Hyundai

Sonata (LF)

2015-2019 · Midsize Sedan · 6 engines
Best Engine Recommended (5.0)
3,486 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
114 Fire Reports
120 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

8AR-FTS

2.0L 4-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
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Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

LEXUS IS (2014-2025)LEXUS NX (2015-2021)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)LEXUS RC (2015-2025)LEXUS GS (2012-2020)

GDI NU

2.0L 4-cyl / 154 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.4)
138 complaints 34.5 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
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Complaint Breakdown

engine
80
electrical
52
fuel system
18
other
18
transmission
16

Known Issues

Engine Issues (80 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (52 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (18 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)

DOHC T-GDI GAMMA

1.6L Turbo
Avoid (1.9)
93 complaints 23.2 per year Gasoline
5 fire reports
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Complaint Breakdown

engine
50
transmission
32
electrical
8
other
7
body
6

Known Issues

Engine Issues (50 complaints)
Transmission Issues (32 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (8 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)HYUNDAI Veloster (2012-2017)MINI Cooper (2017-2017)

DOHC T-GDI THETA-II

2.0L Turbo
Avoid (1.6)
209 complaints 41.8 per year Gasoline
10 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
94
electrical
30
other
27
body
26
steering
17

Known Issues

Engine Issues (94 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (30 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (26 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Optima (2011-2015)BMW X5 (2014-2018)KIA Optima (2007-2010)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)KIA Sportage (2011-2016)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2013-2018)KIA Sorento (2003-2009) +1 more

DOHC GDI THETA-II

2.4L 4-cyl / 162 hp
Avoid (1.0)
2,420 complaints 483.2 per year Gasoline
80 fire reports 5 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1400
electrical
273
steering
249
other
214
transmission
196

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1,400 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (273 complaints)
Steering Issues (249 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2006-2010)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)HYUNDAI Sonata (2020-2024)KIA K900 (2015-2020)FORD Explorer (2020-2025)

DOHC GDI NU

2.0L
Avoid (1.0)
398 complaints 199.0 per year Gasoline
11 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
237
electrical
106
transmission
45
other
41
fuel system
31

Known Issues

Engine Issues (237 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (106 complaints)
Transmission Issues (45 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Soul (2014-2019)HYUNDAI Elantra (2011-2016)HYUNDAI Elantra (2017-2020)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Sonata regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (1,862 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (469 complaints)
electrical critical
Transmission Issues (304 complaints)
transmission critical
Steering Issues (266 complaints)
steering critical
Fuel System Issues (185 complaints)
fuel_system critical

Recalls (12)

21V749000Sep 23, 2021serious
Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.

21V619000Jun 7, 2021serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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."

17V359000May 5, 2017serious
Parking Brake

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.

16V956000Dec 29, 2016serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.

16V615000Aug 23, 2016serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

16V232000Apr 20, 2016serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.

16V726000Nov 9, 2016serious
Visibility

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.

15V414000Jun 29, 2015serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, to December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.

15V678000Oct 19, 2015serious
Electrical System

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

14V368000Jun 23, 2014serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.

14V325000Dec 5, 2014serious
Steering

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 2, 2014, through May 23, 2014. A poor connection within the vehicle's wiring harness may result in a reduction of steering assist from the vehicle's motor driven power steering system or the inability to move the vehicle's shifter from the Park position.

14V784000Sep 11, 2014serious
Powertrain

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.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata problems?

The 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata has accumulated 3,486 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Sonata engine is most reliable?

The 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata a good used car?

The 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 3,486 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata have?

The 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata has 3,486 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Sonata?

Before buying a used Hyundai Sonata, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,486 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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