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2019 Hyundai Sonata

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 161.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

46 reports with mileage · 115 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

86 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2023
EnginePower Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11528458

49,000 miles · Jun 1, 2023
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11524921

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2023
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11523651

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2023
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11520355

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

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 thi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11518820

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2023
Engine

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11517812

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2023
Engine

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 complain…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11508270

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2023
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11506737

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2022
EngineSteeringCrash

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11498246

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2022
Engine

4500 miles after an oil change the oil drain plug fell out and oil leaked out resulting in an engine stalling. An oil warning light came on 7 minutes before the vehicle stalled on the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11493018

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22003 · 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.