Hyundai Sonata years to avoid (and the best years)
11,642 NHTSA owner complaints and 40 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 11,642complaints
- 40recalls
- 441reported crashes
- 454reported fires
- 365reported injuries
- 12reported deaths
Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2014 and 2016. The typical Hyundai Sonata year has 358 complaints on file.
- 2011: 3,376 complaints, 9.4 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Steering coupler clicking and clunking.
- 2013: 1,908 complaints, 5.3 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Engine bearing knock and seizure.
- 2012: 1,556 complaints, 4.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (37% of complaints) and the steering (19% of complaints).
- 2015: 1,144 complaints, 3.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (56% of complaints) and the electrical system (15% of complaints).
- 2017: 763 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (52% of complaints) and the steering (23% of complaints).
- 2014: 745 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (43% of complaints) and the electrical system (18% of complaints).
- 2016: 723 complaints, 2.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (63% of complaints) and the electrical system (12% of complaints).
What are the best Hyundai Sonata years?
The Hyundai Sonata years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (86), 2022 (92) and 2021 (131). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 0.0× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2024 | 46 | 0.1× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 86 | 0.2× | 2 | 5 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2022 | 92 | 0.3× | 3 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2021 | 131 | 0.4× | 4 | 7 | 12 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 178 | 0.5× | 4 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2019 | 161 | 0.4× | 0 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 372 | 1.0× | 1 | 18 | 20 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 763 | 2.1× | 3 | 28 | 12 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 723 | 2.0× | 6 | 19 | 19 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 1,144 | 3.2× | 9 | 34 | 32 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2014 | 745 | 2.1× | 7 | 29 | 35 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 1,908 | 5.3× | 9 | 93 | 77 | Approach with caution | Engine bearing knock and seizure |
| 2012 | 1,556 | 4.3× | 8 | 51 | 38 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 3,376 | 9.4× | 14 | 116 | 85 | Approach with caution | Steering coupler clicking and clunking |
| 2010 | 345 | 1.0× | 2 | 19 | 19 | Some concerns to check | Body and structure |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 4,306 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain1,460 (34%)
- Steering, suspension & tires1,232 (29%)
- Electrical & infotainment547 (13%)
- Airbags & seat belts389 (9%)
- Structure & body318 (7%)
Recalls (40)
Fuel system · 25V796000 · Nov 2025 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Exterior lighting · 24V583000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2024
Flashing brake lights may cause confusion for other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V526000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Transmission · 22V746000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V312000 · May 2022 · model years 2013, 2014
A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 22V196000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2020
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Body & glass · 21V00M000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2021
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 21V749000 · Sep 2021 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V619000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2017, 2018
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fuel system · 21V524000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2021, 2022
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 20V213000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2020
Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V121000 · Feb 2020 · model years 2013, 2014
If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 20V122000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2020
The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V934000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 18V137000 · Feb 2018 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Seat belts · 17V617000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 17V359000 · Jun 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 17V226000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 17V152000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V956000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 16V726000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V615000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2016
A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 16V232000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Steering · 16V190000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2011
With a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 15V759000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V678000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2015, 2016
If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 15V629000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2011
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V568000 · Sep 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 15V414000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2015
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 14V784000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Brakes · 14V433000 · Jul 2014 · model year 2011
If the brake lines leak brake sufficient fluid, the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate and longer stopping distance will be required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Transmission · 14V434000 · Jul 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Brakes · 14V368000 · Jun 2014 · model year 2015
If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 14V325000 · Jun 2014 · model year 2015
The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 13V354000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2010
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V113000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 12V352000 · Jul 2012 · model years 2012, 2013
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 10V457000 · Oct 2010 · model year 2011
IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Steering · 10V426000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2011
IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V070000 · Mar 2010 · model year 2011
THE DOOR MAY NOT BE IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER.