Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11749650July 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
My vehicle while driving, it is jerking and shaking. When I come to a stop, the cars rpms go up and down while the car is shaking. When I pressed the gas pedal to accelerate the car will not accelerate as normal and the car jerks as I’m driving it. The RPMs rev up and down without any pressure placed on the gas pedal. The check engine light came on.The miles per hour only allows me to put one digit. I wanted to clarify that the problem is occurring anywhere between 0 mph to 65 mph when these the car jerks and shakes and the RPMs go up and down without me pressure on the gas pedal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749278July 9, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, exhaust fumes were noticed inside the cabin, and the check engine light illuminated before the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749309July 9, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who performed an emission software upgrade. Later, while driving, the air conditioner blew hot air, the thermostat increased to high, and an engine overheating warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The thermostat was replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749402July 9, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The seat belt latches do not latch or will spontaneously unlatch. This has been a problem for about 4 years. I have checked for recalls and not seen any for my car. I will check with the dealer but have tried vacuuming the latches without effect. I have never experienced anything like this in any previous vehicle. The warning buzzer lets me know when the seatbelt unlatches, but I seriously doubt the belt would hold in case of an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749020July 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel line leak, car is parked, fire hazard, a mechanic has been there to inspect
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749029July 8, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L suffered an in-transit engine failure and entered emergency limp mode with an active P1326 rod bearing defect code, which is a recognized fire and safety hazard under NHTSA mandates. Service Campaign 953 was successfully completed on August 12, 2019, qualifying the vehicle for a lifetime settlement engine replacement. Walser Hyundai Brooklyn Park (RO #257457) has issued an administrative denial based solely on a prior-salvage title flag from a cosmetic theft recovery. The manufacturer is actively stalling a court-ordered federal safety recall remedy based on an administrative title brand, despite the engine compartment being structurally original and undamaged. Hyundai Corporate Case #42869828 is open but unresolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749065July 8, 2026
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the airbag warning light illuminated, and the horn failed to engage as intended. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump was not operating correctly and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the clock spring. The contact related the failure to a clock spring warranty extension TSB; however, the VIN was excluded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749190July 8, 2026
ENGINE
Driving my car, oil light comes on. I take to a local mechanic who said he sees this often, my engine is going to seize up and confirmed via VIN my car is affected by the Sonata Engine Recall campaign XXX. Vanessa At Hyundai said to take it to a dealership immediately for further inspection as it may not be safe to drive. Took to dealership on XXX. While at the dealership, service manager said on XXX “my car was perfect, didn’t know why it was even there and trying to find something wrong with it was like chasing unicorns.” I said please look again and on XXX the engine seized up as it was taken on a drive by said advisor. Via dealership, they took pictures of manifold, but Hyundai denied my replacing my engine per the recall. I called Hyundai to request an appeal and received a case number/case manager ( Madge case # XXX) on XXX. I then submitted maintenance records which showed at least one oil change at each requested interval and still denied on XXX. I continued to call both parties: dealership & case manager but got no reply. I received my case manager’s direct line at Hyundai on XXX via [XXX] who said no notes were on file and case manager would return call in 1-3 days and he has never returned my calls, nor has the service manager who said my car was in perfect driving condition. Today is July 8 and I am still waiting for a written letter or phone call explaining the reason for my denial. Napelton Hyundai is also charging me $215.00 for the engine inspection when my paperwork shows a NO CHARGE to you. 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
#11749200July 8, 2026
ENGINE
The engine on a 2022 Hyundai Sonata developed rod knock at approximately 99,460 miles. The vehicle had been serviced exclusively at an authorized Hyundai dealership for its entire life with 12 documented service visits. What failed: The engine lubrication system. Two prior events at the dealership are documented in the service records: (1) approximately 20,000 miles before the rod knock, a dealership technician damaged the oil filter cap during a service visit, causing an active engine oil leak while the vehicle was being driven. The dealership repaired this at no charge, indicating fault. (2) The dealership placed an oil change reminder sticker in the vehicle specifying an interval that their own service advisor later acknowledged was set incorrectly. The vehicle was brought in approximately 660 miles past that sticker date. Safety risk: Rod knock indicates internal engine bearing failure. The engine continued to be driven at the dealership's instruction ("keep driving, come back if you hear it again") with unresolved internal damage. The knocking sound has since returned, creating risk of sudden engine failure while in operation. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. The rod knock was confirmed by the dealership's technician on the date of the diagnostic visit. The diagnosis noted the engine was low on oil and recommended an oil change, but no repair was performed. Warning lamps/prior symptoms: The engine oil warning light illuminated during the prior oil filter cap leak incident. At the rod knock visit, the knocking sound was the presenting symptom. No oil pressure warning light was noted at that visit. Inspection status: Inspected by authorized Hyundai dealership. Warranty claim was denied by dealership and no response has been received from Hyundai Motor America after formal escalation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748832July 7, 2026
ENGINE
Engine misfiring and low compression
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748947July 7, 2026
ENGINE
