2019 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 161 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 8 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
161 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 19, 2024
The hybrid power system has stopped all together twice while driving once back in May 2021 and again in December 2022, the car has just under 50,000 miles. Both times this has happened the car was actively being driven, and has caused us to pull over on the side of the highway because there is no warning beforehand, everything from the power steering to the gas goes out. It’s terrifying and unsafe for anyone in the car but also near it when it happens.
Structure, Dec 16, 2023
The paint of my 2019 Pearl White Sonata is peeling off on the hood. I see that there was an extended warranty extension on the same car of 2017 and 2018. I would like to know why not including 2019 of the same color on the same car.
Engine, Dec 7, 2023
There is excessive oil consumption with the engine in my car. Hyundai says 1qt per 1000 miles is “acceptable” however this is not acceptable and can lead to catastrophic engine failure and oil slick on roadways if not caught in time. This is a know problem with Hyundai/Kia at this time. In many cases Hyundai/Kia owners are left with a “lemon” of a new car that is currently in warranty. Some have been granted replacement engines that have not lasted 3000 miles. A recall must be issued in the name of safety on these cars. The manufacturer must be held accountable for the lack of quality that has been put out over the last decade.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Nov 22, 2023
Blind-spt warming system inoperable. When malfunctioning, cannot disengage the key from the ignition. Problem has been confirmed by dealer. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Blind-spot warning light has been illustrated on the dash intermittently since 10/5/22.
Engine, Oct 29, 2023
I bought this car 1 year and 2 months ago from a Hyundai dealership. The car was close to 73,000 miles. A few days after I got the car I started hearing this noise that sounded like a rattle coming from the front while accelerating to about 2,000 RPM. Due to my work, I went back to the dealer after 1,000 miles and explained to them about the noise and they duplicate it. The engine was consuming oil when I bought the car, I went back to the dealer and never did any testing on oil consumption. The problem got worst and worst. I started a claim with Hyundai Corp and I waited for 4 months to the an approval and they are only covering 50% of the engine. Dealer says I have to pay $3,200 to start engine replacement process, with no payment plan. Now I have a debt of $17k and no car. Engine has no compression on cylinder 3, which causes a misfire and makes the car unsafe to drive and leaves me unemployed with a child and bills to take care of. Thank you Hyundai, nice job .
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2023
I have the White Pearl paint and it started peeling on the hood and drivers side door.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2023
This is not a safety issue but I feel it need to be recognized my vehicle is peeling paint from on top of roof and I see this happening on numerous amount of Hyundai Sonatas and Hyundai are not addressing the problems and I am still making payments on my car I want this displayed to make everyone aware this is a complete rip off on hyundia's behalf I hope to never purchase a vehicle from any Hyundai's company ever again they will have you going from one person to the next
Engine, Aug 7, 2023
After a year of issues, burning oil, changing spark plugs, my engine is dead. Hyundai has ignored issues and many times refused to pay for oil, parts, etc passing all costs to me. I have a loan of 15k and no car. Called and emailed their case management team—no help, no reimbursements. I have no equity-No property left. This was my only mode of transportation. Due to their slowness, I had to buy a new car and spend money I was not scheduled to spend. The financial stress and lack safety and unprofessional manner from Hyundai is at a new level-ridiculous.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 2, 2023
car was jerkikg yesterday and now it wont start
Structure, Jul 14, 2023
Paint code WW8. Paint peeling from trunk and other areas of car. Have also seen numerous Hyundai and Kias around Jacksonville, FL with the same and often severe paint peel. Needs recall and HYUNDAI to fix.
Engine, Jul 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently revved and decelerated to 40 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that timing chain had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that occasionally she needed to add engine oil between oil changes. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case number was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2023
Car has issues with fuel pump with only 64k miles. I was told by Hyundai that I need a new fuel pump. With such low mileage this appears most likely to be a manufacturing defect. Hyundai Sonata has had recall issues regarding this part in the past.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2023, fire
The issue is UNKNOWN. On may 23,2023 I exited my car… maybe less than 10 minutes returned to car to go on with my day pressed the start button and it burst into flames.
Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2023
Car consumes excessive oil – one quart about every 500-700 miles. This has caused sludge in the engine and the car hesitates significantly on starting from a stopped position and now hesitates even at highway speeds. This has become a definite safety issue. If the car stalls it is only a matter of time before I am hit by another driver. The dealer first stated the oil consumption was fine IF it was one quart every 1,000 miles and that no repairs would be needed. My car is consuming almost double that amount of oil. Dealership agreed to look at it; stated the car needs a new engine. Hyundai refused to even do an oil consumption test, let alone repair/replace the engine. The “sludge” in the oil that Hyundai states was present is a result of the oil consumption (even the dealer service department verbally agreed). I’m literally putting new oil in it about once a week! There is no possibility this would NOT cause sludge. In addition, dealership said to expect the engine to fail fairly soon. Hyundai claims the car was not maintained properly; however, that is untrue. I’ve submitted records to them that I had. The warranty has no requirement that the oil must be changed or maintained by a certain individual or company. Without a new engine, the car will continue to hesitate and will eventually fail. Hesitation (and especially engine failure) subjects me to a much higher possibility of a crash causing injury or death to myself or someone else. Hyunadai should absolutely recall the thousands of vehicles having this exact same issue.
