Hyundai Sonata Headlight Problems

Owners have filed 1,017 complaints about lights problems with the Hyundai Sonata — 6% of all Sonata complaints. The worst model years are 2011 (249), 2013 (198) and 2012 (141). Problems typically start around 72,000 miles. 6 related recalls have been issued.

1,017complaints
2011worst year
72ktypical miles
6related recalls
13crashes
38fires

Headlight complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’251213212351745372014102491411981203838202218226
Headlight complaints per model year, Hyundai Sonata.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2024613%—
202322%—
202021%—
20191811%2,000 miles
2018226%0 miles
2017203%24,000 miles
2016385%58,000 miles
2015383%58,000 miles
201412016%71,000 miles
201319810%82,000 miles
20121419%100,000 miles
20112497%73,000 miles
2010103%2,000 miles
2009143%92,000 miles
2008205%78,000 miles
2007375%48,000 miles
2006454%71,000 miles
20051710%80,000 miles
200452%92,000 miles
200332%142,000 miles
200221%197,000 miles
200110%28,000 miles
200021%—
199932%—
199812%43,000 miles
199724%—
199614%—

Which parts fail

  • Brake lights
    49
  • Headlights
    30
  • Brake lights › Switch
    24
  • Tail lights
    19
  • Brake lights › Bulbs
    8
  • Turn signal › Flasher unit
    5
  • Headlights › Bulbs
    2
  • Tail lights › Bulbs
    2

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    10517%
  • 25k–50k
    8214%
  • 50k–75k
    11419%
  • 75k–100k
    13522%
  • 100k–150k
    12621%
  • 150k+
    417%

What owners report

When driving early in the morning while it was still dark outside, the car had what seemed to have been a sudden loss of electrical power. The audio for the radio cut off, then the screen for the radio and speedometer went blank, and the headlights also went out. This all lasted for a couple seconds when this happened and then everything came back on fine. I normally would think that this is a defective alternator which it probably is and would be covered under warranty, but after researching this problem I found out that it is a common issue with the 2024 Sonata. I feel that this warrants a safety recall which I seriously doubt will happen but it needs to. If it causes problems with headlights shutting off at night then this is a safety issue. Who knows what will happen if the headlights shut off on you at night and you couldn't see where you were going because of it?

2024 Sonata · Nov 2024

The automatic high beams feature seems to work through the camera by the rearview mirror. But the issue is when this camera is blocked, all of the safety systems that use the camera will be disabled as they normally will be since the camera cannot see, but the automatic high beams function will still stay on, the indicator light for it will be green meaning that the system is operating normally. As a result of this, the automatic high beam system keeps the high beams on at ALL times because it thinks that it is dark enough because it doesn't see any light through the camera. This could potentially increase the risk of a crash because the driver may not realize that the high beams are NOT turning off when approaching another vehicle or when a vehicle is coming the opposite direction, which can blind other drivers on the road. This needs a recall to resolve this problem.

2024 Sonata · Jan 2025

The vehicle consumes a gallon of oil weekly. The spark plugs are having to be replaced every three months. The Low beams have been replaced and are working but the headlights are completely out and flashes on the dash board. I have Hi beam's only. There is an electrical issue with the vehicle and is very dangerous to drive with the oil leaks that are continuously happening.

2019 Sonata · 126,000 miles · Mar 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were dim. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the inadequate illumination, the contact was forced to use the high beam headlights while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the halogen headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

2019 Sonata · 23,000 miles · Mar 2020

Back up lights. The lights constantly burn out causing the harness light holder to burn out. The lights will not come on even after replacing fuse and lights There are not back lights to warn patrons on the road for turning or stopping Yes it was taken to a dealership No it has not been inspected my either , but there is a recall on models of the same car but years 2011-2014 No there were no warnings , someone told me they were out

2018 Sonata · Aug 2025

THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP? After his death, I acquired this vehicle from my father who had stopped driving at night thinking he had developed a vision issue. The first time I drove it at night I discovered the low beams are defective, and that was the problem, not my dear old Dad's vision. The light emitted does not extend far enough in front of the vehicle to light a large enough safe distance. There are also large black areas at the far edge of each light that float from side to side with the beam while making turns. This also causes the areas on one side or the other to loose lighting. While turning they are often facing the wrong direction making it virtually impossible to see the unlit areas. We live in the country down a 20 mile long two lane road with many turns and minimal lighting compared to city driving. …

2018 Sonata · May 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was provided a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle inspected. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the defect was a manufacturer defect that only the manufacturer could resolve. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

2017 Sonata · 58,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The failure almost caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

2017 Sonata · Brake lights · 143,000 miles · Jun 2022

Related recalls (6)

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.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 15V-759 · Nov 16, 2015 · 304,900 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 13V-113 · Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 09V-280 · Jul 21, 2009 · 3,011 vehicles

Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch May cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or May cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2009. Owners May contact Hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1-787-999-4310.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 09V-122 · Apr 15, 2009 · 532,633 vehicles

Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles May malfunction.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2009. Owners May contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

Show 1 more recall

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 06V-180 · May 22, 2006 · 463 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the inner bezels of the headlamps were not properly assembled which May cause the turn signal lenses to be improperly positioned.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right headlamp assemblies free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2006. Owners May contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Frequently asked questions

Which Hyundai Sonata years have headlight problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (249), 2013 (198), 2012 (141), 2014 (120) and 2006 (45) model years. Headlight complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2011.

Is there a recall for Hyundai Sonata headlight problems?

Yes — 6 recalls, including 24V-583 (brake lights, Aug 7, 2024); 15V-759 (switch, Nov 16, 2015); 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Hyundai Sonata headlight problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the brake lights (49 mentions), followed by the headlights (30).

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.