Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11769361October 6, 2026
AIR BAGS
The driver airbag light came on along with the horn not working, steering wheel buttons not working, and cruise control not working. It has been verified as the time spring not working properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769408October 6, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was informed about the eligibility for the extended warranty under Campaign 953. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the extended warranty because the Campaign 953 was not completed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,436.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769300October 6, 2026
ENGINE
Recently got the engine rebuilt (2024) and then it broke down on me yesterday with the engine light flashing and a warning sign stating pull over don’t drive
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769008October 5, 2026
AIR BAGS
The passenger frontal airbag deployed on its own while the vehicle was being driven, with no collision or impact that the driver is aware of. The driver airbag did not deploy. The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, at about 11:14 PM, shortly after the driver refueled at a gas station and was heading toward the highway. The airbag tore open the dashboard panel and cracked the windshield from the inside where the bag struck the glass. The driver brought the vehicle back to the gas station and it was towed. It has not been driven since. Safety risk: The sudden deployment startled the driver and the cracked windshield reduced visibility while the vehicle was moving. Anyone in the passenger seat would have been struck at close range. Recall history: This vehicle received the Recall 174 / NHTSA 18V-137 airbag control unit remedy (ACU main wiring harness installation, part 91700-4R100-QQH) at a Hyundai dealer in September 2025, at about 305,800 miles. The deployment occurred about 13 months and 18,400 miles later, at 324,243 miles. Warning signs: No airbag warning light or other warning appeared before the deployment. The vehicle was serviced at a Hyundai dealer about one month earlier (oil change and multi-point inspection), and no airbag or restraint-system problem was reported. Inspection: The vehicle is at a Hyundai dealer and is available for inspection. We have asked that the airbag control unit, airbag module, and stored crash data be preserved. A case has been opened with Hyundai Motor America. As of this report, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an insurer, and no dealer has confirmed the cause. Cause: UNKNOWN. Our best assessment is an electrical fault in the airbag control unit or its wiring, which received recall work in 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769165October 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On May 28, 2026, the panoramic sunroof on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata became off track while I was driving. I could not get the sunroof back into its proper position because it was off track. I continued driving, and while I was traveling on the highway, the sunroof panel detached from the vehicle and flew down the highway. This created a serious safety hazard to me and other motorists. I was not the original owner and did not know the vehicle was subject to a recall. After the incident, I researched the vehicle and discovered Hyundai's Sonata Panoramic Sunroof Recall, Campaign 152. Hyundai's official website states that my vehicle is affected by the recall. Hyundai's recall description states that the wind deflector can interfere with the movable sunroof panel and, in some cases, cause the panel to detach from its mounting tabs. It specifically warns that if the panel detaches while the vehicle is in motion, it could become an obstacle to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash. This is what happened to me. After discovering the recall, I took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the recall repair. Hyundai's website states that the dealer will repair the wind deflector anchor plate at no charge. I'm asking NHTSA to determine the appropriate remedy when the recalled condition actually occured and resulted in the sunroof panel detaching while the vehicle was in motion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769166October 5, 2026
ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint is peeling off the car, when I went to the dealership they said this is a known problem for 2015-2018, but they can't fix it there is no recall. It is causing rust. The valve cover gasket leaks oil and caused spark plugs to blow twice. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The valve cover has caused my wife to be stuck on the side of the road early morning and my child to break down in another state. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer stated both of these are known issues for these years, 2015-2018. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? We took the car into the dealership for inspection. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There was no warnings for either item.