2018 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 9 complaints (55.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine: 5; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Air Bags: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2022: 4; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11122295 · 2018-08-25 (August 25, 2018)
I JUST BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED AND DROVE IT HOME. ON LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS PROJECT 2 BLACK NOTCHES OR DARK AREAS THAT DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD UNDER THEM. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT EVENLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SAFELY SO I CAN SEE WELL. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THIS IS NOW WIDELY REPORTED AND I AM GOING TO CONTACT CONSUMER REPORTS ABOUT THIS. DOES HYUNDAI HAVE A FIX FOR THIS OR AT LEAST AN INTELLIGENT EXPLANATION? THE DARK LINE AND NOTCHES, BASICAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207275 · 2019-05-13 (May 13, 2019)
MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID LIMITED WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ON 4:19/19. IT WAS A FRONT RIGHT IMPACT THAT INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN 8 LANE DIVIDED CITY HIGHWAY. THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER TO THE RIGHT, CAME OVER 2 LANES THEN HIT ME AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE 3. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR AN IMPROPER LANE CHANGE, CAME INTO MY LANE AND HIT MY VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268725 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET WAY TOO LOW AND THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN THE LIT AND UNLIT UPPER AREA. . IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN 1/2 OF A CITY BLOCK AHEAD. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I COULD EASILY HIT OR RUN OVER SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO LATE TO REACT TO. I ALSO LIVE IN AN AREA WITH A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEER ACCIDENTS. I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE BETTER AT NIGHT. THE HIGH-BEAMS ARE VERY GOOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11269331 · 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452868 · 2022-02-18 (February 18, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The malfunction lamp indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and that there was a Service Campaign Number: 966 (Engine Monitoring Logic) associated with the VIN that was unrepaired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufactur…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11452868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11462848 · 2022-04-30 (April 30, 2022)
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 problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not char…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468532 · 2022-06-09 (June 9, 2022)
Driving on Interstate 10 westbound at about 0700. Clear day. No adjacent vehicles. The frontal crash avoidance alert suddenly went off and automated emergency braking activated as I approached an underpass. There were some slightly harsh shadows, but not the worst I have seen and I drive this segment every day. Entire event was very short. No injury or other event occurred.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468982 · 2022-06-13 (June 13, 2022)
2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. June 10 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468982 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V619000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2021-08-06 (August 6, 2021)
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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
NHTSA campaign record ↗