Hyundai Sonata Door Lock & Latch Problems

Owners have filed 129 complaints about locks & latches problems with the Hyundai Sonata — 1% of all Sonata complaints. The worst model years are 2017 (17), 2003 (13) and 2004 (12). Problems typically start around 69,000 miles. 5 related recalls have been issued.

129complaints
2017worst year
69ktypical miles
5related recalls
3crashes
1fires

Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25117591312163461111124241781
Door Lock & Latch complaints per model year, Hyundai Sonata.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202011%1,000 miles
201882%44,000 miles
2017172%61,000 miles
201641%176,000 miles
201520%110,000 miles
201441%143,000 miles
201320%105,000 miles
201210%6,000 miles
2011110%75,000 miles
2010113%68,000 miles
200961%82,000 miles
200841%88,000 miles
200730%56,000 miles
200661%14,000 miles
200511%—
2004126%60,000 miles
2003137%54,000 miles
200293%64,000 miles
200152%159,000 miles
1998714%100,000 miles
199712%86,000 miles
199614%—

Which parts fail

  • Doors › Latch
    41
  • Trunk lid › Latch
    11
  • Hood › Latch
    4
  • Trunk lid › Lock
    3
  • Trunk lid › Latch › Emergency mechanical release
    2
  • Doors › Latch › Emergency mechanical release
    1
  • Doors › Lock
    1

Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1619%
  • 25k–50k
    1315%
  • 50k–75k
    2429%
  • 75k–100k
    1417%
  • 100k–150k
    1012%
  • 150k+
    78%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the vehicle had failed to start. On other occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was not running correctly, bucking, lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the door and trunk failed to lock securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. A signal was sent to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the fuel pump failed and caused the starter to burn out and drain the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 23,944.

2018 Sonata · 24,000 miles · Apr 2018

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the trunk latch was previously replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

2018 Sonata · 17,000 miles · Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the trunk latch was fractured. The failure first occurred when the trunk would not open and the contact had to force it open. The trunk latch then fractured, and the trunk would not close on its own. The contact had to tie down the trunk door for it to close. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that parts were not available and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

2017 Sonata · Doors › Latch · 74,000 miles · Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the trunk failed to open without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed contact about repairs and reimbursement. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who repaired the rear latch assembly and rear latch. The failure mileage was 19,717. Parts distribution disconnect.

2017 Sonata · 20,000 miles · Sep 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the trunk latch had failed to open. The contact attempted to use the key fob and the key to unlock the trunk however, the latch failed to release. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the trunk latch and key entry needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

2016 Sonata · 176,000 miles · Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the trunk latch failed to latch properly and had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latch/Locks/Linkages) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

2016 Sonata · 70,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the trunk failed to open as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the trunk latch needed to be replaced, and that the failure was related to an unknown recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

2014 Sonata · Trunk lid › Latch · 143,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the trunk manually using the key fob; however, the trunk intermittently failed to open. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

2014 Sonata · Trunk lid › Lock · 120,000 miles · Mar 2025

Related recalls (5)

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

NHTSA recall 22V-196 · Mar 28, 2022 · 63,461 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

NHTSA recall 21V-619 · Aug 6, 2021 · 348,158 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 10V-070 · Mar 2, 2010 · 5,893 vehicles

Hyundai-Kia has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009 through February 15, 2010. The front inside door lock switch can remain in the unlatched position.

Remedy: Hyundai-Kia will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by replacing latches affected by this recall campaign free of charge. The safety recall began on March 12, 2010.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 09V-317 · Aug 7, 2009 · 82 vehicles

Hyundai is recalling 82 model year 2002-2003 sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle May cause wear of the chrome plating. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating that portion of the plating May wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used.

Remedy: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2009. Owners May contact Hyundai of puerto rico at 1-787-999-3333.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 09V-171 · May 21, 2009 · 91,350 vehicles

Hyundai is recalling 91,350 my 2002-2003 Hyundai sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle May cause wear of the chrome plate. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating, that portion of the plating May wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used.

Remedy: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during June 2009. Owners May contact Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

NHTSA investigations

Interior door handle laceration hazard

NHTSA investigation PE08071 · opened Dec 15, 2008 · closed May 29, 2009 · led to recall 09V-171

The manufacturer has issued a safety recall notification as a result of this investigation.the recall affects 91,202 my 2002-2003 subject vehicles produced from January 28, 2002, through March 22, 2003.the vehicle recall population was defined by the manufacturer's use of a new supplier for the chrome plating process beginning in January 2002, and a production change in March 2003 to improve adhesion of the plating…

Frequently asked questions

Which Hyundai Sonata years have door lock & latch problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (17), 2003 (13), 2004 (12), 2010 (11) and 2011 (11) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2017.

Is there a recall for Hyundai Sonata door lock & latch problems?

Yes — 5 recalls, including 22V-196 (latch, Mar 28, 2022); 21V-619 (latch, Aug 6, 2021); 10V-070 (latch, Mar 2, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Hyundai Sonata door lock & latch problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the doors › latch (41 mentions), followed by the trunk lid › latch (11).

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.