10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,403 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Oct 132022

Sonata

  • miles
Strong odor of gasoline noticed after driving vehicle and smell remained present for a few hours after ending the drive. Found out that many drivers for the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima have had same complaints and the issue is a component of the fuel pump that is cracked. Traced it back to my vehicle, and that in fact is the problem. Since gas is combustible, this is a seriously dangerous defect.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #43

Sep 262022

Sonata

  • miles
While I was driving, my check engine light came on. It wasn-??t flashing so I was going to continue driving to a parts house (because the dealerships around me were closed) and have them check the codes that were present. Immediately after I had that thought, I noticed the car was smoking and the battery light and the traction control light had come on, so I proceeded to pull over and shut the vehicle off. I got out and noticed the hood had soot on the edges. I called 911 and watched the car go up I-??m flames. This all happened in less than a mile. I noticed a fluid of some sort had sprayed out of my vehicle onto the road and the underneath the vehicle was coated in the fluid. This is still being investigated but I know of a lot of Hyundai/Kia vehicles have caught on fire while driving. I-??m not 100% sure of the cause yet, but I want to document that this did happen to my vehicle. I would love to update as soon as we figure out what has caused the car to catch fire while I was driving.

- Eldorado, AR, USA

problem #42

Sep 072022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
This is yet another incident of a Sonata Hybrid hybrid flashing a warning to the driver and the the engine shutting down. This time it was Sep 7, 2022 in Morristown, TN. A brief internet search led to this: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Hyundai/17-HC-003-1 indicating that the issue is known to Hyundai. This is definitely a safety issue, this is a known problem, why was no recall issued?

- Morristown, TN, USA

problem #41

Aug 142022

Sonata

  • miles
My daughter was driving on the interstate when the car went into limp mode and the engine light was flashing. We had it towed to hyundia dealership where they did an engine update. Had it for 3 months when it did the same thing to her again. Had it towed again to same dealership where they are telling me it needs a new engine.

- Holdenville , OK, USA

problem #40

May 012018

Sonata

  • miles
Engine burns 2 quarts of oil a week. Took it in for oil consumption tests and Hyundai figures out ways to not replace these faulty GDI Engines. Also car has a strong gas smell inside car. Maybe gas leaking. Airbag warning light has been on for years. Took it to the dealer in the past they said it's ok(Hub Hyundai Katy TX) but I don't feel confident.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #39

Jul 012022

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle is slow to accelerate and as its accelerating it often will jerk or hesitate roughly. There have also been times when accelerating, such as getting on a highway, that the whole (what I assume to be) throttle system will almost stop and it feels like the car is just going to stop right there on the highway. It's very dangerous as cars behind me are also accelerating and not expecting my vehicle to just stop. The vehicle is available for inspection. There are no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the issue. It has not been inspected by anyone yet.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #38

Jul 202022

Sonata

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly lost power while in operation. Vehicle was in motion approaching an intersection. When left turn indicator was activated, all lights on the instrument panel illuminated, the engine shut off, and power steering was lost all while the Vehicle was in motion approaching a intersection with stop sign. Vehicle was able to stop before entering the intersection, but would not start again and we were stranded in the middle of the road. Electrical systems appeared to be working. Battery and alternator are functioning normally. After Vehicle sat for 20min, it then was able to start and moved out of the road to a safe location. Vehicle was towed to mechanic that confirmed Battery health and alternator functioning. Vehicle was then taken to dealership for recall 210 safety repair. Dealership service unable to determine cause for loss of power while Vehicle in operation. No explanation, offer of additional service, or remedy has been offered despite requests. I do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle in the absence of information related to the sudden loss of power during normal operation. Had this occurred in another setting with more traffic or less room for safely coasting to a stop, serious injury or worse could have resulted. The vehicle is still eligible for the 10yr 100k mile powertrain warranty and I am the original owner. We do not feel we can safely operate this vehicle and need guidance on how to proceed with pursuing a remedy to the situation from the vehicle manufacturer.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #37

Jun 102022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving POV from work, I began smelling fuel in the air conditioning system from external intake. Upon further discovery, the high pressure fuel pump was found to be dislodged from the engine, due to a sheered bolt. This allowed fuel to spill out on the manifold and engine, also reducing power for acceleration. This issue could have caused a vehicle fire that could have engulfed the cabin if ignited.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #36

May 242022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
2 days ago my car had red orange like engine light came on while i am driving on [XXX] near [XXX]. next to [XXX] my car stopped running so I pull over and I call my local mechanic who sold me the car. JS AUTO In SANTA ANA, CA. He came in a towing truck. [XXX]. ALSO [XXX]. THEY WORK IN JS AUTO REPAIR MECHANIC SHOP. HE ALSO PUT A ENGINE IN MY SONATA HYBRID AND REDID THE MILEAGE ODOMETER IT WAS 49000 but the DMV REGISTATION PAPER SAID 146900 any way. I went to the mechanic shop last week complaining about engine light and they swap the something near the fuel hose entrance area. then 2 days my engine light came back on and [XXX] CAME TO ME ON [XXX] with towing truck, he was asking what happening, and he ask for the KEY FOB. HE start the sonata and told me follow me in my towing truck to JS AUTO SANTA ANA TUSTIN SHOP SO I DID> I SPEND 5 hours not having lunch and break fast. I mention to him about LEMON LAW FOR PURCHASE USED CAR. HE TELL YELLED AT ME> I SAID I GAVE U COMPANY CASHG CHECK FOR 10,000. don't tell me what I can say can not say in front of your customers. he said go talk to TUSTIN HYUNDAI NEAR YOU> AND I LET LEFT THE SHOP AT 445pm because shop closed at 5, pm I thanked MANAGER [XXX] for buying LUNCH AT REDHILL CAFE STEAK CHEESE STREAL 12 inch sub sandwich. then I came home and google search on EVAP LEAK. because MANAGER [XXX] TOLD IT WAS EVAP LEAK ERROR ON THE MACHINE BECAUSE THEY BRING THE EVAP LEAK TESTER FROM JS AUTO GARDEN GROVE LOCATION< PLEASE GOOGLE JS AUTO GARDEN GROVE SO ANY FAULTY EQUIPMENT THEY ARE USING AND ANY BAD FINANCIAL DEALING THEY ARE DOING < I THINK THEY MIS CALCULATED MY USED CAR> I SHOULD PAY MAYBE 8500 or 7500 US DOLLARS> INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #35

Mar 032021

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle has a very strong smell of gasoline and has been taken to the repair shop after spark plug flooding. Vehicle still smells like gas after repair but runs now.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #34

Mar 222022

Sonata

  • miles
At low idle (stopping) car stalls out when stepping on gas. The RPMs run extremely high and very low at idle causing panic. The vehicle also stalled at full speed on highway but all electrical was still working. Car tends to sputter and jump while shifting.

- Jessup, PA, USA

problem #33

Dec 032020

Sonata

  • miles
The car caught fire. I only had the car for 3 weeks. I had just started the car for work. There were no warning lights on. If some unknown guy have not told me to get out my car i would had died.

- Not Hispanic, OH, USA

problem #32

Dec 162021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
I took my vehicle to the dealership to have recommended service completed which included the fuel tank air filter. To complete this operation, the mechanic performed an M.P.I which showed that the fuel pump was leaking. I'm not an expert on anything, but I can't imagine a time that fuel leak is good. What's really concerning is that if I hadn't had the vehicle in for routine maintenance, this problem wouldn't have been found which could have led to catastrophic issues. I find it hard to believe that it's typical that a fuel pump fail with under 60,000 miles on the vehicle- who knows how long the fuel pump had been leaking. My tech at the dealership told me that they have seen this same problem with other 2015 Sonatas so I am certainly not the only one to experience this issue. I had to return the car to the dealership a few months ago for a recall that involved a fuel leak. I wonder if all of the fuel leak issues have been dealt with, fuel leak wise, with this vehicle. The sub total for this repair was $817.66. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #31

Sep 142021

Sonata

  • miles
Heavy odor of gas in backseat and truck. Noticed odor in garage while parked and when driving had to roll down windows! I took to mechanic. He found a crack in fuel tank. My Hyundai had been at the dealership that week with them changing the oil and rotating tires but they did not acknowledge it! Mechanic informed me that this could be a very dangerous situation and should not be driven. Dealership no help.

- Ardmore , OK, USA

problem #30

Dec 122020

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
Vehicle driver received audio and visual alert while driving at high rate of speed that the "hybrid warning failed and to check hybrid system-turn engine off" and to pull over safely. However, the vehicle locked and lost all power making it impossible to safely exit the interstate almost instantly after the alarm. Upon research, I manage a large vehicle fleet, we have multiple other Sonata's with the same issue-and there is a tsb for this known safety failure (17-hc-003-1).

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

problem #29

Jul 202020

Sonata

  • 93,300 miles
Was driving on sunrise highway doing about 55 mph when all of a sudden my car start losing all power acceleration and would not go pass 20/30 mph. Was able to get to side of highway. But now car has issues picking up acceleration. Could have caused a major accident.

- Coram, NY, USA

problem #28

May 152019

Sonata

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The contact drove to residence with the window rolled down. The vehicle was taken to Hyundai of las vegas located at 7150 w. sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89117, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. The VIN was not available.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #27

Dec 242019

Sonata

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the fuel door failed to open from depressing the unlock button inside of the vehicle. The emergency lever to open the fuel cover in the truck of the vehicle was also inoperable. The dealer ourisman Hyundai of bowie 2404 crain hwy, bowie, md 20716 (866) 295-4674, was able to forcibly open the fuel door. The contact stated that a part detached inside the unlocking mechanism. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #26

Jan 292020

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
The car suddenly loses the ability to accelerate making it very stressful to drive as you are not certain when this will happen. At first it is intermittent but eventually it simply stays that way once the issue begins while you are driving, hence the car will have an almost impossible time retaining speed on the highway or accelerating at a light or as you merge onto highways. Changing the driver mode to sport appears to have a positive effect as it causes much more aggressive gear shifting but it then stays in the same gear for too long reaching rps that feel unsafe for the engine itself. This is now the third tie this happens and it is also the more severe manifestation of the problem, . the first time the dealer asserted they were not able to diagnose it but returned the car without the problem. The second time it happened they apologized and said that it was an issue with the engines computer algorithm, that apparently the computer learns from the way in which one drives and so is adaptive but that sometimes it can become corrupted. This third time the dealer told me it would take only a couple of hours to fix but now it has been three days and they have not called me back. They did leave a message that apparently they are ordering parts and will be fixing it. My issue now is that its a third time and it is clear that something in the car is defective and now we are going to be almost completely paranoid of it happening again at a critically dangerous intersection or merge area. We have been lucky so far but it is a family car and I do not feel safe in the car anymore given the repeating nature of this problem and the lack of information out there form the manufacturer as to what exactly is going on.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #25

Oct 012018

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 67,308 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled, lost power, and went into limp mode. The contact also mentioned that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated to move. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to gettel Hyundai of charlotte county (1950 tamiami trail, punta gorda, fl 33950, (941) 347-6626) where the down stream sensor, PCM, vcm, fuel pump module, and knock sensor were replaced. The contact also mentioned that the throttle was unclogged; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to wait until it recurred. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,308. Consumer stated vehicle was repaired 12 times.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

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