Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11676441July 27, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
After initial startup and drive for a short time, I come to a stop. Then after vehicle doesn’t want to accelerate as it normally would. Vehicle struggles to gain speed but, the engine revs excessively. I pull off the road and come to a stop and try to accelerate again and the same thing happens. I shut the vehicle off and wait a few minutes,then restart and the vehicle accelerates normally again. There were no check engine lights the when this has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676387July 26, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were sitting in our car at a Hardees drive through when we noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I pulled forward to a parking space and opened the hood. Flames shot up at least 6 feet. I quickly ran a short distance into the fast food place and right near the door was a fire extinguisher, which i grabbed and put the fire out with. The fire burned for about a total of 2-3 minutes, and did not do excessive damage. Coil packs and wiring harness got most of the damage. With the hood closed, you cannot even tell there was a fire. I had the car towed to Grayson Hyundai for the recall part, but then entered a claim to Hyundai. Long story short, they stalled me for over a month and then denied the claim. Citing no damage to the cam. Unlike most of the fires with this carline, my car fire was put out very quickly. The recalled fuel line/tube was not damaged much at all. You could inspect the part and see the wear on it and tell it was the culprit. It didn't take a trained mechanic to see this. After i put the fire out and it cooled, i tried starting it, and there was fuel squirting out from the recalled part. There is absolutely no doubt that the recalled part was the cause of the fire. But Hyundai has given me a denial letter that does not state the reason for denial. The Hyundai rep on the phone told me it had to do with no damage to the cam. I then asked, Thats because i got the fire out so fast right? and he said no, didn't have anything to do with it. But he lied. First of all, the cam has nothing to do with the cause of the fire. a damaged cam only happens when the fire was long lasting and severe. They should have inspected the obvious recalled part right in front of them. This denial is completely unprofessional and hints of a concerted effort to categorically deny claims. They don't usually have this much evidence, they did this time and still blew it. had i let it burn to the ground,=approved
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676244July 25, 2025
AIR BAGS
WARNING LIGHT ON DASH JUST WENT ON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675950July 24, 2025
ENGINE
While driving on the highway, experienced loss of power and flashing check engine light, subsequently causing engine knock and engine failure. This situation could have caused an accident and put myself and others at risk. It is understood the manufacturer has recalled more than one million vehicles due to engine failure and is working with NHTSA to address the issue. In communication with the manufacturer to inspect the damage and resolve the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676058July 24, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
The electrical in the entire car is malfunctioning. Sometimes the brake lights don’t work due to wiring, other times the seats control don’t work and the cables to battery is not connected/firing correctly. Has an entire electrical issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675747July 23, 2025
ENGINE
My Hyundai vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure due to a known defect in Hyundai’s Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. This engine issue is part of a widely documented safety concern that causes rod bearing wear, leading to stalling or catastrophic failure while driving. Despite the dealership confirming it’s consistent with the known defect, Hyundai denied assistance solely because my title is branded, even though the engine failure is unrelated to any crash or damage. Hyundai has replaced engines for others with branded titles, proving the inconsistency in their handling of a serious safety problem. This defect poses a risk of stalling in traffic, engine fires, and potential accidents. The vehicle shut down completely, and I believe this violates federal safety standards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675551July 23, 2025
ENGINE
Engine started making a noise and then the car died and would not start. We were on the highway service road when the car died in the middle of the road. We took the car to the dealership and they confirmed the vehicle engine has seized up. This is covered under warranty. The manufacturer denied the claim because of a sensor recall in August 9, 2018. We purchased this car used on July 11, 2018 and never received the recall notification for this sensor. The manufacturer is refusing to repair the engine that is under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675629July 23, 2025
ENGINE
Using 5 quarts of oil in 3 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675238July 22, 2025
ENGINE
Rod bearing failed at highway speeds, loss of power and flashing check engine light only after engine failure. This could have caused an accident putting myself and others at risk of bodily damage had I not been able to pull off of the freeway. Engine knock/rattle, eventually leading to catastrophic engine failure. This has been confirmed by a third party trusted and certified technician at an independent shop. Currently in the process of having the damage inspected by the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675334July 22, 2025
ENGINE
Driving and engine began to tick, for a couple minutes, then died. Would not restart.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675456July 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 09V124000 NHTSA Action Number: EA08016 Recall calls for repair or replacement of front sub-frame, due to corrosion. Local dealer responded, “ . . . we will not be able to perform recall”. I was told the corrosion was too far gone to repair. They refuse to replace the defective part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675040July 21, 2025
ENGINE
The vehicle is burning oil, so I had a Hyundai dealer (Brandfon Hyundai New haven, CT) start an oil consumption test. At 1,000 miles the vehicle has no oil. Therefore, the engine can seize and shutdown without warning, which could cause serious injury or accident. Hyundai declined an engine cleaning, which the dealership indicated doesn't work anyway. The next step is engine replacement. However, the dealership won't return my calls. This is a common engine problem with older Hyundai's.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674849July 20, 2025
