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2020 Hyundai Sonata

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 161.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 124 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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

40 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

My 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE (82931 miles at the time) has experienced repeated issues with the front passenger window. The window would get stuck while attempting to operate it, accompanied by a loud, crushing noise. Upon visiting the dealership, I was informed that the issue stemmed from the window regulator, which had failed i…

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My 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE (82931 miles at the time) has experienced repeated issues with the front passenger window. The window would get stuck while attempting to operate it, accompanied by a loud, crushing noise. Upon visiting the dealership, I was informed that the issue stemmed from the window regulator, which had failed internally and required replacement. Additionally, my girlfriend, who owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL with approximately 31,000 miles, is now facing the exact same problem with her vehicle’s front passenger window. After conducting research on online forums, I discovered that several other 2020 Hyundai Sonata owners are reporting similar issues with their window regulators. This suggests that the problem may not be isolated to just one or two vehicles but could point to a potential widespread defect. Although this issue primarily affects the operation of the window, it could lead to safety risks if the window gets stuck in an open position, exposing occupants to potential theft, weather elements, or other hazards. I am requesting the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine if the window regulator failure in 2020 Hyundai Sonata models is a systemic defect that warrants further action, such as a recall or manufacturer response. I am happy to provide additional information or documentation, such as repair invoices, dealership statements, or records of the issue. Thank you for addressing this concern.

NHTSA ODI #11636870

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2024
Electrical System

My Passenger window fell down and will not go up, It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk is that the window is being help up by tape and if it falls all of a sudden while driving could break the glass and spread inside as well as cause object to fly out of the vehicle. This has not been inspected by the manuf…

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My Passenger window fell down and will not go up, It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk is that the window is being help up by tape and if it falls all of a sudden while driving could break the glass and spread inside as well as cause object to fly out of the vehicle. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer or anyone No warning lamps or messages. I put my window down and then it never went back up and motor was just running and probably made it worse

NHTSA ODI #11630647

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

I believe the transmission malfunctioned as I reached 60 MPH / 4000 RPMs on the highway when it suddenly did not want to accelerate past that. The more I stepped on the gas pedal, the more it slowed down. I attempted to use the paddle shifters to shift up or down, but I was unable to shift up and shifting down did not allow me t…

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I believe the transmission malfunctioned as I reached 60 MPH / 4000 RPMs on the highway when it suddenly did not want to accelerate past that. The more I stepped on the gas pedal, the more it slowed down. I attempted to use the paddle shifters to shift up or down, but I was unable to shift up and shifting down did not allow me to accelerate past 4000 RPMs. The flow of traffic was faster than I could keep up with, and not being able to accelerate made it unsafe to be on the highway. I had to pull over, and get off of the highway. I found that others have reported this same issue online with the same make/model/trim, but I have not had time to take it in to be looked at. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure. I only noticed when I got on the highway and needed to reach speeds greater than 60 MPH. Turning the car off, waiting a bit, then starting it again seems to have resolved the issue, but I am still uneasy with this having happened so suddenly. I fear the issue may return in the future based on what I have read online. The car is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI #11626798

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2024
Electrical System

Blower motor stopped working. Same issue has now happened on my 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited. I have been waiting now three months to have my 2020 Sonata to be fixed. Hyundai technician said the wiring harness had a crack and it’s why my 2020 Sonata’s Blower motor stopped working. It’s now three months since they diagnosed and or…

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Blower motor stopped working. Same issue has now happened on my 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited. I have been waiting now three months to have my 2020 Sonata to be fixed. Hyundai technician said the wiring harness had a crack and it’s why my 2020 Sonata’s Blower motor stopped working. It’s now three months since they diagnosed and ordered the wiring harness but supposedly it’s still on back order and I’m left with a hot car this entire summer and possibly a cold car come this winter. Now it looks like I will have the same issue with my 2021 Hyundai Sonta Limited leaving me with two cars without A/C or Heat.

