I bought a new 2025 Hyundai Sonata expecting a reliable car. Instead, I’ve had repeated battery problems, a tow, a battery replacement, and weeks without my vehicle. I still don’t have a clear explanation for what is causing the battery to discharge.
At my first oil-change visit, around 9,368 miles, the Hyundai Bluelink app had warned that the battery was low when I tried to remote-start the car. I asked the dealership to check it. Staff brought back a test slip and told me the battery health was fine, although the work order does not specifically document the battery test.
In May 2026, at around 16,653 miles, the car would not start. A jump-start did not work, so it had to be towed to the dealership. They replaced the battery. An airbag/SRS warning appeared in July. Then, in September, the battery died again and needed another jump-start. I brought the car back to the dealership on September 2.
After approximately three weeks without an update, I contacted the dealership. I was told they found no failure in the vehicle and it was ready for release. They said they observed an electrical draw with my dash cam connected, advised me to unplug it whenever the car is not in use, and asked me to return in two weeks for another battery test. My dash cam is a plug-in accessory, not hardwired, and I had already switched to a different camera after an earlier battery problem. I’ve agreed to leave it disconnected for the follow-up test.
I also found Hyundai’s July 2026 service bulletin 26-01-051H, campaign LA29. It says certain 2024–2026 Sonatas can experience intermittent battery discharge because the air-conditioning controller does not fully power down while the car is parked. Hyundai describes a software update for affected vehicles. I do not know whether my specific car is covered or whether that controller caused my problem, so I’m asking the dealership to check my VIN and confirm whether the update has been completed.
Here is the bulletin: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11035140-0001.pdf
I’ve requested the actual electrical test measurements, the findings concerning the airbag warning, and my complete service records. After a replacement battery and another dead-battery incident, I want a documented explanation of what was tested and why the dealership believes the problem will not return.
I bought a new 2025 Hyundai Sonata expecting a reliable car. Instead, I’ve had repeated battery problems, a tow, a battery replacement, and weeks without my vehicle. I still don’t have a clear explanation for what is causing the battery to discharge.
At my first oil-change visit, around 9,368 miles, the Hyundai Bluelink app had warned that the battery was low when I tried to remote-start the car. I asked the dealership to check it. Staff brought back a test slip and told me the battery health was fine, although the work order does not specifically document the battery test.
In May 2026, at around 16,653 miles, the car would not start. A jump-start did not work, so it had to be towed to the dealership. They replaced the battery. An airbag/SRS warning appeared in July. Then, in September, the battery died again and needed another jump-start. I brought the car back to the dealership on September 2.
After approximately three weeks without an update, I contacted the dealership. I was told they found no failure in the vehicle and it was ready for release. They said they observed an electrical draw with my dash cam connected, advised me to unplug it whenever the car is not in use, and asked me to return in two weeks for another battery test. My dash cam is a plug-in accessory, not hardwired, and I had already switched to a different camera after an earlier battery problem. I’ve agreed to leave it disconnected for the follow-up test.
I also found Hyundai’s July 2026 service bulletin 26-01-051H, campaign LA29. It says certain 2024–2026 Sonatas can experience intermittent battery discharge because the air-conditioning controller does not fully power down while the car is parked. Hyundai describes a software update for affected vehicles. I do not know whether my specific car is covered or whether that controller caused my problem, so I’m asking the dealership to check my VIN and confirm whether the update has been completed.
Here is the bulletin: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11035140-0001.pdf
I’ve requested the actual electrical test measurements, the findings concerning the airbag warning, and my complete service records. After a replacement battery and another dead-battery incident, I want a documented explanation of what was tested and why the dealership believes the problem will not return.
- Zenil P., Glen Allen, VA, US