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Hyundai Sonata
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History

10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database β€” the same data used by federal regulators.

πŸ“‹
277
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
0
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
19
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
0
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
17
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ€–
Below Average
AI Rating
reliability score

Checking a specific Hyundai Sonata? Run a VIN check for its exact history.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

2026
2026 HYUNDAI SONATA 4DR N/A AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
2025
2025 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
2024
2024 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
How to Read NCAP Stars
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5 stars - Excellent
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4 stars - Good
β˜…β˜…β˜…3 stars - Average
β˜…β˜…2 stars - Below average
β˜…1 star - Poor
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
πŸ€–

AI Interpretation

High ConfidenceBelow Average
AI interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

NHTSA complaints for the 2017–2026 Hyundai Sonata are concentrated in the engine, fuel/propulsion system, and powertrain, with 2021–2023 model years accounting for the majority of reports. Crash-related complaints are relatively low at 19 out of 277 total. No recalls have been issued for these model years.

πŸ“Š Key Findings
  • Engine complaints total 79, the highest among all components.
  • Fuel/propulsion system complaints total 71, the second most reported.
  • Model year 2021 has the most complaints with 113, followed by 2022 and 2023 with 82 each.
  • Model years 2017, 2018, and 2019 have zero complaints.
⚠️ Top Concerns
  • Engine issues, including potential stalling or failure.
  • Fuel/propulsion system problems, such as fuel delivery or hybrid system concerns.
  • Powertrain complaints, possibly involving transmission or driveline components.
⚠️ Worst Years

Model years 2021, 2022, and 2023 show elevated complaints, with 2021 alone accounting for 113 reports. Engine and fuel/propulsion system complaints appear to be the primary drivers.

βœ… Best Years

Model years 2017, 2018, and 2019 have zero complaints, which may indicate fewer reported issues, though low sales or reporting could also be factors.

βœ… Before You Buy β€” Checklist
  • Inspect the engine for any signs of stalling or unusual noises.
  • Check the fuel/propulsion system for leaks or performance issues.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for reported components.
  • Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. The absence of complaints for some years does not guarantee those models are problem-free. Complaint counts may be influenced by vehicle sales volume and owner reporting behavior.

πŸ“… NHTSA Complaints by Model Year

2021
113
2022
82
2023
82
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

0 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

βœ…
No Active Recalls Found in Database

No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 277 NHTSA complaints.

1
ENGINE
79 complaints
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
71 complaints
3
POWER TRAIN
57 complaints
4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
45 complaints
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
40 complaints
6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
25 complaints
7
FUEL SYSTEM
18 complaints
8
GASOLINE
17 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

277 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHERMay 2026

The cars fan is constantly running even when the car is cool. I think it has to do with the ITMS I contacted the dealer and they said there’s nothing they can do about it this happens every time the vehicle is started even when I am parked. The fan is constantly running at 100%.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMMay 2026

Our 2022 Hyundai Sonata experienced multiple issues related to recalls affecting the vehicle’s reliability and operation. Due to these ongoing problems, the vehicle was taken to a dealership and has remained out of service and in dealership possession for approximately 90 days. The issues were confirmed by the dealership, and Hyundai Motor America was involved in the case. As a result, Hyundai approved a full buyback of the vehicle, indicating the problems could not be resolved in a reasonable timeframe. Despite this, the vehicle remains out of service and unusable. Hyundai has failed to complete the buyback process and has not provided a resolution within a reasonable time. There have been repeated delays and missed timelines. The extended period without a functioning vehicle creates reliability concerns and potential safety risks, as the vehicle could not be safely depended on for regular use prior to being removed from service. The vehicle is currently still in dealership possession and unavailable for use.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMMay 2026

I brought this car 2022 Hyundai Sonata with 41k miles on it and only had it for 6 months. It has cut off 3x so far after putting gas in the tank. Always the same thing, oh nothing is wrong. Obviously there is and I see there is a recall on this car however my VIN isn’t coming up as a recall. This has to be fixed.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEMar 2026

I purchased the car new and three times since then, the latest last week, the automatic brakes kicked in briefly for no apparent reason. I feel that if a vehicle would have been directly behind me this could very well have caused an accident. Each time it happened it was during daylight and fair weather although I can't remember if the sun was shinning. After the second time it happened I reported it to the dealer and they said they had no recalls on it and no explanation but if it happened again I should record all circumstances to investigate the cause. A couple years went by and it didn't happen again until last week. Now the warranty has expired on my car. No one has inspected my car; It has driven fine except for when the automatic braking problem occurs. There were no warning or indicator lights that I noticed at the time.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEMar 2026

The Full stereo system with cameras and most sensors and the car is currently at the dealership as 03/09 @11:00 am and I took It to them as well so that they can repair the other pending recall I have at the moment and they stated that It was a " point to point check recall " and that they would change it whether it would need to be or not and I raised concerns about another possible recall on the car and if they could check it out which is my stereo system they tried to charge me almost $200 and " the symptoms or warnings " was that sometimes it would happen but Instead of It going out completely I was able to troubleshoot it by pressing on the little button under the volume button

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEMar 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFeb 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, and while driving at various speeds, the engine revved unintendedly, and the vehicle jerked. The ABS, traction control, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Front Collision Avoidance Deactivated" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a valve and gasket were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall was not completed because the part was not yet available. The contact expressed concerns due to a fire risk associated with the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

VISIBILITY/WIPERFeb 2026

My windshield cracked with no discernable impact or reason. The windshields for the vehicle are too thin for use on a highway and crack too easily. This puts my safety and the safety of others at risk, as well as affecting safety mechanisms related to or mounted to the windshield. It has been replicated by myself as it's happened twice in the last 4 months of owning the car. The first windshield was replaced by my dealer at Laird Noller in Topeka.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFeb 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the spark plugs had failed. The dealer replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure progressively worsened. The vehicle failed to restart and became undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions, and the dealer cleared the diagnostic trouble codes; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFeb 2026

I have noticed puddles under/near rear side door/tire, the smell of gas after filling up tank. And a reduced MPG lower than normal with same driving habits.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 2026

My 2022 Hyundai Sonata Limited had a recall issued on the vehicle. I took my vehicle to a dealership and the recall issue was taken care for my fuel tank. Months after this issue was supposedly resolved, my fuel tank exploded and the car has been totaled.

πŸ’₯ CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROLJan 2026

I was pulling into a parking space at my church, same place I routinely parked. I was moving forward slowly with foot on brake alternating lifting foot to move forward until I was all the way in. As I lifted my foot from the brake, the car suddenly accelerated forward, going over the cement parking block, on to the grass and sidewalk before it stopped. Two metal handrails along the steps into the larger parking lot. Fortunately, no one was hit or injured, including myself. The result was major damage of the left side. Aside from the exterior, the car worked as it always has. I reported the collision to my insurance company, State Farm, and they directed me to a Hyundai repair shop. I know the fault was not mine for 3 reasons: 1) Once I turn into a spot to park, I always move slow, using the method mentioned above. I never use the gas pedal once I'm facing straight in the parking space; 2) My word would, of course, not be enough to relieve me of the responsibility for what happened. However, if I had stepped on the gas, though I know I didn't, the car would not be able to go from just stopping its forward move to the sudden and very fast acceleration that normally would require several seconds to reach that speed; and, 3) This was the 2nd time sudden acceleration happened, the 1st time was in June 2024 during a 3-point turn on a residential street. I completed the turn, ready to go forward, when the car suddenly and rapidly accelerated, jumping a curb and hitting a fire hydrant. My left front grill sustained damage, but since the car worked well, I did not report this to State Farm, waiting until I was willing to pay the deductible. This 2nd episode had me researching the Internet to see if there were others who experienced sudden accelerating with resulting fatalities. I believe my car has a defect and gives no warning when it will occur. My driving record is excellent. I don't speed and I drive defensively. My 2 brothers and 2 male in-laws said I'm a good driver

