10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 27,500 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.
Multiple critical mechanical and safety issues have occurred with my 2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport. The vehicle has experienced persistent engine misfire, a severe oil leak, emissions system failure, and extensive paint deterioration. A certified technician confirmed an active oil pan leak with no dashboard warning lights, posing a fire and stalling hazard. To prevent further damage, I replaced the entire oil pan and spark plugs at a personal cost of approximately $800 at Firestone Complete Auto Care. The check engine light revealed diagnostic code P0420 -?" Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). An O-??Reilly emissions scan confirmed the catalytic converter failure, and emissions status was marked -??RED.-?? The vehicle will not pass an OBD-based emissions test. At 149,219 miles, Hyundai refused warranty coverage due to mileage. A certified Hyundai dealership quoted $3,722 to replace both the catalytic converter and valve cover gasket, which remains unaffordable and unrepaired. In addition, the factory-applied white paint began peeling severely from the hood and roof. Although Hyundai issued a warranty extension for this known defect, the dealership refused to repaint the hood, citing a minor dent -?" even though the peeling is clearly unrelated. The exposed metal has started to rust, risking structural deterioration. All concerns have been evaluated by certified Hyundai service and independent professionals. These combined mechanical, emissions, and exterior failures raise serious safety and durability concerns. I am filing this report to document manufacturer-related defects that may affect other owners of this model and year.
- Springfield, MO, USA
Burns oil fast. 900 miles from an oil change the car oil stick was empty. There are no signs of oil leaking. Every 1000 miles you have to place oil back into it. I-??m not the only one complains of this issue. I was reading on Reddit and it-??s thousands of people having the same issue.
- Austin, TX, USA
My 2018 Hyundai Sonata (approx. 60,000 miles) began consuming excessive oil, and the engine started smoking while driving. My wife barely made it to the dealership -?" the car was unsafe, struggled to stay running, and visibly smoked from under the hood. Hyundai acknowledged the oil issue but refused to cover engine replacement. Instead, they approved a one-time combustion chamber cleaning and requested we drive the car 1,000 miles to "see if it gets better." This is a major safety concern. The vehicle is part of a group of Hyundai models known to have defective Theta II engines that have led to engine failure, fire risk, and recalls. This issue is widespread, and Hyundai is not taking proper responsibility for defective engines in cars like mine.
- Cedar Park, TX, USA
- Component or system that failed: engine (cylinder #4 misfire) - Safety was put at risk twice: once when knock sensor went off on interstate (October) and engine went into limp mode (aka protection mode). Required a tow from the, which was tricky with a vehicle full of passengers. Safety was put at risk gain when vehicle began to stutter/sputter on interstate (December). Drove 4-cylinder vehicle essentially on three cylinders an hour to dealership - Problem has been confirmed by dealer (Southern States Hyundai, Raleigh, NC) - vehicle has been inspected by warranty inspector, who requests approval before disassembling engine to diagnose issue. However, based upon maintenance records and manufacturer's history of engine issues (more on this below), owner should not be liable for investigating a well known issue. At the time of this writing, the issue has been escalated beyond the dealership and warranty to Hyundai Motor America, and currently awaiting the results of their findings. - symptoms of the problem include constant oil leak from vehicle purchase in May 2024 up to engine failure in December 2024. Various temporary remedies (oil changes and repairs, including oil drain plug gasket replacement, crush washer replacement, and replacement of cracked oil pan) did not fix the issue. Additionally, in the October incident, Hyundai dealership (Sport Durst Hyundai, Durham, NC) simply updated the knock sensor detection (KDS) software, despite the vehicle previously receiving the update in 2019 (this can be verified). Finally, owner, noted "engine knocking" (aka 'tapping') in vehicle prior to engine failure. - Hyundai (the manufacturer) settled a class action lawsuit in 2021. Vehicle is one of the vehicles listed under Class Vehicles, but dealer, nor warranty company, nor Hyundai seem to want to resolve issue, which both alienates owner and presents a safety hazard, as the vehicle is unsafe to drive. All claims here will be supposed via documentation and images.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
The motor blew in my 2018 Hyundai sonata due to a manufacturing defect. There was a recall on it a couple of years ago. They acknowledged it was a defect which is why they put an extended warranty on the engine. Because I could not come up with maintenance records dating back until 2018 (I only had them dating back to 2020), they denied my motor and will not fix it. I bought the car brand new in 2018 and have had nothing but issues ever since. I have had to change the oil in this vehicle every 2 weeks, because it would be nothing in the oil tank at all. When the recall come out, they said they could not fix the vehicle until the motor was blown. Now that the motor has blew, they won't fix it because I don't have repair records dating back 6 years ago.
- Creola, AL, USA
I own a 2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 turbo I paid cash for it in [XXX] with 2011 miles on it for 24,000 cash didn-??t start having problems until 2022 then the I kept hearing a knocking on the left front wheel. I had it look at several places because the Hyundai of Louisville dealership kept telling me my title was branded I didn-??t know what that meant till I took my title to the tag office and had the sheriffs department check the title out and it was an still is 100 % clean then my engine kept getting worse an in may of 2023 the engine stopped working I had the car towed to the local dealership and they couldn-??t even look at it till Aug of 2023 the they told me I shot out a code 99 and they refused to update my software for the knock sensor system and wouldn-??t honor the regular 60,000 miles warranty my car only had 48,000 miles on it. They didn-??t bother telling me about the faulty GDI 2.0 turbo engine in August of 2023 I had to research it and find out on the internet that it-??s a excessive oil consumption problem with this faulty engine. I had my car stolen for 6 days in April of 2023 and everything was taken out of my glove box an trunk. My oil change receipts were kept in an envelope in the glove box and were stolen with all my car registration an insurance papers. So the dealership refused my free engine replacement because I don-??t have all my oil change receipts and blamed me for the oil being out of the engine which is due to the faulty GDI 2.0 turbo engine the dealership has now had my car 300 days I-??ve been walking to and from my work I can-??t afford a new engine all I want is me free engine replacement I have all the articles printed of all the engine problem with the cars catching on fire or just stop running period. I need some representation on having the Hyundai of Louisville Kentucky on Dixie highway to get me my free engine replacement they want 14,000$ for a new engine. I-??m extremely mad and frustrated with this entire situation I have retained a lawyer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM O
- Louisville , KY, 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
Car consumes TOO much oil. Even after I get an oil change I have to add more oil weeks later and the oil is always black. Several times the sensor has gone out on me on the hwy and I-??m not able to accelerate or go over 35 miles which is extremely dangerous.
- Conyers, GA, USA
Fuel pump started going out. My brothers vehicle also started going out too in the same vehicle as this. It's clearly a wide issue. Car stalls when gas is at half tank.
- Valdosta, GA, 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
Engine takes a long time to start up, about 10-15 seconds of pushing the start button starts engine which is probably not good for the car. Also, the car jolts/ wants to stop while driving. Has been an ongoing issue since the week of 9/5/22. Loss of motor power issue sounds like what is going on with my 2018 Hyundai Sonata vehicle.
- Henderson , NV, USA
My 2018 Hyundai Sonata GDI Engine stop working while I was driving on the freeway without a warning prior to the issue. It never gave me a heads up in advance that the engine needed service. No check engine light to alert me that an issue needed attention. I learned about the engine problem when my engine stop working while I was on the freeway. I heard a loud noise coming from the engine and within seconds my RPM started going down and my car started loosing power while I was driving on the freeway. At the same time my check engine light came on and it was flashing. At that moment I realize something bad was happening with my motor. The check engine light was not on before that. It never alerted me before that, and when it came on flashing on and off it was already too late because my engine was dying and it died and didn't turn back on after I pulled over in the side of the freeway. I was so scared. The cars where going so fast and very close to my car with little room to pull over. The high velocity of the others cars where making my car cradle from the wind. It was so terrifying for me and my little dog i had with me. My seat belt stop working a few weeks before my engine died, and the thought of me getting hit by another car without a seat belt on. I've never been scared for my life like I was on that day. Hyundai dealer sold me a car with a bad engine. I was putting atleast 1 quart of oil every other week sometimes every week in the past year until just recently. I've only had it for 3 years since I bought it and I was putting 1 quart of oil every month in the beginning and with time the consumption of oil increased and increased more with time. Hyundai service my car for an oil gasket last year that should've been cover under warranty, but made me pay for it. I made it aware to them about the excessive oil consumption and told them it wasn't normal how much oil the car was consuming but they denied to service my car under warranty.
- Escondido , CA, 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
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
My 2018 Sonata will not start when temp drops below 20 deg F. it has happened 3 times this winter and when it warms back up to 40 to 50 degree it will start. When I turn the key on all the lights on the dash light up like normal. I can move hear selector and turn wheel. But the starter will not engage nothing is heard not a click or a shirt. Is this common problem?
- Schenectady, NY, USA
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
- Hagerstown , MD, USA