AIR BAGS
The airbag light has been on for years. Also, the controllers on the steering wheel stopped working, first left side, 6 months later followed by right side. I’ve been told it’s due to a faulty ring inside or under the steering wheel. Worried to drive with faulty airbag.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674772July 19, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased 2019 after 44,000 miles engine was replaced metal in engine and inverter coolant issue July 2025 117,000 my inverter coolant light came in and off several times then car through all warning lights hev check engine warning shut it down went into limp mode Towed to dealership they checked and cleared codes said it threw 13 codes but after clearing they stated nothing wrong with it As they went to pull car around it happened again this time code was knock sensor which they relaxed at no charge extended warranty They next day after picking up while at idle hev warning went in shut car off and it was gone kept driving nonissues The next day again it happened and this time the engine light stayed on Spoke with dealership they said they would charge me diagnosis charge of 208 and if it was related to what they did. It would be covered also stated if the engine light was flashing it would be covered or it isn’t the engine isn’t covered The inverter coolant is not bubbling or moving when car is on it is an inverter coolant issue that was a problem back when my first engine was repaired and should be covered I love my vehicle but I have had so many issues since getting it major things and the lighting system showing a black spot in my view as well that could not be fixed I will attach pictures of earning lights and video of coolant not circulating and the dealership filled the coolant way over the top I have to now take it back again to have it looked at
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674625July 18, 2025
AIR BAGS
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system warning light on my 2014 Hyundai Sonata GLS has turned on. I suspect it may be related to a faulty clock spring or another issue within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If the airbag system is not functioning properly, the airbags may not deploy in the event of a collision, putting my life and the safety of passengers at serious risk. This is particularly concerning as this vehicle is used for daily commuting and family travel. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have not yet had it diagnosed by a dealer or repair shop, but I plan to schedule a diagnostic check soon. The airbag light remains consistently on during vehicle operation, indicating a persistent fault. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or any third-party representative. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, the airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard without any prior physical impact or incident. It first appeared approximately [two days ago], and it has remained on continuously since then. Additional Information: I am aware that certain Hyundai Sonatas have been subject to airbag-related recalls, including issues with the clock spring and airbag deployment failures. Given the similarity of symptoms, I would like to know whether my vehicle may be affected by one of these recalls, or if Hyundai will provide inspection and repair support based on this known issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674441July 18, 2025
ENGINE
The car was on a major highway, went to pass another car and the engine stopped working. While trying to get the car off the road there was almost an accident involving on coming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674506July 18, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The plastic fuel pump housing cracked at a spot outside of the fuel tank. When the pump was running, the crack caused the pump to spray fuel outside of the gas tank where the fuel puddled on top of the tank and dripped down over the sides of the tank. During a non-related repair, my mechanic noticed the bottom of the fuel tank was wet with fuel. I'm lucky the plastic fuel pump crack was found before the spilled gas cause my car to catch fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674228July 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1.Sunroof disengaged from car. yes 2. Glass falling from car. Glass could have landed inside car, killing or injuring driver. Glass could have landed on any car behind the sonata killing or injuring occupants in that car. 3. Unknown 4. No 5. No
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674015July 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Complaint ID: 11667442 Vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Sonata Mileage: 20,000 (approx.). Update Summary: This update concerns the persistent, severe Electronic Stability Control (ESC) steering malfunction previously reported. Current Status of Issue: The ESC steering defect remains unresolved. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership on July 15, 2025, for re-diagnosis. The technician reported being unable to find any fault, despite the clear, dangerous, and recurring symptoms of steering control loss and near-collisions. The vehicle is still unsafe to operate due to this unaddressed safety hazard. Manufacturer's Response: During this recent service visit, Hyundai continued to refuse to provide a loaner vehicle for the diagnostic and repair period. This refusal places the driver at extreme risk due to the necessity of driving a vehicle with a known, uncorrected safety defect that has already failed a previous recall repair (performed June 6, 2025, RO 41686321 ). Impact: The vehicle's safety is severely compromised. The persistent ESC defect, combined with the manufacturer's inability to diagnose/repair it and refusal to provide safe alternative transportation, necessitates immediate intervention.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673605July 15, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:BULBS
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillight bulbs failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the taillight bulbs overheated and burned out quickly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with taillight wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the taillight wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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