NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
12 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 23, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I wanted to report the failure of my rear camera and/or the electrical circuit that is tied to it. It's my understanding that Hyundai has issued multiple recalls across different years/vehicles for issues in this area. My 2019 Sonata is NOT included in those current recalls. I was without my vehicle for a week and was charged…
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I wanted to report the failure of my rear camera and/or the electrical circuit that is tied to it. It's my understanding that Hyundai has issued multiple recalls across different years/vehicles for issues in this area. My 2019 Sonata is NOT included in those current recalls. I was without my vehicle for a week and was charged over $1600 to repair. The issue was diagnosed and repaired by an independent mechanic. When they system failed numerous error lights/warning went off and continued to cycle thru (plus beeping). I wanted to report this in hopes of continued pressure on Hyundai to add this model/year to their recalls.
NHTSA ODI #11733342
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
On April 14, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Sonata was parked at a retail store parking lot. Returning from the store, I attempted to start the car, and it did not start. I attempted to start it again, and I saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately exited the vehicle and opened the hood. I saw open flames coming out of the…
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On April 14, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Sonata was parked at a retail store parking lot. Returning from the store, I attempted to start the car, and it did not start. I attempted to start it again, and I saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately exited the vehicle and opened the hood. I saw open flames coming out of the engine area, about 4” high. I called 911 and waited about 10 minutes for the fire department to arrive. During this time, the flames engulfed the entire engine compartment and extended vertically above the hood height. The hood eventually melted and fell back onto the engine area. The fire department came and put out the fire. The car is totaled. There were no injuries, thank God!
NHTSA ODI #11732956
32,000 miles · Jan 30, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the failure reoccurred with the messages "Check Hybrid System” and “Turn Engine Off" being displayed. The contact immediatel…
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The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the failure reoccurred with the messages "Check Hybrid System” and “Turn Engine Off" being displayed. The contact immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a dealer for assistance. A diagnostic test was performed, and it was determined that there was engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer requested proof of the last two oil changes. The contact obtained a Carfax Report, which showed proof of the oil changes and maintenance records. The manufacturer denied the goodwill request after several months of negotiations. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #11714435
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
Around the 70,000 to 80,000 mile range, I began to notice that I needed more frequent oil changes. Additionally, when making turns, the oil pressure light would illuminate. I reported these concerns to the service manager, Steve Purvis, at Noblesville Hyundai, who advised that the light simply indicated the need for an oil chang…
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Around the 70,000 to 80,000 mile range, I began to notice that I needed more frequent oil changes. Additionally, when making turns, the oil pressure light would illuminate. I reported these concerns to the service manager, Steve Purvis, at Noblesville Hyundai, who advised that the light simply indicated the need for an oil change. Due to the ignorance of Steve Purvis, I took my vehicle to Hyundai of Carmel, where the issue was not addressed until I reached 97,000 miles. During this time, the valve covers were replaced twice, yet there were no active leaks, and the problem persisted. Hyundai subsequently denied my request for an oil consumption test to further diagnose the issue. I then took my vehicle to a different shop, where a mini oil consumption test revealed that my car burned over 2 quarts of oil from Friday to Monday. Additionally, my start/stop system has ceased functioning, preventing me from starting the vehicle. I have also noted that there are open recalls for Hyundai vehicles, yet my VIN is not recognized under these recalls. I have incurred significant expenses related to these ongoing issues. My safety has been put to risk because the oil can burn completely out and cause the car to break down in the middle of traffic like it has before. Hyundai dealership has confirmed the car has an oil burning issue, as well as an independent shop by the name of Auto Tech in Indianapolis. Auto Tech has also confirmed that the start/stop system is causing my car to not start. The oil pressure light is not consistent when my oil gets low. Some times it comes on, other times it does not.
NHTSA ODI #11617542
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2024
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts
Airbag light came on. Car is in otherwise perfect shape (red flag). Brought to Hyundai dealer. Was told it was a short somewhere on front passenger side. But it will cost $250 to figure out where. Then possibly over $1000 to fix it!! Upon researching it I found many complaints on same issue on otherwise normal good condition son…
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Airbag light came on. Car is in otherwise perfect shape (red flag). Brought to Hyundai dealer. Was told it was a short somewhere on front passenger side. But it will cost $250 to figure out where. Then possibly over $1000 to fix it!! Upon researching it I found many complaints on same issue on otherwise normal good condition sonata’s. Clearly they used inferior components designed to fail. Similar to their stealable cars (with a USB cable) I’m sure you’re fermi liar with. They hid that until TIC TOK put out videos showing how to. They HAD TO fix it due to owners auto insurance going up (way up). I can’t afford to repair this pressing safety issue. Hyundai should be held responsible for using knowingly faulty parts in their air bag system then charging customer large $ just to make an otherwise perfectly running car safe to operate. Oh, then they said they’d offer me a “loaner” till fixed. But their “loner” costs $50 per day!! That’s a RENTAL not a loaner.
NHTSA ODI #11583375
153,400 miles · Mar 7, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
Everything was displayed in red on the front screen, it was automatically parked, and the steering wheel did not move. This happened late March/02/2024 last Saturday night, so I called AAA twice and had them toward to my house. March/04/2024 I called AAA on Monday and had my car toward to hyundai service. They gave me a $199.95…
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Everything was displayed in red on the front screen, it was automatically parked, and the steering wheel did not move. This happened late March/02/2024 last Saturday night, so I called AAA twice and had them toward to my house. March/04/2024 I called AAA on Monday and had my car toward to hyundai service. They gave me a $199.95 bill for finding the problem with my car. And they said they would contact me and let me know about the problem with my car in 3~4 days. I am an Uber driver, but I am currently unable to work because I don't have a car.
NHTSA ODI #11576029
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
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 f…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11566521
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2023
Electrical SystemLane Departure
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.
NHTSA ODI #11556408
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
car was jerkikg yesterday and now it wont start
NHTSA ODI #11536079
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire
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.
NHTSA ODI #11529583
NHTSA investigations
2DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.