10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 12,739 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The shark fin antennae on top of the vehicle was ripped off in a car wash; the antennae serves to transmit radio/GPS/data to & from the vehicle which will cease to function if it the cover is removed and components damaged. Hyundai description: The shark fin antenna will receive AM, FM broadcast signals and transmit data Multiple Hyundai dealers have been contacted for quotes on replacing the antennae which they claim will cost $1500+ since the top of the roof must be removed and electronics/circuit board/cables must be replaced; it appears to be a common issue with these shark fins according to the dealers and online research. The GPS and data transfer could be a major safety factor depending on the systems affected. These shark fins need to be replaced with a more resilient system. Owners are unable to 'store' the antennae when taking it to the car wash as it is not removable or retractable. It is a design flaw. I've read that many have lost them simply driving the vehicle --not agitated using a car wash.
- Palm City, FL, USA
Oil pressure sensor failure caused oil to leak into the injector harness damaging components and engine shutdown. Because this was a sudden engine shutdown and safety-related loss of motive power caused by an oil pressure sensor failure this presents a safety risk
- Atlanta, GA, USA
The problem with my vehicle is a failure of internal engine components, specifically a known defect in the piston rings of the Hyundai Theta II engine. This failure causes excessive oil consumption, which is burned internally. The internal engine components have failed, leading to a widely documented defect in the Hyundai Theta II engine. The primary symptom, which began to get serious around 80,000 miles, is the constant need to add oil to the engine every two weeks. If I do not do this, the low oil warning light illuminates on the dashboard, serving as a continuous alert of the problem. This failure was officially confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership. About two weeks ago, they first documented that there were no external leaks on the vehicle. When I returned because the oil had been consumed again, they performed a new diagnostic, for which I paid over $300, that confirmed the engine is burning oil internally. The dealership, acting as the manufacturer's representative, is the only entity that has formally inspected the vehicle. The situation places my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. First, the oil consumption can lead to a sudden and catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a loss of power and control of the vehicle while in transit. More alarmingly, the guidance I received from Hyundai staff was to simply "wait for the engine to stop working or start making a lot of noise." As someone who depends on the car for a daily commute, following this dangerous recommendation is an unacceptable risk.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Sonata Limited VIN: [XXX] Issue: Failed sunroof recall repair. Details: Vehicle had a manufacturer sunroof recall/service repair in 2018. Repair has now failed completely; sunroof detached. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and exposed to weather elements. Local dealership quoted $2,100 for repair, despite this being a failed manufacturer remedy for a known safety defect. Hyundai corporate and my financing company have been contacted; issue remains unresolved. Impact: Cannot safely operate vehicle, preventing commuting and daily use. Causing financial hardship. Requested Action: Investigate as a failed recall repair. Ensure Hyundai provides a remedy in compliance with federal safety regulations. Thank you, My Contact Information: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Madison, WI, USA
Car been burning oil since i got it. I have been taking it back and forth to the dealership they not helping and I-??m basically paying a note on a car i can-??t even enjoy
- Newton , MS, USA
My dad gave me his car a little bit ago, and I just learned there is a cap and sensor part in the engine that fills with oil which triggers the check engine light. I nearly got hit because I didn't know the car couldn't accelerate properly when this happens. My neighborhood exits onto the main road at an incline and my car wouldn't move faster than 10 mph while cars were coming behind me at 45. I was terrified. My dad told me had the same problem. He took it to the dealership to be repaired when it happened to him and they said it was fixed, so apparently it is a reoccurring problem.
- Grovetown, GA, USA
Recall on paint quartz pearl white my car is peeling and chipping I notified hyundai because I know many customers also are having this issue and they will not resolve this issue.
- Roanoke , VA, USA
I had engine issues back in 2021. I had to pay $600 for a part to be installed to fix the problem. The engine failed, the idle was violently lurching forward and would randomly Shut down. Recently the car shut down without warning again. Its scary.
- Bloomfield, NJ, USA
After driving for a few minutes with the sunroof open the wind deflector pulled and nearly off the car. This had been repaired previously under a recall and the repair was simply to re-glue the wind deflector back in place. This had clearly been done before as the dried glue was still on it. The back end of the sunroof nearly came off during this ordeal while we were traveling at highway speeds and it could have killed someone. We were able to close the sunroof once we had stopped, however it was very difficult to do so and required four of us, each with tools that I happened to have in the car at the time. Had we not been able to get the sunroof back closed it surely would have been ripped from the car. Another recall needs to be put into place and an improved correction needs to be put into place.
