Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11700869November 21, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I went into dealer was told there was a car recall for radio update which I later was not provided any documentation for on another visit I noticed a speedometer update was performed to vehicle since the speedometer does not match the actual speed of the vehicle as the other complaint in December 2024 by another same model vehicle owner
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700487November 20, 2025
ENGINE
This car burned oil like crazy from the start. We kept the oil changed regularly, had to change spark plugs weekly and add a quart or more of oil each week in between oil changes. One day whole stopped at a red light the engine started knocking for no reason. Once diagnosed it turned out that it had spun a rod bearing. These engines need to be recalled before someone ends up in a fatal accident. This car was driven daily on a major interstate thankfully the issue happened at a red light, but has left me with a car note and a non drivable car. What’s it gonna take to get these engines recalled and replaced?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700547November 20, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after receiving oil changes on four occasions, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice, and the contact was informed that the oil pressure sensor was leaking at the connector, and the oil pressure sender or the switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer after being driven for 1,000 miles, and the oil usage was documented. The contact stated that in 7 days, the engine had consumed one quart of engine oil in 167 miles driven. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a combustion cleaning was performed; however, 4,000 miles later, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,379.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700604November 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually started and drove normally. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700618November 20, 2025
ENGINE
Component/System Failed - Engine – connecting rod bearing wear resulting in complete engine seizure. - Engine is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk - Engine seizure occurred while my mechanic was driving, causing a complete loss of motive power.Created immediate risk of crash due to inability to accelerate or control vehicle. Hazard to driver, passengers, and others on the road. Reproduction/Confirmation Failure matches known defect described in Recall 17V226000: premature bearing wear leading to engine seizure. Maintenance records confirm proper service; dealership denied repair citing “owner negligence,” which is inconsistent with the recall symptoms. Inspection Engine has not been repaired or replaced by manufacturer. Vehicle was inspected by dealership service tech who determined failure was caused by negligence (text denial received). Spoke with customer service and they confirmed denial. Full maintenance records available for inspection. Hyundai requested service records - we were not able to find all service records, as some have closed, and some have files for 400 days only (jiffy lube). Warning Lamps / Symptoms No warning lamps illuminated prior to failure. Engine knocking and oil pressure loss were observed immediately before seizure. Failure was sudden and catastrophic. Additional Information / Assessment Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata, VIN [XXX] . Recall 17V226000 identifies bearing wear that may result in engine seizure. Failure is consistent with the recall defect, regardless of warranty expiration. Manufacturer has refused to perform required recall inspection or repair, citing improper negligence. 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
#11700679November 20, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car has been running great. We ave had the car almost 3 months. My wife drove the car to church. On the way home the car engine started acting up. She pulled over and called me. I went to where she was about 1 mile from home . My son and I got the car started it would not hardly run we got it home. It was running roughly and smelled like gas making white smoke. A rollback truck picked it up the next day. Took it to the closest dealer in cape Girardeau mo. It has been in the shop3 weeks found out today it will be over another week before Hyundai gets in touch with the dealer about the problem. (Injectors)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700476November 20, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am reporting a serious coolant system defect on my 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with about 13,500 miles. The vehicle develops an internal coolant leak while driving. Coolant burns off and white steam/smoke comes out of the exhaust, especially during acceleration. When this happens, the coolant level drops quickly, the interior heater stops working, and the car soon displays an engine overheating warning, forcing me to stop driving. This has happened multiple times and makes the vehicle unsafe. When I checked under the hood, coolant was at a low/empty level after overheating events. The car becomes undriveable once the alarm appears. I took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealer, and even though the vehicle is only 2 years old, they told me it was “out of warranty.” I had to pay about $1,500 for repairs, and since the dealer refused a loaner, I paid $250 for a rental car. I called Hyundai USA on 9/13/2025 and opened Case Number XXX. Hyundai acknowledged they are aware of coolant issues on the Sonata Hybrid but said no recall exists. This issue appears widespread. Many other owners report the same symptoms: white exhaust steam, coolant smell, coolant loss, no interior heat, and engine overheating. Hyundai released TSB 23-EM-009H, describing a failure where coolant leaks internally in the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS), causing white smoke and overheating—matching my symptoms exactly. This defect is a safety hazard because overheating can occur suddenly while driving, risking engine damage or breakdown in traffic. I request NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential recall-level defect on the 2023 Sonata Hybrid. 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
#11700453November 19, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES
Tire blew out at low speed near residential area on the tire sidewall in a square shape approximately 3inches wide and 3inches long on each side. The blown out square area is still attached from the outer tire area like an open flap. The sidewall failed four inches in from the outer edge and ripped open. These was an Arizonian Silver Edition, all-season tire with the markings of M+5 205 / 65R16 95H and DOT U93P XYT 2022
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700240November 19, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The vehicle experiences a recurring defect where the brake light turns on suddenly and the engine shuts off while driving. The failure appears related to the braking system (brake switch circuit), electrical system (CAN-bus/ECU communication), and engine control (shutdown/stall). The system remains installed and is available for inspection upon request. The shutdown poses a serious safety risk, including possible rear-end collision or loss of power in traffic. The problem has occurred multiple times. The dealership inspected the vehicle briefly but failed to diagnose or document the defect and returned the vehicle within hours, stating “it shouldn’t be a problem,” even though the issue continues. Hyundai has refused to provide recall documentation or authorize a re-inspection. The only warnings prior to shutoff are the sudden activation of the brake warning light just before the engine cuts off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700333November 19, 2025
