Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems by Year
NHTSA has 795 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls on file for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, across 16 model years (2011–2026). The 2012 model year has the most complaints (154). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sonata Hybrid year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2012 Sonata Hybrid: 154 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2016 Sonata Hybrid: 133 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2013 Sonata Hybrid: 108 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2026 Sonata Hybrid: 3 complaints, 1 recall
- 2019 Sonata Hybrid: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2018 Sonata Hybrid: 9 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 343 | 14 | 5 |
| Electrical System problems | 205 | 15 | 5 |
| Power Train problems | 100 | 14 | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 69 | 10 | 13 |
| Steering | 53 | 9 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 51 | 12 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 41 | 9 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 39 | 7 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 21 | 9 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 19 | 8 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 | 8 | 2 |
| Structure | 17 | 9 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 16 | 7 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| Visibility | 12 | 6 | 0 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 11 | 6 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| Wheels | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sonata Hybrid | 3 | 1 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2025 Sonata Hybrid | 11 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Sonata Hybrid | 9 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2023 Sonata Hybrid | 15 | 0 | — | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Sonata Hybrid | 19 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Sonata Hybrid | 55 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2020 Sonata Hybrid | 16 | 1 | — | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Sonata Hybrid | 5 | 0 | 5★ | Engine | |
| 2018 Sonata Hybrid | 9 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | |
| 2017 Sonata Hybrid | 80 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Sonata Hybrid | 133 | 5 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Sonata Hybrid | 54 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Sonata Hybrid | 28 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 Sonata Hybrid | 108 | 4 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Sonata Hybrid | 154 | 6 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 Sonata Hybrid | 96 | 6 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Hyundai: all Hyundai models · Hyundai VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (96), 2012 (154), 2013 (108), 2015 (54), 2016 (133), 2017 (80), 2021 (55) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sonata Hybrid year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Engine, with 343 complaints across 14 model years.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
13 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.