Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11693951October 16, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP? After his death, I acquired this vehicle from my father who had stopped driving at night thinking he had developed a vision issue. The first time I drove it at night I discovered the low beams are defective, and that was the problem, not my dear old Dad’s vision. The light emitted does not extend far enough in front of the vehicle to light a large enough safe distance. There are also large black areas at the far edge of each light that float from side to side with the beam while making turns. This also causes the areas on one side or the other to loose lighting. While turning they are often facing the wrong direction making it virtually impossible to see the unlit areas. We live in the country down a 20 mile long two lane road with many turns and minimal lighting compared to city driving. We then turn onto a 3 mile very narrow road with numerous turn, minimal shoulders, and a double hairpin turn with a dip at the end. It required us to leave the high beams on at all times even when other vehicles are approaching because it would be too dangerous to only use the low beams. When I took it to the dealer they ignored the problem. I then insisted they examine them immediately—since that was my #1 PRIORITY when I dropped it off for inspection during a regular service. Their conclusion was that there was nothing they could do to fix it. THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE! THOSE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. My research has found that this has been an issue since the vehicle was first made and when purchased by my dear old Dad, his only way of dealing with it was to stop driving at night.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693516October 15, 2025
ENGINE
I bought my daughter this car a little over a year ago to drive to college. A few weeks after we bought the car we noticed the engine oil was low. We began checking it and had to continuously add more oil between oil changes. Now we are having to put 1-1 1/2 quarts of oil in her car every week. It also smokes when it's first crank and when accelerating. I am worried it will break down on her while driving to or from school, or in the middle of an intersection where she could be run over or hurt. We now owe more money than it is supposed to be worth, and we are stuck. When the oil gets low there are no warning lights or anything that comes on to let us know it's low. We have to keep a constant check on it. From what I am seeing online, this is a common problem with the engines in these cars. So many people are having their engines blow, and it also causes the catalytic converters to go out on these cars. We are not the 1st owners, and it is not u Der warranty, so hyundai won't do anything to help us. Even if they did, they are charging people around $1000 to clean the engine and then making people do oil consumption tests where they over fill the oil so that it doesn't run out in the time they make you drive it. This company is not standing behind there cars and they know these engines have problems! The car is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693622October 15, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Hybrid braking system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed with ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact had received an unknown recall notification; however, the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693637October 15, 2025
ENGINE
Car had oil in the electrode of spark plug. Total engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693683October 15, 2025
ENGINE
In December 2024, my 2018 Hyundai Sonata went into limp mode after the knock sensor was triggered. This happened when my son was driving home from school. I took it to my local mechanic and he said the car was low on oil. We put more oil in it and reset the sensor. In March, the knock sensor was triggered and it again went into limp mode while my son was driving back to school. We took it into a shop and it was again low on oil. Oil was added and then the sensor was reset. The sensor went off again later in March and our mechanic told us to take it to Hyundai and have it checked for the rod bearing issue common with this model and year of Hyundai. He cleared the error and when I contacted the dealer, they said they needed the warning lights on to do a diagnosis. The car was driven for 4 months and the knock sensor went off again. I took it to the dealer and they checked the bearing clearance and it passed the test. The oil was also low and the dealer recommended doing a combustion chamber clean. I spent $564 to get the combustion chamber cleaned. Less than three weeks later, the knock sensor went off again. I took it to the dealer and they measured the bearing clearances and they came back as "passed". I elevated the complaint to Hyundai and they responded that they will defer to the dealer technicians' recommendations and findings and did not offer to do anything to help. The dealer the drove the car to see if they could trigger the knock sensor which was unsuccessful. After expressing my disappointment and dissatisfaction, the dealer said there was nothing else they could do and the car was returned to me. I am concerned with the safety of this vehicle as entering Limp Mode on a highway represents a safety issue that Hyundai does not seem to be concerned about.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693692October 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Wiring harness under fuse box is not making a consistent connection and is causing the blower amp to overheat and disconnect. When this happen, cabin air doesn’t blow and the front and rear defrost stops working. The only way to make the blower engage is by removing the fuse box cover and tapping the 30 amp fuse things. I’ve taken my car to the dealership for this specific problem 5 separate times, and it was supposed to be corrected. Due to this poor connection, I am now about $1200 into repairs / replacing parts that aren’t the root cause. I am not taking my car back to the dealership for a 6th time to have it “fixed” but the service guy looked me in the face and said “you should trade it. We see this issue all the time in sonatas and elantras. It won’t be fixed”. I’ve replaced the blower motor, had the Freon charged, this is one of the vehicles with the exploding gas tank, and I’ve already paid to replace gaskets.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693710October 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
While driving around 20 mph my cars rpms will rev and my car will take off then my automatic breaks will kick on and today around [XXX] I was going under 25 mph and there was a car in-front of me and it really scared me as I went to hit the breaks my car already did. My car has done this twice now, both on residential roads. The first time I figured it could have been a me error but now I know this is something seriously wrong with my vehicle. I have had my car for years and I know my car and it never just takes off how it has been there’s always a delay when I go to accelerate. This is very concerning and I’m scared to drive my car now. 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
#11693389October 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was restarted. The check warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall repair was denied. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the waste gasket, timing belt, and battery needed to be replaced, and a coolant flush needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the local dealer that, due to the mileage and year of the vehicle; the recall repairs could not be redeemed. The contact stated that rental reimbursement was denied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693448October 14, 2025
ENGINE
