Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years to avoid (and the best years)

762 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recalls across 12 model years, 2011 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

762complaints
12recalls
34reported crashes
25reported fires
32reported injuries

Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years should you avoid?

No Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Hyundai Sonata Hybrid year has 52 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2012 (154), 2016 (132) and 2013 (107).

What are the best Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years?

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (15), 2020 (16) and 2022 (19). 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	11	0.2×	0	1	1	Few red flags	Electrical system
2023	15	0.3×	0	3	2	Few red flags	Engine
2022	19	0.4×	0	0	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2021	53	1.0×	0	1	2	Few red flags	Electrical system
2020	16	0.3×	1	1	1	Few red flags	Engine
2017	80	1.5×	3	1	0	Some concerns to check	Engine
2016	132	2.5×	5	4	1	Some concerns to check	Engine
2015	52	1.0×	4	4	6	Few red flags	Electrical system
2014	27	0.5×	3	3	3	Few red flags	Engine
2013	107	2.0×	4	8	9	Some concerns to check	Engine
2012	154	2.9×	6	2	2	Some concerns to check	Engine
2011	96	1.8×	6	6	5	Some concerns to check	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 210 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain83 (40%)
Electrical & infotainment77 (37%)
Steering, suspension & tires20 (10%)
Brakes17 (8%)
Airbags & seat belts5 (2%)

Recalls (12)

Brakes · 23V651000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V196000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2020
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 21V749000 · Sep 2021 · model years 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 · 21V727000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2017
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V619000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2016, 2017
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 20V746000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V393000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2011, 2012
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Seat belts · 18V137000 · Feb 2018 · model years 2011, 2012
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, 2015
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.
Seat belts · 17V152000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase 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 · 16V232000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.