Engine leaks oil. I went to the dealer and they blamed the other Hyundai dealer saying they stripped out the drain bolt. After all the back and forth they told me they will replace the drain pan. I scheduled to have the car dropped off and wasn’t given a loaner. When I went to pick up the car they told me the ac bolt and bra…
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Engine leaks oil. I went to the dealer and they blamed the other Hyundai dealer saying they stripped out the drain bolt. After all the back and forth they told me they will replace the drain pan. I scheduled to have the car dropped off and wasn’t given a loaner. When I went to pick up the car they told me the ac bolt and bracket are broken and to come on Monday but the drain pan has been replaced. I went home and the car continued to leak oil and when I went back to the dealer and called them out they came up with every excuse in the books. Bolt is stripped, impact to pan, and so on. Long story short I went to fix the oil pan and they damaged the ac bolt so instead of telling me to come back to do everything they said they did the drain pan but the bolt would have to be done another day. I am waiting on a loaner car as I waisted a whole day without a car and the issue wasn’t fixed. I have a receipt showing the work was done but it never was. The dealer is dishonest and unprofessional. Not sure how they get away with this. They need to be held accountable.
NHTSA ODI #11532836
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2022
EngineStructure
2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON INSPECTION BY TOYOTA, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERSHIELD HAD COME LOOSE AND DRAGGING.
NHTSA ODI #11489948
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2022
EngineSteering
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.
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11475784
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
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 fo…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11420362
1,389 miles · Apr 11, 2021
Engine
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11407502
14,698 miles · Mar 31, 2021
EnginePower Train
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11405813
1,200 miles · Sep 23, 2020
Engine
MY CAR STALLED AND STUTTERED BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 MILES IN TRAFFIC AND COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR ONCE STARTED. IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. NOW AT 6000 MILES DID SAME THING. IF SITS FOR BIT WORKS AGAIN. IT ALSO RESET ITSELF AND I LOST ALL PREPROGRAMMED INFORMATION. THE GAS DOOR ALSO OPENS AT TIMES WHEN UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR. THE D…
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MY CAR STALLED AND STUTTERED BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 MILES IN TRAFFIC AND COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR ONCE STARTED. IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. NOW AT 6000 MILES DID SAME THING. IF SITS FOR BIT WORKS AGAIN. IT ALSO RESET ITSELF AND I LOST ALL PREPROGRAMMED INFORMATION. THE GAS DOOR ALSO OPENS AT TIMES WHEN UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT THE FIRST TIME FOR OVER 30 DAYS AND HAD TO CONTACT ENGINEERS TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11360642
1 miles · Jul 13, 2020
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITHOUT GIVING ANY INDICATIONS WHAT SO EVER. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART IT STALLED PRETTY BADLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. THIS HAD JUST 1900 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MIL OR ANY VISIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE. IT CREATED A HUGE TRAFFIC PILE UP DUE TO THE PEAK HOUR IN W…
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VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITHOUT GIVING ANY INDICATIONS WHAT SO EVER. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART IT STALLED PRETTY BADLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. THIS HAD JUST 1900 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MIL OR ANY VISIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE. IT CREATED A HUGE TRAFFIC PILE UP DUE TO THE PEAK HOUR IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM STARTED. FEW DAYS AGO THERE WAS ISSUE WITH STARTING BUT IT RESOLVED AFTER COUPLE OF MINUTES, THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I LOST MY DAYS WORK AND PAY. BIGGEST CONCERN IS HOW ABRUPTLY IT STOPPED IN A BUSY STREET.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year