2018 Hyundai Sonata

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 372 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

140 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 22,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine170
261
Electrical System40
021
Unknown or Other37
120
Exterior Lighting14
000
Structure › Body12
000
Service Brakes11
311
Power Train11
100
Engine and Engine Cooling10
000
Fuel/Propulsion System9
000
Vehicle Speed Control8
501

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch21V619000
Filed Aug 6, 2021348,158 vehiclesHyundai Motor America

Defect. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Risk. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026PA

One engine valve has lost pressure and is not repairable

Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 2026VA

Vehicle has been making a clunking noise (front passenger area). Brought to independent service center where they determined that the strut tower is failing. Current mileage 66000. Appt set for Checkered Flag Hyundai to evaluate on 9/11/2026.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 4, 2026TX

My car stalls while driving and then I try to restart it but nothing happens. After reading online about the fuel pump issues and extended warranty related to the fuel pump I took the car in for repair. My car has 75,000 miles and the extended repair on this is for 150,000 miles/15 years. The dealer is refusing the repair because my car has a branded/ theft title. The car wasn't damaged just stolen. This is creating a serious safety concern and should be repaired by the dealer. Thank you for your time.

Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2026NC

Since I had Service Campaign 9C2 completed, the car hesitates to start, does a mini-lurch upon cold start and runs rough. Two weeks ago, it was put in park, lurched backwards, then died. The starter and battery have been replaced but this has not helped. The car ran fine before this update was done.

Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2026TX

I recently had the 9C2 Emissions recall update performed on my car, and since the update my car drives like total garbage after a cold start. It hesitates to accelerate, it bucks when trying to accelerate, and it’s to the point the engine is about to stall. I took it back to the Hyundai dealership and they said they are aware of the issue, but there is no fix from Hyundai at this time. This is a major safety concern, as the car barely wants to accelerate after a cold start. Please have Hyundai fix this safety issue.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 16, 2026NC

The paint on all parts of the car is completely coming off down to bare metal. It’s as if the car wasn’t prepped to receive paint. Every Hyundai I pass that’s white the paint is coming off. There is also an internal engine oil leak where I’m losing 4qts of oil a week.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 24, 202692,000 milesMS

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with an inoperable low-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the low-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had issued an extended warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2026TX

The lower aluminum engine oil pan developed a structural hairline fracture ("micro-crack") directly along the factory casting ridge adjacent to the drain plug. The component failed without any external impact, road hazard, scraping, or underbody damage. The failure was officially confirmed and documented by Eckert Hyundai during a service visit on July 13, 2026 (Case #42971835). Following the dealer oil service, the fracture degraded into an active, worsening oil drip that requires a catch tray under the vehicle to capture leaking fluid. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: An active engine oil leak poses a significant safety hazard. Rapid or continuous loss of engine oil can cause sudden oil starvation, severe engine seizure, or total power loss without warning while driving at highway speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, dripping oil contacting hot exhaust or engine components presents a potential fire hazard. Prior Symptoms / History: This vehicle has a well-documented history of severe internal engine issues and thermal stress, including excessive oil consumption (running 1.2 quarts low in 1,127 miles), valve cover gasket failure, and severe drivetrain vibrations from failing front axles. The excessive internal crankcase pressure and thermal stress from these underlying defects contributed directly to the material fatigue and structural failure of this aluminum oil pan.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 8, 2026HI

Fuel line leak, car is parked, fire hazard, a mechanic has been there to inspect

Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2026OH

I purchased my vehical at Car Culture in Warren, Oh. The dealer said to only take it there for maintenance, so I did as required. Whenever the check engine light came on I would bring it there and they would say it was a sensor and they fixed it. And one day it started miss firing and the light came on again. When I took it to the dealership, they said it needed oil to bring it in every 2 weeks to top the oil off. And so I did that and finally the car was getting worse at 122,000 miles. When I took it there they said it needed a new motor!!!. They NEVER told me of a recall or a sensor replacement needing done by hyundai. Iam now stuck with a $13,000 loan on a car worth nothing without paying $5,000 on a "possible" fix for their negligence. I have a [XXX] old son, fiancee, morgage and a job im struggling to get to, because I was never notified of a possible recall on my year, make and model of car. Please help me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

EngineFire
Filed Jun 19, 2026NJ

Vehicle caught fire after repeatedly taking it to Hyundai for service . I complained about the oil consumption and knocking noises while the vehicle was still under warranty and it was denied.

Engine
Filed Jun 16, 2026OH

Check engine light solid/engine failure while driving. 2018 Sonata SE purchased new in fall 2018. Around 50,000 miles started noticing oil level drop and had to add more before next scheduled change. Dealership service center said I just had to shorten the mileage between changes which didn't seem appropriate for a vehicle with 50,000 miles but I did. Continued to have oil consumption problem with no signs of leak, no burning oil smell or exhaust issues. Dashboard display would go off and when I immediately checked dipstick there was barely any oil so I'd add more then go in for full change. At 67,000 or so miles in June 2026, without oil display going off the engine light was now solid. Got to reputable service center near my home and oil was under a quart left yet the warning lamp hadn't gone off. They ran the engine error code P0304 and was misfire #4 cylinder and after compression test, #3 was very low and #4 very high. NOT drivable at that point then towed to dealership so yes, available for inspection by NHTSA at the dealership. For now they claim a 'tune up' is needed for spark plug replacement, valve cover gasket replace and fuel induction service that's my cost to incur which seems to just be fixing the damage of an engine oil consumption problem not fixing the issue that caused the damage. The engine seized/stalled without warning while I was driving the vehicle (granted at low speed in my neighborhood when the engine light turned on). I would not say the engine war

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 13, 2026TX

I was only in the car for about 4 minutes then came to a stop light. Once the light had turned green I pressured down on the gas, my car rolled for a second then died on me, causing it to go into accessory mode. Instantly three lights came on: the check engine light, battery light, and low oil light. The car would take at least 5 seconds to turn back on then would fall back into accessory mode randomly. Tried to jump the car 4 times, issue still remains. What sucks about this is that the mechanic shop can’t even figure out what’s wrong. They thought it was the high pressure fuel pump..turns out it’s not.

Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2026IL

Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU software update, TSB 25-01-087H) at a Hyundai dealership, my 2018 Sonata immediately exhibited drivability changes that were not present before the service. Symptoms include altered shift timing, hesitation, and rougher throttle response — particularly noticeable during the first several minutes of driving. These symptoms began on the first drive after the recall update was applied and have been consistent since. The vehicle was returned to the dealership for inspection. No underlying mechanical issue was found, confirming the drivability change is directly attributable to the ECU software update. The vehicle has been maintained strictly per Hyundai's manufacturer-recommended schedule and had no prior drivability issues. I am aware that numerous other owners of Theta II-equipped vehicles (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson) have reported identical symptoms following 9C2. At least one dealership has reportedly acknowledged this as a known post-update issue that Hyundai is working to resolve. The altered throttle and shift behavior poses a safety concern, as unexpected hesitation during acceleration affects predictable vehicle control in traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Power Train
Filed May 26, 202647,575 milesIL

The contact The contact stated that when taken the vehicle for a service campaign repair and shortly after went for recall r The vehicle does not run properly on cold starts, the RPMs increase rapidly and slow down, vehicle jerks forward once beginning to drive.. The vehicle does not have this issue once the vehicle is warm. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate. Failure mileage was 47,575.

Engine
Filed May 12, 2026CA

Engine blown out malfunction took two dealer Hyundai Folsom Lake stated rings are bad sludge buildup in engine and stayed at Hyundai motor America denied engine replacement due to knowledge under Theta two engine extended warranty settlement of 150,000 MI 15 years I'm still within warranty but are still being denied had numerous of issues with vehicle oil consumption knock knock sensor replace and other maintenance done since purchase vehicle brand new in 2018

Engine
Filed May 6, 2026TX

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and ongoing safety defect involving the engine of my 2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport equipped with the 2.4L Theta II engine. The vehicle has been officially tested and documented by Hyundai as consuming more than two (2) quarts of engine oil per 1,000 miles, which Hyundai has acknowledged following completion of its oil consumption test procedure. Despite this confirmation, Hyundai has declined to fully correct the defect. As the condition has progressed, the engine now fouls spark plugs every 350–500 miles, resulting in: •Engine misfires •Loss of power during operation •Rough running and hesitation •Risk of sudden engine stalls while driving This condition occurs without warning and requires repeated roadside or emergency repairs simply to keep the vehicle operable. The condition has deteriorated further, requiring replacement of fouled spark plugs every 350-500 miles. Loss of power and engine shaking can occur at any time, presenting a safety hazard for me and other drivers.

Engine
Filed May 5, 2026AR

Despite proper maintenance, the vehicle is burning oil at an excessive rate. I have already replaced the oil pan, but the issue persists. I now have to add oil frequently between oil changes. This creates a serious safety concern, as low oil levels can cause engine failure while driving, leading to sudden loss of power or stalling in traffic. This puts me, my passengers, and other drivers at risk. There are no visible leaks, which suggests the oil is being burned internally. This appears to be a potential defect rather than normal wear and tear. I am requesting that this issue be investigated as it may affect other vehicles of the same make and model. This is becoming very expensive having to refill oil as the dipstick shows nothing. This has been confirmed by technicians that there has been no oil in my car despite coming in on time or before the recommended miles. The oil light will come on a few weeks after having the oil changed. It seems this is an issue with this engine type.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 27, 2026CA

The trunk latch on the Hyundai Sonata malfunctioned, and our safety was put at risk when the trunk malfunctioned while driving on the freeway, obstructing the back view. After several attempts to try to close the trunk and after doing some research, I learned it had a vehicle recall, 21V619000. An appointment was made at Ontario Hyundai for the latch to be repaired due to the recall. After taking the vehicle in, the dealer stated that an attempt to repair the latch had been attempted and refused to do the repair and provided an invoice of $616.00 for repair. Since the latch malfunctioned, no attempt to repair the latch was ever attempted, nor was it taken anywhere else for repair. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The trunk latch is still inoperable, and recall status is incomplete.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 21, 2026WA

Throttle response intermittent problem no acceleration since new. No codes available. When entering traffic engine stall factor flat spot. Been to dealer many times (Bud Clary) and just recently (04/26) confirmed the fuel pump is the problem. Unable to confirm because of no "codes". Will not replace or register for recall without proper codes. No check engine lamp. No inspection by police or insurance only the dealership service department is aware of the problem.

20 of 372 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263100Routine
202516000Routine
202446100Routine
202386200Routine
202292300Routine
2021131400Routine
2020178410Routine
2019161060Routine
2018 — this page3721131Fatalities reported
20177633111Fatalities reported
20167256281Fatalities reported
20151,1449482Do not drive
20147457400High concern
20131,9099971Fatalities reported
20121,5568951Fatalities reported
20113,376141123Fatalities reported
2010345232Fatalities reported
20094602110Above average
20084255110Above average
2007696760Above average
20061,0471191Fatalities reported
2005165120Routine
2004202120Above average
2003199620Routine
2002319740Above average
2001205300Above average
2000276490Above average
1999124430Routine
199849100Routine
199749211Fatalities reported
199623101Fatalities reported
199566210Routine
19943100Routine
199326100Routine
199222100Routine
199129160Routine
199016300Routine

Compare every Sonata year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 6, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.