | A |
| 1992 | 22 | 1 | A |
| 1991 | 30 | 1 | A |
| 1990 | 17 | 3 | A |
| 1989 | 12 | 3 | A |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | A |
Most common Sonata problems
Hyundai Sonata recalls 67
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
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Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump...
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump...
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the...
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch...
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles...
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles...
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Latest Sonata complaints
EVAP code and catalytic converter malfunction. I bought the car used and had to have the engine replaced immediately, within a year the catalytic converter needs to be replaced and an EVAP leak code has been acknoweldged. The safety of the engine and fuel line is a concern, I am unsure of what risks myself or my family can be exposed to when but may include carbon monoxide poisioning, control of the vehicle due to acceleration issues. The components were inspected by multiple dealerships across 3 states. A warning light is visible and costs are astronomical.
was driving my 2015 Hyundai sonata with my daughter and there was a really loud thump, like something came apart. there was instant smoke and really loud knocking and reduced power. Right after that, I pulled over into a church so I wasn't blocking traffic, and when I got out, there was oil coming out everywhere and a hole in the engine block. I read about a lawsuit settlement and seeing that alot of drivers get a flashing engine light and car reduce power. That is not what happened with me, was just a loud pop,...
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smoke and loud knocking. This has put me and my daughter at risk. I'm asking NHTSA to investigate why an engine with an update that was installed to prevent what happened could fail on the road, produce that much smoke, and spill oil the way it did. I had a driveway to pull into but another driver might not of have nowhere safe to go. If Hyundai knew this type of failure could happen, I want NHTSA to look at whether the update gives drivers enough warning and whether more needs to be done to keep these cars safe on the road.
Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS Recall: 22V-312 / Hyundai 227 Incident: Engine-compartment fire Date: November 8, 2026 Description: Smoke appeared while driving. I pulled over and turned the vehicle off, then it caught fire.
Water in barings
The contact's mother owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the engine failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine seized and required replacement. The engine long block was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that approximately 11,000 miles after the replacement, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was towed to an independent...
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mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the engine failure could not be confirmed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,719.
I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially dangerous safety issue involving my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. At approximately 93,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a complete engine failure, which resulted in Hyundai replacing the engine. Unfortunately, I am now experiencing another serious mechanical or electrical malfunction. While I am driving, my vehicle unexpectedly shuts off completely. When this happens, I cannot restart it immediately. I must wait approximately two to five minutes before the vehicle...
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will restart. This situation is extremely concerning because it exposes me, my passengers, and other motorists to a significant safety risk. An unexpected shutdown while traveling on a public roadway could result in a serious accident. Given the vehicle's previous engine failure and Hyundai's subsequent engine replacement, I am requesting a thorough investigation into whether the current malfunction is connected to the replacement engine, its associated components, or another underlying defect. Specifically, I am requesting: A comprehensive diagnostic inspection to identify the cause of the unexpected shutdowns and delayed restarts. A review of the vehicle's previous engine replacement and repair history. Verification of all applicable warranties, extended engine coverage, recalls, and service campaigns. Written documentation of the diagnostic findings and the recommended corrective action. Consideration of full warranty coverage or goodwill assistance for repairs associated with the previous engine replacement or any covered defect. Assistance with safe transportation or towing, given the risk of driving the vehicle in its current condition. I have a dealership service visit scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, and I am notifying Hyundai in advance to ensure that this serious safety concern is formally documented. I respectfully request written acknowledgment of this complaint, a case number, and confirmation that the dealership will inve
Questions about the Hyundai Sonata
Which Hyundai Sonata years have the most problems?
Which Hyundai Sonata years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Hyundai Sonata problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (5,004), steering (2,366), airbags (2,043) most often.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 67 recalls across all Hyundai Sonata model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data