Hyundai Sonata Problems by Year

We compared every Hyundai Sonata model year from 1995–2025 using 16,041 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 62 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015 and 2017, which drew far more complaints than other Sonata years at the same age. The best years are 2025, 2019 and 2020.

31model years
16,041complaints
62recalls
2011, 2013worst years
2025, 2019best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25662349491702762053201992021651.0k6964254603453.4k1.6k1.9k7501.2k72776637416218113494884617
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Sonata. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202517−48%—BrakeGood
202446typical1ElectricalAverage
2023881.3×2Fuel SystemAverage
202294typical3Fuel SystemAverage
2021134−18%4EngineAverage
2020181−23%4Fuel SystemAverage
2019162−43%—EngineGood
20183741.3×1EngineAverage
20177662.9×3EngineAvoid
20167272.4×6EngineAvoid
20151,1533.6×9EngineAvoid
20147502.2×7EngineAvoid
20131,9165.4×9EngineAvoid
20121,5584.4×8EngineAvoid
20113,37810.7×14SteeringAvoid
2010345typical2BodyAverage
20094601.4×2BrakeAverage
20084251.3×3AirbagAverage
20076962.0×5AirbagCaution
20061,0473.0×9AirbagAvoid
2005165−73%1AirbagGood
2004202−71%1SuspensionGood
2003199−57%6AirbagGood
2002320−31%7BodyAverage
2001205−51%3BodyGood
2000276−32%4BodyAverage
1999170−67%4BodyGood
199849−85%1TransmissionGood
199749−85%2Fuel SystemGood
199623−92%1EngineGood
199566−81%2TransmissionGood

* Complaints compared with the median Sonata year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Hyundai Sonata problems

Latest Hyundai Sonata recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 25V-796 · Nov 17, 2025 · 85,043 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights

NHTSA recall 24V-583 · Aug 7, 2024 · 38,331 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. The software for the brake lights may cause the brake lights to flash and not illuminate properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective…

Remedy: Dealers will update the rear brake light software, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai will release the software update over-the-air (OTA). Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2024.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Pump

NHTSA recall 23V-526 · Jul 27, 2023 · 52,109 vehiclesPark outside

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 22V-746 · Oct 6, 2022 · 56,148 vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 22V-312 · May 6, 2022 · 215,171 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

All 62 Hyundai Sonata recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Hyundai Sonata should you avoid?

2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sonata years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Sonata?

2025 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sonata years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Hyundai Sonata problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (5,070), steering (2,365) and air bags (2,051). Engine complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Sonata had?

62 recalls across 1995–2025. The model year with the most is 2011. See all Hyundai Sonata recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.