2020 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 178 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasolineNov 18, 2025
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.
Campaign 25V796000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchMar 28, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 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 inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 221/010G.
Campaign 22V196000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareApr 9, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.
Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RSPA software, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 191.
Campaign 20V213000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 28, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 190.
Campaign 20V122000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 11, 2024
The component that failed is the fuel tank system. While driving, the fuel tank expanded, causing significant damage to the rear section of the vehicle. This issue resulted in the rear seat rising up, and the bottom rear seat cushion detaching from its securing clamps. The check engine light came on, and gas started leaking from the fuel cap. The fuel tank has moved upward by about 3 to 5 inches, no longer resting on the factory fuel tank straps. The sheet metal underneath the rear seat was crumpled, and the fuel pump access cover bent. The vehicle is currently at College Park Hyundai and is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of my children were significantly compromised. The loud popping noise startled us, and the fact that the rear seat lifted and detached posed a serious risk to the passengers in the back seat. Additionally, the gas leak created a fire and explosion hazard, putting all occupants of the vehicle and other drivers on the road at serious risk. This incident potentially violates the Fuel System Integrity (49 CFR 571.301) regulation, which ensures that a vehicle's fuel system is designed to prevent leaks and fire hazards. Moreover, the unexpected movement and detachment of the rear seat could be a breach of Occupant Protection (49 CFR 571.207 and 571.208), which govern the safety of seating systems and occupant crash protection. The issue has been confirmed by the service center at College Park Hyundai, where the vehicle is currently being inspected and evaluated. The vehicle is being inspected by the manufacturer’s authorized service center at College Park Hyundai. It has not yet been inspected by police or insurance representatives at this time. The check engine light came on immediately after the loud popping noise and the detachment of the rear seat cushion. Additionally, the gas gauge suddenly dropped to empty after the incident, even though the tank was not empty prior to the malfunction.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 8, 2024
Gas tank replaced three times and failed each installation (excess pressure)leaked gas with riders in car. I was a LYFT driver .YES car can be seen at MAUI HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPT 260 HANA Highway. Kahului, HI. 96732 Car needs another gas tank and Manager at Service Dept tells me there is only one gas tank available, the type we installed. FARMERS INSURANCE HAS SEEN PHOTOS OF THE BAD GAS TANK. Service department was not aware of this gas tank issue...told me you must have run over some debris (not true) HYUNDAI has received my complaint but not replied yet.Engine warning light came on went off came on Took car to dealer for service
Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2024
I had the check engine light come on about 4 times in my 2020 Hyundai Sonata 1.6L this year in 2024. I took the car to a technician to get looked at each time it came on. The codes and bulletins kept pointing to fuel system issues. Each time, every service tech said it was a small issue and claimed to fix the issues. The final time a tech seen it lifted the rear seat and found out that the gas tank expanded and the back seat buckled up. The backseat metal frame is bent and messed up. I was flagged down by several drivers ?that noticed gasoline leaking from my driverside rear. My child and I were in dang? er and had to pull on the side of a major highway and stay several hours until someone picked us up. The problem has been confirmed by the hyuandi service center. They said another vehicle experienced this same issue. I was in fear for my life and my child's life because it could have caught fire and/or exploded.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2024
There is an issue with the 2020+ Hyuandai sonatas and Kia K5 models. The valves in my gas tank had failed. Causing pressure and gas vapors to be trapped inside the tank. The pressure in my tank has swollen my gas tank to the point where it’s bent the metal frame underneath my backseat, lifting my backseat off its base. My car is a literal tricking time bomb because the tank will eventually burst. There’s also a strong smell of gas coming from underneath the backseat. There’s been a new story on this issue already. Kia has acknowledged the issue and did recalls. Hyundai has not. Many owners of the Sonata are having this same exact issue according to Reddit posts. I took my vehicle to the dealer, got it diagnosed, was quoted $2900+. I was told it was an extreme safety hazard due to the pressure in the tank and the gas leak. The tank has swollen so much that it’s pressing against the exhaust. I’m out of warranty and they expect me to pay out of pocket. I have no where near $3000. I use my car for work and have no choice but to drive it. Please help.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2024
