Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#11660045May 9, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
My car was recalled because of the paint chipping. I had it fixed however it is still chipping in more spots. I'd like it fixed considering I have paid over $27,000 and still owe $12,000 more. It would be nice to still have a decent car after I finally pay it off. I'd appreciate the help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660077May 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, POWER TRAIN
1. I purchased this vehicle in 2016 and I have had my rear brake lights repaired several times because the rear tail lights continue to go out, This happens regularly. There is no warning lights on the dash to indicate an issue. The only way i learned that my brake lights don't work properly is another motorist driving behind me and almost rear ending me. I have had the rear brake lights repaired by the dealership before. My brakes always smell like burning rubber after driving having me to believe that the lubricant for the brake pads aren't working. 2.The dashboard lights also periodically blinks out without warning. After a few moments it will illuminate again. 3. My seatbelts sometimes doesn't tighten up. I have to pull them several times for them to catch and return after the seatbelt isn't in use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659651May 8, 2025
ENGINE, SEAT BELTS
Multifunction box is in the steering column that controls your lights, signals, I put my turn signal on right or left at night and my lights go out,but they come back on.also I have zero warning lights on my dashboard for when something happens it let's you know,well I have none. Hyundai of California says it's not unsafe.it should be a recall because it's a thousand dollars for update..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659782May 8, 2025
ENGINE
Sometimes I see the engine ligth when I drive to long
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659832May 8, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have to put a quart of oil in every week. It burns oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659435May 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Panoramic sunroof came loose on highway and bent up 90 degrees making vehicle undrivable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659540May 7, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Hood latch won’t latch and hood opens while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659574May 7, 2025
SUSPENSION, STEERING
There is a recall for the rear lower control arms for the 2006 Hyundai sonata getting rusty and not performing. My car was taken in for an alignment and the mechanic said he isn’t able to make the toe match up to be in good driving standards. I tried reaching out to a Hyundai dealership and they checked the VIN and said they couldn’t do anything about it because my car isn’t in a certain part of the United States. If I don’t get this fixed soon the mechanic said my when could fall out of alignment and cause some serious damage to me or someone else.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659621May 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving my 2014 Hyundai Sonata on [XXX], the engine suddenly stalled without warning. I was in motion on a public road when the vehicle lost power, forcing me to safely pull over. There were no warning lights, check engine lights, or prior signs of engine trouble before the failure occurred. I had the vehicle towed to a certified Hyundai dealership (Norm Reeves Hyundai Superstore in Cerritos), where I was told the engine failed due to rod bearing failure caused by oil starvation. The dealership stated that the engine needed to be replaced. However, I have maintained the vehicle regularly, with consistent oil changes and maintenance, and I have documentation to prove this. Despite this, Hyundai has refused assistance and claims "exceptional maintenance neglect" without showing inspection photos or detailed evidence. This engine failure fits the exact pattern of a known engine defect already under recall for similar Hyundai models and engines, including issues with oil passages and rod bearings that lead to sudden engine failure. These vehicles have been involved in class-action lawsuits and recall campaigns for this reason. This sudden failure put my safety and that of others at risk, as the engine lost power in traffic without any prior warning. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this issue is part of the broader defect already under recall, and whether Hyundai is avoiding responsibility by misclassifying valid cases. 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
#11659350May 6, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658946May 5, 2025
ENGINE
My vehicles engine gave out on highway 95 . I towed it to the Hyundai dealership after a mechanic friend informed me of the recall with the Sonata Engines. Hyundai is refusing to assist with my engine failure under the recall or my lifetime warranty. They are stating that the recall is voided due to my dipstick size and that my lifetime warranty on the engine is voided due to another safety software recall not being updated before the engine recall; I was not informed by Hyundai of either recall. I am now without a vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659106May 5, 2025
ENGINE
The car stalled and came to a stop on the highway which was very dangerous. Took it to mechanic and they found the cylinder 3 and 4 misfire and suggested we take it to hyundai dealer for repair. Took it to hyundai dealer and they did a compression test and found only 40% compression in cylinder 4. All cylinders should be around 180%. Engine needs to be replaced and hyundai refuses to help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659122May 5, 2025
ENGINE
