2020 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
179
Recalls
4
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Median mileage
2,778 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 58 of 179 complaints (32%).
  • Electrical System (40) and engine (31) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 2,778 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries.
  • The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 11th of 22 Hyundai Sonata model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 19% more complaints than the 2019 model year (150).

2020 Hyundai Sonata problems by category

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
Fuel/propulsion system46
Electrical system39
Engine31
Unknown or other28
Power train24
Seats16
Structure:body13
Fuel system, gasoline11

When problems happen (mileage)

30Under 10k710k–30k730k–60k760k–100k3100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Hyundai Sonata complaints that list mileage.

2020 Hyundai Sonata recalls (4)

  • Recall 25V796000Nov 17, 202585,043 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 22V196000Mar 28, 202263,461 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 20V213000Apr 9, 202011,870 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 20V122000Feb 28, 20205,044 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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."

    Risk: 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.

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…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★

Recent 2020 Hyundai Sonata complaints

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

  1. Filed Oct 6, 2026FLBody & StructureBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Fuel system recall (NHTSA 25V796; Hyundai 286/23HYZ2 "Fuel Tank Expansion") on a 2020 Hyundai Sonata, plus the fuel-tank heat shield and rear floor pan area. On 4/21/2026 (110,423 mi.) a Hyundai dealer's recall test FAILED; no warning lamps or symptoms beforehand. The repair order says Hyundai "is declining the repair at this time and is calling the customer to offer assistance." Hyundai's advisory: "Do Not Drive, Park Outside." Hyundai's recall filing says heat…
    NHTSA complaint #11769249 · source
  2. Filed Sep 7, 2026ARElectrical System
    A/C blower motor fan would stop working. Happened twice within less than a year apart. Upon further inspection, multi fuse wiring overheated and melted, ruining fuse and making A/C stop working during 100+ temperatures outside. Apparently this is a well known issue with this make and model Sonata. Electrical failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11762639 · source
  3. Filed Sep 3, 2026NCEngine
    The A/C evaporator core and the core seal needs replacing on 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Car is 6 years old. I already have a confirmed diagnosis with a PPM refrigerant leak tester at the condensate drain line The diagnosis is 100% confirmed. The evaporator is leaking heavily—we pulled 274 PPM at the drain tube and 177 PPM inside the cabin behind the glove box so refrigerent has been leaking out of the vents. My wife and I were getting headaches for no reason. Our AC has failed and…
    NHTSA complaint #11761990 · source
  4. Filed Sep 3, 2026TXElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a recurring, unresolved electrical defect in my 2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL. The vehicle fails to recognize when the ignition is switched off, leaving core vehicle systems active and causing severe parasitic battery drain that leaves the car immobilized. ​Description of the Problem: ​False "On" Status: After parking, turning off the engine, and exiting the vehicle, the car continues to register as though the ignition is still…
    NHTSA complaint #11761900 · source
  5. Filed Aug 26, 2026NCCrashBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    Parking malfunction. Parked, running car moved itself to reverse and backed up a driveway crossing a dirt road and hitting a fence and post. This car could have hit and severely injured anyone who was in the path while it was reversing on its own. Car was in reverse and all parking sensors were blaring when the car was found minutes later.
    NHTSA complaint #11759884 · source
  6. Filed Aug 23, 2026AZDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The reverse camera only shows a black screen and will put drivers in danger while not being able to see behind them while reversing. This needs to be recalled and repaired. Especially in situations where a person is reversing out of a driveway onto a major/busy road. Sometimes it works, but a lot of the time it is just a black screen with the green, yellow, and red lines to indicate how far your wheel is turned. But it doesn’t allow you to actually SEE where you’re backing…
    NHTSA complaint #11758919 · source
  7. Filed Aug 23, 2026ILElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers
    Blower motor malfunction at night. Smelled something burning. Extremely hot and humid outside. Windows fogged up inside which greatly reduced visibility. Checked the multifuse which controls the ABS, oil pump, cooling fan, & Blower. I discovered a burnt connection on one of the terminals for the blower. This is a huge safety and fire risk and needs to be addressed ASAP!!!! Upon my research, I’m finding several Hyundai Sonata vehicles having this same exact issue. Kia…
    NHTSA complaint #11758874 · source
  8. Filed Aug 20, 2026FLSeats & Seat Belts
    The driver's power seat track master assembly (Part#88500-L0030) on my 2020 Hyundai Sonata suffered a catastrophic structural failure while operating. The black plastic bracket housing and aligning the electric drive motor fractured. This caused the motor to pull out of alignment, twisting the driver's seat violently sideways and permanently jamming the tracking rails. This is a chronic, repeat safety component failure on this specific VIN. The original factory seat track…
    NHTSA complaint #11758369 · source

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Other 2020 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