Hyundai SONATA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
786 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 505 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 338 of 786 complaints (43.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 162 | 20.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 155 | 19.7% |
| Engine operation | 88 | 11.2% |
| Steering behavior | 60 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 53 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 0.9% |
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 | 338 |
| Electrical System | 190 |
| Power Train | 95 |
| Unknown Or Other | 95 |
| Service Brakes | 68 |
| Steering | 51 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 49 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 41 |
Engine: 338; Electrical System: 190; Power Train: 95; Unknown Or Other: 95; Service Brakes: 68; Steering: 51; Fuel/Propulsion System: 49; Vehicle Speed Control: 41
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 105 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 72 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 88 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 81 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 122 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 105; 25,000 to 49,999: 72; 50,000 to 74,999: 88; 75,000 to 99,999: 81; 100,000 to 149,999: 122; 150,000 and above: 37
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (122). 281 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 49 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 98 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 72 |
| 2022 | 63 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 101 |
| 2025 | 51 |
| 2026 | 28 |
2012: 2; 2013: 17; 2014: 33; 2015: 34; 2016: 49; 2017: 71; 2018: 98; 2019: 74; 2020: 20; 2021: 72; 2022: 63; 2023: 73; 2024: 101; 2025: 51; 2026: 28
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 162 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 155 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 88 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 10533053 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)
THIS BEGAN AS A INTERMITTENT HESITANT CLUNK, BOTH DURING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION IN TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ELECTRIC MOTOR / GAS ENGINE. IT HAS PROGRESSED INTO AN UNEXPECTED PHYSICAL JUMP WHILE GOING FORWARD AND REVERSE. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT WAS LURCHING FORWARD AT A CROSSWALK WITHOUT CONSCIOUSLY STEPPING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. EMAILS HAVE BEEN SENT TO HYUNDAI WITHOUT A RESPONSE ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, WHERE COMPONENTS UNRELATED TO THE SYMPTOMS WERE REPLACED AND A MANAGER SAYING "THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10545285 · 2013-09-25 (September 25, 2013)
I WAS COMING OFF OF AN ON RAMP TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND DUE TO TRAFFIC I HAD TO LET OFF THE GAS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT A SCHOOL CROSSWALK AREA. I LIGHTLY PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF CAUSING MY HEAD TO WHIP BACK AND ME TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE. NEARLY HITTING KIDS AS THEY CROSSED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10545285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558420 · 2014-01-03 (January 3, 2014)
ON OCTOBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE TRACTION, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE & DECELERATE AT RANDOM AND VEHICLE JERKED (INTERMITTENTLY) ALL MENTIONED LIGHTS THEN STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SCAN TESTED & FOUND STEERING ANGLE SENSOR CODE IN HISTORY, THEN RECALIBRATED STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED FOR RECALL REGARDING LOWER CONTROL ARM (REPLACED). 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 10/22/13. I STARTED CAR IN THE MORNI…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,561 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916567 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS SOME VERY NOTICEABLE PLAY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNED BOTH WAYS. ALSO WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER ANY KIND OF POTHOLE OR ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD IT MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE RATTLING HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. TAKING THE CAR IN TODAY BUT I SEE THAT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. LOVE MY SONATA BUT DISAPPOINTED I HOW A SECOND OWNER IS TREATED WITH I…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616419 · 2014-07-25 (July 25, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FIFTY OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE ELECTRIC MOTOR, AND THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873718 · 2016-06-10 (June 10, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR PER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED METAL SHVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568413 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT DURING ACCELERATION AFTER ADJUSTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT DURRING ACCELERATION WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPORTED. I FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I AM TURNING TO YOU BECAUSE THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A FLAT TIRE AND RUINED RIM AS A RESULT OF HITTING A CURB. THE VEHICLE HAS NO BENT OR DAMAGED S…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883964 · 2016-07-11 (July 11, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO POWER OFF AND THE 'SHIFT GEAR INTO PARK' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF, IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11032811 · 2017-10-10 (October 10, 2017)
THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT A STOPLIGHT MIDWAY THROUGH MY TRIP HOME FROM OUT OF STATE. THE CAR STARTED "CHUGGING" LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS AND HESITATED. SOON AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PULL OFF TO GET IT CHECKED. THE AUTO PARTS STORE CODE READER CAME UP WITH A FUEL PUMP OR FUEL FILTER PROBLEM. WE WERE DIRECTED TO THE CLOSEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP AS OUR CAR WAS UNSAFE TO KEEP DRIVING. WE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW HIGH PRESSURE FUEL FILTER FOR OUR CAR. $577 FOR PART, TOTAL BILL $734. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11364162 · 2020-10-13 (October 13, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING TO STOP THE VEHICLE DO NOT DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLAY COOLEY HYUNDAI OF MESQUITE (16230 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY, MESQUITE, TX 75150) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP THAT GO TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AT THE DEALER AND WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DEPRESSING TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364162 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 6; 2012: 6; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 5; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 0; 2020: 1; 2021: 0; 2022: 0; 2023: 0; 2024: 0; 2025: 0; 2026: 1