2018 Hyundai Sonata body & structure problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. Filed Apr 27, 2026CABody & Structure

   The trunk latch on the Hyundai Sonata malfunctioned, and our safety was put at risk when the trunk malfunctioned while driving on the freeway, obstructing the back view. After several attempts to try to close the trunk and after doing some research, I learned it had a vehicle recall, 21V619000. An appointment was made at Ontario Hyundai for the latch to be repaired due to the recall. After taking the vehicle in, the dealer stated that an attempt to repair the latch had been…

   NHTSA complaint #11734172 · source
4. Filed Jun 26, 2025GABody & Structure

   See attached document for complaint. Please let me know how quickly the service parts for these two recalls are physically located in your shop and how soon the required recalls will be performed. I have been getting periodic recall notices for years and have yet to obtain the satisfaction of an adequate local response from your service department. I can recall three instances when I was told the parts were ready, only to leam, upon arrival, they were not. The last incident…

   NHTSA complaint #11669388 · source
5. Filed Mar 18, 2025ILBody & StructureEngine

   The engine burns oil, I have to get spark plugs every two months, and put oil in it almost every week. The check engine light is now flashing and is throwing more sensors. The paint on this car is also all peeling off.

   NHTSA complaint #11649138 · source
6. Filed Aug 8, 2024VABody & Structure

   I am writing to file a formal complaint against Hyundai Motor America regarding a significant defect in the paint quality of my 2018 Hyundai vehicle and the company's lack of response to my attempts to resolve this issue.I am the owner of a 2018 Hyundai [Model], which I purchased from priority Hyundai in dec 2017. Over the past few months, the paint on my white Hyundai has started to peel significantly, despite regular maintenance and care. This issue has not only affected…

   NHTSA complaint #11607232 · source
7. Filed Jul 25, 202444,176 miFLBody & StructureElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the trunk failed to open while using the key fob and the controllers on the interior of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the trunk latch had failed, and the emergency cable associated with the trunk needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 44,176.

   NHTSA complaint #11604434 · source
8. Filed Dec 20, 2023TNBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   The paint if pealing off in large sections due to a manufacturer defect in the primer. The flakes can fly onto the windshields of other vehicles causing collisions.

   NHTSA complaint #11561197 · source
9. Filed Jan 5, 2023NJBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport+ with 23K miles that has White Pearl exterior paint. The paint (W8 or WW8) is peeling off from several locations (Hood and Roof). This has been a know issue with this type of paint on Hyundai vehicles but manufacturer is not taking any responsibility that paint or paint job is defective. One can google this issue and thousands of user complaints are there of different forums and messaging boards. Example:…

   NHTSA complaint #11500366 · source
10. Filed Nov 17, 2022DEBody & StructureElectrical System

    My car was serviced at Hyundai dealer for other problems while my car was being serviced the service department said they fixed a recalled latch on trunk I never had problems with trunk before the so called recall was fixed Now my trunk is stuck close and pops open and is very hard to close once open you have to slam it shut once shut it will not open I had a tail light out I press the button to open the trunk and after riding around for Three Days it popped open and I fixed…

    NHTSA complaint #11493943 · source
11. Filed Nov 1, 2022GUBody & Structure

    White paint has started to peel off the body. Vehicle is past warranty (>3 years, >36,000 miles) and Hyundai refused to deal with it. It has been a known problem that their pearl white paint easily peels off the body down to the steel but they refuse to issue a recall for it.

    NHTSA complaint #11491845 · source
12. Filed Sep 29, 202270,000 miVABody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the key fob was accidently left inside the trunk but the trunk lid remained locked. The contact indicated that the feature preventing the key from becoming locked inside the trunk failed due to the trunks locking mechanism malfunctioning. The vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the failure occurred. The local dealer was notified of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11487017 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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