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: other or unspecified
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2020
THE CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING SOMETIMES THE CAR IS UNSTABLE ALSO WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR AND I PREPARE TO PUT IT ON DRIVE THE CAR APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BY ITSELF. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REMOVE IT, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF CONTINUALLY UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR REMOVES THE BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE STREET AND WHILE I WAS DOING SO THE CAR PUT ON THE BRAKES BY ITSELF. ONE TO TWO MONTHS AGO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID THAT THE CARE NEEDS 2 UPDATES, APPARENTLY THE CAR HAS TWO RECALLS. 6 HOURS LATER AFTER THE UPDATE THE CARE WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 TO 4 DAYS, I GOT A LONER BY THEN. LAST WEEK WEDNESDAY 08/05/2020 I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THE CARE WOULD BE READY IN 5 HOURS BUT AFTER 5 HOURS IT WASN'T. SINCE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR AND GIVE ME A LOANER BECAUSE THE CAR IS GOING TO TAKE ONE WEEK TO FIX BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO ORDER PARTS, THEY WANT TO KEEP THE CAR BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME A LOANER. I CONTACT HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE IT IS TWICE ALREADY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH ME IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. I MISSED THE CALL AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CALL TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT EVERY TIME I CALL THEY COME WITH ANOTHER EXCUSE. THE CASE MANAGER IN CHARGE OF THE CASE IS GARRISON AND THE CASE NUMBER 17216875.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 27, 2020
REAR DOORS RETAIN WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. WHEN YOU OPEN THE REAR DOORS WATER DRAINS OUT OF THE CAR. BROUGHT CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER NEW CARS ON THEIR LOT, ON APRIL 21, 2020. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE FOR GUIDANCE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO DATE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2020
WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS INSIDE THE DOORS WHILE PARKED. ESPECIALLY THE BACK DOORS. IF IT RAINS HARD A CUP FULL OF WATER WILL COME OUT THE DOOR UPON OPENING. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN'T HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT AND LOOK AND IT BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO.