Sonata (LF)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
GDI NU
2.0L 4-cyl / 154 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
DOHC T-GDI GAMMA
1.6L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
DOHC T-GDI THETA-II
2.0L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
DOHC GDI THETA-II
2.4L 4-cyl / 162 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
DOHC GDI NU
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata
That's roughly 5.7x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.5 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 244 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2015] I am reporting a recurring and unresolved hybrid system failure in my 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited that poses an ongoing safety risk to me and my family. The issue involves a "Hybrid System Warning – Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" message that appears randomly while driving, causing the vehicle to jerking and creating dangerous conditions on the road. This issue first occurred in February 20
- [2015] Hybrid system failure leading to complete power loss while driving.
- [2015] Recall notifications for Hyundai campaign 251 but no remedy available since early 2023. Finally learned a remedy was available, made online appointment with my dealership (Future Hyundai of Concord, Concord, CA) but when I arrived for my appointment, they said they did not have the part. That was April 29, 2024. I was told to follow up in a week, which I did. Part still not available. Followed up
Electric Propulsion
- [2015] Hybrid car with various hybrid system failures that results in sudden loss of power while driving. this has occurred 3 times to me while on the highway (I-75 in South FL). Car suddenly loses power, could not accelerate but I was able to get off the highway safety. This has been reproduced at the dealer and they first replaced the hybrid generator then the hybrid battery and ECM and now it occurred
- [2015] I would like to write about my experience with New Port Richey Hyundai. I have owned a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited since 2015. I take immaculate care of my car and it only has 65,000 miles. All maintenance has been done regularly and on time. For the last six months I have had a warning light and alarm going off for a few seconds once in a while, which shuts off my cruise control. I took the car
- [2015] Vehichle goes into limp mode on highway causing a drastic reduction in speed. Dash says hybrid alert do not drive. Loss of speed put me in danger due to loss of power and vehicle control. Dealer claims it is a bad brake booster that caused car to go into limp mode… Want to charge me 3k to fix.
High-Voltage Battery
- [2015] Driving on a busy street the car suddenly started to show a Hibrid system warning safety stop and do not drive and then the car slowed down on traffic scary situation since it was a busy road then another car pulled up and two guys help get it out of the road since the car would not start again. Our safety was at risk on the middle of the road and could possibly caused an accident. The problem sti
- [2015] While driving, the following warning appeared: Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, due to the fact that this same warning appeared in the summer of 2021, where it was towed to the dealer and they were unable to discover any problem. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer this time they found the code P1B70, high voltage battery to low
- [2016] Car started bucking and slowing on freeway. Took car to dealership October 2021 after 2 weeks, I was informed the car needed a new engine. A few days later I was informed, my battery needed replacement. Three months later, January 31, 2022 while in the freeway, my car started bucking then decelerated from 70 mph to 10-20 mph on the freeway ( only reached 40 mph going down hill). Check HEV system a
Thermal Events
- [2015] The engine light started to come on and go off. I had the spark plugs changed and I kept regular maintenance done on oil changes and tune ups. Now my engine is knocking and the vehicle is in limp mo. I took to dealership for extended warranty it was denied due to not properly maintained I turned an additional maintenance records the claim was never reevaluated I took my car home which is only 3 mi
- [2016] YES I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY VENTS. I MADE IT TO THE NEAREST NEIGHBORHOOD BY MY HOME STOPPED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES I START MY CAR BACK UP & IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE BY TIME I MADE IT TO A STOP SIGN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRIC/ENGINE PROBLEM & NOTHING WAS MY FAULT. I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE
- [2016] TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE BATTERY, OIL, CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. JASON PILGER HYUNDAI (613 DE
Charging System
- [2018] Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure p
- [2016] THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CHARGE THE HYBRID BATTERY WHEN PROPERLY PLUGGED IN, WITH EITHER 110V OR 220V PLUG. THIS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND HYUNDAI REPAIRED IT WITH A PART COSTING AROUND $2,000 THEY TOLD ME (IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND COST ME NOTHING). HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP CONTINUALLY SINCE JULY 7, 2017 (31 DAYS!) THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MY GARAGE. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED IN THE PAST (N
- [2017] 14 MARCH 2018 10:30 AM, 70 MPH ON US 101 TO SAN FRANCISCO, HEV MODE, RAINY WEATHER, 4 PASSENGERS FOR A BUSINESS MEETING. CAR STEERING SHUDDERED AS IF THE TIRES SLIPPED AND SPUN ON THE WET PAVEMENT. ESC, BRAKE, AND AUTO HOLD LIGHTS TURNED YELLOW. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY TO REACH DESTINATION, PARKED, ATTENDED MEETING, AND STARTED DRIVING BACK HOME WITH MY PASSENGERS AT 3PM. ESC, BRAKE, A
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2015] HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING. CHECK BRAKES. DO NOT DRIVE. THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AND YOU GET THIS WARNING WITH ALARMS DINGING LOUDLY. IT RENDERS THE CAR UNUSABLE AND IS UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT YOU CAN RESTART IT BUT IT JUST HAPPENS AGAIN. IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED AND ON SLOW SIDE STREETS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR IN
- [2016] KNOCKING IN ENGINE AREA THEN SAID TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THEN BATTERY DIED
- [2016] KNOCKING IN ENGINE AREA THEN SAID TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THEN BATTERY DIED
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Sonata regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (12)
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
All Generations
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.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sonata?
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,486 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.