Hyundai Sonata Recalls

The Hyundai Sonata has 117 recalls spanning 1989 through 2026, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2020–2023 models where a damaged check valve allows air into the fuel tank, causing it to expand, contact hot exhaust components, melt, and leak fuel with a risk of fire.

On the 2026 model year, a software error can cause the instrument panel display to go blank, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it. The 2024 Sonata has a brake light software defect that causes the lights to flash rather than illuminate steadily, which can confuse drivers behind the vehicle. The 2023 model has an idle stop-and-go oil pump controller that can overheat and start a fire. On 2021–2022 models with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, fuel can leak at the connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel rail, raising fire risk. A separate 2021–2022 transmission issue can disable the fail-safe drive mode and cause a complete loss of drive power. The 2021 model also has a high-pressure fuel pipe connection that may not seal properly, again creating fire risk, and a windshield that may not be properly bonded and can detach in a crash.

The 2020 model has two issues: a Remote Smart Parking Assist software error that can cause the vehicle to keep moving after a system fault is detected, and a check valve defect on 1.6-liter turbocharged versions that allows the fuel tank to expand and contact hot components. The 2017 Sonata Hybrid has connecting rod bearings that can wear prematurely, leading to engine damage, stalling, or fire risk; a prior software repair for a related engine control issue on 2017 models was found to be insufficient and required a second fix. The 2016–2017 models have a turn signal software fault that can activate the signal in the opposite direction of the driver's input. The 2016 model has a driver's frontal airbag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck in a crash, and a trunk emergency release latch that can fail, trapping someone inside — a defect that also extends through 2018 models.

The 2015–2016 generation carries a notable cluster of issues. Front brake calipers on some 2015 vehicles can fracture, reducing braking effectiveness. The 2015 model also has a front passenger seat belt buckle that may not latch, a panoramic sunroof wind deflector that can detach at highway speed, a wiring harness fault that can reduce power steering assist or prevent shifting out of park, and a driver's frontal airbag that may not fully deploy in a crash. The 2015–2016 models share a parking brake indicator light that can fail to illuminate when the brake is engaged, and an ABS warning light that may not correctly distinguish an ABS fault from a general brake system warning.

The 2011–2014 era has the heaviest concentration of issues. On 2011–2014 models, the airbag control unit circuits can become damaged, disabling frontal airbags, side airbags, and seat belt pretensioners simultaneously. Front seat belt anchor pretensioners on 2011–2014 models can detach from their linkages, leaving occupants unrestrained in a crash. The 2011 model year specifically had steering column intermediate shaft joints that could separate completely, causing loss of steering control. Engine problems are extensive across this era: 2011–2012 models with