630 of the
22,259 complaints filed about the Hyundai Sonata
are about the throttle and cruise control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
630
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
128
Crashes
7
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
I test drove the vehicle at an auction, watched several other people test drive the vehicle. Before the auction I test drove it one more time and put my obd scan tool on it to make sure there were no hidden codes or problems. I won the bid,and picked up the vehicle. I drove it approximately 6 miles from the auction and the falshing engine light popped on. I immediately pulled over in heavy freeway traffic. Put my scan tool on it and found out the knock sensor had triggered. The vehicle was shaking and making a terrible racket. It was inoperable in the worst possible spot on Highway 51 during rush hour traffic. I managed to slowing coast down the offramp and roll into a parking lot. I then called Purdy Hyundai and spoke with a service advisor and provided the VIN#. He (Vue Kue) informed me that the vehicle qualified for the recall and warranty work based on exactly that issue. I had the vehicle towed to the Purdy dealership on July 8th 2026. I was told today that it was unlikely that Hyundai would honor the recall because I did not have service records of a vehicle I had owned for 6 miles of driving. I filed a complaint with Hyundai corporate. Claim#43010067 and awaiting the reconciliation of this situation. Of which they appear to to be avoiding.
NHTSA complaint #11752063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The clock spring went bad causing failure of horn and all buttons on the steering wheel including cruise control. It also caused the airbag light to illuminate.
NHTSA complaint #11745397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is stalling in the acceleration process. I can feel and hear the stall by the air conditioner going out or fading out when it happens while driving. Pressing the gas and it barely moves at times. Makes a noise now while running. Unknown to whether it's electrical or engine or transmission. Pull out in the traffic accelerating but the car wasn't moving at the pace it should have. Could have cause an accident when trying to cross on going traffic. Just got the vehicle 2 weeks ago. No one has inspected the vehicle yet. Going to have it looked at for recalls. No warning lights appeared to reflect an issue, but there clearly is.
NHTSA complaint #11743044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle has a major engine flaw; Hyundai USA KNOWS about it, and STILL will not issue a recall for EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. First episode: October 2023 at 86,371 miles. Dealership replaced leaking valve cover gasket and changed woefully-soiled spark plugs. Still under manufacturer warranty, but I paid the balance. Second episode: FOUR MONTHS LATER (Feb. 2024; 89,078 miles), another limp mode and Check Engine lamp. The spark plugs are soiled again with oil, so the dealership changes the spark plugs again, instead of addressing the underlying issue - Excessive oil consumption. Still under warranty, yet I pay the bill...AGAIN. Episode Three: October 04, 2024. Hyundai Sonata goes into limp mode again with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT illuminating – cylinder 1 was misfiring. All spark plugs fouled again; all spark plugs replaced. Valve cover gasket was leaking, so that was replaced as well. Yup, I paid for the repairs out-of-pocket. Episode Four: May 02, 2025. Vehicle goes into limp mode again, with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT turning on. Another spark plug fouled up, so it was replaced. Ignition coil replaced as well. Episode Five: June 19, 2025. Limp mode and Check Engine Lamp illuminates yet again, so Hyundai of North Charleston (SC) initiates an oil consumption test. "...[3.5 quarts of] oil consumption is excessive...", yet Hyundai denies everything. Hyundai is actually admitting to an underlying issue but offers ZERO assistance.
NHTSA complaint #11734985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I contact the Hyundai dealer about my 2016 Hyundai sonata. for all I know those vehicles have recalls with engine failure/stalling due to premature rod bearing wear, fire risks from malfunctioning electric oil pumps. My car is having those exact problems with the abs lights being on and is also have problems with the VVT sprocket. And the oil I called Hyundai and they said my vehicle only has a recall with the JUNCTION BOX. But my car is unable to go over 60. And is unsafe to drive and the recalls with that type of model car is the same recalls I am having and soon as I've bought the car and had it for some time i am starting to have those problems so I would like to know what’s going on because it is unsafe and I can’t even drive my vehicle I also have a blinking check engine light. I’ve wanted to report this now incase risk of a fire because I’ve did my research and realize these cars that have these type of problems are known for catching on fire.
