Hyundai Sonata Hybrid other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While getting my car serviced, the mechanic told me that there was a leak in the coolant system. They could not detect/see any leaks anywhere and that the leaking was probably going into the engine or fuel.

NHTSA complaint #11758433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving on a backroad at about 9am on a sunday morning I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot from inside the vehicle. When i pulled over to look what happened, the sunroof glass had spontaneously shatttered.

NHTSA complaint #11756865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle experiences intermittent DTC C222908 (Integrated Brake Actuator internal circuit malfunction). Warning lights (Brake, ABS, ESC, Hybrid System) illuminate intermittently, brake pedal feel changes, and regenerative braking fails. Dealer confirmed stored code but refused repair stating "no current issue". This is a known failure in 2015-2019 Hyundai hybrids that can lead to sudden loss of hydraulic brake assist and increased stopping distance. Safety critical defect.

NHTSA complaint #11700973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

take.a break warning light is a hazard and distraction and is not accurate at all. i am not a new driver but this id not s safety feature it is such a distraction and is not consistent. i am not going in and out of the lane and even with both hands on the wheel it still goes off about every 90 seconds even at the beginning if some drives after about 3 miles. it is nig consistent and causes you to panic at times when the alarm sounds there is absolutely no way to disarm this. i am [XXX] and do the safe driving course every four years. this is a menace and i do t expect any results but i will not keep this car. going to trade it in on american car. my third and kadt hyundai INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11691172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle went in for repair at the dealership early July for a check engine light and DTC error code. It was revving high after being driven for more than 20 min or so and wouldn’t get to above 60 mph. Jerky, dangerous acceleration and deceleration seemingly out of nowhere. The dealership replaced the fuel pump which is what they said was causing the error. Today on August 10th, check engine light popped up again with a DTC error code. Weird acceleration and deceleration and general jerkiness when driving. Scheduled service appointment for next week.

NHTSA complaint #11679707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Inattentive Driving Warning goes off excessively, causing distraction even in heavy traffic. Over a 2 hour drive, the Inattentive Driving Warning would alert approximately every 30 minutes regardless of traffic or driving conditions. The sound, which lasted approximately 1 to 2 seconds, and alert display caused me to momentarily turn my attention to the instrument cluster, rather than the road, while I was traveling at highway speeds in variable traffic. Previous model years allowed you to turn off this function, but this is no longer the case. Hyundai even confesses the inaccuracy of the system within the manual and has sent out notice of ways to lower incidences on different models vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11670978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gear selector down engages forward drive, and up engages reverse or park. Hyundai has reversed this logic. In a rushed moment, I instinctively pushed the shifter down expecting to go forward (as in most cars), but the Hyundai was in reverse. I stepped on the gas and nearly backed off a cliff. This design is not just unfamiliar — it's opposite of established standards. Drivers with muscle memory from other vehicles like ANY pickup truck, MB, or GM EV are at real risk of making fatal errors. I strongly urge NHTSA to investigate whether this shifter design meets safety and human factors standards. At a minimum, Hyundai should issue a UI/UX recall to standardize shift direction or implement safeguards to prevent this kind of mistake.

NHTSA complaint #11663112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid seems to be leaking coolant into the exhaust system. Various reports online indicate that this is a consistent issue with 2020-2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models. A lot of the reports indicate that owners have tried getting theirs cars repaired for the same issue I have a various dealerships all across the US, but either haven't had any luck or have had a temporary fix for the issue, which proceeded to occur again every couple of months. I personally have had my car inspected by my personal dealership and they have confirmed the issue and have mentioned that other owners have brought theirs in to be checked out, but haven't really had luck. I believe that Hyundai should take responsibility for this and issue a recall on the affected models. I bought the car in good faith hoping for reliability but haven't had it for even 6 months now and this problem is here. For safety or myself and others on the road, this models of the Sonatas need to be recalled and repaired IMMEDIATELY. For reference, here is a reference for the complaints people have made online regarding the vehicle: 1. [XXX] 2. [XXX] . (THE RESPONSES HERE ARE VERY DETAILED) [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11636925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Literally for years I have been taking my car in to Rick Case Hyundai with the complaint of smelling gas even when the car was parked for long periods. Each time they said they fixed with different items. Gas cap, a part on the catalytic converter, etc. The problem never resolved but I noticed it only happened when the tank was more than half full. I got a video of gas dripping out underneath and took the car to Rick Case and gave them the video. My car has been there ten days because they first tried to say it was a seal on the fuel pump. This time I said that seems unlikely cause that only happens when tank is full and persists even after car is parked many hours. Now they report they found a pinhole leak in the gas tank. I will upload the video if this form allows. This does not appear to be a pinhole leak to me. I first noticed this around 2019. Unfortunately the video is MP4 and I cannot upload it.

NHTSA complaint #11631932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a new 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited on [XXX]. At about 2000 miles I noticed the speedometer of the car and the WAZE app were reporting different speeds. This is an intermittent problem so sometimes the vehicles speedometer and the WAZE app match and other times the vehicles speedometer and the WAZE App disagree. I've repeatedly taken this car to the dealership where I purchased it complaining about the problem and they can't seem to find a problem. Hyundai documented the problem is with WAZE and there's "DELAY" in the signal from the satellite to the WAZE App, even though I've stated my other vehicles speedometers and the vehicle speed reported by WAZE match. Hyundai documented this anomaly is what gives the vehicle it's "UNIQUENESS." Yet they won't resolve this issue. There are several functions in the car that are dependent on the the vehicle's speedometer being correct and when the speedometer is incorrect, these other functions don't work properly either. I've taken the car onto freeways where there are measured mile postings. Sometimes when the speedometer indicates it's at 60 MPH it takes 60 seconds to traverse the mile. Other times, when the speedometer indicates its at 60 MPH it takes 63 seconds to travel the measured mile. it's not just my car, there are many other customers around the United States that are experiencing this problem and I/we can't seem to get Hyundai to address, fix this problem. My personal opinion is this; Hyundai knew about this problem before they put the car out to the market for sale. So Hyundai knowingly sold a defective vehicle, before they sold the first one of these vehicles. Other HYUNDAI Sonata owners complaining about speedometer [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11630579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My vehicle is in the shop now and will be due to 12volt battery charging system failure. I have taken the vehicle to the shop 4 times now because vehicle will not start unless you hit the reset 12volt button. The dealership told me that they were surprised that I was able to start the vehicle. I was told that it is the NHTSA Campaign # 24V868000. This vehicle is not included in this campaign number but it should be. Hyundai needs to include this make and model to the recall so other drivers don't have the same issue and so that they don't find themselves stranded.

NHTSA complaint #11628119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On three separate occasions, while going very fast (60-78 mph), the automatic emergency braking system turns on. The warning lights flash and there is some type of warning noise. I don't even know if it starts to break because it scares me so much, I just press the gas. It turns off within a couple of seconds, but that is not the point. If I didn't react so fast, I am unsure of what could actually happen.

NHTSA complaint #11627928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2017 Hyundai Santa hybrid limited it all started with 11 icons appeared on the dash took it to Hyundai dealership Gainesville to be fixed in July of 2024 dropped it off Wednesday they emailed me with a price of 1563.70 I okay it to be fixed. I picked it up that following Saturday no sooner after leaving halfway home the check engine light came on took it back the following Monday they pulled it in the shop no more than 15 minutes later they pulled it out said they fixed it said if it should happen again to bring it back shortly after leaving check engine light came on again took it back to them and fixed it left check engine light came on again so I took it to Tallahassee Hyundai dealership they changed cabin air filter and engine filter we left the check engine light came on again so we took it back to them again and they found nothing . Then the check engine light was still on then the car wouldn't start so I had to pay to have it towed to Hyundai dealership of Gainesville again told them now the car won't start and it's been there since October 20 2024 spoke to them many times I still haven't gotten any one that can seem to fix my car they don't return phone calls just give me the run around it's my only car I have never heard of a dealership that can't fix there own car they sell . I'm getting nobody that is willing to help me and the car is not paid for im so upset is this the kind of business you provide to your customer's.

NHTSA complaint #11624634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This is the seventh occurrence of complete loss of power while driving on the interstate. The hybrid system warning activated, followed by the engine shutting down, and all dashboard lights illuminated with alerts indicating "Shut Off Engine/HEV." An 18 wheeler was pulling out from the shoulder as I was losing power and barely missed getting crushed. The former problems have all been at interstate speeds with similar accident avoided. The service history clearly demonstrates that Hyundai has repeatedly attempted to address this issue by replacing numerous critical components, including the engine, transmission, knock sensor, battery (three times), integrated brake actuation system, and smart cruise control, among others. Despite these extensive repairs, the problem persists. On this latest occasion, less than 4,000 miles and four months since the last major incident, the dealership has proposed replacing the intake manifold, EGR valve, HSG belt, and spark plugs. The belt was changed less than 20K miles ago. and I believe the spark plugs were as well. Each time my vehicle experiences this issue, it is out of commission for weeks or even months at a time, causing significant inconvenience and raising serious safety concerns. I no longer trust this vehicle and I don't believe the many recalls have successfully addressed the root cause of issues with the 2017 Hybrids.

NHTSA complaint #11611961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car randomly loses power and stalls on the expressway and it states that something is wrong with the hybrid system

NHTSA complaint #11608129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car just dies can't open the car must use the key in the fob.Hyundai dealership says it's a k own issue They told me I need to drive the car more When I can get into the car. There is a battery reset button that starts the car. Numerous online owners have the same problem

NHTSA complaint #11606548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car shutdown (stops) in the highway driving 3 times last couple of weeks. - It first shows Battery Warning Light first and car shutdown on highway driving, and slowly park the side. It restarts with jump (it is hybrid system and allows jump inside the car). - When visited Hyundai Kirkland WA dealership, they found that there was an error in the Hybrid system, (v12 battery), but didn't know what's problem. - I left my car there 2 days but can't find the root cause even if there is a code; they said they can't repro it on highway driving. - I might have to pick it up tomorrow without any fix from them.

NHTSA complaint #11602814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The wind guard for the panoramic sunroof of my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid broke & flew almost all the way off while driving down [XXX] in the Cleveland area. I was able to grab the end before it broke off completely and flew into traffic behind me. There was no warning prior to detachment. Hyundai insists this part failure is not part of a prior recall for this exact same product failure on this make & model and therefore will not cover. Their suggested solution is glue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11578335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Battery dies randomly (like I have to open the car with they physical key to access the car dead) there isn't a pattern. I have taken it to the dealership and they can't diagnose it because they cant replicate the issue and say nothing is wrong. Sometimes the car dies while I'm INSIDE and just having lunch while the car is off.

NHTSA complaint #11575925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.