Engine developed a loud rod-bearing knock at approx. 107,771 miles, consistent with the Theta II GDI connecting-rod bearing defect addressed by NHTSA Recall 17V-226 (Hyundai Recall 162). The vehicle was taken out of service and delivered to Webb Hyundai, Highland, IN, on 06/13/2026, where it remains. Hyundai's own campaign records confirm Recall 162 (GDI engine inspection/replacement) was completed on this VIN on 10/02/2017 and the KSDS engine-monitoring software (Service Campaign 953) was installed 08/09/2019 - yet the engine has now failed in exactly the manner the recall was meant to remedy, indicating the recall remedy was ineffective for this vehicle. Hyundai Motor America (case #42847594) has refused repair, citing a "branded title"; the only brand on the title is a "Not Actual Mileage" odometer disclosure, not a salvage or rebuilt brand. NHTSA guidance is that title branding is not a valid basis for denying a recall remedy. The defect poses a risk of sudden engine failure and stalling while driving. No crash, fire, or injury. Requesting NHTSA review of recall remedy effectiveness and of Hyundai's denial.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748511July 6, 2026
ENGINE
I purchased my vehical at Car Culture in Warren, Oh. The dealer said to only take it there for maintenance, so I did as required. Whenever the check engine light came on I would bring it there and they would say it was a sensor and they fixed it. And one day it started miss firing and the light came on again. When I took it to the dealership, they said it needed oil to bring it in every 2 weeks to top the oil off. And so I did that and finally the car was getting worse at 122,000 miles. When I took it there they said it needed a new motor!!!. They NEVER told me of a recall or a sensor replacement needing done by hyundai. Iam now stuck with a $13,000 loan on a car worth nothing without paying $5,000 on a "possible" fix for their negligence. I have a [XXX] old son, fiancee, morgage and a job im struggling to get to, because I was never notified of a possible recall on my year, make and model of car. Please help me. 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
#11748575July 6, 2026
ENGINE
Oil consumption
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748628July 6, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My engine seemed to be consuming oil way to much I had to do a oil change at 61,000 recommend by tire plus but at 58,000 is when I had to change my oil I also noticed there is a buring smell and its also been leaking oil at times I went to get it checked out by a mechanic at tireplus but they also they are seeing that the oil consumption was not normal and they recommend a possible recall for it because it hazardous for how fast its consuming and the leaks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748280July 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE: 2015 Hyundai Sonata, 2.4L Theta II GDI engine Mileage at time of incident: [ 93k Date update performed: June 2026 Dealer/location where update was performed: Fitzgerald Hyundai Gaithersburg, MD DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM: After my vehicle received the ECM software update issued under Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement, TSB 25-01-087H / 26-01-013H-1), the vehicle began exhibiting noticeable jerking/hesitation during acceleration that was not present before. For this vehicle this happens consistently after a cold start then does not happen again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747939July 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
My vehicle began experiencing excessive oil consumption several years before the engine failed. In approximately 2019, I reported the oil consumption to an authorized Hyundai dealership and expressed concern that my vehicle might have one of the known Theta II engine defects. I was told the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) campaign had been completed and that my vehicle was not one requiring engine replacement. The excessive oil consumption continued. On June 6, 2026, the engine developed severe metal knocking, misfires, and became unsafe to operate. I was concerned the engine could fail completely or lose power while driving, creating a safety hazard for myself and others. The vehicle had to be towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 7, 2026. Hyundai of Kennesaw inspected the vehicle and verbally advised that the engine failure was caused by connecting rod bearing failure. Although the dealership identified connecting rod bearing failure, Hyundai Motor America declined to replace the engine and instead advised that it would not proceed with repairs because of the settlement provisions related to the vehicle's age and mileage. As a result, the vehicle remains inoperable. I am submitting this report because I believe this engine failure presents a significant safety concern due to the potential for sudden engine failure or loss of power while driving. I am also concerned that I reported symptoms years before the failure, yet the engine ultimately failed from the same type of defect associated with many Hyundai Theta II engines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748085July 2, 2026
AIR BAGS
The air bag light suddenly illuminated when turning on my car. My car has around 60k miles. It was previously repaired a few times for a power steering faliure while driving making it hard to stear. I believe that this latest failure is due to a failure of the stearing wheel clock spring or another SRS module. failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747821July 1, 2026
ENGINE
Rod bearing issue due to particles in engine causing engine to not accelerate as normal and jerk when goes over 10 MPH can’t exceed 50 miles causing safety issues and knocking/clicking noise took it to Hyundai and was informed it is apart of the recall but wont replace engine my vehicle has ALL the same issues as the Hyundai recall but my VIN isn’t registered on the site for recall on carfax it shows a pattern of the previous owners being car in for maintenance and engine issues but engine never being replace under recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747461June 30, 2026
ENGINE
Around the end of May 2026, my vehicle stalled without warning while traveling at highway speed. The engine light and EPS warning light illuminated simultaneously. The engine cranks but will not start. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 15, 2026 where the engine failure was confirmed. My safety was directly at risk. The vehicle lost power on an active highway with no warning, creating a collision hazard for myself and other drivers. The failure has been confirmed by the dealership. Hyundai Motor America acknowledged the engine failure falls under the TXXI Settlement Agreement and offered a buyback or cash settlement. However, Hyundai has had physical possession of my vehicle since June 15, 2026 and has repeatedly failed to provide a written buyback offer despite multiple commitments to do so. Prior warning signs included the engine and EPS lights activating at the moment of failure. No prior warning lamps appeared before that day. The vehicle has 2 open safety recalls as of the date of purchase in November 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747509June 30, 2026
ENGINE
Driving home from work on [XXX] (not a safe location)when my car lost power and engine light began to flash. I pulled off to the side of road and called my dad. He came with a code reader and said there was a code P1326. He cleared the code and car drove normally again. 2 days later it began to run rough. I was told about the engine recall so I called Hyundai corporate and told them this same story. I was advised to take to dealership and have the “rod bearings inspected” and shouldn’t matter that my dad cleared the code. The dealership(Massey Hyundai MD) said it had a burnt valve and not part of warranty. But never checked rod bearings. When I called corporate. They said nothing they could do. 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

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