2020 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

I WAS DRIVING LONG-DISTANCE ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROX 55-60 MPH. THE WHOLE TRIP THROUGH THE ARIZONA DESERT WAS MARKED BY PERIODIC RAIN, AT TIMES VERY HEAVY. IN THE VERY HEAVY BURSTS OF RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID A TERRIBLE JOB. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SHOCKED BY POORLY PERFORMING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. MY COMPANION EVEN COMMENTED ON HOW UNSAFE IT IS. THE PROBLEM MAY BE TWO-FOLD: (1) IT SEEMS LIKE THE WIPERS NEEDED ONE MORE SPEED SETTINGS, A FASTER ONE. (2) THE FACTORY BLADES MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE. THIS IS A 2 MONTH OLD CAR. IT ALSO SEEMED TO BE A PROBLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311001 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE UNLOCK BUTTON BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (3801 SE FEDERAL HWY A, STUART, FL 34997) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319015 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS INSIDE THE DOORS WHILE PARKED. ESPECIALLY THE BACK DOORS. IF IT RAINS HARD A CUP FULL OF WATER WILL COME OUT THE DOOR UPON OPENING. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN'T HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT AND LOOK AND IT BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO.

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322889 at NHTSA ↗

I LOOKED UP UNDER THE HOOD, IT START RUSTING IN FRAME IN DRIVER SIDE. I CHECKED OTHER 2020 SONATA FROM DEALERSHIP AND THOSE CAR ARE EVEN WORST. THOSE CAR RUSTING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TOO. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323971 at NHTSA ↗

REAR DOORS RETAIN WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. WHEN YOU OPEN THE REAR DOORS WATER DRAINS OUT OF THE CAR. BROUGHT CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER NEW CARS ON THEIR LOT, ON APRIL 21, 2020. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE FOR GUIDANCE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO DATE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 520 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326116 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 190.

Reported: 2020-04-09 (April 9, 2020)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RSPA software, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 191.

Reported: 2022-03-28 (March 28, 2022)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 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 inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 221/010G.

Reported: 2025-11-17 (November 17, 2025)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.

Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.