2020 Hyundai SONATA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
178 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
2,778 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 178 complaints (25.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 47 | 26.4% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 8.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 45 |
| Electrical System | 39 |
| Engine | 31 |
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Power Train | 24 |
| Seats | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 45; Electrical System: 39; Engine: 31; Unknown Or Other: 28; Power Train: 24; Seats: 16; Structure:Body: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 36 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 36; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 124 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 37 |
2020: 27; 2021: 16; 2022: 13; 2023: 12; 2024: 40; 2025: 33; 2026: 37
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 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 11414356 · 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE (TYPE C) DOES NOT ACCURATELY ADJUST FOR CHANGES IN THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT NORMALLY TAKES 2-3 DAYS FOR THE GAUGE TO MOVE TO FULL TANK EVEN THOUGH IT IS FULL. SAME PROBLEM FROM 1/4 TO 1/2 TANK, ETC. FOR EXAMPLE, I NOTICED THE PANEL SAID I HAD 11 MILES TO EMPTY ON FRIDAY. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED OTHERWISE. I WASN'T NEAR MY USUAL FILL STATION, SO I PUT 5 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE CAR. IT IS NOW WEDNESDAY (5 DAYS LATER). THE GAS GAUGE MOVED SLIGHTLY YESTERDAY TO ALMOST 1/4 TANK, BUT THE FUEL TANK WARNING WENT FR…
Owner-reported narrative. 449 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590892 · 2024-05-27 (May 27, 2024)
The fuel tank under the backseat expanded forcing the backseat up and causing the muffler to scrape the ground. The expansion of the fuel tank could have exploded due to extreme pressure. Vandergriff Hyundai in Arlington, TX has inspected the vehicle and confirmed component failures in the fuel system. The vehicle has been inspected and currently in the process of being repaired at the dealership. The check engine light was illuminated to warn of component failures approximately six weeks ago.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348898 · 2020-08-12 (August 12, 2020)
THE CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING SOMETIMES THE CAR IS UNSTABLE ALSO WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR AND I PREPARE TO PUT IT ON DRIVE THE CAR APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BY ITSELF. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REMOVE IT, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF CONTINUALLY UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR REMOVES THE BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE STREET AND WHILE I WAS DOING SO THE CAR PUT ON THE BRAKES BY ITSELF. ONE TO TWO MONTHS AGO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID THAT THE CARE NEEDS 2 UPDATES, APP…
Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352301 · 2020-08-31 (August 31, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE ASSIST ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NASSIEF HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 1059 OH-46 NORTH, JEFFERSON, OH 44047, AND PRESTON HYUNDAI OF SHARON LOCATED AT 1251 E STATE ST, SHARON, PA 16146, WHER…
Owner-reported narrative. 623 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307531 · 2020-02-06 (February 6, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO SAFE MODE AND LOST MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ST. CHARLES AUTOMOTIVE LOCATED AT 5601 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376, (636)441-4481 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338293 · 2020-07-08 (July 8, 2020)
VEHICLE ROUGH IDLED & EVENTUALLY SHUDDERED TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHILE IN GEAR AND IDLING AT APPX 1000-1500 MILES. BETWEEN 1500-2000 MILES, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPX 60MPH ON A COUNTY ROAD. AT APPX 2700 MILES, MPGS DRASTICALLY IMPACTED WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY WHILE IN MOTION AT APPX 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WITH MESSAGE REGARDING ECS ISSUES. VEHICLE STILL DRIVES, IT JUST SEEMS TO STRUGGLE WITH EFFICIENCY AND SHIFTING CORRECTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435942 · 2021-10-07 (October 7, 2021)
Driving on the Interstate at 65mph the car suddenly goes down to 5mph. Unwanted deceleration! At the same time the dash warning lights come on. Check engine and ABS. This happened 3 times now. 2 times on the Interstate in heavy traffic and once going 35mph on a back road. Miraculously we were able to pull over without any cars slamming into us. This unwanted deceleration happened on July 28, August 18 and Sept 13. Each time after pulling to a safe area we turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Then resumed normal …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485882 · 2022-09-22 (September 22, 2022)
The AC Fan in my car quit working. Took it to a repair shop where I was told that the AC Blower Motor went bad. The blower motor was drawing too much amps and caused the blower motor fuse to melt into the wiring harness for the blower motor along with melting several other fuses nearby including the fuse box. The cost to repair this correctly fixing and addressing all parts damaged was $5000. Because my vehicle is out of warranty due to mileage I contacted Hyundai who stated that I had to go and pay another diagnostic fee at a Hyundai Deal…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338985 · 2020-07-13 (July 13, 2020)
VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITHOUT GIVING ANY INDICATIONS WHAT SO EVER. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART IT STALLED PRETTY BADLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. THIS HAD JUST 1900 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MIL OR ANY VISIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE. IT CREATED A HUGE TRAFFIC PILE UP DUE TO THE PEAK HOUR IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM STARTED. FEW DAYS AGO THERE WAS ISSUE WITH STARTING BUT IT RESOLVED AFTER COUPLE OF MINUTES, THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I LOST MY DAYS WORK AND PAY. BIGGEST CONCERN IS H…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360642 · 2020-09-23 (September 23, 2020)
MY CAR STALLED AND STUTTERED BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 MILES IN TRAFFIC AND COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR ONCE STARTED. IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. NOW AT 6000 MILES DID SAME THING. IF SITS FOR BIT WORKS AGAIN. IT ALSO RESET ITSELF AND I LOST ALL PREPROGRAMMED INFORMATION. THE GAS DOOR ALSO OPENS AT TIMES WHEN UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT THE FIRST TIME FOR OVER 30 DAYS AND HAD TO CONTACT ENGINEERS TO FIX IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363980 · 2020-10-12 (October 12, 2020)
MESSAGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED'COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS DISABLED AND RADAR WAS BLOCKED.THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ALSO BEGAN TO FUNCTION ERRATICALLY AND A STEERING WHEEL SYMBOL APPEARED AND KEPT CHANGING COLOR FROM GREEN TO WHITE.THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES FROM THE DEALER IN NJ TO CHARLOTTE NC.MILEAGE IS 975.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365536 · 2020-10-21 (October 21, 2020)
WHEN MAKING TURNS THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE SOUND WHEN TURNING BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, WITH FOR TO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHILE TO THE POINT THAT IT ALL MOST GOES COMPLETELY AROUND. ..WHILE IN NORMAL DRIVE MODE IT SOUNDS SOUNDS SOMEWHAT LIKE A WASH CYCLE/
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365536 at NHTSA ↗