201 of the
1,162 complaints filed about the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
are about the electrical system —
17% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
The vehicle experiences sudden, complete electrical power loss while driving at speed on highways and city streets or on the parking. All digital displays turn off, the engine shuts down, and power-assisted steering and braking are instantly lost without prior warning, presenting an extreme collision risk. The issue first occurred in August 2025 at approximately 48,000 miles and was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealer in Michigan for warranty repair. The dealer held the vehicle for over 30 days but failed to correct the defect. The identical power failure has continued and recently escalated to daily occurrences. A second Hyundai dealer (Pacifico Hyundai, Philadelphia, PA) diagnosed an intermittent open circuit in the engine wiring harness but Hyundai Motor America refuses to repair the vehicle under warranty, claiming 'outside influence' without providing evidence. Driving a hybrid vehicle that randomly cuts all power in live traffic is a life-threatening safety hazard. Hyundai Motor America has failed to rectify this critical safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11755133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Feb. 10, 2026, my Sonata began showing a blue screen on the infotainment screen when the vehicle was in reverse. The blue screen contained the message "Incoming Camera Signal Error. Please try again later." Between Feb. 10 and 22, I continued seeing the aforementioned blue screen and message. In addition, I began seeing a green screen with a message "No Camera Signal Received. Please try again later.”. On Feb. 22, I was attempting to reverse from my garage and my camera failed to engage. I saw a black screen without picture when the car was first put in reverse, so I put in park and then switch back to reverse. The camera did not engage and the screen remained on the car's menu. Camera then flashed on briefly and then went back to the black screen, then moved multiple time between to the blue screen with the warning message “Incoming Camera Signal Error. Please Try Again Later.” and the green screen with message “No Camera Signal Received. Please try again later.” The issue eventually began occurring both while in reverse and in drive. During this time frame, I took the vehicle to the dealership on multiple occasions, Feb. 10 and Feb. 19, and they were unable to replicate the challenge. I took the vehicle back to the dealer on Feb. 23, and the issue was replicated. The issue was 'repaired' and picked up on Mar. 19, but had to return 3 hours later due to the same issue then in an exacerbated state. The issue was finally repaired on Apr. 1 after a complete floor assembly replacement. The issues caused the safety concern of limited visibility when driving.
NHTSA complaint #11746271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this vehicle pre-owned approximately two years ago and have since developed concerns about its reliability, particularly related to the electrical and hybrid systems. In hindsight, I suspect these issues may be part of the reason the original owner traded it in to a CarMax dealer. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began experiencing recurring problems with the 12V battery, including frequent instances requiring battery resets. Interestingly, these issues were significantly less frequent during colder weather. More recently, as temperatures have increased, the problem has worsened considerably. For about the past month, the vehicle loses power and dies immediately after each drive once the ignition is turned off. This situation escalated yesterday when the “Check Hybrid System” warning light signalled while I was driving on a busy road. I had not encountered this warning before, but after researching the issue, I discovered that other Hyundai hybrid owners have reported similar problems. In some cases, these issues have led to dangerous situations, including vehicles shutting off unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds. While I cannot determine the extent of this issue across all Hyundai hybrid vehicles, the frequency of similar reports suggests a systemic defect affecting at least a subset of Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models. Regardless of scale, these battery issues present a significant inconvenience and a serious potential safety concern. I am requesting a formal review of this issue and guidance on potential remedies or corrective action.
NHTSA complaint #11745618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle’s ABS system is engaging autonomously, causing the car to brake without any driver input. The dealer stated it was: BRAKE ACTUATION UNIT AND HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT BLEEDING AND PROGRAMING
NHTSA complaint #11744888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The horn stopped working unexpectedly. Pressing the horn button produces no sound. The vehicle has not been in any accident. This is a safety issue as the horn is required for alerting other drivers in emergency situations.
NHTSA complaint #11744655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid well maintained by original owner, under 130,000 miles. May of 2025 AC stopped working intermittently (Hyundai dealer replaced AC hose). Aug 2025 AC stopped working AGAIN (same dealer could NOT identify problem). Car has consistent Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive messages lights and sirens when braking. Code PA186 comes up (low state of charge code for hybrid battery). December 2025 brought car back to SAME Hyundai dealer who NOW says car suddenly needs a 10k transmission (BUT still no idea what PA186 code is related to). Got transmission drained at different shop and NO NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED! Every repair shop OUTSIDE OF HYUNDAI who has scanned for codes gets the PA186 error and say it is related to HYBRID BATTERY LOW STATE OF CHARGE (I am the original owner THUS lifetime hybrid battery warranty). June 2026 different Hyundai dealer for repair of AC and PA186 code. NEW Hyundai dealer says AC issue is NOT related to the PA186 code. They still dont know what PA186 code is but want to charge me $5100 for engine wiring harness electrical short. SIDE NOTE!! Engine wiring harness electrical short is known issue for ABS module recall 251 for this car. Hyundai has denied the engine wiring harness electrical short repair as part of ABS recall 251 warranty and STILL cant tell me why Hybrid System Warning Lights and PA186 code is come on. Is electrical issue really harness or HYBRID battery?? Car is currently at Hyundai dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11744480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system repeatedly loses power within about 1 hour of sitting. The car becomes completely unresponsive (cannot unlock or start) and requires use of the built-in 12V battery reset button to restore power. This occurs frequently and makes the vehicle unreliable and potentially unsafe, as the car may become inoperable without warning. This appears to be an electrical system defect or parasitic power drain. The issue has been ongoing.
NHTSA complaint #11739503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On April 8, 2026, I returned to my brand-new 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited (purchased as a new ccar on February 10th 2026)_after being away from March 31 to April 6, 2026 (approximately 7 days of normal parking). The vehicle was completely dead — the 12V auxiliary battery had fully discharged. The car remained fully locked. The hood release lever and the 12V battery reset button are both located inside the cabin and were therefore inaccessible. Following the instructions in the owner’s manual, three adults attempted to remove the plastic cover over the mechanical keyhole on the driver’s door handle. None of us could pry or slide the cover off. Hyundai Roadside Assistance dispatched a locksmith. The locksmith had to use an air-inflation wedge tool to force the door open. Once inside, he pressed the interior 12V reset button and the vehicle then operated normally. This incident demonstrates a complete failure mode: the 12V system can die after only a short period of inactivity, and the mechanical emergency-access design makes it extremely difficult (or impossible for multiple people) to enter the vehicle without professional forced entry or risk of damage. The combination left me stranded with no practical way to regain access to my new car. I believe this is a safety-related defect because it creates an unreasonable risk of the driver being unable to enter or operate the vehicle after normal parking, potentially in emergency or critical situations. Hyundai has issued Service Campaign TEBA / TSB 25-01-076H for battery drain on 2025 Sonata Hybrids, but it does not address the mechanical key-cover access failure that turned the drain into a total lockout. It is also not clear the the TEBA is a complete solution to the battery drain problem.
NHTSA complaint #11733182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component Involved: Hybrid Propulsion System High Voltage Battery / EV Battery Electrical System Power Train Incident Summary: I am reporting a serious and repeated safety defect involving my 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This vehicle has experienced three separate incidents where warning messages related to the EV/hybrid battery system appeared, followed by a sudden loss of forward propulsion. During these events, the vehicle would not move properly or lost the ability to accelerate safely. This defect creates a major safety hazard because it can occur while driving, increasing the risk of being rear-ended, stranded in traffic, collision, injury, or property damage. I transport my small children in this vehicle and no longer feel it is safe. Detailed Timeline: Initial Incident: Vehicle displayed warning messages involving the EV/hybrid battery system and lost the ability to move forward properly. Vehicle had to be shut off and restarted. Independent Mechanic Inspection: Vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised the hybrid battery system likely needed repair or replacement and recommended service through Hyundai dealership. Dealer Visit #1 – Stew Hansen Hyundai (3/18/2026): Vehicle was taken to authorized Hyundai dealer for diagnosis. Dealer stated they could not duplicate the issue and no repair was made. Second Failure: After release from dealer, same dangerous loss-of-power condition occurred again, resulting in towing and additional inconvenience. Dealer Visit #2 – Stew Hansen Hyundai (4/8/2026): Vehicle returned to dealer for same issue. Dealer performed software update and stated this should correct problem. Dealer advised vehicle had been driven approximately 40 miles and was safe to release. Third Failure (4/12/2026 approx.): Only two days after picking vehicle up on 4/10/2026, same warning messages and propulsion failure occurred again. Safety Concern: This repeated loss of propulsion without warning is extremely dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11731825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We pulled up at Hillgreen circle Cockysville MD To drop my boyfriend off at his apartment. I went to pull in the parking spot.I went to put the car into park and it had no brakes. I was slamming them and pumping them. It excellerated and took off. Jumped the curb,went down the hill and into the apartment building. A red light had came on the dash, right before it took off. Seemed like it was changing to gas or the electric mode,or the other way around. The airbag on the passenger side came out deflated,and filled with smoke going into the car. He was the belted front passenger and his elbow went in to the front window. You can tell by looking at it,the hole and spidered around it. He broke his right elbow. It is available anytime at the moment. It's at Hyundaii in Glen burnie. I need to get it to state farms lot,to get the Kelly blue book value. We look forward to hearing from you
NHTSA complaint #11717654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving at 78 mph and "Check hybrid system" came on, engine and all throttle/electrical shut off and did not regain power. Had to sit for 5-10mins and vehicle eventually regained power after resetting battery and had no issues.
NHTSA complaint #11712021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling 40 mph, car flashes a warning, "Check Hybrid System", and then the car shuts off. No power steering and brakes are difficult. The warning is only 3-5 seconds before everything shuts down. This is definitely a hazard to myself and others. If in traffic at higher speeds, there would certainly be an accident with devastating results.
NHTSA complaint #11702030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car will randomly lose acceleration and jerk forward. It will make a beeping noise while the hev system warning flashes on the dash. It also says to turn off engine. While the warning is flashing and engine light is on it goes into a limp mode and you have limited acceleration. It has almost caused multiple wrecks when I go to acceleration from turning or at lights in traffic because I cant go over 20-30 mph. I have turned the car on and off and the hev system and engine light turns off and the car continues to work normal. It eventually comes back on and does the same loss of power/hev warning. It will be random and does not matter on how fast you are going to trigger the warning lights and loss of power.
NHTSA complaint #11692279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to use the key fob to unlock the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact manually unlocked the vehicle with the key, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two occasions, and the vehicle was jump-started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,808. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11689902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle will not start. This is the fourth incident where vehicle will not start. It has had the software update, battery and voltage regulator replaced in the summer of 2025. In Aug of 2025, vehicle will not start with jump or use of 12v battery in vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11681170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owned car since 09/2024 with 64K miles. Battery system (12V/hybrid system) has shut down and died 47 times since 04/2025 - no shut downs before then. Car with ~69K miles at that time. Dealer had car six weeks (05/17 to 07/05/2025) and it died “a number” of times and report that Hyundai claims this is “what the car is supposed to do.” Since 07/05 it has died 12 times just sitting in my driveway or the lot at work. This is NOT normal. Internet blogs show DOZENS of other Hyundai hybrid owners reporting the exact same issue. Car now with 75K miles and under warranty. Dealer will not replace battery system.
NHTSA complaint #11679975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is on my 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited - for the 7th time the vehicle has been completely dead and unresponsive. I have had to gain entry to the vehicle using the manual key and press the "jump" button to get the vehicle to start. The Hyundai dealership ran a bunch of battery updates to the 12 volt battery several weeks ago and said that should hopefully fix the issue. Several weeks later on 07/19/2025 the vehicle was dead again. I had to use the key to manually gain entry and jump the car again. The dealership said that the 12 volt battery may need to be replaced and said that it is fully integrated with the hybrid battery system which is covered for 10 years/100K miles whichever comes first. I am still within the warranty period so hopefully Hyundai will fix the issue. From an online search, it appears this is not an uncommon issue with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. I am waiting on Hyundai for a fix and for .
NHTSA complaint #11676697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.