10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 18,057 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.
Car continues to burn oil within a week of getting oil changes, the oil will be black and it will be low sometimes there will be no oil and there is not an oil leak. Right now we had to pay for a combustion test and have to drive 1,000 miles then check the oil at Hyundai again and already our oil is starting to burn and is low. Hyundai said if the combustion test comes back still burnt or low Hyundai would give me a new engine and yea it-??s low and already a tint dark not as dark as it used to get but still it-??s low with no leak and we did not get the promised new engine after paying almost 600$ for the test-?? Also electrical wise the computer randomly sounds like static when Siri talks also the music does not play and randomly the maps will close out we have tried new cords we have tried everything and it still happens.
- Fort Pierce, FL, USA
On [XXX] I was driving on [XXX] [XXX] from Rockville, Maryland when my vehicle (2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited) started to lose power and control and all dash lights started to show. I was able to move the vehicle to the highway shoulder before all power and control failed. Had I been moving at a higher speed or in heavier traffic, or been slower to react this could have led to a catastrophic incident. When the roadside assistance showed up they found that my alternator had completely detached from my vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the Sheehy Hyundai dealership in Waldorf, MD and examined on [XXX]. The maintenance staff informed me that there were 3 other similar cases they're working on, and that there is a flaw in the design of the alternator bracket using aluminum materials that failed, and that they've reported this systemic issue to the manufacturer but have yet to receive any indications that this would be considered for a recall despite the catastrophic impact this could have. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
The car was sitting in the parking lot and randomly black smoke started coming from it and then it turned into fire within in minutes. No one was in the vehicle and 911 was contacted.
- Bealeton, VA, USA
Vehicle 1 operating normally in traffic on [XXX] in Westfield MA. Operator 1 notices alert on dashboard. As Operator 1 looks down briefly and returns eyes immediately to the road, she sees Vehicle 2 braking to slow or stop. Operator 1 depresses brakes, but vehicle does not slow as it usually does, nor does Automatic Emergency Braking engage as it always has in the past. Front of Vehicle 1 makes contact with rear of Vehicle 2. Dashcam footage appears like brakes did not activate at all, either manually or automatically. Vehicle 1 airbags deploy. Westfield Police respond, as well as Westfield Fire, who cut the battery cable. Vehicle towed to Interstate Towing, Inc. Yard 5, 20 Clifton St, Westfield, Ma 01085. (413) 593-1900 interstatetowing.com. Owner 1 viewed vehicle at tow yard, and noted that the battery was completely melted, with only portions of the plastic casing along with internal plates visible. Much of the plastic and rubber components immediately adjacent to battery location were melted and deformed. As a layperson, it almost appears as though the battery was in the process of shorting out just prior to the collision, possibly rendering many of the safety systems inoperable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Hampden, MA, USA
Car would not start. Odor of burning wires coming from the engine compartment with a little smoke. Had car towed to the Dealer who replaced the starter. Ok for two weeks then same thing. No Start and an odor of burning wires coming from the engine compartment. Had it towed to the Dealer again where it sits today.
- Medford, NY, USA
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
- Orange, CA, USA
We were heading to Lakewood NJ from Bucks County (North of Philly). Car trouble w/ hybrid system on Rt 1, just past I-95. Got off @ Fairless Hills & took back roads. We could only go 20-30 mph. IDK how many times I pulled over. Several lights on, including "Check hybrid system. Turn Engine off", engine light, low tire pressure, battery & 3 other unidentifiable lights. I turned around to try to make it home, as 2 years ago, I had a similar issue, which turned out to be the hybrid water pump failed. We finally stopped near a park & called AAA & towed to dealer. Prior to driving, we had no fluid on our driveway. My last synthetic oil change was April 19, 2023 @ 49,097mile. I now have about 57,000 miles. Today, dealer said no oil in the car & oil pan was all wet. They claim the oil filer was loose. Why would it take 8 months to loosen to lose oil? After adding oil & taking for test drive, they said the engine seized & would need to be replaced. Not under warranty. Add to complaint - the remaining dashboard lights where checked and non of them was for the oil pressure. If I lost enough oil for the engine to seize I would expect a low oil pressure light to come. The dealer informed me on Dec 26, 2023 that when doing the diagnostic, the oil pressure light came on for them. The photos attached to the case does not show the oil pressure light on.
- Southampton, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start in cold weather, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The contact stated that the vehicle would start as needed whenever the weather was warmer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
- Greensburg, PA, USA
My 2018 sonata has been stalling out while I-??m driving more so when I accelerate.I have a baby that I-??m scared to drive with in the car because it does it randomly. It has been happening more & more everyday. I got new parts/starter etc. No codes on dash. Have an appointment next week with Hyundai to take a look.
