10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,170 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #7

Dec 032020

Sonata

  • 147,000 miles
In Feb 2020 my Sonata went into safe mode after exiting highway and dealer ended up replacing "knock sensor". in December 2020 my engine "stuttered" throwing me forward as if I had hit brakes hard. No warning lights or messages occurred and after a few seconds car acted normally mostly. A few days later after exiting highway again the engine warning light (orange) came on along with error message "possible condition with engine control system" has been detected. Car did not go into "safe mode" and seemed to be operating normally. I contacted dealer who assured me safe to drive over hundred miles back to dealership in this condition to check. I drove back from East coast fl to West coast fl to turn car in. I believe engine issue experienced is related to the theta engine issue and repair would be covered under settlement. Dealership disagrees and has indicated issue is with fuel pumps (both are being replaced) and charging me $2300.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 172020

Sonata

  • 33,500 miles
I get a hev warning telling me to shutdown my car. When this happens my vehival no longer engages the gas part of my motor, the car gives me multiple distracting noises. After turning the car off and back on immediately the gasoline side of my motor is working again.. P2600 pops up on my scanner and the check engine light remains on till about 4 ignition cycles with some drive time. Almost once, and sometimes twice a day for the past three days this has been an issue.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #5

Feb 242020

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving my car at about 45mph on my way to work on a highway road and out of no where it jerked and the check engine light started flashing. Car would not accelerate above 2,000 rpms. When the car jerked, it was so sudden it injured my lower back. My back has been very sore since this incident. I then took to dealer and they said it was a known issue and Hyundai had not recalled my specific car. Dealer was able to replicate the issue. The cleared the check engine light and sent me on my way. One mile down the road exact same thing happened. Car is currently at their shop with no eta of repair.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #4

Feb 112019

Sonata

  • 5,400 miles
I went into purchasing dealer for first oil change at 5100 miles, they flashed computer and loaded update Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement. About 50 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. Car was also hesitating, and bucking a bit. Took it back to dealer they stated the code didn't apply to my car and flashed it again. It again went into limp mode after 50 miles or so. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,400 miles on it and it now at a different dealer. Got information from that dealer regarding a tbs #19-01-002 and looks like engine replacement or wiring harness.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 302019

Sonata

  • 5,560 miles
I had a recall performed on my car. 'Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement '. 10 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,560miles on it and the engine is already failing.

- Lucas, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 012018

Sonata

  • 1,100 miles
Purchased new 2018 Sonata sel model in California. While driving, the transmission starts to hard downshift when the brake is applied. I found out that this hard downshifting and jolting/thumping of engine and transmission only occurs when coming to a stop at speeds between 10 to 15mph. It can be described as follows, after the brake pedal has been gently applied and lightly released but then the car itself applied its brake again. It terrifies the driver's driving conditions, mentally and physically.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 062018

Sonata

  • 40 miles
Throttle response: Feels like the old vehicles with a flat spot in the carburetor accelerator pump. The "three second' rule applies when the throttle petal is pushed. There is a serious hesitation as the engine tends to fall flat before accelerating. Has to due with the six speed automatic transmissions duel clutch which acts as if a person were operating a standard transmission clutch. I have discussed this problem/concern several times with the service department where the vehicle was purchased. The service department indicated they receive numerous complaints. It is indicated the drivers either love the vehicle with this problem or hate. We were never told of this situation. And there is no fix for this. This situation can occur when leaving a stopped position, when turning right or left from a stopped position, accelerating up a hill in moving traffic or on a street. This all depends on the drivers reaction to the throttle pedal. When one needs to accelerate while in motion there tends to be a shuddering/stuttering of the engine. This problem has occurred shortly we purchased the vehicle in February 2018 and has been on going. I set the "when did this happen" as starting date. Can be vary concerning when entering traffic for older drivers. I cannot find any more descriptions for this situation. There are no documents at my disposal at this time. Thank you.

- Auburn, WA, USA