AI DamageHyundai Sonata: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Hyundai Sonata across 11 model years: 2,590 owner complaints and 362 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 49% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,258 complaints (49% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 132.
- Electrical system: 330 complaints (13% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 361.
- Powertrain: 262 complaints (10% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 169.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 241 complaints (9% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Steering: 234 complaints (9% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 57.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2015–2023named in 1 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1992–1998
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2011–2019named in 4 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1989–2019named in 33 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2020–2027named in 5 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2027named in 4 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1999–2001
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2002–2005
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1989–1998
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2010
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2016–2027named in 4 complaints
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl 2016–2019named in 4 complaints
- 2.4 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2011–2015
- automatic, 4-speed 1989–2008
- automatic, 5-speed 2006–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2019
- automatic, 8-speed 2018–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2013–2027named in 7 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2015–2019named in 7 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2021–2027named in 7 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1989–2010
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2013
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,590 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,258 | 16 | 132 |
| Electrical system | 330 | 14 | 361 |
| Powertrain | 262 | 8 | 169 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 241 | 6 | 22 |
| Steering | 234 | 7 | 57 |
| Structure | 125 | 4 | 26 |
| Service brakes | 113 | 21 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 108 | 2 | 23 |
| Vehicle speed control | 104 | 23 | 0 |
| Air bags | 69 | 26 | 37 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 64 | 10 | 9 |
| Engine and cooling | 60 | 0 | 213 |
| Visibility | 46 | 1 | 27 |
| Fuel system | 41 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The issues included warning lights, abnormal noises, repeated mechanical failures, and poor performance that affected the safe operation of the vehicle. These problems started early and continued over time despite repairs and maintenance.
Vehicle doors shut, seat belt on. Not on incline. Pulled into parking spot I use weekly, spot has parking curb. Was at a full stop. Realized I had not pulled into the spot quite far enough, and attempted to inch vehicle forward.
I brang to the dealership 4 times with check engine and misfires and limp mode between 57k and 68k they refused to fix the car under recall 286 and cleared all the codes and continued to make me leave in a unsafe car.
Car was parked, full stop, doors shut, seatbelt on. Foot on brake. Car then seemed to lurch forward by itself forward hitting parking cement block. Put in reverse to back away and car stayed still...then I tapped the gas again to back up and insted vehicle plowed forward.instead.of reverse ...went over the parking…
The passenger front airbag did not deploy, and no side or curtain airbags deployed. There was no significant intrusion into the engine compartment or passenger cabin.
The airbags failed to deploy during the crash. I sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by EMS. This vehicle has known safety recalls, and I believe the airbag non-deployment may indicate a safety defect.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
- Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior…
- Certain Sonata (DN8) vehicles may exhibit a transmission oil leak at the bottom of the valve body cover…
- Certain Sonata (DN8) vehicles may exhibit a transmission oil leak at the bottom of the valve body cover…
- Certain 2026MY Sonata (DN8) and 2026MY Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles may exhibit a fuel filler door…
- Certain Sonata (DN8) and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles may exhibit a fuel filler door that is difficult…
- Certain 2024-2026MY Sonata (DN8) and 2024-2026MY Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles may exhibit intermittent…
- Certain Sonata (DN8) vehicles may exhibit intermittent battery discharge condition due to the air…
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
- Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.