2018 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 373 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 18 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 6, 2021
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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V619000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2022
Engine takes a long time to start up, about 10-15 seconds of pushing the start button starts engine which is probably not good for the car. Also, the car jolts/ wants to stop while driving. Has been an ongoing issue since the week of 9/5/22. Loss of motor power issue sounds like what is going on with my 2018 Hyundai Sonata vehicle.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2022
My 2018 Hyundai Sonata GDI Engine stop working while I was driving on the freeway without a warning prior to the issue. It never gave me a heads up in advance that the engine needed service. No check engine light to alert me that an issue needed attention. I learned about the engine problem when my engine stop working while I was on the freeway. I heard a loud noise coming from the engine and within seconds my RPM started going down and my car started loosing power while I was driving on the freeway. At the same time my check engine light came on and it was flashing. At that moment I realize something bad was happening with my motor. The check engine light was not on before that. It never alerted me before that, and when it came on flashing on and off it was already too late because my engine was dying and it died and didn't turn back on after I pulled over in the side of the freeway. I was so scared. The cars where going so fast and very close to my car with little room to pull over. The high velocity of the others cars where making my car cradle from the wind. It was so terrifying for me and my little dog i had with me. My seat belt stop working a few weeks before my engine died, and the thought of me getting hit by another car without a seat belt on. I've never been scared for my life like I was on that day. Hyundai dealer sold me a car with a bad engine. I was putting atleast 1 quart of oil every other week sometimes every week in the past year until just recently. I've only had it for 3 years since I bought it and I was putting 1 quart of oil every month in the beginning and with time the consumption of oil increased and increased more with time. Hyundai service my car for an oil gasket last year that should've been cover under warranty, but made me pay for it. I made it aware to them about the excessive oil consumption and told them it wasn't normal how much oil the car was consuming but they denied to service my car under warranty.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2022
On May 03, 2022 at approximately 3:30pm I was traveling southbound on Arizona State Route 101 in Tempe, Arizona. I was going about 75 mph, and without no warning my car shut off. I had to pull off to the shoulder of the highway to avoid being struck by other vehicles, and also incase I lost control. My Hyundai picked up nails on 3 of the 4 tires in the process. I barely avoided a fatal accident due to the defect, which I had no idea about.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 7, 2020
IN FEB 2020 MY SONATA WENT INTO SAFE MODE AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY AND DEALER ENDED UP REPLACING "KNOCK SENSOR". IN DECEMBER 2020 MY ENGINE "STUTTERED" THROWING ME FORWARD AS IF I HAD HIT BRAKES HARD. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES OCCURRED AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS CAR ACTED NORMALLY MOSTLY. A FEW DAYS LATER AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY AGAIN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (ORANGE) CAME ON ALONG WITH ERROR MESSAGE "POSSIBLE CONDITION WITH ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM" HAS BEEN DETECTED. CAR DID NOT GO INTO "SAFE MODE" AND SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. I CONTACTED DEALER WHO ASSURED ME SAFE TO DRIVE OVER HUNDRED MILES BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN THIS CONDITION TO CHECK. I DROVE BACK FROM EAST COAST FL TO WEST COAST FL TO TURN CAR IN. I BELIEVE ENGINE ISSUE EXPERIENCED IS RELATED TO THE THETA ENGINE ISSUE AND REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER SETTLEMENT. DEALERSHIP DISAGREES AND HAS INDICATED ISSUE IS WITH FUEL PUMPS (BOTH ARE BEING REPLACED) AND CHARGING ME $2300.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 22, 2019
MY 2018 SONATA WILL NOT START WHEN TEMP DROPS BELOW 20 DEG F. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS WINTER AND WHEN IT WARMS BACK UP TO 40 TO 50 DEGREE IT WILL START. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ON ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP LIKE NORMAL. I CAN MOVE HEAR SELECTOR AND TURN WHEEL. BUT THE STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE NOTHING IS HEARD NOT A CLICK OR A SHIRT. IS THIS COMMON PROBLEM?
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2018
THROTTLE RESPONSE: FEELS LIKE THE OLD VEHICLES WITH A FLAT SPOT IN THE CARBURETOR ACCELERATOR PUMP. THE "THREE SECOND' RULE APPLIES WHEN THE THROTTLE PETAL IS PUSHED. THERE IS A SERIOUS HESITATION AS THE ENGINE TENDS TO FALL FLAT BEFORE ACCELERATING. HAS TO DUE WITH THE SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DUEL CLUTCH WHICH ACTS AS IF A PERSON WERE OPERATING A STANDARD TRANSMISSION CLUTCH. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM/CONCERN SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THEY RECEIVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. IT IS INDICATED THE DRIVERS EITHER LOVE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM OR HATE. WE WERE NEVER TOLD OF THIS SITUATION. AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. THIS SITUATION CAN OCCUR WHEN LEAVING A STOPPED POSITION, WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ACCELERATING UP A HILL IN MOVING TRAFFIC OR ON A STREET. THIS ALL DEPENDS ON THE DRIVERS REACTION TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL. WHEN ONE NEEDS TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN MOTION THERE TENDS TO BE A SHUDDERING/STUTTERING OF THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SHORTLY WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2018 AND HAS BEEN ON GOING. I SET THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" AS STARTING DATE. CAN BE VARY CONCERNING WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FOR OLDER DRIVERS. I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE DESCRIPTIONS FOR THIS SITUATION. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS AT MY DISPOSAL AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU.