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.
Power train, Engine, Mar 18, 2024
Severe oil leak into the oil pan has required frequent maintenance to keep oil in the car.
Engine, Mar 17, 2024
Engine failed, vehicle towed to Hyundai Daytona Beach Florida on [XXX], vehicle under warranty and part of class action suit. Multiple inquiries to dealer and complaint filed with Hyundai North America, Hyundai and dealer have failed to replace engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2024
I own a 2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 turbo I paid cash for it in [XXX] with 2011 miles on it for 24,000 cash didn’t start having problems until 2022 then the I kept hearing a knocking on the left front wheel. I had it look at several places because the Hyundai of Louisville dealership kept telling me my title was branded I didn’t know what that meant till I took my title to the tag office and had the sheriffs department check the title out and it was an still is 100 % clean then my engine kept getting worse an in may of 2023 the engine stopped working I had the car towed to the local dealership and they couldn’t even look at it till Aug of 2023 the they told me I shot out a code 99 and they refused to update my software for the knock sensor system and wouldn’t honor the regular 60,000 miles warranty my car only had 48,000 miles on it . They didn’t bother telling me about the faulty GDI 2.0 turbo engine in August of 2023 I had to research it and find out on the internet that it’s a excessive oil consumption problem with this faulty engine. I had my car stolen for 6 days in April of 2023 and everything was taken out of my glove box an trunk . My oil change receipts were kept in an envelope in the glove box and were stolen with all my car registration an insurance papers . So the dealership refused my free engine replacement because I don’t have all my oil change receipts and blamed me for the oil being out of the engine which is due to the faulty GDI 2.0 turbo engine the dealership has now had my car 300 days I’ve been walking to and from my work I can’t afford a new engine all I want is me free engine replacement I have all the articles printed of all the engine problem with the cars catching on fire or just stop running period . I need some representation on having the Hyundai of Louisville Kentucky on Dixie highway to get me my free engine replacement they want 14,000$ for a new engine. I’m extremely mad and frustrated with this entire situation I have retained a lawyer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Mar 16, 2024
I have an oil leak. After getting an oil change I have to add 1-2 quarts of oil before my next oil change. I do have my oil change as recommended. This has happened so far on the last 3 oil changes I’ve done.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 14, 2024
Car continues to burn oil within a week of getting oil changes, the oil will be black and it will be low sometimes there will be no oil and there is not an oil leak. Right now we had to pay for a combustion test and have to drive 1,000 miles then check the oil at Hyundai again and already our oil is starting to burn and is low. Hyundai said if the combustion test comes back still burnt or low Hyundai would give me a new engine and yea it’s low and already a tint dark not as dark as it used to get but still it’s low with no leak and we did not get the promised new engine after paying almost 600$ for the test… Also electrical wise the computer randomly sounds like static when Siri talks also the music does not play and randomly the maps will close out we have tried new cords we have tried everything and it still happens.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 8, 2024
On [XXX] I was driving on [XXX] [XXX] from Rockville, Maryland when my vehicle (2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited) started to lose power and control and all dash lights started to show. I was able to move the vehicle to the highway shoulder before all power and control failed. Had I been moving at a higher speed or in heavier traffic, or been slower to react this could have led to a catastrophic incident. When the roadside assistance showed up they found that my alternator had completely detached from my vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the Sheehy Hyundai dealership in Waldorf, MD and examined on [XXX]. The maintenance staff informed me that there were 3 other similar cases they're working on, and that there is a flaw in the design of the alternator bracket using aluminum materials that failed, and that they've reported this systemic issue to the manufacturer but have yet to receive any indications that this would be considered for a recall despite the catastrophic impact this could have. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 24, 2024, fire
The car was sitting in the parking lot and randomly black smoke started coming from it and then it turned into fire within in minutes. No one was in the vehicle and 911 was contacted.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 11, 2024, crash
Vehicle 1 operating normally in traffic on [XXX] in Westfield MA. Operator 1 notices alert on dashboard. As Operator 1 looks down briefly and returns eyes immediately to the road, she sees Vehicle 2 braking to slow or stop. Operator 1 depresses brakes, but vehicle does not slow as it usually does, nor does Automatic Emergency Braking engage as it always has in the past. Front of Vehicle 1 makes contact with rear of Vehicle 2. Dashcam footage appears like brakes did not activate at all, either manually or automatically. Vehicle 1 airbags deploy. Westfield Police respond, as well as Westfield Fire, who cut the battery cable. Vehicle towed to Interstate Towing, Inc. Yard 5, 20 Clifton St, Westfield, Ma 01085. (413) 593-1900 interstatetowing.com. Owner 1 viewed vehicle at tow yard, and noted that the battery was completely melted, with only portions of the plastic casing along with internal plates visible. Much of the plastic and rubber components immediately adjacent to battery location were melted and deformed. As a layperson, it almost appears as though the battery was in the process of shorting out just prior to the collision, possibly rendering many of the safety systems inoperable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Feb 4, 2024
My car continues to consume oil and it’s always low. There is no leak. I have been told that the engine is constantly consuming the oil. I have taken it to the dealership and they submitted a form but nothing came about it. This is a safety concern for how fast the oil is being consumed
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 4, 2024
Car would not start. Odor of burning wires coming from the engine compartment with a little smoke. Had car towed to the Dealer who replaced the starter. Ok for two weeks then same thing. No Start and an odor of burning wires coming from the engine compartment. Had it towed to the Dealer again where it sits today.
Power train, Jan 25, 2024
Starter replaced at less than 50,000 miles. Normally a starter will last 150,000 miles or more. I was past the warranty by 9 months but was under the mileage. Warranty was 5 years or 50,000 miles. Hyundai parts are cheap and do not last long compared to other companies.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 22, 2024
I have had a new engine put in my Sonata back at the beginning of 2023. For the past two days my car will jerk really hard, and then loose power not accelerating over 25 rpms and my check engine lights comes on when it jerks really hard.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 26, 2023
We were heading to Lakewood NJ from Bucks County (North of Philly) . Car trouble w/ hybrid system on Rt 1, just past I-95. Got off @ Fairless Hills & took back roads. We could only go 20-30 mph. IDK how many times I pulled over. Several lights on, including "Check hybrid system. Turn Engine off", engine light, low tire pressure, battery & 3 other unidentifiable lights. I turned around to try to make it home, as 2 years ago, I had a similar issue, which turned out to be the hybrid water pump failed. We finally stopped near a park & called AAA & towed to dealer. Prior to driving, we had no fluid on our driveway. My last synthetic oil change was April 19, 2023 @ 49,097mile. I now have about 57,000 miles. Today, dealer said no oil in the car & oil pan was all wet. They claim the oil filer was loose. Why would it take 8 months to loosen to lose oil? After adding oil & taking for test drive, they said the engine seized & would need to be replaced. Not under warranty. Add to complaint - the remaining dashboard lights where checked and non of them was for the oil pressure. If I lost enough oil for the engine to seize I would expect a low oil pressure light to come. The dealer informed me on Dec 26, 2023 that when doing the diagnostic, the oil pressure light came on for them. The photos attached to the case does not show the oil pressure light on.
Engine, Dec 22, 2023
Oil pan crack. Leaking oil can get on engine or underbody components causing fire or failure of breaking systems causing an accident resulting in death. Problem was identified by dealer and in fact the dealer rep said this was common. It has not been inspected by police or insurance reps. There is no warning systems in place for a cracked pan.
Engine, Dec 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as designed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and then contacted the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,920.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2023
The paint if pealing off in large sections due to a manufacturer defect in the primer. The flakes can fly onto the windshields of other vehicles causing collisions.
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start in cold weather, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The contact stated that the vehicle would start as needed whenever the weather was warmer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine, Dec 12, 2023
I own a 2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL. I purchased the car in 2020 with ~17,000 miles on it. At ~50,000 miles the engine begin burning oil. It has progressively gotten worse. I can’t bring myself to have anyone drive my car because of this issue. It is all to likely that the result of the car burning so much oil in a short period of time. That it can pose a serious risk to anyone driving the car if the oil wasn’t checked. This is not a common problem with many cars, this is a problem with Hyundai vehicles. The negligence of not issuing a recall for this is horrible. I have taken my car to private mechanics and Hyundai service centers. The response I get is “oh yeah they’re know for burning oil and there’s not much to do about it.” That’s a ridiculous response to situation like this for the thousands of owners. How long will it take to issue a recall, until a life is taken? When the issue could have been fixed by issuing a recall. Complete negligence on Hyundai and the NHTSA.