POWER TRAINJan 2026

My 2022 Hyundai sonata hybrid started blowing white smoke from the exhaust. Took it to the dealership and was advised the valve that controls antifreeze failed and leaking antifreeze in exhaust. This caused the engine to overheat and would cause the engine to blow up. My car has 83,000 and was told the manufacturer warranty only covered to 80,000 and extended warranty would not cover the part. Was told it would cost 2659 to fix. This is part of the hybrid power train and should be covered under the 100,000 Hyundai warranty. I have seen the same issue with other sonata hybrids on the internet that is doing the same as mine. Hyundai needs to recall for this since it is a needed component for the engine.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMDec 2025

My 2022 Sonata has had to have its fuel injectors replaced two times in the 3 years I've had it. On 12/18/2025 My car started to become very slow and could not reach over 20mph, and started to smell like gasoline and shake slightly. I had to get it towed to the hyundai dealership and there they told me that the fuel injectors need replacing. I had the same exact problem with this car before where I had to get the car towed to hyundai and then they had to replace the fuel injector.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNov 2025

Car keep cutting off and fuel injection is not right

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNov 2025

Car has been running great. We ave had the car almost 3 months. My wife drove the car to church. On the way home the car engine started acting up. She pulled over and called me. I went to where she was about 1 mile from home . My son and I got the car started it would not hardly run we got it home. It was running roughly and smelled like gas making white smoke. A rollback truck picked it up the next day. Took it to the closest dealer in cape Girardeau mo. It has been in the shop3 weeks found out today it will be over another week before Hyundai gets in touch with the dealer about the problem. (Injectors)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNov 2025

I was driving the car home from Massachusetts when, after 6 hours of driving, the car started to shake and would not accelerate. It was also emitting a burning smell. I exited the highway and called for a tow truck. I was told by the Hyundai dealership that, at 4,100 miles, a fuel injector and high pressure rail had failed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMOct 2025

Initially vehicle battery is drained after three days of sitting in driveway and not being used. Vehicle has been taken in to dealership in July 2025 and found the 12v integrated battery was faulty and was replaced after being on backorder for three weeks. After battery was replaced the vehicle battery is drained after five days of sitting in driveway and not being used. No lights are left on, no aftermarket accessories are plugged in or attached to the electrical system. This has been an ongoing issue and the dealership I initially worked with has now had my car 3 different times and over four weeks and have stopped returning my phone calls. I have just sent my car do a different dealership and have been told it may take up to 2 months to diagnose the issue. I cannot open the door or start the car without using the emergency key, when I gain access to the car the 12v battery reset button rarely works to power the vehicle again. This is something that the dealerships are aware of, but have no idea what the actual problem is. Please for the love of God help.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEOct 2025

While driving around 20 mph my cars rpms will rev and my car will take off then my automatic breaks will kick on and today around [XXX] I was going under 25 mph and there was a car in-front of me and it really scared me as I went to hit the breaks my car already did. My car has done this twice now, both on residential roads. The first time I figured it could have been a me error but now I know this is something seriously wrong with my vehicle. I have had my car for years and I know my car and it never just takes off how it has been there’s always a delay when I go to accelerate. This is very concerning and I’m scared to drive my car now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMSep 2025

In November of 2024, I had a Check Engine Light for a Cylinder 2 misfire and a fuel to air mixture ratio. Had it towed to a Hyundai Dealership. Got a call the next day saying it was fixed. Picked the car up and 50 miles later it popped back up. Had it towed back again. They said my fuel injector was cracked. They had to order the fuel injector directly from Korea. Took 5 days to get the part and it installed. Fast forward to September 2025, Cylinder 2 misfire showed up again(same cylinder the fuel injector was replaced) and now the car shakes violently when accelerating and stalled at a stop light. Massive safety concern due to risk of an accident. Car to be towed to another dealership for the same issue less than a year apart.

Showing 20 of 277 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check a Specific Hyundai Sonata

This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Hyundai Sonata has 277 complaints on record across 10 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Hyundai Sonata has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 19 of the Hyundai Sonata's 277 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

πŸ€–

How Is the AI Rating Calculated?

The AI reliability rating (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision β€” always verify with a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Hyundai Sonata vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two Hyundai Sonata vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Hyundai Sonata has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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