Hyundai Sonata Latches/locks/linkages Problems
Owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 22 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (17). The words owners use most often: “door handle” (22% of reports).
- 129latches/locks/linkages complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 33%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.
- Door handle: mentioned in 29 of 129 complaints (22%)
- Trunk latch: mentioned in 16 of 129 complaints (12%)
- Failed open: mentioned in 10 of 129 complaints (8%)
- Rear driver: mentioned in 9 of 129 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?
Based on 84 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 129 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 20 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year
| Model year | Latches/locks/linkages complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sonata | 1 | 1% | 600 |
| 2018 Sonata | 8 | 2% | 34,060 |
| 2017 Sonata | 17 | 2% | 61,000 |
| 2016 Sonata | 4 | 1% | 123,000 |
| 2015 Sonata | 2 | 0% | 110,320 |
| 2014 Sonata | 4 | 1% | 131,500 |
| 2013 Sonata | 2 | 0% | 105,000 |
| 2012 Sonata | 1 | 0% | 5,988 |
| 2011 Sonata | 11 | 0% | 71,251 |
| 2010 Sonata | 11 | 3% | 68,000 |
| 2009 Sonata | 6 | 1% | 59,250 |
| 2008 Sonata | 4 | 1% | 71,500 |
| 2007 Sonata | 3 | 0% | 55,550 |
| 2006 Sonata | 6 | 1% | 13,500 |
| 2005 Sonata | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2004 Sonata | 12 | 6% | 58,723 |
| 2003 Sonata | 13 | 7% | 54,000 |
| 2002 Sonata | 9 | 3% | 64,000 |
| 2001 Sonata | 5 | 2% | 158,725 |
| 1998 Sonata | 7 | 14% | 90,000 |
| 1997 Sonata | 1 | 2% | 86,000 |
| 1996 Sonata | 1 | 4% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Model years: 2020
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 221/010G.
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2011
Problem: Hyundai-kia has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2011 sonata vehicles manufactured from december 11, 2009 through february 15, 2010. The front inside door lock switch can remain in the unlatched position.
Risk: The door may not be in the locked position and may open while the vehicle is in motion, possibly resulting in injury to the driver or passenger.
Fix: Hyundai-kia will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by replacing latches affected by this recall campaign free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 82 model year 2002-2003 sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle may cause wear of the chrome plating. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating that portion of the plating may wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle, which may form a sharp edge.
Risk: A sharp edge could lacerate or otherwise injure a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall began on september 16, 2009. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1-787-999-3333.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 91,350 my 2002-2003 hyundai sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle may cause wear of the chrome plate. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating, that portion of the plating may wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle, which may form a sharp edge.
Risk: This may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle.
Fix: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during june 2009. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached document for complaint. Please let me know how quickly the service parts for these two recalls are physically located in your shop and how soon the required recalls will be performed. I have been getting periodic recall notices for years and have yet to obtain the satisfaction of an…
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the trunk manually using the key fob; however, the trunk intermittently failed to open. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The…
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger's side rear door latch failed to unlock as needed. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door latch failed to unlock from the inside or the outside. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the trunk failed to open while using the key fob and the controllers on the interior of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the trunk latch had failed, and the emergency cable associated…
Rear Driver Side door latch actuator assembly. Part failed and door cannot be opened even to change/repair the part. This is a major safety issue as the door cannot be opened by rear passengers.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have latches/locks/linkages problems?
No. NHTSA has 129 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages 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 latches/locks/linkages?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “door handle”, in 29 of 129 complaints, followed by “trunk latch” (16).
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (4,702)
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Air Bags problems (2,045)
- Electrical System problems (1,975)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Power Train problems (1,050)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Service Brakes problems (901)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.