Complaint volume
358 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Hyundai Sonata Complaints
358 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, grouped by component category.
358 Total complaints
18 Crash reports
12 Fire reports
9 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, electrical system,engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 18 crash reports, 12 fire reports, 9 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 135 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 37,255 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, electrical system,engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Hyundai Sonata?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Hyundai Sonata
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Hyundai Sonata complaints?
18 Crash
12 Fire
9 Injury
1 Fatality
28 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Sonata complaint categories?
ENGINE 113
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 15
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11
STRUCTURE 11
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7
358 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the change the oil was changed every 3,000 miles instead of ever 3,500. The contact stated that there was no oil leak found. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,291. | Crash: No Fire: No | 37,291 |
| Jun 2021 | ENGINE | 6/5/21 2018 Hyundai Sonata - less than 20K miles Turning left into parking lot at very low speed Car completely lost all power and brakes - all dashboard lights etc went out No warning of any kind - nothing evenly remotely like this has happened before Was able to glide into parking spot and stop but only with extreme pressure on brake Key was still in on position - put car in park, set parking brake, turned key to off Car started again and was able to drive about 1/4 mile back home Immediately called dealer from whom we purchased and had car towed No diagnosis as of yet | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ENGINE | THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS OUT OF CONTROL FOR THEIR VEHICLES I'VE HAD MORE OIL CHANGES THAT I'VE EVER DONE ON A VEHICLE I'VE DONE OIL CONSTRUCTION TESTS AND THEY ALWAYS SAY IT'S JUST AT THE 1 QUART THAT THEY ALLOW WHO'S IS BULL I'VE CHECKED MY OIL COLD AND IT'S HARDLY ON THE STICK AND THE OIL LIGHT HAS COME ON NUMEROUS TIMES I'M NO GENUS BUT I DO KNOW IT'S MORE THAN A QUART LOW WHEN YOUR OIL LIGHT COMES ON. AT 1,100 MILES IT WAS 2.5 QUARTS LOW AND I WAS FORCED TO DO ANOTHER OIL CHANGE WHEN I ONLY HAD 1,100 MILES ON THIS ONE. THE FIRST PIC I'VE ATTACHED IS COLD OIL LEVEL AT 1,100 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 53K ON IT AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO DO OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THE LIFETIME ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND FORGET ABOUT THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM HYUNDAI THEY TOW 20 MILES THAT'S IT AND THE REST IS ON YOU HOW IS THAT FAIR WHEN IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS WHEN IT WANT TO WORK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,640 |
| Mar 2021 | SEAT BELTS | 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS IN MOTION, WITH A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAYS PRIOR TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE THE OWNER DISCOVERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO CREATE TENSION AFTER INITIAL APPLICATION TO SECURE SEATBELT HOWEVER, TENSION OF THE SEATBELT WAS IDENTIFIED WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, WHILE LEANING FORWARD, AND WHILE 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS IN MOTION. CONCERN IS THE FACT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY APPROPRIATELY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR; POSSIBLY RELATED TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA19001, APRIL 19, 2019, REGARDING THE 'AIR BAG ACU ELECTRICAL OVERSTRESS' THAT IS CURRENTLY OPEN AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. SEE PICTURES ATTACHED. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed | 47,092 |
| Mar 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ONE OF MY CONTINENTAL PURE CONTACT TIRES FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT 4,926 MILES. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED NEW FROM MY DEALER ON 11/25/20. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 47,314. ON1/21/21 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 52,240, ONE TIRE DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE SIDEWALL AND TREAD -- THERE WAS NOTHING STUCK IN THE TIRE INDICATING A PUNCTURE -- YET THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE COULD NOT BE FIXED SO I HAD TO BUY A DIFFERENT BRAND TIRE TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE TIRE SHOP DID NOT CARRY CONTINENTAL TIRES. WITH THE RECENT RECALL OF MANY TIRES BY CONTINENTAL, I AM CONCERNED THAT MY THREE REMAINING CONTINENTAL TIRES MAY NOT BE DEPENDABLE. I CONTACTED CONTINENTAL DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PURE CONTACT TIRE IN MY SIZE (215/55SR17) IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHILE OTHER SIZES ARE INCLUDED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,240 |