- Blue Springs, MO, USA
The engine violently vibrates and no matter how much I get an oil change it burns so fast and I have to keep adding. It's not leaking, just burning. I plugged in a diagnostic tester and it said that the 3rd cylinder was misfiring. I haven't had the car for very long, and this is not normal. I take good care of it.
- Louisville , KY, USA
While driving, the vehicle's engine light will randomly turn on and when it does, the car will lose power; meaning, when this occurs, and I press the accelerator pedal, it does not put out the normal, expected amount of acceleration. This problem will persist until I pull over, turn off the vehicle, and turn it back on. However, this does not always fix the issue. Sometimes, when I turn the car off and turn it back on, the check engine light will still be on and I will still encounter the issue. When I brought my vehicle into my local Hyundai dealership, they had the car for 3 days, and when I called to ask what was wrong with it or what they did to fix it, they told me they could not recreate the problem and therefore, did not do anything to the vehicle. So now, I'm at an impasse where this problem is not able to be recreated, thus, unable to get it fixed, but I don't feel completely safe to drive long distances. I also own a 2013 Hyundai Sonata that experienced the same type of issue, and that engine was recalled.
- Fairfax Station, VA, USA
Wind deflector came loose on highway after recall was performed. The wind deflector was originally reattached in 1996 shortly after purchase. The recall doesn't take into account that the manufacturing issue may of been previously repaired. I believe when the "recall" was performed(2020) the lack of removing the previous adhesive created a weak bond enabling the wind deflector to become detached. Attached is a copy of the recall instructions which contains no step to remove previous adhesives or check for previous repairs; only the use of alcohol to remove dust or particles. Hyundai corporate followed through on an investigation Case Number #[XXX](December 2024) finding that the recall was performed and they had no ability to investigate the proper method for subsequent repairs. Referring the issue back to local dealerships to apply their own judgement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Cocoa Beach, FL, USA
This event took place on or about [XXX]. A month or two prior, my vehicle had just undergone a safety inspection with over $2,000 worth of repairs that were performed with great care, due to noticing loss of power upon acceleration. I'm currently living in Wyoming, and the engine blew while driving on the highway in Colorado, causing a mild underbody fire while driving at high rate of speed. At this point, my safety is of great importance and concern, the radiator had internal damage that was not disclosed by the initial dealership, that took possession of my vehicle. So I truly don't know what or who to believe (which parts have been properly repaired on my vehicle or what has not), it took me to personally tow my own vehicle back to the local repair shop here in Wyoming, and the repair shop could not get power to the vehicle. Eventually the repair shop realized that the original "ground" bolt that "was" on my brand new battery was stripped out of place and replaced with a tapping screw, that's why no power was getting to the vehicle as needed to operate properly. The repair shop also noticed internal damage to the radiator (inside bay) with 2 puncture holes (that was not disclosed at any point of interacting with the dealership. Now my safety is an extremely huge concern. Again, I don't know if the vehicle is in worse or better condition with the most recent repairs that have been done to my vehicle. The engine was confirmed to have been damaged internally and externally "beyond repair". I was never given an exact description of any and all damages "requested by me at the time I called the dealership". My son and I are still without our vehicle, we are in dire need of transportation, and to have our vehicle back and running in a condition that is sufficient to perform for our everyday needs, to get back and forth to doctor appointments, etc. We are in great hopes to get this unnecessary nightmare behind us, so that we can press on with our lives....INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
- Cheyenne, WY, USA
Car is still driving good, but after I've had it for a little over a year now the first thing I noticed was my horn went out, then the headlights went out, then my temp gage is flashing and the engine light comes on & off. Certain dash lights come on & off. I just got an oil change. I've been taking my vehicles to Pep Boys for several years now. My last oil change on the Sanoto was the 3rd or 4th oil change. One of the reps told me that my car is now consuming oil. He said it's not leaking on the ground but something is causing the oil to burn. I don't know if you have a warranty on it but he suggested I take it to the dealership. Again I've only had it a little over a year. I'm financing the vehicle and have about 4 more years to go. HELP!
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
My car experiences issues around acceleration. It often feels like it gets -??stuck-?? or hesitates when I try to accelerate from a stop (ex. a stoplight) or low speed or when I try to merge onto the highway. At times I have not been able to merge onto the highway at a safe speed because my acceleration gets stuck/lags at a low mph (ex. 35 mph onto a 70 mph highway). My car also excessively consumes oil. I started noticing the excessive oil consumption around 115K miles. My oil lamp does not illuminate when low on oil in nearly all cases I have been low on oil. It has only come on once (did not remain on) and oil was not present on the dipstick. I am 687 miles into my current 1,000-mile oil consumption test and have had to top off my oil twice. I started the test because my oil light flashed and oil was not present on the dipstick. The engine light came on 312 miles into the consumption test. I got a diagnostic code from AutoZone and relayed the diagnostic code to the dealership. The dealership said the code was related to low oil and to fill up with oil and bring the car to the dealership. I filled it with oil and drove the car to Luke-??s Auto for an independent inspection. Their inspection found that the check engine light was from a failed e-cvvt and additional wear was present. I asked if this could be caused by oil consumption issues and they confirmed the possibility. Just over 300 miles from that incident, I checked my oil and it was once again low. I am deeply concerned about the safety of my vehicle due to it's stalling and indicators of potentially seizing. I have had near collisions on the highway due to my vehicle getting "stuck" while accelerating and unable to enter the highway at a safe speed. I am concerned about the consequences of lack of oil and failure of my oil lamp to illuminate to indicate no oil such as my engine seizing or catching fire. I have reported these concerns to the dealership since 1/2/23 and have reported my concerns to HMA.
- Plain City, OH, USA
The Hyundai service department indicated a OCS Mat in the front passenger seat needs to be repaired. Currently the "seat belt" light remains on when there is no one in the front passenger seat. The "air bag" light on the dash remains on while the Sonata is in use. Based on what I have read, the safety concern is that the air bags may not deploy or certain air bags may deploy at unexpected times.
- Pennington, NJ, USA
Paint The paint issue with hyundai is ridiculous. I have a 2016 Hyundai sonata. No matter if i-??m driving, going through a car wash, or just sitting in the yard. It-??s absolutely ridiculous. Corporate and a lawyer has been contacted and the said there wasn-??t anything they could do. There is thousands of cars that look the same or worse than mine.
- Conway, SC, USA
1st Incident: The engine lost its acceleration power on the highway, giving a rattling noise. It was identified as misfire in cylinder 3. This was repaired and gaskets and timing chain replaced. 2nd Incident: The engine lost acceleration again on the highway with a loud rattling noise. On checking the OBD scanner it showed the Knock Sensor as the problem. On taking it into the dealership a KSDS software update was done. Current Situation: The car drinks up 2-3 qt of oil for every 1000 miles and has an intermittent rattling noise when accelerating Losing engine acceleration power on the middle of the highway is a very serious issue. And this keeps happening multiple times and Hyundai has refused to give me a proper explanation on this issue. Other mechanics have suggested to get a replacement from Hyundai as there is already a Lawsuit against these Faulty engines. On contacting Hyundai there has been no proper response. Please look into this as losing power on a busy highway poses danger not only to our car but to other oncoming vehicles as well. It has been a very harrowing experience for us and I am left with no option but to drive a faulty car which might lose power at anytime.
- Denton, TX, USA
Engine light appeared on my dashboard in late Feb 2024. At the same time, there was a noted fluid leak on my parking skirt so I immediately stopped driving it. On [xxx] I had car towed to mike's automative service station in South milwaukee, Wisconsin. He remedied the engine issue with 'leak stop'. on [xxx], I was traveling an [xxx] from milwaukee to oshkosh. Around half way, the engine light began flashing, the oil light was on and the car lost ability to accelerate. I engaged my hazard lights given I was in high traffic at that time and 'limped' car to the nearst gas station, to avoid being stranded on the highway. It was towed to a nearby location, richfield service center-richfield wi. Both the tow truck driver and the service station rep, sean, advised this oil-leaking engine business was a widespread and well-known manufacturer defect for this vehicle's make/model/year. They performed a brief diagnostic review and advised the engine would need full replacement to continue driving. I reported this incident to Hyundai's customer service online portal this day, too and have requested they replace the engine, given the mileage has not even reached 77,000 miles. I found no active recall or warranty on this vehicle but can prove I am the second owner, having inherited it from the original purchaser, the late [xxx] in 2016/2017 (unsure exact date). The vehicle is available for inspection at this time. I felt traumatized by this event, praying not to be run over on the highway while the car moved at a snail's pace and feeling terribly unsafe in pushing the car to the closest gas station. I felt everyone around me was in danger of not seeing me in time to stop or avoid collision with me. No official inspection has been completed by manufacturer, police, insurance or anyone besides the mechanics at the richfield service center locatio in richfield Wisconsin, on [xxx]. more detail not afforded in text space here. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
- East Brunswick, NJ, USA