Sonata (DN8)
Data covers 4 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
T-GDI GAMMA II
1.6L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
GDI THETA III
2.5LView details
Complaint Breakdown
GDI NU PE + HEV
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
T-GDI THETA III
2.5L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Hyundai Sonata Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
DOHC GDI THETA-II
2.4LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.1 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 47 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.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2021] The Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) has failed for the second time on this vehicle. The first failure occurred at approximately 35,000 miles and was repaired under Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 23-EM-009H, which Hyundai issued to address this exact defect across 2020-2023 Sonata Hybrid models. The vehicle has now reached 71,000 miles and is experiencing the identical symptoms: coolant los
- [2020] Sudden failure of the electrical system with warning that the hybrid battery was in operable. I parked the car, turned it off, reset the 12 V battery, and the car restarted and operated normally. This problem with the 12 V battery needing reset has happened dozens of times while I was parked. This is the first time it has happened while I was driving the vehicle. A sudden disabling of the vehicl
- [2020] Car shutdown (stops) in the highway driving 3 times last couple of weeks. - It first shows Battery Warning Light first and car shutdown on highway driving, and slowly park the side. It restarts with jump (it is hybrid system and allows jump inside the car). - When visited Hyundai Kirkland WA dealership, they found that there was an error in the Hybrid system, (v12 battery), but didn't know what'
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2021] My 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid 12v battery has started to die randomly. My car is currently with the Hyundai dealer to confirm if this will be a warranty claim. Searching online, I have found other posts of people complaining about a similar issue with their 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
- [2021] Car sits several days at a time. Door locked. 12 volt auxiliary battery goes dead within 60 minutes after driving 60 miles. Happened 6 times in last 6 weeks. Battery is lithium. Dealer looked at car Sept 8. They did cursory check and said my rodent deterrent caused issue. After driving 60 miles. Turned rodent deterrent off. Still have issue. Car resets the 12 volt battery nearly daily. Lithium ba
- [2022] Initially vehicle battery is drained after three days of sitting in driveway and not being used. Vehicle has been taken in to dealership in July 2025 and found the 12v integrated battery was faulty and was replaced after being on backorder for three weeks. After battery was replaced the vehicle battery is drained after five days of sitting in driveway and not being used. No lights are left on,
High-Voltage Battery
- [2023] Battery Management System completely exhausting the 12V battery resulting in the car acting as if it has no power. When this happens, you can't unlock the door or open the trunk. On two separate occasions, I have encountered a complete loss of power in my Sonata Hybrid, preventing me from unlocking the trunk or doors upon returning from extended trips. The first incident occurred after a ten-day
- [2020] On July 15th I was driving away from work and my car suddenly stopped accelerating. I was able to get it towed to a body shop I previously had it repaired at. They said the battery system was blowing a fuse when it would become undrivable. They took it to the local Hyundai dealership where they applied a new software update related to the battery management system. This did not solve the issue, it
- [2020] Car shutdown (stops) in the highway driving 3 times last couple of weeks. - It first shows Battery Warning Light first and car shutdown on highway driving, and slowly park the side. It restarts with jump (it is hybrid system and allows jump inside the car). - When visited Hyundai Kirkland WA dealership, they found that there was an error in the Hybrid system, (v12 battery), but didn't know what'
Electric Propulsion
- [2023] Battery Management System completely exhausting the 12V battery resulting in the car acting as if it has no power. When this happens, you can't unlock the door or open the trunk. On two separate occasions, I have encountered a complete loss of power in my Sonata Hybrid, preventing me from unlocking the trunk or doors upon returning from extended trips. The first incident occurred after a ten-day
- [2020] My car is a Hyundai sonata hybrid (non plug in) 2020. the issue I have is that when the car transitions from electric motor to the gas engine there can be a small delay resulting in the car not picking up and causing me to almost get hit in different scenarios. (I have not had this checked with a mechanic, Also there was no warning signs from the car indicating that there was a issue)
- [2021] My Lincoln Nautilus (9,180 miles) logged 6 "Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power" alerts in the [XXX] telematics system between XXX (XXX at 7:59 PM and 8:16 PM; XXX at 1:07 PM and 1:39 PM; XXX at 11:16 PM; and XXX at 10:56 AM). Out of the 6 logged events, I experienced severe loss of motive power during two of them. On XXX, while driving 70 mph on I-95, the vehicle completely lost all propulsion
Thermal Events
- [2022] My 2022 Hyundai sonata hybrid started blowing white smoke from the exhaust. Took it to the dealership and was advised the valve that controls antifreeze failed and leaking antifreeze in exhaust. This caused the engine to overheat and would cause the engine to blow up. My car has 83,000 and was told the manufacturer warranty only covered to 80,000 and extended warranty would not cover the part. Was
- [2020] I went to work at 5 in the morning, I turned the heater for the first time after last winter. I noticed that the heater was struggling to warm the cabin. After 10 minutes driven I got an overheating alert on the dashboard. I pulled over on the freeway shoulder and it started to notice a lot of steam coming from the exhaust and a really strong coolant smell. I waited for the engine to cool down and
- [2020] I noticed a strange smell almost like burning maple syrup in the garage for months. I thought it was just a different smell from Hybrid cars as I didn't have this used car very long. While driving at times the acceleration would stutter, again I thought this was just expected having never driven a hybrid car. Then on a trip a couple hours out of town someone stopped me on the road to tell me I was
Regenerative Braking
- [2022] As I was driving my dashboard lit up with warning lights and audible alarms indicating that I should inspect my regen brake. Safety features such as lane departure, lane assist, blind spot indicator stopped functioning and my speedometer did not work. I stopped the car and looked behind the front wheels and nothing looked “unusual”. I restarted the car and all of the alarms went off again, leaving
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.
Battery: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pack (2020-2025)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 10 yr / 100k mi.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Sonata, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata
On a used 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (178), the engine (166) and the electrical system (148). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 178 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata about the fuel system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 166 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 148 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Measure the 12-volt battery before the car is switched on.Costly repair. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata (hybrid and electric versions only) about the 12-volt battery and its charging.
Recalls (9)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. The software for the brake lights may cause the brake lights to flash and not illuminate properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
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.
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."
Show 4 older recalls
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata complaints?
Owners have filed 652 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 652 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA has 652 owner complaints on file for the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2020-2024 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Sonata?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sonata?
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 652 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.