(August 29th) My girlfriend and I were driving in my 2020 Sonata, when the check engine light turned on and my gas gauge dropped from being full to then only half way. About an hour later, driving back home we heard a loud pop as if something exploded. Next day, I took my car to the Autonation Hyundai dealership and after taking a look at my car they quoted me about $6,000 to get my fuel tank and charcoal canister replaced. Our safety was put at risk due to the fact that had the damage been any worse, it could have caused the car to possibly explode or give out while driving on the highway, and in turn would put many more lives at risk.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2024
Gas tank is swelling causing the rear seats to pop up
Seats, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 19, 2024
Took a trip to Nashville so I left Memphis Saturday morning hole on the road heading to Nashville I was at least 30 minutes fork the city my car began to jerk very bad suddenly my file light came on so I stopped at a gas station the file light came on telling me I needed gas the had was on the E but my mileage to e said 117miles. So I was like ok that’s weird after I put gas in my car I got back on the road my gas hand went from full to half way and I was not even on the road for 40 minutes so as we get closer to Nashville my car starts jerking very bad I hear a noise that sounded like a bag or a piece of paper being crumbled up I turn around to find my rear seat up in the air I knew it was not normal at all looks like it was a lot of pressure for the frame of a car to stand up like that I definitely knew something was wrong when that happened I instantly started to smell gas very loud smell of gas I then start to do my research and I see Kia’s and Hyundais are dealing with gas tank expansions so at this point I am scared for my life I’m in my car and I’m dealing with a issue like this. I instantly call my dealership and schedule to have my car towed to the dealership out in Nashville. They called me that Monday confirming the gas take had expanded and caused a significant amount of floor damage to my vehicle I am currently waiting trying to see what is Hyundai going to do about this issue that is my only transportation and having to deal with this then find another way back home has been very stressful and just to know that I could have lost my life in that car is even more traumatic
Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2024
Fuel tank has expanded to the point that my vehicle is deemed not safe to drive. As pressure in the tank is unable to be stabilized. Only had the car for about 70 days since the date of purchase. Repairs are about $3900. In short as told by the dealership service department, my car could blow up at any time. This is not safe, at all.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2024
Riding down the road June 30, 2024 and heard a loud boom coming from the back of my car. I pulled to the side of the road and walked around but saw no damage to outside of car. When I was approximately 30 miles from home my gas started dropping tremendously. Once arriving at home it was a rumble coming from rear of car after inspecting outside car and seeing no damage again, I looked in my back seat and the rear seat was lifted. If my kids or any other occupants would have been back there it could have possibly caused injuries. Upon my mechanic looking my car over they told me it was something to do with my fuel tank. My appointment is July 16, 2024 Hyundai of Dothan in Dothan al for farther diagnosis. My safety was in danger as explosion from the fuel tank could have cause serious damage and/or injury to car and self. Check engine light came on once the fuel consumption started dropping tremendously.
Power train, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 27, 2024
I was on my way back home from Alexandria LA on [XXX] when I heard like the sound of an blow out tire but wasn’t happen to look in back of car and seen back seat was blown off the area of the car and proceeded to see that the gas tank was expanded like you would see a balloon and the me car started running funny and. Then a service code comes across the screen of the radio po45100 , so I pull over and look beneath the car and see that the gas tank is so expanded it’s now pressing against the exhaust pipe. So I turned car off and here we are now I’m without a car due to this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 27, 2024
A week before my gas tank expanding I heard a loud popping noise. When driving from NC to DC, my gas tank refused to take gas and my car immediately went to empty. I was stranding on the highway and has my 2020 Hyundai towed to the Hyundai dealership in Chesterfield, VA. They told me that my gas tank expanded and my back seats had popped out of place.
Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2024
It looks like the fuel tank has expanded. My back seats are now lifted & will not push down.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2024
Driving 55mph on highway car slows down and make a pop nose and back seat comes up and I start to smell gas
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2024
I have a 2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus. For the past month I been dealing with my CEL regarding Fuel Tank Pressure sensor and I end up replacing one from hyundai itself. After doing that I notice my fuel tank has expanded and I’m currently dealing with Hyundai & the dealership to see if they can make a recall regarding this issue or just fix it period since it’s a big safety concern. This been happening since mid April. My back seat lifts up from time to time and my fuel pump cover is bent. Below I’ll add some pictures so you guys can see how my tank straps are actually bent which is very uncommon for it to happen. I recently took it to the dealer last week after reaching out to hyundai corporate and they took pictures and send it for prior approval to see if hyundai is willing to replace this. I can’t fill up my gas tank, I constantly have to out between $15-$25 the most due to fuel mileage issue since the tank has expanded I get fuel mileage inconsistency
Seats, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2024
An independent service center advise us that the gas tank had expanded which could have put my family at risk if exploding or catched on fired. This happend on June 15th 2024 while driving, a sudden explosion coming from the back of the car was heard. Little after the explosion like sound we perceived as if air was coming through the back as if we had a window rolled down. When pulled to check, i notice that the back seat was popped up. No warning on the car was giving prior to the incident. Will take car to Hyundai dealership to have it inspect by them and have a solution.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2024
I was driving on the interstate when I heard a click from the back of the car. The gas gauge started to move downward as if I was losing gasoline. It eventually stopped and started moving back up, past where it was when it started decreasing. A little bit later the check engine light came on and the car started driving very sluggishly. I took the car into the Hyundai dealer and they found that the backseat was clicked out of place and a sensor was unplugged. This issue has since occurred multiple times. The back seat will pop out of place, the gas gauge will move beyond the gas that is in the tank, and finally the check engine light will come on and reduce the performance of the vehicle. The gas tank appears to be swelling and pushing up against the back seat which is causing it to pop. I had my girlfriend drive the car while I sat in the backseat and I could actually feeling something moving underneath the backseat. I have since gotten in contact with other sonata owners who have had the same thing happen with their vehicles. In other cases the backseat has exploded and flown completely off of the gas tank. I am very nervous to drive my car and think Hyundai should recall these vehicles before someone gets hurt.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2024
Summary: The gas tank on this vehicle blew up/expanded rapidly to the point it could have erupted into a gasoline vapor fireball, killing the occupants of the vehicle or others. According to two Hyundai dealers, a failure in a check valve and the vehicle ECU programming caused pressurized air from the engine to be pumped into the gas tank, causing it to expand to the point of explosively popping out all of the sheet metal under the back seat. One Hyundai dealer service technician described the vehicle as, quote, 'a ticking time bomb'. There was no check engine light or warning at the time of this explosive event, although one occurred later. Hyundai has not offered to repair this vehicle. Please note that this potentially deadly issue is already well known to Hyundai/Kia. The Sonata has a sister vehicle from Kia that is the same vehicle platform called the K5. Kia issued a service campaign to address this extremely dangerous issue in April (TSB: SC288 K5 (DL3a) April 2024) which reads in part: "The subject vehicles may experience fuel tank swelling due to an issue with the PCSV check valve, which results in pressurized air to flow into the fuel tank." In addition, at last check an investigative reporter in Charlotte, NC has identified numerous Hyundai and Kia vehicles in which this has occurred. There's likely far more people who have already had this occur, and potentially thousands or hundreds of thousands of vehicles with this potentially deadly condition. (See: wsoctv.***/news/local/kia-acknowledges-gas-tanks-swelling-suddenly-offers-free-fix) As stated above, Hyundai has not offered to fix my vehicle. Please immediately take steps to force the manufacturer to remedy this extremely dangerous condition for all affected owners before someone is injured or killed.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 27, 2024
The fuel tank under the backseat expanded forcing the backseat up and causing the muffler to scrape the ground. The expansion of the fuel tank could have exploded due to extreme pressure. Vandergriff Hyundai in Arlington, TX has inspected the vehicle and confirmed component failures in the fuel system. The vehicle has been inspected and currently in the process of being repaired at the dealership. The check engine light was illuminated to warn of component failures approximately six weeks ago.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 14, 2024
While driving at about 45mph a warning flashed on my dash. I couldn't read it before it disappeared, but it was something about front collision., contact dealer. the car immediately lost all power. Everything was still running, but I had no acceleration. I had to back down a busy road into a vacant lot. I had just come off of the highway when this happened, if I had still been driving on the Highway, I would have been hit by a car from behind, since there was no warning at all. The car was towed to a Hyundai dealership. After a diagnosis, it was said to be the Throttle body. I had to wait for the repair because the part was on back order. I was told that there was another car there waiting on the same part. I am afraid to drive the car now, even though the repair was made. I feel this is a safety hazard, and that someone could be injured or killed because of this issue with the car.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2020
AS THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO GET IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR HESTIATED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE DEPRESS OF THE GAS PEDAL, FOR A SECOND OR TWO... VERY STRANGE INDEED!....IS IT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE OR SOMETHING ELSE....THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS STRANGE FROM THE COMPLETE STOP POSITION...THIS HAPPENES MORE THAN ONCE! AND ONE INSTANCE IT ACTUALLY JERKED ( BUCKED) SOMEHOW...CONCERNED ABOUT THIS...