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769189October 5, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving on the freeway about 100 miles outside of Boise, ID when the vehicle went into limp mode and a flashing check engine light came on. I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership in Boise where they ran a diagnostic check and it came back with a P1326 code, which is the issue related to the engine/ball bearings. They said it passed the bearing clearance test (BCT) so they updated the software and gave the car back. I picked it up a week later and while driving it from Boise to Salt Lake City (where I live), it went into limp mode again with a flashing check engine light. This happened about 100 miles north of Salt Lake City. I had it towed to a dealership in Murray. They indicated it passed the BCT again, but they replaced the knock sensor and did an oil change and gave the car back. I picked it up, and the next day, while on the freeway, the same thing happened again. I took it back to the dealership. They indicated the knock sensors they just installed the day before needed to be updated, so they updated the software for the knock sensors. I just picked it up, and within 45 seconds of being on the freeway, it went right back into limp mode with the flashing check engine light. This has happened 4 times now, on the freeway forcing me to immediately get over, and I have almost gotten into two separate accidents because of this. Hyundai says they will not replace the engine because it keeps passing the BCT. The vehicle is not safe to drive and it is likely causing irreparable damage to the other systems of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768862October 4, 2026
ENGINE
While driving on the freeway, the check engine light started flashing and the gas pedal became useless. This put the driver and the passenger of the car in massive danger as they could no longer accelerate on the freeway. Luckily, they were able to get off the freeway without causing an accident. Upon reading the code at an auto shop, they discovered that it was P1326 or a knock sensor issue. This malfunction caused the car to go into limp mode and put the passengers in serious danger. Several calls to the Hyundai Service Center were made yesterday (Saturday, October 3rd). However, not one was ever answered. They hope to be able to get the car to the dealership's service center as soon as possible, but the earliest appointment online is multiple weeks away. This same car was recently at the dealership service center for an internal engine oil consumption problem and thoroughly inspected. The car is up to date on all software and recalls. Even though a valve cover replacement fixed the oil consumption issue, the owners are now having even worse issues. This is the only car for a married couple who are both working and going to college full-time. This issue has been a severe complication to their scheduling, and they were put in harm's way on the freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768871October 4, 2026
ENGINE
My car's engine is burning oil. I have maintained service of oil changes and fluids, etc. since I purchased my car. It is not that old in my opinion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768694October 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The passenger compartment climate control blower motor circuit suffered a severe thermal overload. The terminal overheated, shorted out, and physically melted the primary engine wiring harness (Part #91400-L0051) inside the main fuse block connector housing while the vehicle was operating. This caused an immediate smoke/fire hazard in the cabin and a total loss of window defogging and climate control functionality. This structural breakdown is directly tied to the electrical failures documented in Hyundai TSB #WTY037 / 25-EE-002H.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768524October 2, 2026
SEATS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
The structural bracket/part under the driver's seat broke while operating, preventing me from safely reaching and depressing the brake and gas pedals. And also recall that I didn’t authorize with dealership caused my car to have issue with speed control
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768632October 2, 2026
ENGINE
am seeking assistance regarding a sudden and unexpected engine failure with my vehicle. The Sonata only had approximately 80,000 miles on it when the engine failed. Prior to this happening, I had never experienced any problems with the vehicle. There were no warning lights or other indications that there was an issue with the engine, and the vehicle had passed inspection. The engine failure happened completely out of the blue. I have also kept up with the vehicle’s maintenance, including regular oil changes. I recently replaced the battery and tires as well. Hyundai previously denied my claim, stating that the vehicle’s salvage title was the reason for the denial. However, I would like the circumstances of the engine failure and my maintenance history to be fully considered. The vehicle had relatively low mileage, was maintained, passed inspection, and showed no warning signs before the engine suddenly failed. I can provide maintenance records, receipts, inspection records, photographs, repair records, and any other documentation needed to support my claim.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768229October 1, 2026
ENGINE
"I am filing a complaint regarding severe vehicle jerking, engine surging, and rough transmission shifting immediately following the completion of Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (TSB 26-01-013H-1) on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle exhibits dangerous hesitation and lurching during cold starts. This behavior creates a traffic hazard when pulling out of driveways or into intersections during the first 3 minutes of operation. The manufacturer has acknowledged this cold-start defect in an internal 'Drivability Information' memo but has not provided a permanent remedy to repair the software logic."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767524September 28, 2026
ENGINE
Factual summary * Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata * VIN: [XXX] * Incident date: XXX * Failure: Sudden knocking noise, immediate check‑engine illumination, loss of power, and catastrophic engine failure; vehicle towed to Allen Turner Hyundai, 6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505. * Recall: My VIN appears on Hyundai’s engine recall list; the recall notice was issued before the vehicle received a rebranded title. 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
#11767539September 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line suffered a catastrophic, sudden total loss of drive power while operating at speed on a public roadway, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle lost forward propulsion and the gear selector flashed a blinking 'R' when reverse was attempted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, [XXX] Hyundai Southtowne, where their factory GDS tool pulled transmission code P283601 (Shift Fork 'B' Position Circuit). This matches the exact critical safety failure path targeted by Federal Safety Recall 236 (NHTSA Campaign 22V-746) for the 8-speed wet-DCT high-pressure electric oil pump circuit failure. The vehicle previously received the 2022 software patch, but the underlying physical hardware has now actively degraded. The dealership is attempting to deny the federal safety recall remedy based on the vehicle's high mileage. An active corporate consumer affairs investigation has been opened under Case #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
#11767119September 26, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
The passenger side curtain and front airbags popped with no crash or reason, yes Hyundai will be able to inspect upon pick up. My safety risk was fortunately at minimal during times of explosion because I had just parked the vehicle when curtain side air bags went off first then slowly reserving when the front passenger side air bags went off good thing I wasn’t on highway going highway speeds. The manufacturer said some one will reach out to me in 2 business days. No there were no warnings lights or anything
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766963September 25, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
am writing regarding 43099808 Number with Hyundai My 2019 Sonata hybird se in limp mode with an active flashing P1326 knock sensor code. The dealership is using an automated system denial to try and charge me $2,110 for an EGR valve and air filter.I am officially challenging this diagnostic path. Mathematically and mechanically, an EGR valve or MAF sensor cannot generate the structural rod-bearing acoustic frequency required to trip a manufacturer-specific P1326 engine protection code.Furthermore, the tracy Hyundai certified my vehicle's warranty compliance and replaced my knock sensors under the KSDS campaign only two weeks ago. The fact that the P1326 code flashed again 14 days later proves the new sensor is successfully detecting an internal structural engine failure. I am requesting an immediate manual override and a field review by the District Parts and Service Manager (DPSM) for a full engine replacement under the terms of the lifetime class-action warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766367September 23, 2026
STEERING
When turning the steering wheel, left or right, there was a distinct “clunking” noise, and you could feel it in the steering wheel. When the car was inspected by the Hyundai service department, I was informed that the problem was a part in the steering coupler.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766388September 23, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & IMMEDIATE HAZARD:My 2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL is currently exhibiting the most severe, catastrophic symptoms of the fuel tank expansion defect covered under NHTSA Campaign 25V796000. The fuel tank has expanded so drastically that it physically warped the structural interior of the cabin, violently popping the rear passenger seat completely out of its assembly while the vehicle was in motion. Furthermore, there is a constant, heavy, raw gasoline odor inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle is a documented, active fire, explosion, and vapor inhalation hazard. It is currently physically located at Sterling Hyundai in Lafayette, LA.DESCRIPTION OF MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE & REFUSAL TO REMEDY:Hyundai Motor America and Sterling Hyundai are in direct violation of their legal obligation to provide a safe, accessible remedy or interim safety accommodations under federal recall guidelines. An Executive Case Manager from Hyundai Corporate has officially refused to provide a direct-billed rental vehicle or a dealer loaner.Initially, a third-party rental vehicle was provided. However, that vehicle was compromised in an accident and wrecked through absolutely no fault of my own. Despite my lack of fault, Hyundai Corporate and the dealership are now explicitly using that accident to refuse any further direct-billed rental accommodations or dealer loaners.Instead, they are demanding that I pay out-of-pocket for a rental vehicle at a rate of $60/day for a repair process expected to take multiple weeks, knowing I do not possess the upfront financial means to cover these costs. By imposing this insurmountable financial barrier due to an accident I did not cause, Hyundai has effectively stranded me. Because I must maintain my livelihood and have no other means of transportation, Hyundai’s bad-faith refusal to direct-bill an accommodation is actively forcing me to retrieve and operate a verified, explosive fire hazard.REMEDY SOUGHT:I request that the NH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766459September 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving at highway speeds, the emergency brake system will apply and alert me. It’s happened twice now in the last 3 weeks. I’ve experienced a random loss of power while driving on the highway with no check engine light on the dashboard. Lastly, at lower speeds the car will randomly jerk while accelerating with no lights on the dashboard as well. I’ve gone to the dealership but they wanted to charge me a diagnostics fee to first look over the vehicle, which I don’t feel I should be on the hook for since the issue isn’t user caused.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Hyundai Sonata