NHTSA complaint #11725141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car was parked, full stop, doors shut, seatbelt on. Foot on brake. Car then seemed to lurch forward by itself forward hitting parking cement block. Put in reverse to back away and car stayed still...then I tapped the gas again to back up and insted vehicle plowed forward.instead.of reverse ...went over the parking block and hit concrete beam in front, when the car should have backed up in reverse. I'm a person who drives speeed limits, and ulta careful when i drive, and parked at this place/spot for years. This has never happened not sure why it did. No injuries or other people involved thank god, but scared the heck out of me. Wracking my brain, my recalls and software and service appts are up ro date.Nothing out of ordinary that day. I'm confused and shaken, why the first lurch forward and why did going in reverse move it forward? ugh. It drove home fine. Commute to work daily for years, no issues. All I can guess is gear didn't click to reverse and was somehow in drive? Ive been going over the possibilities in my head for human error but they dont make sense - again I've been driving for 40 years. If it happens to other models, would love to know! Car will go to repair tomorrow as "my fault" via insurance, hoping they can see more if any error codes, to at least say if Reverse didn't engage or something else happened. May have been human error but it's so out of the ordinary for me. Thanks!
NHTSA complaint #11718993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Once the car gets slowed down and reaches 20 mph of speed by applying the brake or not. It gives a sudden jerk, which causes immediate reduction in speed.
NHTSA complaint #11714094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling into a parking space at my church, same place I routinely parked. I was moving forward slowly with foot on brake alternating lifting foot to move forward until I was all the way in. As I lifted my foot from the brake, the car suddenly accelerated forward, going over the cement parking block, on to the grass and sidewalk before it stopped. Two metal handrails along the steps into the larger parking lot. Fortunately, no one was hit or injured, including myself. The result was major damage of the left side. Aside from the exterior, the car worked as it always has. I reported the collision to my insurance company, State Farm, and they directed me to a Hyundai repair shop. I know the fault was not mine for 3 reasons: 1) Once I turn into a spot to park, I always move slow, using the method mentioned above. I never use the gas pedal once I'm facing straight in the parking space; 2) My word would, of course, not be enough to relieve me of the responsibility for what happened. However, if I had stepped on the gas, though I know I didn't, the car would not be able to go from just stopping its forward move to the sudden and very fast acceleration that normally would require several seconds to reach that speed; and, 3) This was the 2nd time sudden acceleration happened, the 1st time was in June 2024 during a 3-point turn on a residential street. I completed the turn, ready to go forward, when the car suddenly and rapidly accelerated, jumping a curb and hitting a fire hydrant. My left front grill sustained damage, but since the car worked well, I did not report this to State Farm, waiting until I was willing to pay the deductible. This 2nd episode had me researching the Internet to see if there were others who experienced sudden accelerating with resulting fatalities. I believe my car has a defect and gives no warning when it will occur. My driving record is excellent. I don't speed and I drive defensively. My 2 brothers and 2 male in-laws said I'm a good driver
NHTSA complaint #11709968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I went into dealer was told there was a car recall for radio update which I later was not provided any documentation for on another visit I noticed a speedometer update was performed to vehicle since the speedometer does not match the actual speed of the vehicle as the other complaint in December 2024 by another same model vehicle owner
NHTSA complaint #11700869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving around 20 mph my cars rpms will rev and my car will take off then my automatic breaks will kick on and today around [XXX] I was going under 25 mph and there was a car in-front of me and it really scared me as I went to hit the breaks my car already did. My car has done this twice now, both on residential roads. The first time I figured it could have been a me error but now I know this is something seriously wrong with my vehicle. I have had my car for years and I know my car and it never just takes off how it has been there’s always a delay when I go to accelerate. This is very concerning and I’m scared to drive my car now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11693710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought the car before less than 3 months the car was good but before 10 days when I was driving it on highway , suddenly the car stopped without any light warnings I was In dangerous situations hard to got the car to right side way exit 19 A express highway when I opened the hood was smoking from engine and smile like plastic fire I brought the mechanic said starter I bought starter I replaced it the same problem they said the key I changed the battery program the key same problem they told me battery I checked the battery 95 % another mechcheck by computer said the engine and he said most of these car has manufacturers problems the engine replaced recall 162 before bought the car what my solutions and I know ther is extended warranty
NHTSA complaint #11691817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine light started to come on and go off and when I got the codes ran, it said something along the line of misfire. I had the spark plugs changed and I kept regular maintenance done on oil changes and tune ups. Now my engine is knocking and the vehicle is in limp mode.
