Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems
Owners have filed 4,698 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 25 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (967). The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (7% of reports).
- 4,698engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 80mention a crash
- 52mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 338 of 4,698 complaints (7%)
- Engine seized: mentioned in 265 of 4,698 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Hyundai Sonata at $4,300, and half of them between $980 and $8,100.
Based on 140 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 2,356 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 4,698 complaints, 80 mention a crash, 338 a fire, 52 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sonata | 2 | 12% | — |
| 2024 Sonata | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2023 Sonata | 28 | 32% | 5,540 |
| 2022 Sonata | 25 | 27% | 15,000 |
| 2021 Sonata | 34 | 25% | 44,000 |
| 2020 Sonata | 31 | 17% | 30,849 |
| 2019 Sonata | 87 | 54% | 90,000 |
| 2018 Sonata | 212 | 57% | 19,750 |
| 2017 Sonata | 384 | 50% | 74,400 |
| 2016 Sonata | 452 | 62% | 82,500 |
| 2015 Sonata | 628 | 55% | 65,000 |
| 2014 Sonata | 302 | 40% | 84,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 738 | 39% | 96,000 |
| 2012 Sonata | 567 | 36% | 92,000 |
| 2011 Sonata | 967 | 29% | 100,000 |
| 2010 Sonata | 29 | 8% | 70,000 |
| 2009 Sonata | 56 | 12% | 108,300 |
| 2008 Sonata | 48 | 11% | 114,000 |
| 2007 Sonata | 41 | 6% | 114,000 |
| 2006 Sonata | 44 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Sonata | 6 | 4% | 96,728 |
| 2004 Sonata | 5 | 2% | 130,000 |
| 2003 Sonata | 3 | 2% | 131,000 |
| 2002 Sonata | 5 | 2% | 145,000 |
| 2001 Sonata | 1 | 0% | 20,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2013, 2014
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
Engine
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Hyundai Motor America is explicitly refusing to honor the mandatory safety recall and lifetime warranty extension for a catastrophic rod bearing failure on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX]). The engine suffered a sudden internal connecting rod bearing seizure while operating, causing a complete…
My 2013 sonata caught fire from the engine I was barely able to get out safely
I am filing this complaint regarding transmission and drivability problems with my 2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L following Hyundai Campaign 9C-2. My vehicle was running and driving perfectly before this update. I have always maintained it on time, followed proper maintenance schedules, and have records…
2013 Sonata 2.4 81,953 mi, seized on highway with fresh oil change 1 week prior, loss of power, steering/braking. Happened on George Washington Bridge (NY/NJ) with near collision. Asssited by Police to move vehicle out of highway. Inspected by dealer (Paramus Hyundai) and confirmed loss of power…
Ever since the 9C2 software update was completed on 94/26, the car is experiencing hesitations not only in the first few minutes of driving but after the engine is hot. It was driving perfectly before this update.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 4,698 owner complaints about engine for the Hyundai Sonata. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Sonata engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,300 (half paid between $980 and $8,100), from 140 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 338 of 4,698 complaints, followed by “engine seized” (265).
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Air Bags problems (2,044)
- Electrical System problems (1,974)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Power Train problems (1,050)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Service Brakes problems (900)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (765)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.