2018 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
371 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
21,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 140 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 209 of 371 complaints (56.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 38 | 10.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 37 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 0.5% |
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 | 209 |
| Unknown Or Other | 58 |
| Electrical System | 56 |
| Power Train | 40 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 31 |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
Engine: 209; Unknown Or Other: 58; Electrical System: 56; Power Train: 40; Fuel/Propulsion System: 31; Exterior Lighting: 21; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Service Brakes: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 76 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 76; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (76). 231 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 61 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2026 | 34 |
2017: 1; 2018: 17; 2019: 61; 2020: 18; 2021: 22; 2022: 37; 2023: 55; 2024: 44; 2025: 82; 2026: 34
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 38 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 37 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 11057733 · 2017-12-31 (December 31, 2017)
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED HAVE CONDENSATION IN THEM. IT HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 10/1/18. THAT DAY THE DEALERSHIP TOOK PICTURES TO SEND TO HYUNDAI AND 1 MONTH LATER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. BUT THE NEW HEADLIGHTS WERE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL AND THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PARTS MANAGER TOOK MORE PICTURES FOR HYUNDAI. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM HYUNDAI DIRECTLY WHO IS MY CONTACT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED HYUNDAI IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064539 · 2018-01-24 (January 24, 2018)
WAS DRIVING A BRAND NEW HYUNDAI SONATA 2018 VEHICLE FOR A WEEK WITH 300 MILES ON IT AND WAS ABOUT TO EXIT ON A FREEWAY RAMP, BUT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND WHEN THE MECHANICS AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TOOK A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE UNSURE OF HOW THE LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE (FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM) WITH THE BALL AND JOINT CONNECTION WAS DISCONNECTED, WITHOUT HAVING ANY SCUFFS/SCRATCHES ON THE ARM ASSEMBLY OR FRONT BUMPER IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAVE BEEN RUN OVER, BUT HY…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11074882 · 2018-02-25 (February 25, 2018)
THERE IS A BLACK LINE ACROSS THE ROAD WITH TWO BUMPS IN IT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT.IT ALSO SEEMS THAT THERE IS LIMITED FIELD OF VISION COMPARED TO MY OTHER CAR.ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP INSIDE OCCASIONALLY. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG.IT OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR,WHEN IT IS STATIONARY YOU CAN SEE THE BLACK BUMPS WHEN SHINING THE LIGHTS AGAINST A WALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11074882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078317 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT CAUSED A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE VIA U.S. MAIL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11078317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081095 · 2018-03-23 (March 23, 2018)
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS THERE IS VERY DISTINCT SHADOWS IN FRONT OF CAR. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND HYUNDAI TSB 18-BE-003 SAYS IT IS NORMAL WITH LED AND INSTRUCTS DEALERS TO NOT TRY ADJUSTMENT
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11084528 · 2018-04-11 (April 11, 2018)
ORIGINALLY, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK UP AND NOT RELEASE AS WE WERE DRIVING. NO SUDDEN STOPS, IT WOULD JUST TIGHTEN UP AND LOCK. SERVICE DEPT FINALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT (SO THEY CLAIM). NOW WHEN PASSENGER PULLS BELT TO ATTACH WE HEAR A CLICKING SOUND AND BELT LOCKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE AND ALLOW PASSENGER TO LEAN FORWARD LIKE THE DRIVERS BELT DOES
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099214 · 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY STOP WHEN A SECOND VEHICLE WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON HYUNDAI GLENVIEW (1620 WAUKEGAN RD., GLENVIEW, IL) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11099214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102185 · 2018-06-15 (June 15, 2018)
I HAD STOPPED MY VEHICLE, PUTTING EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, BUT STILL IN DRIVE. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. IT TRAVELED QUITE A DISTANCE BEFORE RUNNING INTO SOME INANIMATE THAT CAUSED IT TO STOP. IT WAS IN A DRIVEWAY BEHINDS BUILDINGS AND DID EVENTUALLY CROSS OVER A SIDE STREET BEFORE STOPPING. I DON'T SEE WHY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT HOLD, EVEN THOUGH NOT IN PARK?
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102185 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 ↗