Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2020)

198 consumer complaints on file.

#11664479June 3, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS
So I was driving down the highway and I went to pass a car, (I never get close when passing) I was probably at least a quarter mile away from the car I was passing. I have every safety feature turned off, as I have, since buying the car almost 2 years ago. All of a sudden, I’m not sure if my sensor was off or what, but I’m assuming it thought I was too close to that car and it just started swerving all over the highway. I went left/right 4 times before I was finally able to regain control, I couldn’t couter-act the swerves, nor could I hold my steering wheel straight to stop them. Luckily there were very few people on the highway as it was early in the morning. Had the time of day been different, I probably wouldn’t be here today, and some others probably wouldn’t be either, at least lots of injuries I’m sure. It hasn’t been confirmed, i don’t even know how to do that honestly, I was the only one in the car. I didn’t call anyone/say anything until right now because I was already running late for work, I was shaken up but I just called my parents and they said to look up recalls/file a report, which it seems like this is how I do it? There were no warning signs, nothing, I was driving for already about 30 minutes and everything was fine, never had any issue like this ever before. Like I said I’ve had this car for almost 2 years and she has been an absolute dream, aside from this mishap. But now I am very terrified to drive it, i don’t know what happened honestly, I don’t know what could have caused it, but this is why I hate smart cars. My safety was put at risk by what I assume was a safety feature malfunction of some kind.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664535June 3, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse(R), the back over prevention camera screen temporarily displayed an image before the screen went black. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure, but recently became a constant failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658811May 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring defect in its engine or transmission, causing sudden deceleration to ~10 mph without warning, often on major highways, with warning lights (check engine, ESC, traction control, etc.) flashing seconds before the car decelerates. This forces me to swerve off busy roads, endangering me, my passengers, and other drivers. Near-misses with traffic pose an extreme safety risk, causing significant emotional distress. The car, at a Hyundai dealer since April 21, 2025, is available for NHTSA inspection. The issue began in January 2021, five months after purchase, with all the warning lights appearing during incidents along with rapid deceleration. The Hyundai dealer confirmed the problem in seven repair attempts (January 2021, December 2021, January 2022, November 2024, February 2025, and twice in April 2025) but never properly diagnosed or fixed it, citing no consistent diagnostic codes. Only the dealer assessed it; no inspections by Hyundai’s manufacturer, police, or insurance occurred. In November 2024, the defect recurred immediately after pickup, despite false assurances it was fixed. In February 2025, the dealer kept the car over a month with minimal communication, yet it failed again. I picked up the car on April 4, 2025, but it broke down on April 6, less than 55 hours later. I returned it April 7 and picked it up April 17, and it failed again on April 21, 2025 with the vehicle remaining at the dealer since. The dealer and Hyundai offer no solution and this dangerous issue keeps recurring. Similar NHTSA complaints suggest a broader issue. Rapid recurrences—hours after April 4 and four days after April 17—prove the car is unsafe and assurances of repairs are untrustworthy. I no longer trust the Sonata or Hyundai’s repairs, as the defect persists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653279April 7, 2025
SEATS
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the frame on the front driver's seat was cracked. The contact inspected the seat. The contact lifted the cushion and became aware that the bolts were cracked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,458.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653291April 7, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS
My wife and son experienced a terrible situation on the way home from training. They had to stop at the nearest gas station due to the vehicle showing extremely low gas in the tank during a short drive home. The fuel gauge initially showed about half a tank but drastically dropped on the way home. They stopped at a gas station to add fuel but during the process, fuel starting spewing out of the tank. The vehicle was scheduled to be dropped off at a later date for an open recall (service campaign 9B1). I called the dealership and told them I needed to get the vehicle in right away due to the incident. After bringing the vehicle to hyundai, they told me that the fuel tank exploded causing the tank to swell all the way around. Because the tank is located under the rear seat, we constantly heard air coming in due to the rear seat not seating properly. The check engine also was on and we smelled fuel while driving the vehicle. Hyundai representatives has been avoiding my calls to the point where I had to go in person for an update. Apparently, a district manager had to come inspect the vehicle to advise the dealership how to write up the request to send to corporate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653038April 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, POWER TRAIN
My 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring and dangerous defect involving sudden deceleration while driving. Without warning, the car abruptly slows to ~10 mph—often on the highway—while numerous dashboard warning lights activate. This poses an extreme safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers, as it forces me to maneuver off the road to avoid being hit. The issue began in January 2021, still with less than 4,000 miles and just five months after I purchased the car new. It has occurred repeatedly and unpredictably since then. I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai-authorized dealer for repair on five occasions (January 2021; December 2021; January 2022; November 2024; and February 2025), but the problem has never been properly diagnosed or fixed. In November 2024, the issue occurred immediately as I drove off the dealer's lot, having been assured the vehicle was repaired and safe to drive. The most recent visit lasted over a month, yet the dealer could not replicate the problem and returned the car to me in early April 2025, without a clear resolution. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection. Each incident is accompanied by multiple warning lights (e.g., check engine, ESC, etc.) but no consistent diagnostic codes have been found. I’ve also found multiple similar complaints from other Sonata owners on the NHTSA site, suggesting this may be a broader issue. This unresolved defect has made the vehicle unsafe to drive and caused significant emotional distress. I no longer trust the car or the assurances from Hyundai or the dealer that it is fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653076April 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring and dangerous defect involving sudden deceleration while driving. Without warning, the car abruptly slows to ~10 mph—often on the highway—while numerous dashboard warning lights activate. This poses an extreme safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers, as it forces me to maneuver off the road to avoid being hit. The issue began in January 2021, just five months after I purchased the car new. It has occurred repeatedly and unpredictably since then. I have taken the vehicle to Hyundai-authorized dealers for repair on five occasions (January 2021; December 2021; January 2022; November 2024; and February 2025), but the problem has never been properly diagnosed or fixed. In November 2024, the issue occurred immediately after I picked the car up from the dealership when they told me it was fixed and ready to drive. This most recent occurrence (February 2025) before tonight's incident on April 6, 2025, the dealer had my vehicle for over a month. During this time, communication was seldom initiated by the dealer. Now the problem recurred less than 55 hours after picking the vehicle up from the Hyundai certified dealer, who told me the issue was fixed and the car looks and runs great. Unfortunately I found myself in this dangerous situation despite the dealer's reassurances and Hyundai's involvement overseeing the repair process. The unsafe, defective Sonata is currently in my possession as I figure out next steps. Each incident is accompanied by multiple warning lights (e.g., check engine, ESC, etc.) but the dealer represents that no consistent diagnostic codes have been found. I’ve also found multiple similar complaints from other Sonata owners on the NHTSA site, suggesting this may be a broader issue. This unresolved defect has made the vehicle unsafe to drive and caused significant emotional distress. I no longer trust the car or the assurances from Hyundai or the dealer that it is fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651800March 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On or about November 13, 2024 our Hyundai Sonata 2020 gas tank almost exploded. We drove our vehicle to a dealership so that it could be checked because we kept hearing something that sounded like a loud pop / thumb underneath our vehicle. We had already been receiving notifications of a powertrain issue with the vehicle for years (without the dealership resolving the issue). So we were taking the vehicle in for numerous reasons when, the minute we drove our vehicle into the service bay (of a new and unrelated dealership) we were told that Hyundai's Corporate branch has ordered our vehicle grounded and told us we COULD NOT LEAVE with our vehicle or drive our vehicle off the dealership's lot. We were advised that our vehicle had almost exploded and that we were lucky to have brought the vehicle in. We were told that our vehicle should have never left the lot the day we purchased it brand new. We were told that our vehicle's backseats had detached and separated away from the frame of the vehicle. Our vehicle has been at the dealership since the day of the incident (e.g., on or about November 13, 2024). Our vehicle is still under factory warranty and powertrain warranty and Hyundai was not given us an end in sight or advised the public of the issue with their vehicles. WE were told that the vehicles needs repairs such as: 1. The vehicle needs the fuel tank assy and all of the parts for the tank, check valve, and campaign sticker: Please see TSB: 24-01-02OH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651228March 28, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
Service Campaign 9B1 That my gas tank has explanded/exploded due to the issue noted in the subject line. As you can see the whole bottom of the backseats have been raised up imcluding the part that connects to the gas tank itself. My car is immobilized and not drivable during this time. What is the next step to take?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649335March 19, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel system expanded back seat
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647733March 11, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle made a booming sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then started to hear the sound outside the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was losing gasoline very quickly. The vehicle started to stall, and the gas tank was almost empty when the contact arrived home. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with floor damage, and the floor damage showed deformation on the rear passenger’s seat, and the fuel cover had popped off due to the deformation, which caused the noise in the cabin. The vehicle was towed to another dealer where the vehicle was repaired, with a new fuel pump cover, and the rear seats were replaced. On another occasion, the fuel pump failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,524.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647105March 8, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
I took my car in for a standard oil change and tune up. They found out that the fuel tank had expanded to the point where it caused significant damage to the metal frame. The Hyundai dealership sent it to the local body shop for an estimate for the frame, they sent it back because the dealership hadn't removed the gas tank, then the dealership sent it back to the body shop. It's been 3+ weeks, my car is still in the shop, and I haven't received any indication of whether my car is able to be fixed. The dashboard never displayed any warning messages and there were no symptoms of the problem. I had no idea the gas tank had expanded and could've caused an explosion or fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636870January 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE (82931 miles at the time) has experienced repeated issues with the front passenger window. The window would get stuck while attempting to operate it, accompanied by a loud, crushing noise. Upon visiting the dealership, I was informed that the issue stemmed from the window regulator, which had failed internally and required replacement. Additionally, my girlfriend, who owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL with approximately 31,000 miles, is now facing the exact same problem with her vehicle’s front passenger window. After conducting research on online forums, I discovered that several other 2020 Hyundai Sonata owners are reporting similar issues with their window regulators. This suggests that the problem may not be isolated to just one or two vehicles but could point to a potential widespread defect. Although this issue primarily affects the operation of the window, it could lead to safety risks if the window gets stuck in an open position, exposing occupants to potential theft, weather elements, or other hazards. I am requesting the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine if the window regulator failure in 2020 Hyundai Sonata models is a systemic defect that warrants further action, such as a recall or manufacturer response. I am happy to provide additional information or documentation, such as repair invoices, dealership statements, or records of the issue. Thank you for addressing this concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634109January 4, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Been having an issue with a check engine light and a popping noise in the from the front of the vehicle for about two years. Took it to the dealership more than 3 times over that span and every time they discovered it was caused by something different..during the July of 2024 while driving on the interstate a loud pop noise was made from the back and my children complain about the seat lifting…shortly after I went to get gas and a full tank was more gallons than usual 14 increased to 17g…. I once again took it to the dealer for the issue of the gas tank expansion and pop but found nothing. No more than a week later my car would hesitate to accelerate and progressively got worse. On 12/27/24 I took it to the dealer and they discovered my gas tank was expanded and was unsafe to drive leaving me without a vehicle.as of 1/04/2025 I still have no solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630824December 15, 2024
SEATS
Heated seat burned through causing smell and potential burn of driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630647December 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Passenger window fell down and will not go up, It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk is that the window is being help up by tape and if it falls all of a sudden while driving could break the glass and spread inside as well as cause object to fly out of the vehicle. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer or anyone No warning lamps or messages. I put my window down and then it never went back up and motor was just running and probably made it worse
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630242December 11, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I took my vehicle in for an oil change and was advised that my car failed a recall. The PCV valve failed. After the dealership, explain this problem to me I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. Imagine being told that the fuel tank can expand and pop up the backseat of your vehicle at any given moment or even cause the car to blow up and no warning lights coming on to alert you that this part had a defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629778December 9, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
while driving my car on 3 different days the car slowed down, and the lights came EPB on, on the dashboard the EPB light came on the check engine light came on , forward collision light, auto hold light, slippery road light , and caution light with a ! mark.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627780November 27, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Fuel Tank expanded, was leaking gas from the gas tank opening. The expansion of the tank caused the metal plates/panel under the back seat to popup, where my child sits. Which caused a gap in the door. ir seepage from the back seat passenger door to where the fuel was leaking out the gas tank and also the fuel gauge on the dash was fluctuating. People on the highway was flagging me to let me know fuel was leaking. The fire department had to come and clear it. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My child and I could have been seriously injured or killed. As well as people on the highway. It could have exploded. You can smell the gas in the car. The gas was coming out the gas tank on the side. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was confirmed by Hyundai of North Charleston 8485 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston SC, 29406 and it was also checked by the insurance adjustor. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It was inspected by the Insurance representatives State Farm Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No I took it into the dealer and they said it was fixed and it did not fix the gas coming out the tank. And the same issue happened again on [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626798November 22, 2024
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I believe the transmission malfunctioned as I reached 60 MPH / 4000 RPMs on the highway when it suddenly did not want to accelerate past that. The more I stepped on the gas pedal, the more it slowed down. I attempted to use the paddle shifters to shift up or down, but I was unable to shift up and shifting down did not allow me to accelerate past 4000 RPMs. The flow of traffic was faster than I could keep up with, and not being able to accelerate made it unsafe to be on the highway. I had to pull over, and get off of the highway. I found that others have reported this same issue online with the same make/model/trim, but I have not had time to take it in to be looked at. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure. I only noticed when I got on the highway and needed to reach speeds greater than 60 MPH. Turning the car off, waiting a bit, then starting it again seems to have resolved the issue, but I am still uneasy with this having happened so suddenly. I fear the issue may return in the future based on what I have read online. The car is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Hyundai Sonata