10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,180 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Hyundai Sonata drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 152023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Severe oil leak into the oil pan has required frequent maintenance to keep oil in the car.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #19

Mar 062024

Sonata

  • miles
On [XXX] I was driving on [XXX] [XXX] from Rockville, Maryland when my vehicle (2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited) started to lose power and control and all dash lights started to show. I was able to move the vehicle to the highway shoulder before all power and control failed. Had I been moving at a higher speed or in heavier traffic, or been slower to react this could have led to a catastrophic incident. When the roadside assistance showed up they found that my alternator had completely detached from my vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the Sheehy Hyundai dealership in Waldorf, MD and examined on [XXX]. The maintenance staff informed me that there were 3 other similar cases they're working on, and that there is a flaw in the design of the alternator bracket using aluminum materials that failed, and that they've reported this systemic issue to the manufacturer but have yet to receive any indications that this would be considered for a recall despite the catastrophic impact this could have. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #18

Aug 042023

Sonata

  • miles
Starter replaced at less than 50,000 miles. Normally a starter will last 150,000 miles or more. I was past the warranty by 9 months but was under the mileage. Warranty was 5 years or 50,000 miles. Hyundai parts are cheap and do not last long compared to other companies.

- Bardstown, KY, USA

problem #17

Jan 212024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had a new engine put in my Sonata back at the beginning of 2023. For the past two days my car will jerk really hard, and then loose power not accelerating over 25 rpms and my check engine lights comes on when it jerks really hard.

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #16

Nov 292023

Sonata

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that cylinder #1 was misfiring on every cycle due to damage to the piston. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Clearfield, UT, USA

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problem #15

Sep 072023

Sonata

  • miles
My car is misfiring, hesitating accelerating, severely shaking and vibrating which you can feel in the pedals and steering wheel, and the check engine light is on. This issue has been ongoing for over a week already. When the engine light first came on on 9/7, i pulled over on the side of the road and had a mobile mechanic check it out. The code was coming up as a bad ignition coil in cylinder 1. When he took out the coil and spark plugs, he saw scoring on the spark plug from oil as well as oil being consumed in the cylinder itself which has been causing my vehicle to misfire. The mobile mechanic stated on his invoice that I need a new engine. I took my car to Faulkner Hyundai on 9/11 and they said the best they can do is an oil consumption test even though they personally know I need an engine as well. I have not been able to drive the vehicle due to the ongoing issues, I am afraid for my life and safety that god forbid the car stalls out on the highway while I am traveling to or from work I could get into a major accident. They are putting my life in jeopardy.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #14

Aug 162023

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH the vehicle suddenly began sputtering and then completely stalled. The contact had to coast to the side of the road and noticed the check engine light illuminated. After approximately 10 minutes, the vehicle was able to restart. When starting the vehicle there would be a sputtering followed by the vehicle shutting off. The failure began to occur while idle as well. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a parking spot the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward instead. As a result, the vehicle ended up crashing into a concrete light post. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The vehicle was able to be driven after. No police report was filed. The vehicle had been towed to the dealer who had stated that the starter relay issue may be the cause, however, because of not being able to duplicate the failure they were unable to give an official diagnosis. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Westtown, NY, USA

problem #13

Apr 302023

Sonata

  • miles
transmition problem, stop and go high rev engine sutck in geer angine stals in stop and go tslow moving trafic

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #12

Dec 282022

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, he heard an abnormal noise, and the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle at a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Chatham, IL, USA

problem #11

Sep 052022

Sonata

  • miles
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

problem #10

May 032022

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was stopped at a red light and when it turned green, I began to accelerate. The car stuttered and the check engine light was blinking. I pulled over and had Autozone run the code. The code is P1326, engine knock sensor. It was put into limp mode and it shook pretty bad in lower gears while accelerating. I had to pull over and let several cars pass me as I couldn't go above 2,000 RPMs. When I got home, I called roadside assistance and had it towed to the nearest dealership. That was this morning (5-4-2022). I just purchased this car used in the beginning of March. I don't have all the records since I just purchased the vehicle used. I just changed the oil last week.

- New Brighton, PA, USA

problem #9

Apr 272022

Sonata

  • miles
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata-??s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into -??Limp Home Mode-?? twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and speed reduced. This happened on I-75 twice and once on Hwy 674. Felt in danger each time (especially the last time on 4/27/22). Turned on caution lights and tried to safely pull over. Check engine light blinking and many other engine lights came on. Brandon Hyundai said engine may need to be replaced, but then they want apply -??bandaid temporary fixes-??: like replace Cylinders again and now Knock Sensor; instead of addressing safety issues of a failing engine. These engines are unsafe! They need to be recalled and replaced before they could causing major accidents due to engines poor performance as it-??s failing. The jerking and stalling put me in danger prior to being able to restart the engine to get off the road. Are these a possible fire hazard as well? I-??m scared to drive it, whenever I get it back from the dealers service department!

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 292019

Sonata

  • 28,000 miles
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?

- Castlerock, CO, USA

problem #7

Dec 032020

Sonata

  • 147,000 miles
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

problem #6

Sep 172020

Sonata

  • 33,500 miles
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.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #5

Feb 242020

Sonata

  • miles
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.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #4

Feb 112019

Sonata

  • 5,400 miles
I went into purchasing dealer for first oil change at 5100 miles, they flashed computer and loaded update Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement. About 50 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. Car was also hesitating, and bucking a bit. Took it back to dealer they stated the code didn't apply to my car and flashed it again. It again went into limp mode after 50 miles or so. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,400 miles on it and it now at a different dealer. Got information from that dealer regarding a tbs #19-01-002 and looks like engine replacement or wiring harness.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 302019

Sonata

  • 5,560 miles
I had a recall performed on my car. 'Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement '. 10 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,560miles on it and the engine is already failing.

- Lucas, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 012018

Sonata

  • 1,100 miles
Purchased new 2018 Sonata sel model in California. While driving, the transmission starts to hard downshift when the brake is applied. I found out that this hard downshifting and jolting/thumping of engine and transmission only occurs when coming to a stop at speeds between 10 to 15mph. It can be described as follows, after the brake pedal has been gently applied and lightly released but then the car itself applied its brake again. It terrifies the driver's driving conditions, mentally and physically.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 062018

Sonata

  • 40 miles
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

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