- Euless, TX, USA
Was driving on freeway on the way back from visiting family in different state when rpms dropped off and suddenly lost power. Car began shuddering and check engine light started blinking. Put hazards on and somehow managed to pull over to shoulder. No problems with car or anything to indicate anything was wrong before this. Called to have car towed to dealership where they said there was a software problem and it was falsely indicating low oil levels. ECM was reset and software updated for $233 which they said fixed the problem. Said that carbon deposits may have caused the software to misread and that may have been why there was no indication of problems before. Hope so because i have a long drive back.
- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA
During the drive, check engine lights on then suddenly, HEV warning lights with turn off the engine with critical alert sound. I was drove again after attempting to start several times then again & again... It freaked me out when I drove on the highway, and yet to fixed & afraid to go to the dealer becase of cost & uncertain reasons. This could be big accidents on the highway.
- Englewood, NJ, USA
Knocking of the engine, engine light continues flashing, lack of acceleration finally feb of this year the turbo blew up an the car stop running all symptoms of knock sensor problems. I-??m Taking it to Hyundai on Dixie on Monday in two days an I hope they don-??t deny the federal recall an I will have to have a loaner car. They have told me the last 5 years my title was flawed last month they denied saying that an told me my warranty was voided with 41,000 on my car
- Louisville, KY, USA
I was driving on freeway and all dashboard warning started to flicker on and off simultaneously then my steering wheel locked in place. I was unable to stop or turn wheel and had to maneuver car until it came to a stop. I had to get it towed home. I spoke with dealership and asked me to tow it to them so they can look at it and gave me a report that mention nothing about what I originally told them it did while I was driving but pointed out everything else that was wrong with it that added up to more than $4,500 in repairs. Dealership guy got upset that I asked him to email rather than phone calls and didn-??t want to answer anything through email only phone calls he was refusing service and kept pushing us to approve all the other expenses without telling me anything about why the car did what it did. He then told me that it was my fault since car was just passed over 100,000 miles and I should-??ve known that was going to happen. Luckily nobody got hurt during this. My wife was pregnant at the time and thank goodness nothing bad happened and dealership guy was so unprofessional and rude and just wanted our money rather than help by giving us any answers.
- Sun Valley, CA, USA
My car was serviced at Hyundai dealer for other problems while my car was being serviced the service department said they fixed a recalled latch on trunk I never had problems with trunk before the so called recall was fixed Now my trunk is stuck close and pops open and is very hard to close once open you have to slam it shut once shut it will not open I had a tail light out I press the button to open the trunk and after riding around for Three Days it popped open and I fixed the tail light within 3 weeks the tail light is out again and my trunk is still stuck shut I called the dealership and it-??s seems as though it-??s not important and been giving appointments so far away
- Wilmington, DE, USA
Loss of power on highway or during normal driving possibly due to oil pan assembly according to odi 11481745. This has cause near-miss accidents on highway on ramps a number of times. Separate issue, when the outside temp is at our below 30?F the starter can fail to turn over resulting in a car that won't start even with jumper cables applied.
- Erlanger, KY, USA
The incident occurred within my garage when I attempted to start my car and the starter went out producing a burnt smell and spark within motor. After letting the car cool down I put the car in neutral and had it towed to the nearest garage. I thought vehicle could have started a fire inside my garage and home. I have contacted the manufacture and initiated a case incident report awaiting a call back from Hyundai motor company. There were no waring lights or issues with the car the car before incident. The vehicle is under warranty but the dealership stated, they could assist since I took the car to a garage and had a mechanic work on vehicle. The disposition was the vehicle had a faulty started starter, but this incident has a huge safety flag.
- Lithia, FL, USA
On May 03, 2022 at approximately 3:30pm I was traveling southbound on Arizona State Route 101 in Tempe, Arizona. I was going about 75 mph, and without no warning my car shut off. I had to pull off to the shoulder of the highway to avoid being struck by other vehicles, and also incase I lost control. My Hyundai picked up nails on 3 of the 4 tires in the process. I barely avoided a fatal accident due to the defect, which I had no idea about.
- Phoenix , AZ, USA
I was stopped at a red light and when it turned green, I began to accelerate. The car stuttered and the check engine light was blinking. I pulled over and had Autozone run the code. The code is P1326, engine knock sensor. It was put into limp mode and it shook pretty bad in lower gears while accelerating. I had to pull over and let several cars pass me as I couldn't go above 2,000 RPMs. When I got home, I called roadside assistance and had it towed to the nearest dealership. That was this morning (5-4-2022). I just purchased this car used in the beginning of March. I don't have all the records since I just purchased the vehicle used. I just changed the oil last week.
- New Brighton, PA, USA
The shark fin antenna assembly becomes dislodged from its base very easily and can fly off while driving or scraping ice off the roof with minimal force. Hyundai should do a better job attaching the outer shark fin plastic cover to its base.
- Winthrop , MA, USA
- Louisville , KY, USA