2018 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, most often about engine. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 295
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 14
Fires: 12
Injuries: 17
Median mileage: 58,000 mi

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 188 of 295 complaints (64%).
Electrical System (43) and transmission & drivetrain (36) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 58,000 mi.
Owners reported 14 crashes, 12 fires and 17 injuries.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has 1 recall on file.
NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 8th of 22 Hyundai Sonata model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 55% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (658).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	176
Unknown or other	47
Electrical system	40
Power train	36
Fuel/propulsion system	29
Structure:body	13
Engine and engine cooling	11
Service brakes	8

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Hyundai Sonata complaints that list mileage.

2018 Hyundai Sonata recalls (1)

Recall 21V619000Aug 6, 2021348,158 vehicles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
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."
Risk: 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 defect investigations

DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…
EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2018 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Recent 2018 Hyundai Sonata complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 5, 2026NCBody & StructureEngine
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint is peeling off the car, when I went to the dealership they said this is a known problem for 2015-2018, but they can't fix it there is no recall. It is causing rust. The valve cover gasket leaks oil and caused spark plugs to blow twice. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The valve cover has caused my wife to be stuck on the side of the road early…
NHTSA complaint #11769166 · source
Filed Sep 21, 2026ILEngine
Hyundai dealership confirms I am in need of a new engine due to large oil consumption which is a known issue on 2018 Hyundai Sonata engines. Hyundai will not approve repairs because I am the second owner and vehicle is out of the 5 year warranty period. I only have 52K miles on my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11765780 · source
Filed Sep 8, 2026VASuspension
Vehicle has been making a clunking noise (front passenger area). Brought to independent service center where they determined that the strut tower is failing. Current mileage 66000. Appt set for Checkered Flag Hyundai to evaluate on 9/11/2026.
NHTSA complaint #11762770 · source
Filed Sep 4, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
My car stalls while driving and then I try to restart it but nothing happens. After reading online about the fuel pump issues and extended warranty related to the fuel pump I took the car in for repair. My car has 75,000 miles and the extended repair on this is for 150,000 miles/15 years. The dealer is refusing the repair because my car has a branded/ theft title. The car wasn't damaged just stolen. This is creating a serious safety concern and should be repaired by the…
NHTSA complaint #11762281 · source
Filed Aug 25, 2026NCEngine
Since I had Service Campaign 9C2 completed, the car hesitates to start, does a mini-lurch upon cold start and runs rough. Two weeks ago, it was put in park, lurched backwards, then died. The starter and battery have been replaced but this has not helped. The car ran fine before this update was done.
NHTSA complaint #11759477 · source
Filed Aug 16, 2026NCBody & StructureEngine
The paint on all parts of the car is completely coming off down to bare metal. It’s as if the car wasn’t prepped to receive paint. Every Hyundai I pass that’s white the paint is coming off. There is also an internal engine oil leak where I’m losing 4qts of oil a week.
NHTSA complaint #11757263 · source
Filed Aug 16, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
I recently had the 9C2 Emissions recall update performed on my car, and since the update my car drives like total garbage after a cold start. It hesitates to accelerate, it bucks when trying to accelerate, and it’s to the point the engine is about to stall. I took it back to the Hyundai dealership and they said they are aware of the issue, but there is no fix from Hyundai at this time. This is a major safety concern, as the car barely wants to accelerate after a cold start.…
NHTSA complaint #11757253 · source
Filed Jul 24, 202692,000 miMSFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with an inoperable low-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the low-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had issued an extended…
NHTSA complaint #11752670 · source

Compare the 2018 Hyundai Sonata with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology