Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 12% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2023 | 30 | 34% | 11,000 miles |
| 2022 | 25 | 27% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 35 | 26% | 47,000 miles |
| 2020 | 32 | 18% | 47,000 miles |
| 2019 | 94 | 58% | 89,000 miles |
| 2018 | 224 | 60% | 24,000 miles |
| 2017 | 400 | 52% | 76,000 miles |
| 2016 | 461 | 63% | 80,000 miles |
| 2015 | 648 | 56% | 66,000 miles |
| 2014 | 322 | 43% | 86,000 miles |
| 2013 | 775 | 40% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 577 | 37% | 92,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1,012 | 30% | 96,000 miles |
| 2010 | 29 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 62 | 13% | 99,000 miles |
| 2008 | 49 | 12% | 113,000 miles |
| 2007 | 49 | 7% | 109,000 miles |
| 2006 | 73 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 7% | 51,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 9% | 46,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 7% | 61,000 miles |
| 2001 | 24 | 12% | 62,000 miles |
| 2000 | 31 | 11% | 74,000 miles |
| 1999 | 28 | 16% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 14% | 57,000 miles |
| 1996 | 6 | 26% | — |
| 1995 | 9 | 14% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased this vehicle brand new off of the lot February 2024. Since then, I have had two incidents where in the middle of driving my vehicle has completely shut off. The first experience, I was driving 50+ mph. First my headlights went out, my engine shut off, my dashboard shut off, and I was cruising without power or control over my vehicle for about 5 seconds before everything turned back on. I took my car to the dealership where they "could not confirm concern" after driving around for 15 miles trying to recreate the issue. They stated no codes or issues were shown on their end and returned the car to me. 6 months later during late October, my car did the same thing. I was driving 40+ mph and my car shut off in the middle of me driving. I contacted my dealership to inform them it happened again. They told me they did not have any available appointments to bring my car in. …
After a dealer-installed software update on my 2024 Hyundai Sonata sel awd, the car began jerking during acceleration and shifting. This happens at low and moderate speeds and creates an unsafe hesitation, especially in traffic. This issue did not exist before the update. I believe the software update affected the transmission or engine control calibration. The dealership has not resolved the issue, and it poses a safety concern. Please investigate whether this is linked to a faulty update affecting other Sonata vehicles.
Recall 286 my vehicle suffered from this causing heat module failure misfire in cylinder 2 and high pressure in gas tank. Sports Hyundai had previously done a 180 day repair under recall 9b1 for an expanded gas tank after the repair the car suffered from the updated recall 286 . I brang to the dealership 4 times with check engine and misfires and limp mode between 57k and 68k they refused to fix the car under recall 286 and cleared all the codes and continued to make me leave in a unsafe car. On February 14th it sport Hyundais negligence was the direct cause of an auto accident were the car was unable to move out the way because of lack of power /limp mode. I begged them in the final days of me having the car to fix it and saying I didn't feel safe and they wouldn't without an extensive amount of money I could not provide . …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Overheated" displayed. The contact checked the Hyundai app, but it showed no failure. The contact's wife drove to their son's residence, who inspected and discovered that there was no coolant in the engine. The contact's son added coolant to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the coolant valve, exhaust muffler assembly center, clamp assembly exhaust pipe, two gasket exhaust pipes, and added coolant. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 23-EM-009H (EHRS Coolant Leak Repair); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 18,500.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH down her driveway, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact stated that the vehicle began to shut down. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated with DTC P020200 flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where the dealer reset the computer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle shut down and was towed back to the same dealer. The contact was informed that the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and was returned to the contact. The failure recurred; however, the contact had not returned the vehicle to the dealer yet. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the contact would receive a callback. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I purchased this vehicle brand new. It is still under factory warranty. It has approximately 14k miles on it. I have followed all recommended maintenance procedures. During a routine maintenance appointment at the dealership (Vancouver Hyundai 6802 NE 40th Street, Vancouver WA 98661) they identified a catastrophic engine failure due to internal component deterioration and the engine needs to be replaced. They have had my vehicle in their possession since [redacted] of this year for a total of 134 days. I have a case number at Hyundai # [redacted]. They have not been helpful in providing any information and as of now, I do not know when they even expect to receive a new engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact noticed that the passenger's side rear seat level had become elevated. The contact stated that his daughter who was seated in the child seat head had started touching the top of the sunroof. The contact became aware of a gasoline odor coming from the engine. The contact also became aware that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of gasoline. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the diagnostic test result was undisclosed. The dealer was unsure of how to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was not included.
Related recalls (3)
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement…
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-004 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Hyundai?s Theta II GDI engine recalls (Recall Nos. 15V-568 and 17V-226), and Hyundai?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Hyundai to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-004.
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (1,012), 2013 (775), 2015 (648), 2012 (577) and 2016 (461) model years. Engine complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Sonata engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 18V-934 (engine, Dec 28, 2018); 17V-226 (engine, Mar 31, 2017); 15V-568 (engine, Sep 10, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Sonata engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (60 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (41).
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.