| Feb 2021 | STEERING,ENGINE | I WAS DRIVING BEGAN MY SONATA IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC.WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE HYUNDAI HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I GOT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON & SOME MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN THAT I COULD NOT READ BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD & HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. UPON RETURN OF THE CAR, THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT HYUNDAI TOOK CONTROL OF THE CAR AS A "SAFETY PRECAUTION" FOR THE ENGINE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SAFETY PRECAUTION. THEY NOT I CONTROLLED THE CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THE LOCK FOR THE TRUNK , OPEN AUTOMATICLY , IT STAY LOCK AND WONT OPEN.... | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | CAR WILL NOT START WHEN KEY TURNED IN IGNITION WITH NO SOUND WHEN THE WEATHER IS UNDER 30 DEGREES. HAD IT IN THE DEALER LAST WEEK AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. STILL HAPPENING SO ITS BACK IN THE DEALER FOR 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND I CANNOT TALK WITH ANYONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. PHONE JUST RINGS THEN CUTS OFF. HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND OTHER 2018 SONATA ES OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION HAS BEEN THE IGNITION STARTER AND SOLENOID. WHEN REPLACED THE STARTING PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THREE DAYS NOW AND HAVE NOT HEARD FORM THE HYUNDAI REPAIR SHOP IN BOWIE, MD. STILL HAVE MY CAR. SUCH INEFFICIENTLY WITH MECHANICS NOW DAYS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 29,555 |
| Jan 2021 | STRUCTURE | I WAS I A PARKING AND I OPENED THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE IT. THE TRUNCK LATCH FAILED. IT HAS A PLASTIC PART THAT BROKE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 32,000 |
| Jan 2021 | ENGINE | WHILE DRIVING CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY DECLINED AND VEHICLE HAD NO PICKUP. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY CAR REQUIRED A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. APPARENTLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Dec 2020 | ENGINE | I WAS DRIVING IN ANOTHER CITY AND MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I HAD IT TOWED TO NEARBY DEALER AND THEY SAID I WAS LOW IN OIL, AFTER HAVING IT CHANGED AN MONTH BEFORE. THEY DID OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND FOUND IT TO BE 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES AND LEFT THERE AND 2 MONTHS LATER HAD ANOTHER CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AFTER SEEING MY CAR WAS ONE IN THE CLASS ACTION ON ENGINE AND BEARINGS. THEY FOUND THIS ONE TO BE 1.1 QTS PER 1000 MILES. DEALER SAID NO WAY WILL THEY SEND INFO TO GET A NEW ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. A QT A 1000 MILES SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE. DEALER SAID THAT YOU NEED TO BE AT 1.5 QT PER 1000 WHICH WOULD BE ALMOST NO OIL WHEN I GO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND 100000 MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OIL TO BE BURNT. AND THEY KNOW THEY HAVE ENGINE ISSUES AND WILL NOT RECTIFY | Crash: No Fire: No | 99,000 |
| Dec 2020 | POWER TRAIN | WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS OR STUTTERS BEFORE PROPER ACCELERATION IS ACHIEVED. I OWNED A FORD FIESTA THAT DID THE SAME THING AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE CLUTCH. IS THAT A POSSIBILITY WITH MY SONATA? | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,000 |
| Dec 2020 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 147,000 |
| Oct 2020 | STRUCTURE | DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 530 IN ARKANSAS, ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH OF CLINTON LIBRARY THERE WAS A SUDDEN EXPLOSION OF GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF. THE INTERNAL VISOR WAS OPEN AND GLASS BEGAN TO POUR INTO MY LAP, SHIRT AND THE OTHER SEATS IN THE VEHICLE. I SCREAMED IN FEAR AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 72,470 |
| Oct 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | TRUNK LATCH LOCKING ARM CAN BREAK WITH FEW MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHEN THE ARM BREAKS DUE TO IT BEING PLASTIC CONNECTING TO METAL VIA A STRONG TENSION SPRING, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE LEVER IS DEFEATED AND THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED, OR CLOSED IF IT BROKE WHILE OPEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,335 |
| Sep 2020 | ENGINE | I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON MY DASH BOARD. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IGNORED IT. KEPT DRIVING. THE CAR TURNED OFF COMPLETELY WHEN I WAS TURNINGIN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO EXCELERATE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10 |
| Sep 2020 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | HEADLIGHT LENS HAS A PROJECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LENS THAT INTERFERES WITH AND IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE LIGHTED FIELD OF VISION. HYUNDAI MECHANICS HAVE TIOLD ME THEY'VE GOTTEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO CORRECT IT. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI, AND THEY GAVE A VERY DUBIOUS AND WEAK EXCUSE FOR THE DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED IN WRITING TO ME "THE BLACK HALF-MOON TRIANGULAR IMAGE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT GLARE TO THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR CONCERNS RELATED TO THE HALF-MOON/TRIANGULAR SHADOW." THIS RESPONSE DEFIES LOGIC AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN AFTER THE FACT FABRICATED RESPONSE SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO CORRECT THE DESIGN FLAW. THIS FLAW IS OBVIOUSLY ONLY OBSERVABLE DURING NIGHT DRIVING. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2020 | POWER TRAIN | I GET A HEV WARNING TELLING ME TO SHUTDOWN MY CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY VEHIVAL NO LONGER ENGAGES THE GAS PART OF MY MOTOR, THE CAR GIVES ME MULTIPLE DISTRACTING NOISES. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IMMEDIATELY THE GASOLINE SIDE OF MY MOTOR IS WORKING AGAIN.. P2600 POPS UP ON MY SCANNER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON TILL ABOUT 4 IGNITION CYCLES WITH SOME DRIVE TIME. ALMOST ONCE, AND SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 33,500 |
| Apr 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | I RENT THIS CAR FROM TOWER RENTALS I PAID 1300$ DAY BEFORE EASTER NO ONE WOULD COME GET IT FIX IT I'M IN QUEENS I GOT MONEY TOLLS AND GAS TOOK TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP IN BRONX YESTERDAY AFTER 4 HOURS THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG SENT ME HOME AFTER THEY DID 50 MIN INSPECTION WHICH IT FAILED. THEY HAVE CAUSED ME TONS OF MONEY PARTS JUMPS TRAVEL TIME LOSS OF WORK AND DO NOT CARE OR REIMBURSE ME THE CAR SITS X TIME WON'T START AGAIN WITHOUT JUMP I SENT NUMEROUS EMAILS ASKING MY YEARLY RECEIPT ALL I'VE PAID STILL NOT GIVEN IT TO ME | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Apr 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES,SERVICE BRAKES | 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTY BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ISSUES START DURING COLD WEATHER. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PREMATURELY. *JS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | ROUGH VIBRATION SLOWLY COMING UP STEERING WHEN BRAKING TO STOP. COULD BE ROTORS OR TIRES. STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO. | Crash: No Fire: No | 16,000 |
| Mar 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO EXISTING PROBLEMS. I DROVE OFF MY INTENDED EXIT WHEN SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE JERKED REALLY HARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING AS THE CAR KEPT JERKING AND SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN! I STOP BY AN AUTO ZONE WHERE THE GUY COMES OUT AND USES HIS DEVICE TO FIND OUT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM HE SAYS THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE KNOCK SENSORS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,500 |
| Feb 2020 | STEERING,ENGINE | EVERYTIME I ACCELERATE MY SUV MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING / ? NOISES AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW FROM ACCELERATING. TALKED WITH HYUNDAI MECHANIC THAT SAID THEIR MAY BE A ENGINE PROBLEM. ONLY HAD IT 1 MONTH. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL BECOME VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 41,400 |
| Feb 2020 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT ABOUT 45MPH ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY ROAD AND OUT OF NO WHERE IT JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 2,000 RPMS. WHEN THE CAR JERKED, IT WAS SO SUDDEN IT INJURED MY LOWER BACK. MY BACK HAS BEEN VERY SORE SINCE THIS INCIDENT. I THEN TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HYUNDAI HAD NOT RECALLED MY SPECIFIC CAR. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THEIR SHOP WITH NO ETA OF REPAIR. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |