Hyundai Sonata 2020–2025 problems by year and mileage
8th generation (DN8)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026685 complaints, 120 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 2020 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 3,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 197
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2020
- Fuel and propulsion system48 reports
- Electrical system46 reports
- Engine40 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline · Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid · Electrical system — software
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 189
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2021
- Engine55 reports
- Electrical system42 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise39 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline · Power train — automatic transmission · Visibility — windshield
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 113
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2022
- Electrical system28 reports
- Engine27 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system26 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline · Power train — automatic transmission · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 103
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2023
- Fuel and propulsion system40 reports
- Engine35 reports
- Transmission and driveline20 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 55
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2024
- Electrical system19 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise10 reports
- Forward collision avoidance8 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 28
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2025
- Brakes6 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise6 reports
- Electrical system5 reports
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. 5 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2020–2025 Hyundai Sonata reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 16,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 89,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 120
- Recalls
- 9
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine23.8% of complaints · median 15,000 mi
- Electrical system22.3% of complaints · median 17,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system20.9% of complaints
Owners filed 685 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020–2025 Hyundai Sonata; the engine leads with 23.8% of them, and half of the 120 that record an odometer reading came by 16,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
44% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 0.6 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2020–2025 Hyundai Sonata last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2020–2025 Hyundai Sonata, half of the 120 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 16,000 miles and 90% by 89,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
Figure 1 · Hyundai Sonata 2020–2025 · 120 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 65 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 44% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 500
- 25%
- 1,500
- Median
- 16,000
- 75%
- 50,000
- 90%
- 89,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 65 | 54.2% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 15 | 12.5% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 14 | 11.7% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 8 | 6.7% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 10 | 8.3% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 4 | 3.3% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2 | 1.7% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 2 | 1.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Sonata problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Sonata 2020–2025
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Body structure38 reportsmedian 1,500middle half 520–47,000
- Transmission and driveline109 reportsmedian 15,000middle half 2,000–21,000
- Engine163 reportsmedian 15,000middle half 2,500–47,000
- Electrical system153 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 2,000–27,000
- Fuel system38 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 50,000–92,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 163 | 23.8% | 15,000 | 2,500–47,000 |
| Electrical system | 153 | 22.3% | 17,000 | 2,000–27,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 143 | 20.9% | — | — |
| Transmission and driveline | 109 | 15.9% | 15,000 | 2,000–21,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 109 | 15.9% | — | — |
| Forward collision avoidance | 53 | 7.7% | — | — |
| Fuel system | 38 | 5.5% | 75,000 | 50,000–92,000 |
| Body structure | 38 | 5.5% | 1,500 | 520–47,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 37 | 5.4% | — | — |
| Brakes | 26 | 3.8% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2020–2025 Sonata
Brakes / Electrical 2020–2021
ABS hydraulic control unit can short internally and ignite while parked; subject to recall with an interim instruction to park outdoors.
Anti-theft 2020–2021
Trims without an engine immobilizer are trivially hot-wired, producing a large theft loss pattern and insurer refusals. Hyundai issued a software countermeasure rather than a recall.
Before you buy a 2020–2025 Sonata: the 3-minute check
Generated from 120 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check brakes / electrical on 2020–2021 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check anti-theft on 2020–2021 cars.
- Years differ here: from 28 to 197 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Sonata problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi78% below | At 90k mi91% below | At 120k mi97% below | At 150k mi100% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,500–47,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 2,000–27,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 2,000–21,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 50,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 520–47,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Sonata 2020–2025 · 120 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2020–2025 Hyundai Sonata recalls (9)
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the transmission and driveline (2), the exterior lighting (1) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2025 · 2020–2023 · Fuel System, GasolineA melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. 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…
Aug 2024 · 2024 · Exterior LightingFlashing brake lights may cause confusion for other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. The software for the brake lights may cause the brake lights to flash and not illuminate properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
What can happen. Flashing brake lights may cause confusion for other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the rear brake light software, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai will release the software update over-the-air (OTA). Owner notification letters were mailed September 12…
Jul 2023 · 2023 · Power Train park outsideAn electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump…
What can happen. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner…
Oct 2022 · 2021–2022 · Power TrainLoss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump…
What can happen. Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification…
Mar 2022 · 2020 · 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 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…
What can happen. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. 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…
Dec 2021 · 2021 · VisibilityA windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
What can happen. A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.…
Jul 2021 · 2021–2022 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
What can happen. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…
Apr 2020 · 2020 · Electrical SystemUnintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2020 · 2020 · EquipmentThe incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 685 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 32 (4.7%)
- Fires
- 2
- Injury reports
- 14
- Fatality reports
- 0
Sonata problems by model year
The 2020 drew the most complaints of this generation, 197, most of them about the fuel and propulsion system, and the 2025 the fewest, 28. A typical year drew about 108.
The first year of the generation, 2020, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 197 | 56 | 3,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (48) | 4 |
| 2021 | 189 | 27 | under 30 reports | Engine (55) | 4 |
| 2022 | 113 | 17 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (28) | 3 |
| 2023 | 103 | 12 | under 30 reports | Fuel and propulsion system (40) | 2 |
| 2024 | 55 | 6 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (19) | 1 |
| 2025 | 28 | 2 | under 30 reports | Brakes (6) | 0 |
What Sonata owners reported
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were on back order. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. An unknown warning…
2021 · 100,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact…
2022 · 140,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the accelerator was depressed, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and failed to accelerate as intended. The failure occurred while driving from a stop and while driving at various speeds, causing the vehicle to decelerate during the failure. While…
2025 · 38,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge indicated that the tank was half full. The contact stated that the gauge erroneously indicated that the tank was empty, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the…
2021 · 50,000 miles · Fuel system
Built from 120 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Sonata generations
- Sonata 1999–2005 1,082 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- Sonata 2006–2010 2,431 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Sonata 2011–2014 5,307 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sonata 2015–2019 1,434 reports with mileage, most about the engine