I've been in communication with Hyundai Henderson, Nevada and Hyundai Corporate as result of engine problems with my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Corporate instructed Hyundai Henderson to submit a "Goodwill Warranty Repair order. However Hyundai Henderson, who has already determined that the vehicle has total engine failure, is requiring that I complete the thousand mile oil consumption test. My car has already proven to be unable to drive a couple hundred miles before losing acceleration. This is a huge safety issue to ask a consumer to drive this vehicle or to put this vehicle on the road as it is. Please advise on how I may move forward with Hyundai Henderson and Hyundai Corporate. * I have my entire battery/oil/repair/tire history - will scan and submit if needed/ upon request - unable to attach here. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [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
#11658763May 4, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical needs to be reconnected a reprogrammed. Steering wheel horn doesn’t blow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658787May 4, 2025
ENGINE
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658788May 4, 2025
ENGINE
While driving on the highway, the engine of my 2014 Hyundai Sonata suddenly seized without any prior warning. There were no preceding symptoms such as warning lights, unusual noises, or performance issues that might have indicated an impending failure. At the time of the engine seizure, I also lost power steering and power brakes, which severely compromised my ability to control the vehicle and led to a dangerous situation in fast-moving traffic. I later discovered that vehicles equipped with the Theta II engine have experienced similar issues, suggesting a potential safety-related defect. I am reporting this incident as a serious safety concern and request that NHTSA investigate this matter further.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658811May 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring defect in its engine or transmission, causing sudden deceleration to ~10 mph without warning, often on major highways, with warning lights (check engine, ESC, traction control, etc.) flashing seconds before the car decelerates. This forces me to swerve off busy roads, endangering me, my passengers, and other drivers. Near-misses with traffic pose an extreme safety risk, causing significant emotional distress. The car, at a Hyundai dealer since April 21, 2025, is available for NHTSA inspection. The issue began in January 2021, five months after purchase, with all the warning lights appearing during incidents along with rapid deceleration. The Hyundai dealer confirmed the problem in seven repair attempts (January 2021, December 2021, January 2022, November 2024, February 2025, and twice in April 2025) but never properly diagnosed or fixed it, citing no consistent diagnostic codes. Only the dealer assessed it; no inspections by Hyundai’s manufacturer, police, or insurance occurred. In November 2024, the defect recurred immediately after pickup, despite false assurances it was fixed. In February 2025, the dealer kept the car over a month with minimal communication, yet it failed again. I picked up the car on April 4, 2025, but it broke down on April 6, less than 55 hours later. I returned it April 7 and picked it up April 17, and it failed again on April 21, 2025 with the vehicle remaining at the dealer since. The dealer and Hyundai offer no solution and this dangerous issue keeps recurring. Similar NHTSA complaints suggest a broader issue. Rapid recurrences—hours after April 4 and four days after April 17—prove the car is unsafe and assurances of repairs are untrustworthy. I no longer trust the Sonata or Hyundai’s repairs, as the defect persists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658413May 2, 2025
ENGINE
The car went into limp mode activated by the knock sensor. Audible knocking noises were emitted. Hyundai dealership replaced knock sensor. Car drove 63 miles before knocking noise repeated and car went into limp mode. Hyundai dealership requested new engine as problem is covered by extended warranty for known issue. It has been declined by corporate office. Car is at dealership and unsafe to operate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658460May 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, and the message "Warning - Do not Attempt to Restart" was displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure of the engine wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed as a failure with the engine wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had been back to the dealer several times. Recently, the contact was informed that the wiring harness was soy-based insulated, and rodents were causing damage to the wiring harness due to the smell. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658504May 2, 2025
ENGINE
My girlfriend was driving my car at 70mph on [XXX] when suddenly the engine stalled abruptly with no warning. She had to coast over to the shoulder and come to a stop. At this point the engine would NOT turn over. If it did it was very challenged to turn over as if the engine was seized-partially or fully. My car was towed to my mechanic who later confirmed that the battery and starter were indeed good and that the engine seemed partially seized and even possessed metal shavings. On top of this my car has been consuming half a quart of oil every 400 miles as I check the oil everytime I get gas. So with this information my car seems to be fit for the Hyundai class action settlement recall #132 for the 2011 Sonata GDI engine. So I towed my car to Coastal Hyundai of Melbourne, FL, a dealership where all my records and maintenance have been done and are up to date. My car has been at this dealership for TWO weeks and they won’t even confirm that they have looked at it. I am under the understanding that it is costing Hyundai a lot of money to replace this engines and that they purposely stall hoping to somehow save money. I commute 72 miles round trip to work and have been greatly inconvenienced as I am having to borrow cars from family and figure out how to get to work. Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance! 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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