NHTSA ODI #11613235

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2024
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

Improperly seated strip fuse High Resistance Connection on the IG-2 40amp blower motor fuse receptacle causing melting of plastic fuse box components and ultimately failure of blower motor circuit and potentially loss of other circuits. Loss of blower motor leads to loss of cabin HVAC as well as loss of front windshield defrost …

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Improperly seated strip fuse High Resistance Connection on the IG-2 40amp blower motor fuse receptacle causing melting of plastic fuse box components and ultimately failure of blower motor circuit and potentially loss of other circuits. Loss of blower motor leads to loss of cabin HVAC as well as loss of front windshield defrost ability during adverse driving conditions. Not only does this pose a potential electrical fire hazard, but a safety hazard due to inability to clear windshield from loss of defrost feature. Brief research finds this to be a very common problem with these vehicles. Manufacturer's recommendation is complete replacement of engine bay wiring harness. Problem begins as intermittent, but leads to total circuit failure over time if not identified.

NHTSA ODI #11611414

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2024
Electrical System

Multi fuse controlling the A/C blower has burned out 3 times in the past year.

NHTSA ODI #11607388

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I was driving on the interstate when I heard a click from the back of the car. The gas gauge started to move downward as if I was losing gasoline. It eventually stopped and started moving back up, past where it was when it started decreasing. A little bit later the check engine light came on and the car started driving very slug…

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I was driving on the interstate when I heard a click from the back of the car. The gas gauge started to move downward as if I was losing gasoline. It eventually stopped and started moving back up, past where it was when it started decreasing. A little bit later the check engine light came on and the car started driving very sluggishly. I took the car into the Hyundai dealer and they found that the backseat was clicked out of place and a sensor was unplugged. This issue has since occurred multiple times. The back seat will pop out of place, the gas gauge will move beyond the gas that is in the tank, and finally the check engine light will come on and reduce the performance of the vehicle. The gas tank appears to be swelling and pushing up against the back seat which is causing it to pop. I had my girlfriend drive the car while I sat in the backseat and I could actually feeling something moving underneath the backseat. I have since gotten in contact with other sonata owners who have had the same thing happen with their vehicles. In other cases the backseat has exploded and flown completely off of the gas tank. I am very nervous to drive my car and think Hyundai should recall these vehicles before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA ODI #11594051

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2024
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Vechile shut down completely on the highway, engine's been replaced twice, Catalytic converter, Turbo was replaced three times, Battery oxygen sensors, timing belt all have been replaced, Along with my wireless charger and Both heaterhouses and splash guard. I recently had my vehicle SERVICED Thirty five hundred miles after NEW …

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Vechile shut down completely on the highway, engine's been replaced twice, Catalytic converter, Turbo was replaced three times, Battery oxygen sensors, timing belt all have been replaced, Along with my wireless charger and Both heaterhouses and splash guard. I recently had my vehicle SERVICED Thirty five hundred miles after NEW engine install The dealership serviced my car didn't reset my service indicator 3 weeks later, my vehicle without warning said Engine overheated, so I pulled over immediately that display went off. My actual thermostat stayed under the center line in between cold and hot. I contacted the dealership and got my vehicle into BE inspected At that time, they said my coolant level was low and both heapeer. Hoses needed to be replaced and my engine needed to be flushed and refilled. I had those services completed. I picked up my car 5/24 it was OK on 5/25 My service indicator pop back on and at that time it was counting 58 days, so even after I brought it to the dealership's attention, they failed to reset it again. So I googled how to reset the service interval and did it myself. And about thirty minutes later, I was driving my car started shaking excessively And Woodin's accelerate, over 20 miles per hour in traffic. I had to put on my hazard lights and get me and my grandson to a safe place so that I could contact the dealership regarding this matter and they stated there was nothing they could do I had to wait until Tuesday I have put in a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, as well as consumer affairs. And also the county attorney's office for. Consumer fraud. This vehicle was misrepresented at the time of sale. It has countless safety issues. I need assistance

NHTSA ODI #11590819

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2023
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

Defrost doesn’t work because harness melted and blew a fuse

NHTSA ODI #11547004

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

While driving my cars a light starting blinking and my engine light came on and the car lost power This has happened on at least 3 occasions and I had to pull over upon starting the car after a few hours all returned to normal I reported this to dealer and they could not find a problem

NHTSA ODI #11500951

Official recalls

4

25V796000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 17, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

22V196000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Mar 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

20V213000 · Electrical System:software

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

20V122000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

1

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.