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Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019 problems by year and mileage

7th generation (LF)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20263,455 complaints, 1,431 with mileageMethod

A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata

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Median failure report
56,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,144
Recalls naming this year
9

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2015 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2015

  1. Engine623 reports · median 65,000 mi
  2. Electrical system167 reports · median 57,000 mi
  3. Problems owners could not categorise164 reports · median 48,000 mi

9 recall campaigns name the 2015: Exterior lighting — turn signal; Parking brake — indicator light; Visibility — sun/moon roof assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata

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Median failure report
60,000 mi
Complaints filed
883
Recalls naming this year
9

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2016 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2016

  1. Engine540 reports · median 76,000 mi
  2. Electrical system136 reports · median 54,000 mi
  3. Problems owners could not categorise115 reports · median 36,000 mi

9 recall campaigns name the 2016: Exterior lighting — turn signal; Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid; Engine. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata

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Median failure report
54,000 mi
Complaints filed
876
Recalls naming this year
5

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2017 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2017

  1. Engine446 reports · median 68,000 mi
  2. Steering182 reports · median 54,000 mi
  3. Problems owners could not categorise120 reports · median 48,000 mi

5 recall campaigns name the 2017: Exterior lighting — turn signal; Engine; Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata

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Median failure report
20,000 mi
Complaints filed
382
Recalls naming this year
2

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2018 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2018

  1. Engine216 reports · median 20,000 mi
  2. Electrical system62 reports
  3. Problems owners could not categorise59 reports

2 recall campaigns name the 2018: Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid; Hybrid propulsion system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata

Close
Median failure report
23,000 mi
Complaints filed
170
Recalls naming this year
0

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2019 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2019

  1. Engine89 reports
  2. Problems owners could not categorise25 reports
  3. Exterior lighting18 reports

When each system fails on this generation →

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2016 reports latest and the 2018 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2016 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

The short answer

“Is the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata reliable?”

Median of reported failures
52,000 mi
90% of reports came by
124,000 mi
Reports with mileage
1,431
Recalls
15

At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported

  1. Engine55.4% of complaints · median 66,000 mi
  2. Problems owners could not categorise14.0% of complaints · median 35,000 mi
  3. Electrical system13.7% of complaints · median 48,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 3,455 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata; the engine leads with 55.4% of them, and half of the 1,431 that record an odometer reading came by 52,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,000 and 88,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata last?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, half of the 1,431 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 52,000 miles and 90% by 124,000 miles.

54 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 6 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sonata reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019 · 1,431 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 180 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019Histogram of 1,431 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 0 to 5,000 miles with 180 complaints, 12.6 percent of the total. Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,000 and 88,000 miles. A further 6 complaints, 0.4 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 52,136.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 6 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
10%
3,000
25%
18,000
Median
52,136
75%
88,000
90%
124,000

Tallest bin: 180 complaints between 0 and 5,000 miles. Based on 1,431 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,00018012.6%
5,000–10,000674.7%
10,000–15,000644.5%
15,000–20,000634.4%
20,000–25,000594.1%
25,000–30,000493.4%
30,000–35,000634.4%
35,000–40,000553.8%
40,000–45,000412.9%
45,000–50,000433.0%
50,000–55,000503.5%
55,000–60,000523.6%
60,000–65,000503.5%
65,000–70,000594.1%
70,000–75,000574.0%
75,000–80,000483.4%
80,000–85,000523.6%
85,000–90,000422.9%
90,000–95,000382.7%
95,000–100,000271.9%
100,000–105,000412.9%
105,000–110,000231.6%
110,000–115,000292.0%
115,000–120,000151.0%
120,000–125,000241.7%
125,000–130,000251.7%
130,000–135,000130.9%
135,000–140,000201.4%
140,000–145,000181.3%
145,000–150,000100.7%
150,000–155,000110.8%
155,000–160,00080.6%
160,000–165,00090.6%
165,000–170,00020.1%
170,000–175,00050.3%
175,000–180,00030.2%
180,000–185,00070.5%
190,000–195,00010.1%
195,000–200,00020.1%
200,000+60.4%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Sonata problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Brakes164 reports23,0005,000–54,000Brakes: 164 reports, median 23,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 54,000 miles.
  2. Problems owners could not categorise483 reports35,00012,000–67,000Problems owners could not categorise: 483 reports, median 35,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 67,000 miles.
  3. Fuel and propulsion system212 reports47,00015,000–80,000Fuel and propulsion system: 212 reports, median 47,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 80,000 miles.
  4. Electrical system474 reports48,00016,000–85,000Electrical system: 474 reports, median 48,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 85,000 miles.
  5. Transmission and driveline331 reports49,00022,000–74,000Transmission and driveline: 331 reports, median 49,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 74,000 miles.
  6. Steering306 reports55,00022,000–84,000Steering: 306 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 84,000 miles.
  7. Engine1,914 reports66,00027,000–100,000Engine: 1,914 reports, median 66,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 100,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Engine1,91455.4%66,00027,000–100,000
Problems owners could not categorise48314.0%35,00012,000–67,000
Electrical system47413.7%48,00016,000–85,000
Transmission and driveline3319.6%49,00022,000–74,000
Steering3068.9%55,00022,000–84,000
Fuel and propulsion system2126.1%47,00015,000–80,000
Brakes1644.7%23,0005,000–54,000
Exterior lighting1484.3%20,0001,500–62,000
Body structure1464.2%37,00020,000–72,000
Throttle and speed control1424.1%35,00010,000–73,000
System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 52,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The engine accounts for 55.4% of complaints (1,914 reports, 676 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 100,000 miles.

A single system taking 55.4% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 14.0% of complaints (483 reports, 157 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 35,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 67,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 13.7% of complaints (474 reports, 200 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 85,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 9.6% of complaints (331 reports, 144 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 74,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 8.9% of complaints (306 reports, 118 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 84,000 miles.

The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 6.1% of complaints (212 reports, 64 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 47,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 80,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2015–2019 Sonata

Engine

Theta II GDI connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure continues into this generation. Hyundai extended engine warranty coverage and applied the Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign across MY2011-2019 Theta II GDI vehicles.

Transmission 2016–2019

7-speed dual-clutch behind the 1.6L turbo: low-speed shudder, hesitation from a stop, and clutch wear.

Before you buy a 2015–2019 Sonata: the 3-minute check

Generated from 1,431 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
  2. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  3. Check engine. Theta II GDI connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure continues into this generation. Hyundai extended engine warranty coverage and applied the Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign across MY2011-2019 Theta II…
  4. Check transmission on 2016–2019 cars. 7-speed dual-clutch behind the 1.6L turbo: low-speed shudder, hesitation from a stop, and clutch wear.
  5. Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
  6. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 18,000 and 88,000 miles, with a median of 52,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 35,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Sonata problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi55% belowAt 90k mi76% belowAt 120k mi89% belowAt 150k mi96% belowAt 200k mi100% below
Engine27,000–100,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Problems owners could not categorise12,000–67,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system16,000–85,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline22,000–74,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Steering22,000–84,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Fuel and propulsion system15,000–80,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Brakes5,000–54,000earlierearlierearlierearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019 · 1,431 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Hyundai Sonata 2015–2019Of 1,431 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 55 percent below 60,000 miles. 76 percent below 90,000 miles. 89 percent below 120,000 miles. 96 percent below 150,000 miles. 100 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 52,136 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 55% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 76% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 89% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.4% of reports (6) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata recalls (15)

NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), the engine (2), the electrical system (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Sep 2021 · 2015–2017 · Exterior LightingA turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch…

    What can happen. A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-749 (2021-09-24).

  2. Sep 2021 · 2017 · EngineA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.

    What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-727 (2021-09-17).

  3. Aug 2021 · 2016–2018 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles…

    What can happen. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-619 (2021-08-06).

  4. Dec 2020 · 2016 · EngineA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

    What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor…

    NHTSA campaign 20V-746 (2020-12-01).

  5. Mar 2018 · 2016–2018 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemIf the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

    What can happen. If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to…

    NHTSA campaign 18V-166 (2018-03-12).

  6. Jun 2017 · 2015–2016 · Parking BrakeIf the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.

    What can happen. If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-359 (2017-06-05).

  7. Dec 2016 · 2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.

    The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the…

    What can happen. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-956 (2016-12-30).

  8. Oct 2016 · 2015–2016 · VisibilityIf the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof…

    What can happen. If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-726 (2016-10-11).

  9. Aug 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsA frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in…

    What can happen. A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-615 (2016-08-24).

  10. Apr 2016 · 2015–2016 · Air BagsAn air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

    The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured…

    What can happen. An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-232 (2016-04-21).

  11. Oct 2015 · 2015–2016 · Electrical SystemIf the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if…

    What can happen. If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard…

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-678 (2015-10-20).

  12. Jun 2015 · 2015 · Seat BeltsIf the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, to December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from…

    What can happen. If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the front passenger seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-414 (2015-06-30).

  13. Dec 2014 · 2015 · Power TrainIf the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 1.6 liter model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured August 29, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect left axle shaft which may result in the shaft…

    What can happen. If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver…

    The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-784 (2014-12-09).

  14. Jun 2014 · 2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic do not driveIf a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.

    What can happen. If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-368 (2014-06-24).

  15. Jun 2014 · 2015 · Electrical System do not driveThe reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a…

    The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 2, 2014, through May 23, 2014. A poor connection within the vehicle's wiring harness may result in a reduction of steering assist from the vehicle's motor…

    What can happen. The reduction of power steering assist can increase the steering effort needed, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Sonata vehicles and has published recall bulletin 14-01-024 providing a service procedure to repair the affected vehicles. On June 7, 2014…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-325 (2014-06-12).

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,455 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
113 (3.3%)
Fires
113
Injury reports
63
Fatality reports
4

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

Sonata problems by model year

The 2015 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,144, most of them about the engine, and the 2019 the fewest, 170. A typical year drew about 876.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
20151,14459756,000†Engine (623)9
201688335660,000†Engine (540)9
201787628454,000†Engine (446)5
201838214520,000†Engine (216)2
20191704923,000†Engine (89)0

† At least 40% of this year’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. Its median rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

What Sonata owners reported

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 58 MPH. The contact retrieved DTC: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) at O'Reilly Auto…

2019 · 90,000 miles · Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption with an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and an oil consumption test was performed. The contact was informed that the vehicle passed the inspection. While driving later, the…

2017 · 110,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced severe overheating and excessive oil consumption. The contact also stated that there was a misfire in the engine even though the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced. Due to the…

2019 · 140,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle…

2015 · 88,000 miles · Engine

Built from 1,431 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other Sonata generations

Other midsize cars from the same years