2020 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
7,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 16 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 37.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Steering: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 4 |
2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 8; 2024: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11512791 · 2023-03-20 (March 20, 2023)
I have had the same issue 3 separate times related to the coolant system. The first time happened January 2021. I was driving on the highway and I noticed that when the car switched from electric to fuel a large plume of white smoke came out of the exhaust and then the engine overheating message started. I checked the coolant tank and it was completely empty. I managed to get some coolant in the car and get to my destination. I checked the coolant tank again and all the coolant that had been put in was gone. I immediately had the car towed to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11512791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11555368 · 2023-11-15 (November 15, 2023)
My car's battery dies 2 or 3 times every week. I have to enter into the the car with the manual key that is inside the key fob then hit the 12v rest button to start my car. I have been to two Hyundai dealerships and they both tell me nothing is wrong. I just picked it up a week a go and it has died twice since I picked up. I see many complaints on reddit about the same issue, even some with car dying while driving. This is a serious that Hyundai needs to figure out.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11555368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537122 · 2023-08-08 (August 8, 2023)
I have a 2020 Hyundai Sonata limited, recently at 68,089 miles on the odometer my wife was driving and got an engine overheat light and noticed thick white smoke puffing out the exhaust pipe. I told her to pull over when she called me and have it towed to the dealer. Soon after I went to the dealer to look at it because they were saying it would be weeks before they could look at it, and I noticed the coolant reservoir was empty. So, I filled up the reservoir and took it home. Over the next few weeks of driving I noticed the same puffs of white…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415571 · 2021-05-07 (May 7, 2021)
DRIVING ON DRY ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES GOING 65 MPH. SUDDENLY, RIGHT REAR TIRE "POOFED" BUT I KEPT CONTROL, STARTED TO LOOK RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, DID NOT PUT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY, LEFT REAR "POOFED" AND THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD-METAL ON METAL- SOUND OCCURRED BACK LEFT AND MY CAR JACK KNIFED INTO THE PASSING , FAST LANE. A DUMP TRUCK TRAVELING IN THAT LANE STRUCK ME, FRONT END AND MY DOOR. THE TRUCK HIT ME AND I ROLLED INTO THE GRASSY MEDIUM, ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE SAFETY DEVICES WORKED FABULOUSLY AND MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415571 at NHTSA ↗