CAR MAKING LOUD NOISE UNDER THE CAR HOOD LIKE SOMETHING FALLING APART UNDER THE HOOD, A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE , I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR ENGINE. HYUNDAI DID MY 90,000 MILE INSPECTION ON JULY 19, 2025, AT THE TIME THE WORK WAS DONE I ONLY HAD 87238.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693469October 14, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving (I4 highway) when my car suddenly stalled, causing engine failure and almost putting my life at risk, causing an accident. This car has a factory recall for engine damage. I took it to the dealer, and Hyundai refuses to accept the engine repair because the title is rebuilt. The car has no damage to its original engine and is ready to be replaced. They don’t want to assume responsibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693259October 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate to overtake another vehicle at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH instead. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, before restarting and continuing to drive. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the transfer case had failed and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693138October 13, 2025
ENGINE
My daughter was driving her 2011 Hyundai Sonata on the freeway at 65mph when the engine light came on and car simultaneously slowed to a stop on 8/21/25 creating significant danger to my daughter and other drivers on the road. There were no prior warnings or indications, and car just had an engine check performed in June 2025. Had it towed to Hyundai on 8/22/25 and Hyundai completed an engine check and it failed. Hyundai told us they'd cover it under the extended warranty if only we could provide complete maintenance records. We were unable to satisfy their record request threshold, as we are not the only owners of this 14-year-old vehicle, so they've requested $10,000 to replace the engine instead. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is part of the Theta II engine family that has been subject to multiple recalls, class-action lawsuits, and federal investigations due to catastrophic engine failures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692882October 12, 2025
ENGINE
I noticed my oil was pretty much empty at one point. I don't know how long it had been empty but I had been driving the car for a long time. But I usually do my oil changes every 5000 miles so the fact that the oil was empty is definitely not a good sign. I did an oil change and replaced the drain plug in case that was the issue. I checked for leaks and there weren't any. After probably a couple thousand miles, the oil was out again. I took it to a dealership and the guy at the service desk said "I shouldn't tell you this, but a lot of them have that problem. You should get rid of it before the engine fails." Hyundai knows that it's an issue but they refuse to fix it or do a recall. It consumes oil like crazy and there's even a Facebook group called Hyundai oil consumption recall with about 5000 people in it. If the oil in the engine drains to empty, the engine could seize up and put people in danger. No warning lights have come on when the oil has run out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692945October 12, 2025
ENGINE
Burning oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692952October 12, 2025
ENGINE
While driving my vehicle one day, the engine blew out. This was caused by a malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear. I could have easily been rear ended. Hyundai was aware of the issue, but it was never resolved for me at least. They stated this in a letter addressed to me. There no warning lamps .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692725October 11, 2025
AIR BAGS
The airbag indicator light for the driver came on after I got into the car. The light being on means the airbag protection system for the driver is off. This occurred at about 137,000 miles. I called my closest Hyundai dealership, Eckert Hyundai, within a month to report the problem and I was told by the dealership that there was no recall on the vehicle regarding the issue I was reporting. I have been driving a vehicle that will not protect me in any type of collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692733October 11, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The right-rear passenger door will not open from either the inside or outside of the car. This happened suddenly with no warning. It was instantaneous. I went to go pick my toddler from daycare and when we were returning to the car, the right-rear passenger door will not open after unlocking the car with my key fob. All the other doors (3) could be opened with the key fob or without the key fob from inside the car. I tried to open the right-rear paasenger door from the inside and it still will not open. Additionally, you can hear the locking system on the door moving when locking and unlocking the car with the key fob but the door simply won't open. This is a safety issue because it hinders my ability to quickly get to my toddler in case of an emergency.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692773October 11, 2025
ENGINE
MY 2017 Hyundai Sonata has excessive engine oil consumption. Despite multiple inspections and tests performed by Hyundai dealerships in 2023, as well as PCV replacement by a licensed independent mechanic, the vehicle continues to consume approximately 1 quart of oil every 60-100 miles. No warning lights appeared, but this persistent consumption created a safety risk ,as low oil levels can lead to engine damage or failure while driving, endangering myself and passengers, and others on the road. The issue has been confirmed through oil consumption tests at Hyundai dealerships, and it remains unresolved despite attempted repairs. The problem is verifiable and reproducible through oil level checks and documented service history.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692535October 10, 2025
ENGINE
At 70712 miles cylinder 4 suffered a catastrophic internal failure. The vehicle also had excessive oil consumption and the dealer just told us to keep adding oil as there was nothing they could do. The vehicle must have had a manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692555October 10, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The problem with my vehicle is a failure of internal engine components, specifically a known defect in the piston rings of the Hyundai Theta II engine. This failure causes excessive oil consumption, which is burned internally. The internal engine components have failed, leading to a widely documented defect in the Hyundai Theta II engine. The primary symptom, which began to get serious around 80,000 miles, is the constant need to add oil to the engine every two weeks. If I do not do this, the low oil warning light illuminates on the dashboard, serving as a continuous alert of the problem. This failure was officially confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership. About two weeks ago, they first documented that there were no external leaks on the vehicle. When I returned because the oil had been consumed again, they performed a new diagnostic, for which I paid over $300, that confirmed the engine is burning oil internally. The dealership, acting as the manufacturer's representative, is the only entity that has formally inspected the vehicle. The situation places my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. First, the oil consumption can lead to a sudden and catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a loss of power and control of the vehicle while in transit. More alarmingly, the guidance I received from Hyundai staff was to simply "wait for the engine to stop working or start making a lot of noise." As someone who depends on the car for a daily commute, following this dangerous recommendation is an unacceptable risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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