Engine, Dec 10, 2023
Purchased this vehicle with about 64K miles. Vehicle, as per CarFax report, has been meticulously maintained. Upon delivery, we changed the oil and filter with full-synthetic Amsoil. We ensured oil levels were appropriate prior to returning to service. No more than 1,000 miles later, roughly incurred in about a month, we checked oil levels again. This time, it required about 1.25 quarts to return it to the appropriate level .We did research and apparently, there is a class-action lawsuit filed by owners of Hyundai vehicles with this specific engine, the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. Here's an article making reference to apparently your organization already looking into these complaints. [XXX] Could you please advise if the NHTSA will take the necessary steps to request Hyundai to issue a recall? I have found multiple articles where Hyundai is rejecting to take any action on their own, in most cases, advising their customers that such level of oil consumption is 'normal'. That clearly contradicts their own owner's manual guidelines. I own a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500LT with 302K miles and the vehicle will go nearly 5K miles between oil changes while requiring no more than 1/2 quart of oil to keep it at the appropriate levels. I also own a 2019 Honda Accord 2.0T that normally requires oil changes every 10K miles and it seldom requires more than 1/8 of a quart to keep at the appropriate oil levels. There is definitely something definitely wrong with this engine type and requires governmental involvement to hold the manufacturer to provide adequate remediation. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Dec 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that cylinder #1 was misfiring on every cycle due to damage to the piston. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Suspension, Seats, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 27, 2023
ABS module stopped working and the ABS module light is on. Car automatically brakes by its self sometimes or locks up at stop lights creating dangerous driving situations
Engine, Nov 26, 2023
My 2018 Hyundai Sonata began running low on oil around May 2022 when the car had 86,400 miles on it. I informed the local dealership where I bought the car and had all maintenance completed. The dealership and myself contacted Hyundai Corp. Hyundai Corp approved oil consumption testing which resulted in an induction cleaning in Sept. 2022. This did not resolve the oil burning issue. The dealership service staff informed me that I was given a lifetime warranty on the engine and to keep driving it and putting oil in as needed until the engine failed and then to bring it to the dealership for replacement engine. There evidently was not a fix for the problem. Most recently I have been putting oil in the car every Sunday. I sent an email message to Hyundai Corp about a month ago to request to talk with a case manager regarding this excessive oil issue. In the meantime I have taken my car to the dealership for all suggested maintenance and informed them of the continued oil consumption. Before I received a response from Hyundai, my engine failed. I pulled out of my drive way and my car was stalling and would not accelerate properly then my engine light came on. I drove the car about a quarter mile down the road and turned around and came home in this very scary condition. This is a safety issue due to pulling out on a road with no power to accelerate. I had it towed to the dealership. I was give a case manager from Hyundai. My car has burnt valves and excessive carbon build up from excessive oil burning. Hyundai will not cover engine replacement costs, or buy back the vehicle. This vehicle is available for inspection. I'm not sure if I should leave it at dealership or have it towed home.
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 21, 2023
Warning lights keep coming on for ABS and Blind Spot Detection. Please help as I know this has been recalled in other 2018 Sonatas. So why is my VIN # not included in these recent recalls?? I FEAR for mine and my daughter's safety as she turned 16 in February 2023 and started driving this car in August 2023. PLEASE HELP!!
Seats, Nov 7, 2023
The drivers seat operation is going berserk. I can not get it to move at times and at other times it only partially operates. It also may do the opposite of what control direction I move it! I had to drive home today not being able to to the gas pedal well...very dangerous.
Engine, Nov 1, 2023
Engine is failing, stalls frequently. Dealership where I bought the car will not help, other dealership advised us to drive the car until the engine fails. I do not feel safe driving this car with my children.