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 24, 2019
HAD OIL CHANGED ON 1/24/2019, THEY DID THE ECM UPDATE FOR THE KNOCKS SENSER AND AFTERWARDS ON THE WAY HOME THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM HYUNDAI BLUE LINK SAYING THAT AN ENGINE COMPONENT HAD FAILED. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME A LOANER. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO HEAR BACK FROM HYUNDAI IN CA?? SOUNDS LIKE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON??
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 2018 SONATA IN JANUARY 2018. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT TENDS TO HESITATE WHEN MAKING TURNS ESPECIALLY RIGHT TURNS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR SLOW MOTION. LAST WEEK, I SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A NEAR 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MPH ON THIS ROAD. THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME - SO, I MAINTAINED A SAFE SPEED AND DISTANCE. AFTER TAKING THE TURN, MY CAR SKIDDED VERY SUDDENLY AS I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CURVE, AND IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO CORRECT IT AND PREVENT IT FROM HITTING A CONCRETE PILLAR OF THE FREEWAY PASSING ABOVE. THE ROAD APPEARED DRY AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. WHILE I CANNOT RULE OUT THE PRESENCE OF BLACK ICE, I WAS CONCERNED THAT ONE OF THE WHEEL MAY HAVE LOCKED UP EITHER DUE TO HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED OUT CAR AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT SINCE I NOTICED THAT SOME OTHER OWNER COMPLAINED OF ENGINE HESITATION WHEN TAKING TURNS. PERHAPS, OTHER OWNERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES.
Engine, Jan 22, 2019
I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON FRIDAY 1/18/2019 THE NEXT DAY I'M DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND MY CAR CUT MY CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 20MPH EVEN WITH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE SCREEN IN MY CAR POPPED UP A MESSAGE THAT SAID THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD SOME TYPE OF FAILURE. 2 DAYS IN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT'S NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD, IDLES FAIRLY HARD, AND NOW WON'T ACCELERATE.
Engine, Jan 19, 2019
DEALER INSTALLED DOWNLOAD #953 PURSUANT TO A HYUNDAI RECALL. AFTERWARDS THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE AS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS, AND IS HOLDING MY CAR AND WAITING FOR HYUNDAI IN CALIFORNIA TO COME UP WITH ONE. MINE WAS SECOND CAR THAT MORNING THAT THIS HAPPENED TO.
Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
THE PROJECTED ANGLE OF THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT OUT FAR ENOUGH WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY PROJECT OUT ONE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, LEAVING A VAST AMOUNT OF DARKNESS IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Nov 29, 2018
SINCE THE YEAR 2017 WHEN USING A PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE POWER OUTLET THE SYSTEM TURNS ON AND OFF.DRIVERS FOG LIGHT BEEN REPAIRED TWICE IN JULY 2018.LEFT FOG BULB BEEN REMOVED PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED FOUND BURNED GREASE WAS ADDED TO SOCKET GREASE WAS ALSO PUT ON SENSOR ON DRIVER DOOR BECAUSE RADIO SYSTEM WAS STAYING ON AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF,CLOSING DRIVER DOOR AND AFTER CLICKING THE ALARM TO LOCK DOOR RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. DRIVER BRAKE LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 2018 REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FOG LAMP/DRL ASSEMBLY THE SOCKET FOR THE BULB MELTED,CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO WARP AND THE CONNECTOR WITH NEW BULB WOULD NOT LOCK IN.NOW THE WIPERS ARE BAD. I'M ALSO HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND GAS MILEAGE BUT BECAUSE IT CAN NOT BE DETECTED I'M BEEN TOLD IT'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.JUST LIKE WHEN I TOLD THEM IT WAS SOMETHING GOING WITH THE LIGHTS BUT IT WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NO I'M NOT A MECHANIC BUT I KNOW THAT I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH BRAND NEW 2018 MODEL I DIDN'T HAVE DO THIS MUCH REPAIR ON USE CAR. I BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY JUST BEEN GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND TELLING LIKE THE GAS MILEAGE READING IS NOT GOING TO ACCURATE YOU SOMETIMES HAVE TO JUST ESTIMATE OR THINGS GO OUT. I HAVE TWO HYUNDAI SONATA THE DIFFERENCE IS ONE JUST ANOTHER COLOR AND I'M NOT HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES WITH IT.AT LEAST NOT YET.
Structure, Nov 20, 2018
THE OUTSIDE ANTENNA COMPLETELY CAME OFF AND DISAPPEARED... NOT BROKEN, BUT LITERALLY CAME LOOSE AND BLEW AWAY DOWN THE INTERSTATE
Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARBONE HONDA BENNINGTON (751 N BENNINGTON RD, BENNINGTON, VT 05201, (802) 447-3321), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,800. *DT UPDATED 11/30/18*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 9, 2018
PURCHASED NEW 2018 SONATA SEL MODEL IN CALIFORNIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO HARD DOWNSHIFT WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HARD DOWNSHIFTING AND JOLTING/THUMPING OF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ONLY OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 10 TO 15MPH. IT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN GENTLY APPLIED AND LIGHTLY RELEASED BUT THEN THE CAR ITSELF APPLIED ITS BRAKE AGAIN. IT TERRIFIES THE DRIVER'S DRIVING CONDITIONS, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2018
DISTINCT SHADOWS WITH NOTCHES ON TOP AFFECTING NIGHT VISION WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON. VERY DISTRACTING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 2, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STIFFNESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OF ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH DRIVERS SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BEYOND TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
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.
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EARLY DETECTION, FORWARD WARNING, COLLISION WARNING, AND AUTOMATIC BRAKING FEATURES WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREAT LAKES HYUNDAI (9630 OH-14, STREETSBORO, OH 44241, (330) 422-1212) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE EARLY WARNING SENSORS COULD NOT BE RE-CALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TT *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA SHOW TWO BLACK NOTCHES AND A BLACK LINE ABOUT 30 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS AS THESE SHADOWS DART ACROSS YOUR PATH AS YOU MAKE TURNS OR GO UP HILLS. HYUNDAI SERVICE COULD SEE THE NOTCHES, BUT SAID "THE SYSTEM IS WORKING WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AT THIS TIME". SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE UNSAFE LIGHTS.
Service brakes, Jun 15, 2018, crash
I HAD STOPPED MY VEHICLE, PUTTING EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, BUT STILL IN DRIVE. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. IT TRAVELED QUITE A DISTANCE BEFORE RUNNING INTO SOME INANIMATE THAT CAUSED IT TO STOP. IT WAS IN A DRIVEWAY BEHINDS BUILDINGS AND DID EVENTUALLY CROSS OVER A SIDE STREET BEFORE STOPPING. I DON'T SEE WHY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT HOLD, EVEN THOUGH NOT IN PARK?
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY STOP WHEN A SECOND VEHICLE WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON HYUNDAI GLENVIEW (1620 WAUKEGAN RD., GLENVIEW, IL) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKING WORKS WHEN CAR HAS CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, WHEN RELYING IN "AEB" NOTHING HAPPENS. VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE SHOULD BE ON OR BEFORE INCIDENT DATE UPDATED 9/21/18*JB
Seat belts, Apr 11, 2018
ORIGINALLY, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK UP AND NOT RELEASE AS WE WERE DRIVING. NO SUDDEN STOPS, IT WOULD JUST TIGHTEN UP AND LOCK. SERVICE DEPT FINALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT (SO THEY CLAIM). NOW WHEN PASSENGER PULLS BELT TO ATTACH WE HEAR A CLICKING SOUND AND BELT LOCKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE AND ALLOW PASSENGER TO LEAN FORWARD LIKE THE DRIVERS BELT DOES
Exterior lighting, Mar 23, 2018
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS THERE IS VERY DISTINCT SHADOWS IN FRONT OF CAR. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND HYUNDAI TSB 18-BE-003 SAYS IT IS NORMAL WITH LED AND INSTRUCTS DEALERS TO NOT TRY ADJUSTMENT
Structure, Mar 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT CAUSED A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE VIA U.S. MAIL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2018
THERE IS A BLACK LINE ACROSS THE ROAD WITH TWO BUMPS IN IT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT.IT ALSO SEEMS THAT THERE IS LIMITED FIELD OF VISION COMPARED TO MY OTHER CAR.ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP INSIDE OCCASIONALLY. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG.IT OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR,WHEN IT IS STATIONARY YOU CAN SEE THE BLACK BUMPS WHEN SHINING THE LIGHTS AGAINST A WALL.
Suspension, Jan 24, 2018
WAS DRIVING A BRAND NEW HYUNDAI SONATA 2018 VEHICLE FOR A WEEK WITH 300 MILES ON IT AND WAS ABOUT TO EXIT ON A FREEWAY RAMP, BUT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND WHEN THE MECHANICS AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TOOK A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE UNSURE OF HOW THE LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE (FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM) WITH THE BALL AND JOINT CONNECTION WAS DISCONNECTED, WITHOUT HAVING ANY SCUFFS/SCRATCHES ON THE ARM ASSEMBLY OR FRONT BUMPER IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAVE BEEN RUN OVER, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADMIT ANY FAULT AND DISREGARDS ANY POSSIBILITIES OF PRODUCT ISSUES AND PUTS THE BLAME ON DRIVER. THE PICTURES TAKEN SHOW NO SCRATCHES OR SCUFF MARKS DIRECTLY TO THE CONTROL ARM, NOR THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH DENIES THAT A COLLISION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DAMAGE, YET HYUNDAI BELIEVES THAT THERE WAS A COLLISION PER THE DRIVER THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAPPENED, BUT HYUNDAI ONLY PROVIDES VAGUE RESPONSES TO CLAIMS AND QUESTIONS AND FAILS TO PROVIDE ANY SOLID EXPLANATIONS REGARDING THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY AND SIMPLY DICTATED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INSPECTION AS "NO ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING OR STEERING SYSTEMS" WHEN I SPECIFICALLY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY PART. CURRENTLY HAVE AN ON-GOING CASE WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS (#10727408) WITH NO HELPFUL OR ACCURATE EXPLANATIONS OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SAFETY ISSUE AT HAND FROM HYUNDAI.
Exterior lighting, Dec 31, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED HAVE CONDENSATION IN THEM. IT HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 10/1/18. THAT DAY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK PICTURES TO SEND TO HYUNDAI AND 1 MONTH LATER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. BUT THE NEW HEADLIGHTS WERE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL AND THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PARTS MANAGER TOOK MORE PICTURES FOR HYUNDAI. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM HYUNDAI DIRECTLY WHO IS MY CONTACT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED HYUNDAI IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND WHILE THEY DO I AM STILL WAITING FOR NEW HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE FOUND OTHER CARS IN MY AREA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AT NIGHT THE MOISTURE COVERS A GOOD PORTION OF THE GLASS GIVING A DISTORTION TO THE PROJECTED HEADLIGHT BEAM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT JUST DURING GOOD WEATHER, BUT ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER.