The Hyundai Sonata is one of the most reliable cars you could ever drive. Aside from having great gas mileage, it is also reported to need fewer repairs than most makes and models, making it one of the easiest and most economical vehicles to maintain.
Are Hyundai Sonatas Reliable?
The Hyundai Sonata received a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal, ranking it fifth out of 24 midsize cars. Compared to other makes and models, annual repair and maintenance costs for the Sonata were below average, only amounting to less than $500, while its competitors’ fees averaged $600 plus labor costs.
Top Hyundai Sonata Problems
Even a vehicle as reliable as the Hyundai Sonata is bound to have its fair share of parts and drivability issues. Listed below are the most reported problems for different model years:
Safety Issues
Hyundai recalled certain Sonata models in 2017 due to a seatbelt linkage that’s not properly connected to the pretensioner. The detached linkage may not be able to restrain the passenger during a collision and other road accidents, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai recalled 2011-2013 Sonatas to install external wire filter kits to address this issue. In 2018, the same model years, excluding the 2014 redesign, were recalled once again due to disabled frontal airbags, side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioner. The automaker installed a warning label on the affected vehicles to prevent future detachment.
Seizing Engine
Engine failure in 2011, 2012, and 2013 Hyundai Sonatas was a commonly reported problem as well. Many drivers complained that their engines seized up after hearing knocking noises upon acceleration, which eventually led to a loss of power, brakes, and steering.
This issue led to a class action lawsuit against Hyundai where the automaker paid a settlement fee of $8.5 million in 2016. The settlement covered engine repair and replacement, towing expenses, and rental fees of the replacement cars for the owners of affected 2011-2014 Sonatas with 2.0- or 2.4-liter Theta II engines.
Hyundai also doubled the warranties on new and pre-owned Sonatas from five to ten years with 60,000 to 120,000 miles. Meanwhile, class members whose Sonatas had more than 120,000 miles were given three months to bring in their vehicles for any kind of repair.
Shifting Problems
Many owners of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata had problems shifting their gears due to a faulty speed sensor. This caused their vehicles to grind, shudder, and produce clunking noises when shifting from park to drive.
Some owners even reported having no gear selection display on the dashboard or gear shift. Fortunately, a high-quality replacement speed sensor is not that expensive. The part generally costs around $30 to over $50, depending on the type and configuration.
Faulty Speakers
Another issue found in Hyundai Sonatas were defective speakers. Some 2011-2016 redesigns required a hard reset to fix a software glitch that’s preventing the CD player, radio, navigation, satellite radio, and telephone calls from producing audio. It involved disconnecting and reconnecting the negative battery terminal after 15 minutes.
Defective Lights
The parking lights in some 2003-2015 Sonatas remained illuminated even when the engine was deactivated, which led to a drained battery. While this issue is commonly associated with a faulty fuse box, it may also be caused by a worn-out rubber grommet on the brake pedal that’s not connected to the brake light switch.
For the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, common problems associated with its lighting system are burnt-out brake lights. Many owners of the 2013 redesign reported having to replace the wiring harness more frequently than usual, as the lights kept burning out at an alarming rate.
Replacing the parking or brake light usually involves getting an entire tail light assembly. This usually costs around $50 to over $150, depending on factors like the light sources and color or finish. This range does not include labor costs.
Steering Problems
When it comes to 2011 Hyundai Sonata problems, steering issues are among the most widely reported. The most common complaint was a steering wheel that clicks and wobbles when turning due to a faulty steering wheel column coupling. There were also reports of steering knuckle failure, which created an excessive play in the steering wheel even after the affected vehicles were recalled to fix the problem.
Premature Timing Chain Tensioner and Timing Belt Failure
Old and new Sonata model years had similar issues with their timing chain tensioner, which produced rattling noises upon engine startup. Many owners also reported a broken timing belt, which damaged the crankshaft position sensor. Premature timing belt failure may occur due to excessive load, an under-tensioned belt, damaged or worn out pulleys, weak drive structure, or debris build-up in the timing pulley.
EGR Switching Valve and Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Problems
Some older Sonata model years were reported to have rough idling, which got worse when the A/C was turned on. This problem was traced back to a defective exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) switching valve that’s producing a lean fuel-air mixture.
There were also some issues with the accelerator pedal position sensor, particularly in 2007 and 2009 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Some drivers reported the electronic stability control (ESC) button going off automatically, causing the car to lose power or limit the acceleration to less than 20 mph.
An accelerator pedal position sensor usually fails due to damaged cables, a faulty electronic evaluation in the sensor, or insufficient voltage and ground supply. Replacing an accelerator pedal position sensor can cost anywhere between $100 and $200 plus labor costs.
Corroded Suspension Components
In 2009, Hyundai recalled certain 2001-2004 Sonatas due to corroded suspension mounting points, frames, and sub-frames, which may cause the lower control arm to detach from the sub-frame. The detachment may cause the vehicle to lose power to the drive wheels and collide with the fender or wheel well.
Like other cars, there’s no guarantee that your Sonata won’t develop problems over the years. However, by familiarizing yourself with your model’s common issues and sticking to its maintenance schedules, you can reduce the risks of damaging its components and even improve its mileage.
Hyundai Sonata Years to Avoid
Most owners recommend avoiding the 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 Hyundai Sonata model years.
2006 Hyundai Sonata
The 2006 model has recorded over 1,000 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls. Most owners complained of clicking or grinding engine noises caused by a broken connecting rod or piston. This often led to engine failure and costly repairs.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
The 2011 model collected over 4,000 complaints and 14 recalls. Numerous owners complained about their engines stalling without warning. The worst part is this could occur even when driving at high speeds. Some drivers had to spend over $5,000 to fix the issue.
2012 Hyundai Sonata
The 2012 remodel received over 1,000 complaints and eight recalls. This model year is prone to issues like engine knock and loud clicking noises when turning the steering wheel.
2013 Hyundai Sonata
While it’s not as bad as the 2011 model, the 2013 Sonata still had over 2,000 complaints and eight recalls. According to some owners, the engine seized or died without warning, even with proper maintenance. There were also reports of a knocking noise stemming from the engine.
2015 Hyundai Sonata
Lastly, the 2015 Sonata had over 1,000 complaints and nine recalls caused mainly by excessive oil consumption. The issue got so out of hand that some owners had to get the engine replaced just to avoid overconsumption.
Where to Get Quality Hyundai Sonata Parts
With great gas mileage and a solid build, Hyundai Sonatas are one of the best secondhand vehicles. That said, some Hyundai Sonatas still have common issues. If yours isn’t showing its gear selection display on the dashboard or lower, or something else is wrong, it’s time to buy a new set of Hyundai Sonata parts on CarParts.com.
Here at CarParts.com, we’re proud to offer 24/7 premium services to our customers. If you have questions about your Hyundai Sonata parts, our friendly and helpful customer service term is available around the clock. They can walk you through ordering on our easy-to-navigate website and address any concerns you have regarding our lifetime replacement and price match guarantees.
We offer fast shipping, and for orders made within the continental US, we can deliver parts straight to your door in as fast as two business days. Don’t put up with a broken gear selection display. Buy a new speed sensor and other parts for your Honda Sonata right now.
Products Mentioned in this Guide
Speed Sensor
Speaker
Brake Light Switch
Battery
Wiring Harness
Tail Light
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
trying to jump start a 2009 Hyundai sonata, car alarm engages when i attach 2nd jumper cable
Hi Aubrey,
It’s normal for the alarm to go off when the battery is dead and you’re trying to jump the vehicle. Once you start the car with your ignition key, the alarm should stop sounding.
I have 2011 Hyundai Sonata I was driving then I heard a knocking noise then my car lost power the engine light started flashing is there a recall on this engine
Hello Nathaniel,
There is a recall on select cars. You should be able to use the portal below to see if your car qualifies. https://autoservice.hyundaiusa.com/Campaign132/MicroSiteTemplate/MicroSiteTemplateVINValidate/1524
Hola mi Delmy compre UN sonata 2017 De seguendo dueno y la persona que le vendio Dijon que Tania garantia pero El dealer dice que solo 1 dueno tiene la garantia y nose que y ya see ahora
My 2015 Hyundai sonata engine seized up for No reason when I checked there was no oil in it! The oil had just been changed 1800 miles before?
How many miles were on it when it seized? I own a 2015 Sonata. The last time I was in, I had roughly 88,000 miles on it and apparently, my oil was a bit low. The mechanic said his shop has seen this with Sonatas: once they near 90k miles, they start burning oil. His advice was to either start checking the oil regularly and not go the full 3,000-5,000 miles between changes, or to think about selling the car. He said they’d seen seized engines on a few.