NHTSA complaint #11688793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pushed acceleration at traffic light to cross and turn into neighborhood, car started beeping frantically, 'check hev system' flashed on dash as well as 'turn off engine' while car decelerated to 1-3 mph. Battery meter bar on left side of dash completely depleted showing no battery power supply at all. Turned vehicle off for a few minutes then restarted. Put the vehicle in drive gear and same warnings appear, car doesn't even accelerate when gas pedal is pressed fully, stays at 1-3 mph crawl. Vehicle stalls out after 30 seconds, vehicle turns on but cannot start.
NHTSA complaint #11685412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am leasing a 2017 Hyundai Sonata from Car City in Michigan. In May 2025, the vehicle received a brand-new engine replacement due to previous problems. I picked the car up on [XXX], and on the same day, the vehicle began malfunctioning. It would not accelerate properly, jerked and stalled, and multiple warning lights — including the check engine light — came on immediately. This made the car unsafe to drive. I contacted the dealer, but they told me to wait until Monday to get it looked at, leaving me with a dangerous and unreliable car. The vehicle had already been in the shop for over two months for the engine issue, and I had only driven it for six months beforehand. I believe the repair or replacement engine is defective or was not properly installed. This creates a serious safety hazard. A car that stalls while driving puts everyone at risk. I am filing this complaint so this issue can be investigated and addressed if others are affected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11678429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 05/27/2025, my rear back-up camera started to malfunction. Last week my dash started to malfunction electronically. When I would start my vehicle, all of the lights would start to turn on and stay on on my dash. My speedometer would not move while I was driving, so I could not see how fast I was going. I believe this is a severe safety issue for myself as well as others. The tachometer would jump up and down and would not function correctly. My dash stated that I had low tire pressure, that I was having problems with my traction control, that my BSD system was not working, that my ABS was not working, that my emergency brake was on even though it was not. It also stated that I did have functioning air bags, which is a severe safety hazard in the chance that I could've gotten into a wreck and they might not have worked. It also stated that I was not in Drive even though I clearly was. It also stated that I had no power steering while I was driving, before the light would turn off and I could properly steer again. This is a severe safety issue that could put me at risk. Finally, my check engine light turned on and stayed on. Yesterday on 06/09/2025 I was able to take it a vehicle maintenance shop so they could run a full diagnostic test. They discovered that I did not have power steering even though there was fluid due to the electrical problems with my dash. They also discovered the C-CAN buss was off and that my vehicle was losing communications with the TCM and HVAC. It was discovered that this was due to my rear view back-up camera malfunctioning, causing the C-CAN network to short out. They had to unplug my rear back-up camera to return everything to normal. I have found on hyundai recall forms that other years of hyundai models had similar problems and I believe that 2018 hyundai sonatas are also having the same problem. I wanted it to be made aware because online, people have stated they are having the same issues. Attached gif that shows part of problem.
NHTSA complaint #11666015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated after pulling out of store parking lot at low speed into side street behind vehicle stopped at light (less than a car length in front) while pressing hard on brake. Vehicle lurched forward incrementally during the braking process, but vehicle kept accelerating causing vehicle to hit stopped vehicle numerous times before vehicle engine was finally turned off. Driver of both vehicles could have been seriously hurt. Vehicle was driven home after this incident without incident but has only been driven out of garage and onto and off towing truck. Car has not been inspected except for damage to vehicle and is currently awaiting insurance rep inspection at vehicle repair facility. Once damage is repaired car will be towed to dealership for inspection. Because of the short distance vehicle traveled no warning lamps/messages were noted.
NHTSA complaint #11665119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have gone 3 times to dealer because speedometer was off. They confirmed that the speedometer was off but they couldn't do anything about it. They told me that for this car, there is no VSS and the speedometer gets the speed from the navigation system. The navigation system is obviously glitching which is causing this. I am not the only person experiencing this. This has to be taken care of and taken seriously
NHTSA complaint #11663368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.