Hyundai Sonata owners filed 3,717 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata drew the most complaints (1,144); across all years, owners complain most about engine (50% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2015, with 1,144 complaints, led by engine (623) and 9 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 1,874 complaints but no recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Stop-driving recalls: 3 recalls told owners to stop driving until repaired (23V526000, 14V368000, 14V325000).
- Over-the-air fixes: recall 24V583000 can be repaired by a software update, without a dealer visit (1 of 21).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2015 (7.1 times as many complaints), 2016 (4.5 times as many complaints), 2017 (4.7 times as many complaints), 2018 (2.3 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: brakes complaints came at a median 21k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 108 complaints mention a fire and 133 a crash, with 112 injuries and 5 deaths reported.
Hyundai Sonata complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 9 recalls | 1,144 | Engine (623), Electrical system (167), Transmission / powertrain (134) median 56k mi · 34 crashes · 48 fires |
| 2016 6 recalls | 725 | Engine (450), Electrical system (89), Transmission / powertrain (59) median 63k mi · 19 crashes · 28 fires |
| 2017 3 recalls | 763 | Engine (383), Steering (173), Electrical system (65) median 55k mi · 28 crashes · 11 fires |
| 2018 1 recall | 372 | Engine (210), Electrical system (60), Transmission / powertrain (40) median 22k mi · 18 crashes · 13 fires |
| 2019 no recall | 161 | Engine (86), Exterior lights (18), Fuel system (12) median 25k mi · 8 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2020 4 recalls | 178 | Fuel system (45), Electrical system (40), Engine (31) median 3k mi · 5 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2021 4 recalls | 133 | Engine (34), Transmission / powertrain (24), Fuel system (21) median 41k mi · 7 crashes |
| 2022 3 recalls | 93 | Engine (25), Transmission / powertrain (24), Fuel system (22) median 31k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 2 recalls | 86 | Fuel system (37), Engine (27), Transmission / powertrain (16) median 19k mi · 5 crashes |
| 2024 1 recall | 46 | Electrical system (18), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (8), Speed control / acceleration (6) median 2k mi · 1 crash |
| 2025 no recall | 16 | Brakes (5), Speed control / acceleration (3), Transmission / powertrain (3) median 38k mi |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 33, more than the 21 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Hyundai Sonata problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,874 | 50% | 0 | 65k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 497 | 13% | 2 | 48k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 393 | 11% | 3 | 42k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Fuel system | 312 | 8% | 2 | 50k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Steering | 308 | 8% | 1 | 53k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Body structure | 175 | 5% | 0 | 32k mi | — |
| Brakes | 172 | 5% | 1 | 21k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 164 | 4% | 0 | 35k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Hyundai Sonata owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
While traveling on the interstate, the car started shuddering. Pulled off and went to auto part store and they read the code #4 misfire. Took car to my mechanic and he said #4 cylinder was dead. Proceeded to take car to dealership and they said #4 cylinder had burn valve with hole in valve. We hey gave a quote for engine replacement. Took car back to my mechanic and he replaced engine at a cost of $5466.28.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11445088
I have a 2018 sonata. It has thrown a P1326 code. There is a TSB for that code where the dealership will check to see if the engine will be replaced. My car passed that test meaning no engine replacement. My car has 107,000 miles on it and has had regular maintenance. In between oil changes I’m having to add oil. I’m spent hundreds on engine oil since taking owenship of the car.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11660368
None of these 1,874 engine complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
1,874 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
I took my vehicle into the dealership when it was under 12,000 miles for another issue and mentioned a problem with the headlight on the right fogging up with moisture. I was immediately told that this had to be seen with their eyes because light cost more than $1,000. It has continued for over 1 1/2 years. Early this month, I took a picture at night and in the morning.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11497838
I bought my car november 28, 2017. On june 27, 2019, the interior lights and the license plate light were inoperative. I've brought the car into the dealership I bought the car from three times, but they were unable to fix the problem. Now, my car has been in a different dealership for the past approximately two weeks, and it still hasn't been fixed.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11243662
Related recalls: 20V213000 (2020): Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash. 15V678000 (2015–2016): If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
497 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
Had an engine recall for the 2015 recall, was told that transmission was the reason for the engine failure, but the dealership would not fix the transmission. Shortly following the replacement of the engine, the problems that reside in the transmission are now costly up to $3000 or more for this issue. After extensive research found that the 2015 Sonata has had plenty of issues with its transmission.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11439151
My vehicle is under 70,000 miles. I was informed by the dealer service department it needs a new transmission. The transmission is not shifting properly and has caused the vehicle to stall on the road on a couple of occasions. The vehicle is making a grinding/clicking noise when it shifts. The dealer is not honoring the power train warranty from the manufacturer.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11253404
Related recalls: 14V784000 (2015): If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders. 23V526000 (2023): An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. 22V746000 (2021–2022): Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
393 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Hyundai Sonata recalls
Check these first: 23V526000 (2023, transmission / powertrain: park outside); 14V368000 (2015, service brakes, hydraulic: do not drive); 14V325000 (2015, steering: do not drive).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V796000 | 2025-11-18 | 2020–2023 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 24V583000 (OTA) | 2024-08-07 | 2024 | Exterior lights | Flashing brake lights may cause confusion for other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V526000 | 2023-07-27 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. |
| 22V746000 | 2022-10-06 | 2021–2022 | Transmission / powertrain | Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 22V196000 | 2022-03-28 | 2020 | Latches and locks | A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 21V00M000 | 2021-12-28 | 2021 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V749000 | 2021-09-24 | 2015–2017 | Exterior lights | A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash. |
| 21V619000 | 2021-08-06 | 2017–2018 | Latches and locks | A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 21V524000 | 2021-07-09 | 2021–2022 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. |
| 20V213000 | 2020-04-09 | 2020 | Electrical system | Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V122000 | 2020-02-28 | 2020 | Equipment / accessories | The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V359000 | 2017-06-05 | 2015–2016 | Parking brake | If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V956000 | 2016-12-30 | 2017 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury. |
| 16V726000 | 2016-10-11 | 2015–2016 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V615000 | 2016-08-24 | 2016 | Air bags | A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 16V232000 | 2016-04-21 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury. |
| 15V678000 | 2015-10-20 | 2015–2016 | Electrical system | If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V414000 | 2015-06-30 | 2015 | Seat belts | If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 14V784000 | 2014-12-09 | 2015 | Transmission / powertrain | If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders. |
| 14V368000 | 2014-06-24 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 14V325000 | 2014-06-12 | 2015 | Steering | The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
3,717 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Hyundai models in the index
- Hyundai Tucson (4,848)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (2,823)
- Hyundai Elantra (2,503)
- Hyundai Palisade (2,302)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.