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
178 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Sep 26, 2022
The Panoramic sunroof has a line fracture crack which exploded for unknown reasons. A rock or any foreign object DID NOT hit the sunroof to cause it to shatter. Residue from the glass shattering got into my eyes. Freeman Hyundai stated that an object hit the sunroof it would not be covered under their warranty. A object did not hit the sunroof and it looks like Hyundai has a history of sunroof shattering unexpectedly. There were no warning signs prior to the sunroof shattering.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2022
The AC Fan in my car quit working. Took it to a repair shop where I was told that the AC Blower Motor went bad. The blower motor was drawing too much amps and caused the blower motor fuse to melt into the wiring harness for the blower motor along with melting several other fuses nearby including the fuse box. The cost to repair this correctly fixing and addressing all parts damaged was $5000. Because my vehicle is out of warranty due to mileage I contacted Hyundai who stated that I had to go and pay another diagnostic fee at a Hyundai Dealership to have them look at it. They continued to tell me that the vehicle was out of warranty but would not assist in providing information to get the issue resolved at no cost to me.
Steering, Engine, Sep 11, 2022
Steering parts being replaced many times, and the engine oil is low after I just got an oil change a week ago. Excessive engine oil usage with no idea where it is going.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 75 MPH, the brake warning light appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH as her husband pulled to the side of the highway and turned off the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was given suggestions on how to correct the failure; however, none of the options worked. After some time, her husband restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The next day, the contact stated that the brake light returned upon start of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 4, 2022
When accelerating hard (pedal to the floor) from approximately 55 mph, the transmission may not downshift correctly and loses power causing a safety issue. When attempting to continue accelerate at full throttle, the RPMs hang while simultaneously losing vehicle speed. Other symptoms noticed were slight vehicle jerkiness from RPMs bouncing up and down a couple of hundred RPMs. When letting off of the accelerator to a "normal" depression level, the vehicle upshifts into an appropriate gear and will gain speed (though sluggish). In the same drive (meaning the ignition was not turned off then back on) , if attempting to push accelerator to the floor, the same results happen as stated before. Also in the same drive (after exiting the highway), from a stop at a red light I tested the issue again with the same results. No warning lights, messages, or other symptoms were present to indicate a malfunction. My safety was at risk because I merged onto the highway and noticed another vehicle approaching me at an unsafe pace. Due to the issue, the car had to hit their brakes hard to avoid a crash. This is also a safety risk because if it happens from a stop, the car may fail to accelerate appropriately when turning in front of traffic. The problem has not be reproduced, confirmed or inspected by anyone besides myself. A video of the issue as it occurred was recorded. This issue is not consistent and has happened twice in approximately 3 months. My Hyundai dealership's service department suggested the car may have went into "limp mode." Given the inconsistent nature of the issue, I did not schedule an appointment to have it looked at because I would have been charged if nothing was found.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 25, 2022
I first begin having an issue with the idle speed. It would jump up to 1,500 RPM, which is twice the normal 750 RPM level It started almost from the very beginning when I purchased this car new in early 2020. I mentioned it at first oil change at dealer at 3,500 miles. I was told it was normal. In the beginning it would come and go. Sometimes not happening for weeks in-between episodes. Then it started to have the check engine light come on after it would happen and stay on. I took it back while light was still on and they kept the car for several days. Said it was the EPV valve and replaced it. Car operated fine for a few days then started up again. It also started to idle up and down from 1500 down to 500 in a rapid succession. I was able to get it to stop sometimes by turning engine off and them back on. Again I contacted dealership and took car back in. They gave me a loaner car and kept my car for over a month. This time they replaced the computer they told me. I did not have car for more than a week before it started doing it again. It has gradually gotten worse and happens more often now. It has also started to have the Forward Collision Avoidance warning come on in addition to check engine light as well. Just this week it actually just died on me while driving and forced me to pull to side of road. Turn off the engine and restart the engine. This happen 3 times in succession. Dealership does not seem to have any idea on what is going on and have been not very helpful. 3 week wait to get an appointment to bring in and no loaner cars available. This problem with the 2020 vehicle is very dangerous. It can idle up at anytime and car will lurch, requiring forceful brakeing . Car dying while driving and losing power as well.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2022
while driving to work on 05.20.2022 my sunroof exploded for no apparent reason. I called my insurance company and they told me to take it to my dealership. so I did.
Back over prevention, May 19, 2022
Whenever I am close to a Tesla in traffic or at a stoplight, my parking sensors go off. I believe that the frequency of my Sonata parking sensors is being interfered with by Tesla sensors. This could lead to unexpected braking in traffic. This problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning sensors go off.
Power train, May 12, 2022
Car is 20 months old and in that period the car has experienced on at least 3 occasions a problem with acceleration. After stopping and then attempting to accelerate the transmission had a problem engaging and increasing speed. It took probably 30-40 seconds to get from zero to 25 or so then engaged back to normal. Obviously dangerous if getting onto highway or turning in traffic. Dealership cannot replicate problem so they cannot analyze. Last instance was about 2 months ago March 2022. Similar to other incidents posted here.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2022
- Shifter system malfunction - Unable to use the shift buttons - Received system error on dashboard that read, "Shifter malfunction! Service immediately." Visited two dealership, who saw a photo of the system error message. Vehicle was inspected by the dealership; however, no support could be given due to the dealership not having a code for the issue. - Dealership was made aware of the issue back in November 2021; however, first available appointment with technician was not until January 2022.
Steering, Dec 29, 2021
Steering wheel makes whining/scrubbing noise when turning. Steering a vehicle is a critical component of safety and being able to avoid dangerous situations. The problem has been reported, inspected, and confirmed by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or independent service center. There were no warning messages, lamps, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The problem first appeared when the vehicle was under 15,000 miles. The dealership advised that the worm shaft assembly needs to be replaced.
Forward collision avoidance, Dec 10, 2021
The contact leased a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact state that the radar in the vehicle interacted with the radar in Ford vehicles. While parking in a parking spot there was a beeping sound detected. While at a stoplight with a vehicle in front to the side, the radar engaged when a Ford vehicle drove up. The contact stated while turning nearby another Ford vehicle the radar engaged and the driver applied the brakes. The Forward Collision-Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 6.
Structure, Nov 21, 2021
On Nov. 2020 my husband and I purchased a new 2020 Hyundai Sonata with 2mls.off the showroom floor at Daytona Hyundai dealership, Daytona Beach,Fl. We moved to Ga.One day in December, I opened the driver side back door to put groceries in the backseat and I noticed water on the door frame at the bottom ,I thought maybe I might have left the window part of the way down and rain came in. a few weeks after that I went into town I was going to put groceries again in the driver side back door and water sitting on the bottom of the frame inside the door . The window was up .So this went on every time it rained. I drove my car to Rome GA at Heritage auto group they sell Hyundai’s And also service them. [XXX] in service department he’s the manager I told him about the door where I was finding water at every time that it would rain. So he told me to bring it back when I was able to leave it. For the next couple months I had a medical emergency with our son that lives in Florida when he lost eyesight. With the specialist diagnosis he had uveitis in both eyes. The first trip was in April 2021 and I 95 southbound in Florida maybe past Saint Augustine we were driving 60 miles an hour the traffic was very heavy and all three lanes, I was in the center. It was within seconds that I seen something rubber in front of me in my lane ,it could not be avoided or I would have caused a accident with other vehicles. I ran over it on the right side front bumper so my son and I decided to drive it on down to Daytona Hyundai in Daytona where we purchased it at. The manager in the service department there inspected my car all the way around and told me the damages to the right front bumper and the plastic air dam he also said that I could leave it there but they didn’t have a loaner for me & they couldn’t give me a timeframe I told him I had to get back to Georgia take care of my husband. He said that I could have it repaired up there. He did finish cutting off the plastic air-dam . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the front of the vehicle was wobbling. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rotors needed to be resurfaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2021
Driving on the Interstate at 65mph the car suddenly goes down to 5mph. Unwanted deceleration! At the same time the dash warning lights come on. Check engine and ABS. This happened 3 times now. 2 times on the Interstate in heavy traffic and once going 35mph on a back road. Miraculously we were able to pull over without any cars slamming into us. This unwanted deceleration happened on July 28, August 18 and Sept 13. Each time after pulling to a safe area we turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Then resumed normal driving speed. Brought it to the dealer after each time. This shut down started after the car was only 4 months old with 2,983 miles on it.First time they said they couldn't find anything wrong and reset the computer, said if it happens again they will look into it more. The second time they replaced a Body Assy-Throttle and Gasket. The 3rd time they replaced the front wiring assembly control. I have all the repair paper work. We were driving playing Russian roulette wondering when it will happen again. With cars speeding around us we were lucky no one was close on our tail. This is an extremely dangerous situation. Each time it was beautiful sunny weather, two times heading to the beach, 3rd time heading to NH after 2 hrs of driving and one hour stopped, resumed driving for 20 min when it happened. No common denominator. I hope that this is not happening to others. I have reported this issue to Hyundai Motors America and they have offered me $500 and 60 days to release them from any liability or claim. Since I just got my car back finally Sept 20th, I certainly can't say my concerns have been resolved.
Power train, Jul 26, 2021
1.TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES. IT SLIPS FROM TIME TO TIME UPON ACCELERATION, (RIGHT AFTER DECELERATION), INCREASING THE ODDS OF A COLLISION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH MINE. 2.NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN 3. THREE TRIPS TO DEALER HAVE BROUGHT NO RESOLUTION
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2021
The automatic shut off. When the car is locked I can run it for a total of 20 minutes with auto start, when it's unlocked I can run it for a total of 60 minutes. Sometimes because of my job I need to auto start it and run it for longer to either warm up or cool down and it is unsafe to leave it unlocked. There should be an option for me to turn off the time limit and not have it reset every time I restart the car! When I'm shopping and I need to leave my dog inside for instance and it's 91 degrees outside, I should be able to lock my car and let it run for as long as I need to be in the store without worry it will shut off with him inside and suffocate him in the heat. This is another HUGE safety issue!
Lane departure, Jul 19, 2021
The driver seat belt pops out sometimes for reasons unknown. The speakers suddenly stop working at random times so I got lost while listening for navigation directions safely paying attention to the road instead of watching the screen for upcoming turns. And the biggest one, a few times I almost crashed into oncoming cars and guard rails because if the road has a dip the sonata decides to jerk hard to the side and overcorrect itself when lane assist is on. When the road is level it just beeps annoyingly loudly when it can't see the lines or you accidentally cross over it, but does not actively assist even tho active lane assist is on. This is a major safety issue!!!!!
Power train, Jun 20, 2021
The transmission since we got the vehicle has had random hard shifts. The software updates seemed to have alleviate some of the occurrences. How ever when it does happen now. The whole car shakes while at idle and shifts extremely hard. Almost like braking hard. The problem has not been reproduced at a dealership yet, taking it in ASAP for inspection. Noting relating to the power train has been replaced. Just a software update a while back. No warning lights came on the screen when it happened. My wife was going about 20 miles per hour when she tried to accelerate. It was hesitant than shifted hard, lurching forward than accelerated. When she came to a stop at the next light it was shaking the whole car.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 9, 2021
Driving, car started making a weird sound followed by a warning light on dashboard with dinging sound to correlate... car became difficult to gas, vehicle motion was lagging where I just knew I had to pull over Bc this car was going to literally stop began to slowly (Bc that’s all car would allow) to proceed forward and I was forced to come to a haunt as I pulled onto side of highway. I then could no longer move it. Turned car off for minute then returned to try to start again, car would not accelerate at all nor turn on fully.. I was forced to wait hour to get a tow... took to shop, no problem such was found , car started & ran again ... this is 3 days later the car again continued the same exact pattern & I was unable to drive any further and forced to once again to get tow. This has to be something of bearings with engine, this car mode is not on list but IT certainly is an issue that I believe is related & should be rectified by Hyundai.
Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2021
The Contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle abruptly decelerated to 30 mph. The contact also stated that previously the windshield wipers failed and the driver’s side window failed to roll all the way up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code. The contact stated that the dealer could repair the driver’s side window and windshield wipers. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE (TYPE C) DOES NOT ACCURATELY ADJUST FOR CHANGES IN THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT NORMALLY TAKES 2-3 DAYS FOR THE GAUGE TO MOVE TO FULL TANK EVEN THOUGH IT IS FULL. SAME PROBLEM FROM 1/4 TO 1/2 TANK, ETC. FOR EXAMPLE, I NOTICED THE PANEL SAID I HAD 11 MILES TO EMPTY ON FRIDAY. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED OTHERWISE. I WASN'T NEAR MY USUAL FILL STATION, SO I PUT 5 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE CAR. IT IS NOW WEDNESDAY (5 DAYS LATER). THE GAS GAUGE MOVED SLIGHTLY YESTERDAY TO ALMOST 1/4 TANK, BUT THE FUEL TANK WARNING WENT FROM 11 TO 0 MILES LEFT TO EMPTY (SEE ATTACHMENT). I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY EACH DAY AND IN THE CITY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR JULY 2020 WITH A FULL TANK. THIS PROBLEM BECAME EVIDENT IN AUG 2020. AFTER REFILLING THE TANK, THE READER SHOWED 111 MILES TO EMPTY. I INFORMED HYUNDAI AGENT OF THE ISSUE, WHO HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE GUAGE AND FUEL TANK READER FINALLY ADJUSTED AFTER ABOUT 3 DAYS. I HAD 449 MILES ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. I NOW HAVE OVER 4,000 WITH SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, SOMETHING IS FAULTY, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT. AUTO DEALER IS BAFFLED. THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN A REAL FUEL SHORTAGE WHILE TRAVELING WITH NO GAS STATION NEARBY.
Engine, Apr 11, 2021
ON NOV. 17 WHILE DRIVING APP. 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT ITSELF OFF. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP & THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 10 MIN. OF TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, & ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR DISAPPEARED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE WAITING IN THE TURNING LANE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR SPUTTERED & TURNED OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP & THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD THE CAR TOWED ON NOV 18 202 TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITH THE ABS MODULE & THE HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON, NOV 24, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR & THE CAR STALLED ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT BACK ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT STAYED UNTIL DECEMBER 11 THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON DEC 11 & THE CAR APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. HOWEVER, ON DEC19, WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK & FORTH AT IDLE & THE RPMS STARTED TO GO UP DESPITE MY FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BEHIND ME SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING & HELPED ME PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE ON DEC 23, 2020. HOWEVER, NO FIX WAS DONE TO THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE CAR WAS IN A 'RELEARN' PROCESS & IT WOULD NEED MORE TIME FOR THE CAR TO 'RELEARN' HOW TO DRIVE AGAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY AFTER THE DEC 23 INCIDENT UNTIL FEB 8 2021 WHEN I TRIED TO STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC & THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. I NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT & ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WAS INTERNALLY DEFECTIVE & WAS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AND AS A RESULT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ON FEB 11 2021.
Power train, Engine, Mar 31, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 45 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT-OFF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTED RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - WEBB HYUNDAI MERRILLVILLE (1000 81ST AVE MERRILLVILLE IN 46410, (219) 249-4961) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT DETERMINED FOR THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,698.
Structure, Feb 3, 2021
THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOT SEATED PROPERLY AND HAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN DRIVING. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THIS ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE MODELS IN THE 2020 AND 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA.