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
373 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jan 13, 2021
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY DECLINED AND VEHICLE HAD NO PICKUP. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY CAR REQUIRED A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. APPARENTLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Dec 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING IN ANOTHER CITY AND MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I HAD IT TOWED TO NEARBY DEALER AND THEY SAID I WAS LOW IN OIL, AFTER HAVING IT CHANGED AN MONTH BEFORE. THEY DID OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND FOUND IT TO BE 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES AND LEFT THERE AND 2 MONTHS LATER HAD ANOTHER CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AFTER SEEING MY CAR WAS ONE IN THE CLASS ACTION ON ENGINE AND BEARINGS. THEY FOUND THIS ONE TO BE 1.1 QTS PER 1000 MILES. DEALER SAID NO WAY WILL THEY SEND INFO TO GET A NEW ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. A QT A 1000 MILES SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE. DEALER SAID THAT YOU NEED TO BE AT 1.5 QT PER 1000 WHICH WOULD BE ALMOST NO OIL WHEN I GO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND 100000 MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OIL TO BE BURNT. AND THEY KNOW THEY HAVE ENGINE ISSUES AND WILL NOT RECTIFY
Power train, Dec 9, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS OR STUTTERS BEFORE PROPER ACCELERATION IS ACHIEVED. I OWNED A FORD FIESTA THAT DID THE SAME THING AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE CLUTCH. IS THAT A POSSIBILITY WITH MY SONATA?
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.
Structure, Oct 20, 2020
DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 530 IN ARKANSAS, ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH OF CLINTON LIBRARY THERE WAS A SUDDEN EXPLOSION OF GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF. THE INTERNAL VISOR WAS OPEN AND GLASS BEGAN TO POUR INTO MY LAP, SHIRT AND THE OTHER SEATS IN THE VEHICLE. I SCREAMED IN FEAR AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND ME AT THE TIME.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2020
TRUNK LATCH LOCKING ARM CAN BREAK WITH FEW MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHEN THE ARM BREAKS DUE TO IT BEING PLASTIC CONNECTING TO METAL VIA A STRONG TENSION SPRING, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE LEVER IS DEFEATED AND THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED, OR CLOSED IF IT BROKE WHILE OPEN.
Engine, Sep 24, 2020
I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON MY DASH BOARD. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IGNORED IT. KEPT DRIVING. THE CAR TURNED OFF COMPLETELY WHEN I WAS TURNINGIN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO EXCELERATE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 23, 2020
HEADLIGHT LENS HAS A PROJECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LENS THAT INTERFERES WITH AND IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE LIGHTED FIELD OF VISION. HYUNDAI MECHANICS HAVE TIOLD ME THEY'VE GOTTEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO CORRECT IT. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI, AND THEY GAVE A VERY DUBIOUS AND WEAK EXCUSE FOR THE DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED IN WRITING TO ME "THE BLACK HALF-MOON TRIANGULAR IMAGE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT GLARE TO THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR CONCERNS RELATED TO THE HALF-MOON/TRIANGULAR SHADOW." THIS RESPONSE DEFIES LOGIC AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN AFTER THE FACT FABRICATED RESPONSE SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO CORRECT THE DESIGN FLAW. THIS FLAW IS OBVIOUSLY ONLY OBSERVABLE DURING NIGHT DRIVING.
Power train, Sep 17, 2020
I GET A HEV WARNING TELLING ME TO SHUTDOWN MY CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY VEHIVAL NO LONGER ENGAGES THE GAS PART OF MY MOTOR, THE CAR GIVES ME MULTIPLE DISTRACTING NOISES. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IMMEDIATELY THE GASOLINE SIDE OF MY MOTOR IS WORKING AGAIN.. P2600 POPS UP ON MY SCANNER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON TILL ABOUT 4 IGNITION CYCLES WITH SOME DRIVE TIME. ALMOST ONCE, AND SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 29, 2020
I RENT THIS CAR FROM TOWER RENTALS I PAID 1300$ DAY BEFORE EASTER NO ONE WOULD COME GET IT FIX IT I'M IN QUEENS I GOT MONEY TOLLS AND GAS TOOK TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP IN BRONX YESTERDAY AFTER 4 HOURS THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG SENT ME HOME AFTER THEY DID 50 MIN INSPECTION WHICH IT FAILED. THEY HAVE CAUSED ME TONS OF MONEY PARTS JUMPS TRAVEL TIME LOSS OF WORK AND DO NOT CARE OR REIMBURSE ME THE CAR SITS X TIME WON'T START AGAIN WITHOUT JUMP I SENT NUMEROUS EMAILS ASKING MY YEARLY RECEIPT ALL I'VE PAID STILL NOT GIVEN IT TO ME
Electrical system, Tires, Service brakes, Apr 23, 2020
2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTY BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ISSUES START DURING COLD WEATHER. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PREMATURELY. *JS
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 23, 2020
ROUGH VIBRATION SLOWLY COMING UP STEERING WHEN BRAKING TO STOP. COULD BE ROTORS OR TIRES. STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2020
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO EXISTING PROBLEMS. I DROVE OFF MY INTENDED EXIT WHEN SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE JERKED REALLY HARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING AS THE CAR KEPT JERKING AND SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN! I STOP BY AN AUTO ZONE WHERE THE GUY COMES OUT AND USES HIS DEVICE TO FIND OUT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM HE SAYS THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE KNOCK SENSORS.
Steering, Engine, Feb 27, 2020
EVERYTIME I ACCELERATE MY SUV MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING / ? NOISES AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW FROM ACCELERATING. TALKED WITH HYUNDAI MECHANIC THAT SAID THEIR MAY BE A ENGINE PROBLEM. ONLY HAD IT 1 MONTH. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL BECOME VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IT.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 26, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT ABOUT 45MPH ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY ROAD AND OUT OF NO WHERE IT JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 2,000 RPMS. WHEN THE CAR JERKED, IT WAS SO SUDDEN IT INJURED MY LOWER BACK. MY BACK HAS BEEN VERY SORE SINCE THIS INCIDENT. I THEN TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HYUNDAI HAD NOT RECALLED MY SPECIFIC CAR. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THEIR SHOP WITH NO ETA OF REPAIR.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2020, fire
DRIVER STATES VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING, PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 23, 2020, fire
THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF IT ON WHEN I TURN ON HEAT THE RADIO STATION GOES STATIC VERY BAD ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON GO TO DEALERSHIP THEY KEEP ON RESET INSTEAD OF FIXING IT YESTERDAY MY STARTER BURN OUT .JUST OUT THE BLUE WITH NO WARNING SIGN IT WAS GOING OUT
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON AN OPEN INTERSTATE USING SMART CRUISE CONTROL WHEN A MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH SCREEN: SMART CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. RADAR BLOCKED. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND MY CAR WAS CLEAN. THERE HAD BEEN NO SNOW ACCUMULATION IN MY AREA NOR ANY IN THE AREA IN WHICH I WAS DRIVING. THERE WERE A FEW CARS AROUND. THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME MADE AN EXIT ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE MESSAGE AND INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARED. THE MESSAGE AND INDICATOR LIGHTS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, THE SAME MESSAGE AND INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARED. THE SKY WAS DARKER WITH A FEW FLURRIES IN THE AIR BUT NO ACCUMULATION. I TURNED OFF SMART CRUISE TO FINISH THE TRIP. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS WITH SMART CRUISE ON THE 5 HOUR RETURN TRIP. WEATHER CONDITIONS THEN WERE GRAY AND RAINING. THE TRIP IS MOSTLY INTERSTATE BUT THE DESTINATION IS MOUNTAINOUS. I MADE THE TRIP SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 2, 2020, crash
2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED OVER CONCRETE PARKING BARRIERS INTO AN EMBANKMENT WITH SHRUBS AND WAS STOPPED BY A TREE ANGLED UPWARDS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Engine, Dec 31, 2019
THE CAR BUCK GOING THREW LIGHTS IT HAD NO POWER. IT WOULD BOG DOWN WHEN YOU LEASE EXPECT IT. THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. BUT ONCE HAPPEN AT 1:30AM. THE LIGHT BEEN ON FOR AWHILE. I GO THREW A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR WENT LIP AND THE SEMI LAID ON HIS HORN AT 1:30AM. BECAUSE HE DIDN'T KNOW I BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS.THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO THE DEALER JUST AS THEY GOT THERE NO APPOINTMENT I JUST WALKED IN. I WAS PISSED. THEY CHANGED THE KNOCK SWITCH. IT ALMOST WORKED FOR TWO WEEKS.
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2019
DIM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY WEAK, NOT AIMED CORRECTLY OR POOR DESIGN. NOT ENOUGH CANDLE POWER TO SEE DIVIDING LINES ON HIGHWAY. WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS THINGS ARE GOOD. I HAVE TALKED WITH 3 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE SONATA'S, DIFFERENT YEAR MODELS, THEY HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. NOT SAFE! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS HIGH SAFETY ITEM PASSED THE NTSB!!!!
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?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2019
ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN TURNS OFF AFTER A WHILE AND WILL RESET OR I HAVE TO TAP IT AND MAKE SURE IT GOES BACK ON AND DOES THIS OVER AND OVER AT TIMES. SMOKE COMES OUT EXHAUST WHEN PASSING A CAR SOMETIMES
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2019
I HAVE A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE PARTIALLY SHADED AND EACH LIGHT HAS A NOTCH HANGING DOWN OVER IT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THE LIGHTS HAVE AN ANTI GLARE SYSTEM AND THAT'S HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FEATURE. WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD I CAN SEE ABOUT 15 - 2 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE DO SOMETHING.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING LAKE NORMAN HYUNDAI (704-274-3145, LOCATED AT 20520 CHARTWELL CENTER DR, CORNELIUS, NC 28031) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ROAD TESTS WERE NOT ALLOWED ON SUCH VEHICLES. ONE OF THE DEALERS PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH TSB: GROUP BRAKE 18-BR-001. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,700. THE VIN WAS INVALID.