ENGINE
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) had its engine replaced under recall campaign 20V746000 in March / April 2024 at Hyundai of Round Rock, TX. In October 2025, less than 18 months later and at 97,000 miles, the replacement engine failed again. Hyundai has refused further repair, citing an expired recall warranty. This raises serious safety and reliability concerns, as a recall engine should not fail this soon. Engine failure while driving could result in a stall or crash risk. Please investigate whether Hyundai’s recall replacement engines are defective and if extended coverage is warranted for affected consumers. 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
#11700126November 18, 2025
ENGINE
The engine in my Hyundai Sonata (replacement engine VIN [XXX] ) experienced a complete internal failure. The component that failed is the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, which is known for issues related to metal debris, oil restriction, rod bearing wear, and resulting piston and compression failure. The failed engine is currently at the dealership (Carolina Hyundai) and is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk because the engine lost power unexpectedly, ran extremely rough, and became inoperable. A sudden loss of power while driving could have caused a crash, especially in traffic situations. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership. They performed a compression test and found all cylinders at extremely low PSI (35–45 psi). The dealer stated the engine cannot perform the required bearing clearance test due to the level of internal damage. Hyundai Corporate initially declined assistance, calling it a piston failure, but the symptoms and damage are consistent with the known Theta II recall issues. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, and all diagnostic information has been submitted to Hyundai under PA Reference #XXX. Hyundai Corporate has not yet responded to me with a case manager. Before the engine failure, the vehicle had rough running and loss of power, but no warning lights or messages illuminated on the dashboard. Symptoms appeared shortly before the engine became undriveable. Based on the dealer’s findings and the engine’s known defect history, it is my assessment that the failure is related to the same issues described in Hyundai’s Theta II engine recall (Campaign 132). 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
#11700199November 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At about 30mph the sunroof suddenly flew of of my car and almost hit the car behind me thst had to avoid the flying part, for a good luck it didn’t cause a major accident because I was about get in a busy highway and this hazard could’ve caused a major ctash envolvimg multiple cars, the vehicle behind me has a dashcam that recorded the event. For God nobody got injured.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700120November 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid 12v battery has started to die randomly. My car is currently with the Hyundai dealer to confirm if this will be a warranty claim. Searching online, I have found other posts of people complaining about a similar issue with their 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700089November 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Car stalls and shuts down while shifting to park or reverse and when slowing to turn or stopping. Also the media screen will black out and not work at times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699823November 17, 2025
ENGINE
Engine issue - but no recalls there have been hundreds of this same car yr and model with engine issues out of the blue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699824November 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle experienced an engine and power train failure while driving on the highway, resulting in sudden loss of power. The electrical system also failed after the dealer visit, causing the battery to die every morning. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My car suddenly lost power on the highway and would not accelerate, forcing me to pull over on the shoulder with traffic moving around me. This created a serious risk of a rear-end collision or crash. Additionally, after the dealer visit, the electrical system began failing and the vehicle has been completely dead every morning, leaving me stranded with a child and unable to reliably start the car. The problem has not been reproduced because the check engine code cleared itself after the incident; however, the symptoms absolutely remain. The dealer refused to diagnose the loss-of-power event because the code was cleared, and they returned the vehicle to me with a dead battery. The electrical issue (car dying every morning) has been happening consistently since the dealer visit. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership immediately after the incident, but they refused to diagnose the loss of power due to the code being cleared. A mobile mechanic scanned the code at my home before the tow, but the code disappeared afterward. The electrical failure began after the dealer visit and has not been properly inspected by Hyundai. Yes. While driving on the highway, the check engine light came on and the car immediately lost power and would not accelerate. After the dealer visit, the car has been completely dead every morning and requires a jump to start. These symptoms began on the same day as the highway incident and continued after Hyundai serviced the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699964November 17, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
External Handles made of plastic continue to break and do not allow access to open car doors
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699648November 16, 2025
SEATS
The driver seat motor malfunctioned when pennies got jammed iin the unprotected/exposed seat tracks. Hyundai would not cover the warranty and charged me $2000.00 for repair. After complaining to the Hyundai National customer service they would not consider my point of contention that the unproteted/exposed tracks contributed to the failure. A professional mechanic stated that a fuse should have failed before the motor malfunctioned.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699615November 15, 2025
ENGINE
While driving home from work after 7 PM on the 215 NB freeway, the oil warning light suddenly illuminated, and the vehicle immediately lost engine power. Within seconds, the engine shut off completely, leaving me unable to accelerate or safely maneuver. I was forced to coast across lanes with no power, creating a significant risk of collision and nearly resulting in a rear-end accident. After the incident, I performed a crankshaft rotation test, which the engine failed, confirming that the crankshaft would not turn. I also verified that the timing chain remained intact. The vehicle has since been inspected by Hyundai technicians, who confirmed the engine failure under Service Campaign 953. Hyundai further communicated via email that my vehicle is eligible under the TXXI Theta Engine Settlement Agreement and expressed a willingness to discuss my recent engine concerns and the details of the settlement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699389November 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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