4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,022 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.

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problem #9

May 222019

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 44,363 miles
Hev enginie erorr

- Chisinau, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 252017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 30,000 miles
"takata recall" August 25th the car was driven into some high water and was parked by a gas station near green road and aldean westfield R. the car was underwater from the front end. I have taken the vehicle in for repair multiple times for repair. From warranty issues to flood repair, both can't give me a straight answer to what is wrong with the car. The car stops and completely shuts off hybrid malfunction. We dont have any documents, the dealership has copys of all repars.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 042018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 25,000 miles
I was going about 70 mph in full electric mode and the car removed all power from my gas pedal, there was lots of dinging sounds and the dash said "check hybrid system, turn your car off". luckily I was already to the far right so I could just pull tot he shoulder and stop the car, the breaks and steering were still working. Towed to the dealership, hoping the March 2018 recall is the fix. I had to call aaa, all blue link capabilities stopped working as well. 2016 plugin with about 25,000 miles.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #6

May 102018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 25,650 miles
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road putting lives on the line. A complaint was filed earlier (ref: Hyundai case #111109600, NHTSA complain #11080680) but no actions were taken by either Hyundai or nahtsa. This car is unsafe to be on the road and can not be fixed after three tries within a year.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 192018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 24,600 miles
Warning light saying "check hybrid system" comes on and the engine would not start if the car is parked. While driving the car completely shuts off without the ability to pull over at a safe location. It happened to me three times so far, twice under 18,000 miles and once at 24,600 miles. The dealer is not sure what is causing it and gives it back to me after some tweaking to get rid of the warning light. I have filed a complain with Hyundai (case # 11109600) regarding this. This car is a death trap and I will not either drive or ride in this car ever. I will not be satisfied in anything less than a complete buy back. I am asking NHTSA to force a recall and have them fix the problem with confidence or do buy backs. It's a death trap and can not be allowed to exist on the road.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 072018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 41,100 miles
On 1/7/2018 we were driving our 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid with approximately 41,100 miles in it to los angeles, ca with my 82 year old father on oxygen from san jose which is about 370 miles away on highway I5 with the speed limit of 70 mph. When we experienced engine problem. While exiting to our destination on highway 118 de soto exit, the engine had slowed down in the middle of the intersection and barely turned to the side of the road for safely.we were unable to start the car and dashboard had indicated to check hev. Several attempts were made to start the car, to no success. Lights will come on dashboard, still able to connect to bluelink to call for roadside assistance but there was a long wait before a customer service answered until the engine completely died and stalled. We were stranded with an 82 year old man who has respiratory illness and we have finally called an uber to his home before oxygen runs out. Road assistance finally came after 2 hours of waiting and the car was finally towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer in woodland hills 20539 ventura blvd woodland hills.the car is being serviced and has no update yet. I called Hyundai usa customer service at 1-855 671 3059 this am 1/8/2018 and claimed there has been no report of recall to this sort of problem and has therefore gave me a reference case #10911352.

- Marcel Court, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 302017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 26,200 miles
While driving the car at 68 mph in hov lane, hybrid system alert light up and the engine completely lost power and shut down. Very dangerous situation and lucky able to direct the car to right side and stop and wait for towing. This happen during traffic was slightly jam so able to drive to the right side when other cars are slowing down in regular lane. Cannot imagine if there is no traffic jam, high potential to get into accident and life threatening situation. With the dealer for five days and they cannot pinpoint the exact problem and keep on saying is slight problem. How can this be slight problem when the engine completely shut down?? need to have major recall for public safety. There are similar problems from other owners that have discussion about this same issue on the internet. I hope this will be address and recall before someone get into major injury or lost of life.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 082017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 21,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion when the phev warning illuminated and the gasoline engine shut off. The vehicle lost all propulsion. It refused to engage the gasoline or electric motor to move out of a dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to the Hyundai dealer where it was diagnosed as a failed hybrid battery.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #1

Jun 262017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 32,284 miles
My sonata phev had hybrid system failed not once, but twice within a span of 1.5 months. It's been hardly 1.5 years since I had bought this car. In both cases the check hybrid system warning comes up and engine looses total power. The 1st time it happened, it was in the middle of a busy 405 freeway and was left all of a sudden with no power on the engine. Extremely dangerous and life threatening problem to face with. With whatever power was left, was able to coast to the ramp on the right. Stopping anywhere in 405 freeway is absolutely dangerous, even on the shoulder (many people including cops has been rear ended). The 2nd time it happened it was on a 3 lane local parkway still dangerous as I am left with no power to control the car. The car had to be towed to the dealership in both cases.the dealership took 1 month to fix the car the 1st time. They ended up replacing the power relay assembly which had to be shipped from South Korea. It ran for close to 1.5 months and again the same problem with the check hybrid system warning and it's back at the dealership. The dealership says that the power relay has gone again and Hyundai now wants to see if replacing the hybrid battery will fix it. As of today after 18 days the car is still in the service centre.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA