Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with NHTSA between 2018 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
83% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2018 compares with every other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
533.3%
Median failure at 47,000 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
213.3%
Lights
213.3%
Median failure at 4,785 miles
Electrical System
213.3%
Median failure at 19,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Airbags
16.7%
Median failure at 5 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
233.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
116.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
233.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2018peak 3Jan 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
DP22003Opened 12 Sep 2022Closed 12 Dec 2023ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
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 complain...
EA19001Opened 19 Apr 2019Closed 19 Sep 2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
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 mount...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 5 milesTampa, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID LIMITED WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ON 4:19/19. IT WAS A FRONT RIGHT IMPACT THAT INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN 8 LANE DIVIDED CITY HIGHWAY. THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER TO THE RIGHT, CAME OVER 2 LANES THEN HIT ME AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE 3. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR AN IMPROPER LANE CHANGE, CAME INTO MY LANE AND HIT MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11207275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Orange, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
NHTSA complaint #11564994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, CA
ENGINE
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
NHTSA complaint #11564994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
NHTSA complaint #11564994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. June 10 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966 (dealer says there are 2 software updates and the first time they only did 1). I return rental and pick up my vehicle. June 11 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" . I go to dealer. Dealer turns off check engine light and tells me vehicle is safe to drive and bring the vehicle back on the 13th (Monday). Dealer affirms vehicle is safe, they cannot get me a car rental today and my vehicle is fine. I drive the vehicle home. Some time later, check engine light comes back on, vehicle loses power (engine cuts off?) and stalls in the intersection. I immediately turn on hazard lights. Depleting the hybrid battery (?) I am able to slowly bring the vehicle into a parking lot right after the intersection before I lose (all?) power. Vehicle is towed to dealer. June 13 - Picked up a 3rd rental car
NHTSA complaint #11468982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
ENGINE
2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. June 10 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966 (dealer says there are 2 software updates and the first time they only did 1). I return rental and pick up my vehicle. June 11 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" . I go to dealer. Dealer turns off check engine light and tells me vehicle is safe to drive and bring the vehicle back on the 13th (Monday). Dealer affirms vehicle is safe, they cannot get me a car rental today and my vehicle is fine. I drive the vehicle home. Some time later, check engine light comes back on, vehicle loses power (engine cuts off?) and stalls in the intersection. I immediately turn on hazard lights. Depleting the hybrid battery (?) I am able to slowly bring the vehicle into a parking lot right after the intersection before I lose (all?) power. Vehicle is towed to dealer. June 13 - Picked up a 3rd rental car
NHTSA complaint #11468982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on Interstate 10 westbound at about 0700. Clear day. No adjacent vehicles. The frontal crash avoidance alert suddenly went off and automated emergency braking activated as I approached an underpass. There were some slightly harsh shadows, but not the worst I have seen and I drive this segment every day. Entire event was very short. No injury or other event occurred.
NHTSA complaint #11468532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ruskin, FL
POWER TRAIN
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into “Limp Home Mode” twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and speed reduced. This happened on I-75 twice and once on Hwy 674. Felt in danger each time (especially the last time on 4/27/22). Turned on caution lights and tried to safely pull over. Check engine light blinking and many other engine lights came on. Brandon Hyundai said engine may need to be replaced, but then they want apply “bandaid temporary fixes”: like replace Cylinders again and now Knock Sensor; instead of addressing safety issues of a failing engine. These engines are unsafe! They need to be recalled and replaced before they could causing major accidents due to engines poor performance as it’s failing. The jerking and stalling put me in danger prior to being able to restart the engine to get off the road. Are these a possible fire hazard as well? I’m scared to drive it, whenever I get it back from the dealers service department!
NHTSA complaint #11462848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ruskin, FL
ENGINE
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into “Limp Home Mode” twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and speed reduced. This happened on I-75 twice and once on Hwy 674. Felt in danger each time (especially the last time on 4/27/22). Turned on caution lights and tried to safely pull over. Check engine light blinking and many other engine lights came on. Brandon Hyundai said engine may need to be replaced, but then they want apply “bandaid temporary fixes”: like replace Cylinders again and now Knock Sensor; instead of addressing safety issues of a failing engine. These engines are unsafe! They need to be recalled and replaced before they could causing major accidents due to engines poor performance as it’s failing. The jerking and stalling put me in danger prior to being able to restart the engine to get off the road. Are these a possible fire hazard as well? I’m scared to drive it, whenever I get it back from the dealers service department!
NHTSA complaint #11462848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ruskin, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into “Limp Home Mode” twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and speed reduced. This happened on I-75 twice and once on Hwy 674. Felt in danger each time (especially the last time on 4/27/22). Turned on caution lights and tried to safely pull over. Check engine light blinking and many other engine lights came on. Brandon Hyundai said engine may need to be replaced, but then they want apply “bandaid temporary fixes”: like replace Cylinders again and now Knock Sensor; instead of addressing safety issues of a failing engine. These engines are unsafe! They need to be recalled and replaced before they could causing major accidents due to engines poor performance as it’s failing. The jerking and stalling put me in danger prior to being able to restart the engine to get off the road. Are these a possible fire hazard as well? I’m scared to drive it, whenever I get it back from the dealers service department!
NHTSA complaint #11462848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesLouisville, KY
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The malfunction lamp indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and that there was a Service Campaign Number: 966 (Engine Monitoring Logic) associated with the VIN that was unrepaired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested the vehicle's service records. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11452868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesClanton, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 31, 2019 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2020. BOTH TIMES, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #11269331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesClanton, AL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 31, 2019 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2020. BOTH TIMES, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #11269331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesMonticello, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET WAY TOO LOW AND THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN THE LIT AND UNLIT UPPER AREA. . IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN 1/2 OF A CITY BLOCK AHEAD. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I COULD EASILY HIT OR RUN OVER SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO LATE TO REACT TO. I ALSO LIVE IN AN AREA WITH A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEER ACCIDENTS. I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE BETTER AT NIGHT. THE HIGH-BEAMS ARE VERY GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11268725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesTampa, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID LIMITED WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ON 4:19/19. IT WAS A FRONT RIGHT IMPACT THAT INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN 8 LANE DIVIDED CITY HIGHWAY. THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER TO THE RIGHT, CAME OVER 2 LANES THEN HIT ME AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE 3. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR AN IMPROPER LANE CHANGE, CAME INTO MY LANE AND HIT MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11207275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70 milesGainesville, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I JUST BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED AND DROVE IT HOME. ON LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS PROJECT 2 BLACK NOTCHES OR DARK AREAS THAT DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD UNDER THEM. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT EVENLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SAFELY SO I CAN SEE WELL. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THIS IS NOW WIDELY REPORTED AND I AM GOING TO CONTACT CONSUMER REPORTS ABOUT THIS. DOES HYUNDAI HAVE A FIX FOR THIS OR AT LEAST AN INTELLIGENT EXPLANATION? THE DARK LINE AND NOTCHES, BASICALLY BLOCK OUT VISION, WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND UP AND DOWN HILLS, A SAFETY ISSUE. JUST GET USED TO A DARK LINE BLOCKING VISION HALF WAY DOWN THE WINDSHIELD, AND TWO DARK NOTCHES IN THE VIEW IN FRONT OF THE CAR??
NHTSA complaint #11122295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.