Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
230–25K
625–50K
450–75K
375–100K
6100–150K
4150K+
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
What owners actually said
161 reports
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 · Dec 16, 2023
Structure
The paint of my 2019 Pearl White Sonata is peeling off on the hood. I see that there was an extended warranty extension on the same car of 2017 and 2018. I would like to know why not including 2019 of the same color on the same car.
NHTSA ODI #11560418
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2023
Engine
There is excessive oil consumption with the engine in my car. Hyundai says 1qt per 1000 miles is “acceptable” however this is not acceptable and can lead to catastrophic engine failure and oil slick on roadways if not caught in time. This is a know problem with Hyundai/Kia at this time. In many cases Hyundai/Kia owners are left …
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There is excessive oil consumption with the engine in my car. Hyundai says 1qt per 1000 miles is “acceptable” however this is not acceptable and can lead to catastrophic engine failure and oil slick on roadways if not caught in time. This is a know problem with Hyundai/Kia at this time. In many cases Hyundai/Kia owners are left with a “lemon” of a new car that is currently in warranty. Some have been granted replacement engines that have not lasted 3000 miles. A recall must be issued in the name of safety on these cars. The manufacturer must be held accountable for the lack of quality that has been put out over the last decade.
NHTSA ODI #11559051
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 · Oct 29, 2023
Engine
I bought this car 1 year and 2 months ago from a Hyundai dealership. The car was close to 73,000 miles. A few days after I got the car I started hearing this noise that sounded like a rattle coming from the front while accelerating to about 2,000 RPM. Due to my work, I went back to the dealer after 1,000 miles and explained to t…
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I bought this car 1 year and 2 months ago from a Hyundai dealership. The car was close to 73,000 miles. A few days after I got the car I started hearing this noise that sounded like a rattle coming from the front while accelerating to about 2,000 RPM. Due to my work, I went back to the dealer after 1,000 miles and explained to them about the noise and they duplicate it. The engine was consuming oil when I bought the car, I went back to the dealer and never did any testing on oil consumption. The problem got worst and worst. I started a claim with Hyundai Corp and I waited for 4 months to the an approval and they are only covering 50% of the engine. Dealer says I have to pay $3,200 to start engine replacement process, with no payment plan. Now I have a debt of $17k and no car. Engine has no compression on cylinder 3, which causes a misfire and makes the car unsafe to drive and leaves me unemployed with a child and bills to take care of. Thank you Hyundai, nice job 👍🏻.
NHTSA ODI #11552493
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2023
Unknown Or Other
I have the White Pearl paint and it started peeling on the hood and drivers side door.
NHTSA ODI #11545656
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2023
Unknown Or Other
This is not a safety issue but I feel it need to be recognized my vehicle is peeling paint from on top of roof and I see this happening on numerous amount of Hyundai Sonatas and Hyundai are not addressing the problems and I am still making payments on my car I want this displayed to make everyone aware this is a complete rip off…
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This is not a safety issue but I feel it need to be recognized my vehicle is peeling paint from on top of roof and I see this happening on numerous amount of Hyundai Sonatas and Hyundai are not addressing the problems and I am still making payments on my car I want this displayed to make everyone aware this is a complete rip off on hyundia's behalf I hope to never purchase a vehicle from any Hyundai's company ever again they will have you going from one person to the next
NHTSA ODI #11538441
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2023
Engine
After a year of issues, burning oil, changing spark plugs, my engine is dead. Hyundai has ignored issues and many times refused to pay for oil, parts, etc passing all costs to me. I have a loan of 15k and no car. Called and emailed their case management team—no help, no reimbursements. I have no equity-No property left. This…
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After a year of issues, burning oil, changing spark plugs, my engine is dead. Hyundai has ignored issues and many times refused to pay for oil, parts, etc passing all costs to me. I have a loan of 15k and no car. Called and emailed their case management team—no help, no reimbursements. I have no equity-No property left. This was my only mode of transportation. Due to their slowness, I had to buy a new car and spend money I was not scheduled to spend. The financial stress and lack safety and unprofessional manner from Hyundai is at a new level-ridiculous.
NHTSA ODI #11537010
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
car was jerkikg yesterday and now it wont start
NHTSA ODI #11536079
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2023
Structure
Paint code WW8. Paint peeling from trunk and other areas of car. Have also seen numerous Hyundai and Kias around Jacksonville, FL with the same and often severe paint peel. Needs recall and HYUNDAI to fix.
NHTSA ODI #11532190
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.
2019 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year