Exterior lighting, Jun 10, 2023
There was no specific "incidence" to report. This is an on-going issue for a long time. Low beam headlights do not illuminate the road sufficiently for safe driving. Have had it to the dealer to insure the lights are adjusted to spec, but it was no better. Asked that they raise the beams; while a little better isibility, oncoming traffic was blinded and flashing me to lower the beams. Had the lights adjusted back to spec. I am now afraid to drive it at night in unlit areas - you just cannot see the road and easily outrun the reach of these poor lights.
Engine, Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that oil was leaking onto the ground from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and stated that the drain plug needed to be replaced. The drain plug was replaced but the failure recurred almost immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the oil pan was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Engine, May 24, 2023
2019 Sonata is using/burning oil at about a quart every 600-800 miles. We are checking and adding oil constantly. Car is sluggish, especially when accelerating from a stop.
Engine, May 3, 2023
I noticed the problem when my change oil light started coming on several thousands miles before my oil change was due. I checked the oil and it was very very low. Much lower that it should have been at that point during the maintenance period. We added oil thinking maybe something had happened with the previous oil change. Made it to the next round of maintenance and a few thousand miles into that one, same thing. Oil light came on again. Extremely low oil levels. I called the dealership where I had purchased the car - I am the original owner - and they requested me to bring it in for an oil consumption test. It was an immediate request. No other questions were asked. After the dealership kept my car for 2 1/2 weeks we get a call that the "valve" was full of "oil sludge" and were accused of "maintenance neglect", although we can produce records, and due to that Hyundai Corporate said our warranty would not cover it and repairs will not be covered. We would be held financially responsible for a brand new engine. I declined the repair as we cannot afford the repairs at this time and told the dealership we will continue to monitor oil levels.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2023
A hairline crack from the engine oil drain plug causing leaking oil. This is a very common issue for this engine. Mine was present when the car was new. My local dealer claimed my car has run over something, which never happened. No dent or damages on the oil pan, just crack on the side of pan. This is very common issue for this engine. Low engine oil level will cause engine failure.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Apr 22, 2023, crash
This vehicle was bought brand new from West Broad Hyundai in Richmond , VA. I was financing this vehicle had it for almost two years before it was stolen. The police said it was a couple of teenagers. I lost thousands of dollars almost 2 years worth of car payments. I think Hyundai should be accountable because they nevar notified me these vehicles were easily stolen. I lost two years of car payments. I still owe 1,000 to Capital One because my insurance company didn’t fully payoff this loan. Please help: I lost allot of money had to come up with a down payment for a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. This vehicle has the same problem with it can be easily stolen. My information is Mary Chanberlain 6700 Veritas Way 1-B N Chesterfield 23234 804-2411844
Engine, Apr 19, 2023
The engine is burning the oil faster than normal. There are no oil leaks. Called the dealership and they said it’s an oil consumption. I got an oil change March 3,2023 and my oil pressure light came on last Friday April 14,2023 as I was driving I pulled over and there was completely no oil in the car. The dealership told me to top it off until they can look it at. I topped it off Friday with two quarts of oil that I purchased from auto zone. I checked my oil again on Yesterday April 18,2023 and the two quarts of oil I put in was completely black
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2023
White paint bubbling up and chipping off of car. No abrasion beforehand.
Engine, Feb 21, 2023
Well below the 5000-mile mark for an oil change, multiple times between multiple oil changes my oil light would come on. I would be at a stop light and the oil light would come on as soon as I start going again. Checked the oil when I got home and there was barely any oil on the stick. Found hundreds if not thousands of complaints about the engine burning oil very fast in multiple Hyundai's and Kia's for almost a 10-year span. This has yet to be recalled by Hyundai, this is a very dangerous situation that if it continues going unnoticed, could cause death or serious injury. It is a known issue at Hyundai dealerships, and they will fix it if it's still under the 100,000-mile warranty, but only if you bring it up to them. Hyundai/Kia has yet to fix the problem or do a recall that has been across multiple models for 10 years.
Engine, Feb 11, 2023
The engine is leaking oil in my garage. The car has 50,000 miles and is constantly loosing oil. It is 100% dealer maintained, and is current on all scheduled service.
Steering, Engine, Dec 20, 2022, crash
The car was stolen, one of the vehicles that Hyundai manufactured without an Engine Immobilizer, making it very easy to steal. Consumers didn't know about this defect, because the corrupt automaker kept us in the dark. I'm fairly certain that by breaking the steering column to expose the port to start the car, that driving the speed limit or having control of the vehicle was on the thieves mind. The safety of my neighbors and anyone they were driving would have had their safety compromised. The vehicle is currently being repaired cosmetically. The Engine Immobilizer will not be installed by the body shop. It was inspected by a certified repair shop of State Farm. No warning lights were illuminated.