Hyundai Sonata Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,050 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 31 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (173).
- 1,050power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 47mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Hyundai Sonata at $1,250, and half of them between $1,050 and $4,400.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2026), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 606 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,050 complaints, 47 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 25 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sonata | 3 | 18% | 19,025 |
| 2024 Sonata | 6 | 13% | 16,500 |
| 2023 Sonata | 16 | 18% | 50 |
| 2022 Sonata | 24 | 26% | 8,500 |
| 2021 Sonata | 25 | 19% | 21,500 |
| 2020 Sonata | 24 | 13% | 16,599 |
| 2019 Sonata | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2018 Sonata | 40 | 11% | 40,538 |
| 2017 Sonata | 56 | 7% | 43,000 |
| 2016 Sonata | 59 | 8% | 60,000 |
| 2015 Sonata | 135 | 12% | 50,000 |
| 2014 Sonata | 55 | 7% | 51,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 94 | 5% | 57,555 |
| 2012 Sonata | 97 | 6% | 86,000 |
| 2011 Sonata | 173 | 5% | 49,444 |
| 2010 Sonata | 21 | 6% | 47,500 |
| 2009 Sonata | 41 | 9% | 38,889 |
| 2008 Sonata | 14 | 3% | 61,500 |
| 2007 Sonata | 9 | 1% | 35,000 |
| 2006 Sonata | 22 | 2% | 76,860 |
| 2005 Sonata | 5 | 3% | 59,755 |
| 2004 Sonata | 10 | 5% | 43,750 |
| 2003 Sonata | 10 | 5% | 9,300 |
| 2002 Sonata | 11 | 3% | 72,832 |
| 2001 Sonata | 18 | 9% | 69,334 |
| 2000 Sonata | 19 | 7% | 72,000 |
| 1999 Sonata | 14 | 11% | 71,313 |
| 1998 Sonata | 12 | 24% | 42,000 |
| 1997 Sonata | 9 | 18% | 72,000 |
| 1996 Sonata | 5 | 22% | — |
| 1995 Sonata | 15 | 23% | 142,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:pumpPark outside
Model years: 2023
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2015
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 1.6 liter model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured August 29, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect left axle shaft which may result in the shaft separating from the transaxle differential.
Risk: If the left axle shaft separates from the transaxle, the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a separated axle shaft may allow the vehicle to roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 126.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I had my engine replaced under the Theta Engine lawsuit and I was due for the 9C2 service campaign and it was installed...ever since I picked up my car it shifts weird between 1st and 2nd. I brought it back to a different Hyundai dealer as the warranty work was done at another location and they…
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…
My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure of the transmission shift cable connection, the same safety-related defect addressed by Hyundai Recall Campaign 123 (NHTSA Recall 14V-434). The gear selector stopped functioning correctly. Although I could physically move the shifter using the shift-lock…
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line suffered a catastrophic, sudden total loss of drive power while operating at speed on a public roadway, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle lost forward propulsion and the gear selector flashed a blinking 'R' when reverse was attempted. The vehicle was…
Transmission replaced twice and all of them continue to fail. Several Hyundai service centers are unable to determine the cause and are only able to update/relearn and replace whenever they are able to replicate the issue. The issue is that at a cold start, the car makes a popping sound, jerks and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,050 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $1,050 and $4,400), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (4,698)
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Air Bags problems (2,044)
- Electrical System problems (1,974)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Service Brakes problems (900)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (765)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.