2023 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

30 owners have reported engine problems with the 2023 Hyundai Sonata, 34% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 11,000 mi.

Engine complaints
30
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
11,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine28
Engine and engine cooling2

Engine complaints across Hyundai Sonata years

120056820073172009932920112804572013218460201541937020171889120193135202125302023322025
Engine complaints by model year. The 2023 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k210k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 23, 2026NYBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
    While driving at highway speeds, the emergency brake system will apply and alert me. It’s happened twice now in the last 3 weeks. I’ve experienced a random loss of power while driving on the highway with no check engine light on the dashboard. Lastly, at lower speeds the car will randomly jerk while accelerating with no lights on the dashboard as well. I’ve gone to the dealership but they wanted to charge me a diagnostics fee to first look over the vehicle, which I don’t…
    NHTSA complaint #11766459 · source
  2. Filed Aug 7, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I own a 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL. Over approximately three years, the vehicle experienced four separate incidents involving sudden loss of engine power and recurring fuel injector/powertrain problems. Three of these incidents occurred while the vehicle was being driven on interstate highways, creating serious safety concerns. The first incident occurred on XXX, on [XXX] [XXX]. My daughter was driving the vehicle at the time when it suddenly lost power while traveling on the…
    NHTSA complaint #11755422 · source
  3. Filed May 14, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    This is an extremely common issue plaguing Hyundai & Kia vehicles with the Theta III 2.5L Turbo engine, Such as Kia K5 GT, Hyundai Sante Fe, Hyundai Santa Cruz, & Hyundai Sonata N-Line. Its a failing ITM (integrated thermal management) unit or otherwise known as an ITMS unit. There is a rod within the ITM that prevents proper control of the flow of cooling the oil and engine coolant of the engine. Results in Cooling issues, such as a cold lower radiator hose while the engine…
    NHTSA complaint #11737860 · source
  4. Filed May 12, 202618,500 miOHEngine
    The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Overheated" displayed. The contact checked the Hyundai app, but it showed no failure. The contact's wife drove to their son's residence, who inspected and discovered that there was no coolant in the engine. The contact's son added coolant to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the coolant valve, exhaust muffler…
    NHTSA complaint #11737251 · source
  5. Filed Mar 16, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngine
    Battery Management System completely exhausting the 12V battery resulting in the car acting as if it has no power. When this happens, you can't unlock the door or open the trunk. On two separate occasions, I have encountered a complete loss of power in my Sonata Hybrid, preventing me from unlocking the trunk or doors upon returning from extended trips. The first incident occurred after a ten-day absence last Fall, and the most recent was on Saturday, March 14, 2025. During…
    NHTSA complaint #11724724 · source
  6. Filed Mar 4, 2026NJCrashBody & StructureEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Recall 286 my vehicle suffered from this causing heat module failure misfire in cylinder 2 and high pressure in gas tank. Sports Hyundai had previously done a 180 day repair under recall 9b1 for an expanded gas tank after the repair the car suffered from the updated recall 286 . I brang to the dealership 4 times with check engine and misfires and limp mode between 57k and 68k they refused to fix the car under recall 286 and cleared all the codes and continued to make me…
    NHTSA complaint #11722063 · source
  7. Filed Mar 3, 2026TXEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle WITHOUT WARNING will start to jerk then go into “limp” mode. Pressing on gas pedal makes the revving noise but with not physical movement made. This has happened on MULTIPLE occasions (13 times in 4 months) including in the snow and on the interstate while driving at 70mph where no shoulder is available to pull over. Car was taken to dealership 3 different times with no actual diagnosis, tests were ran all 3 times with nothing. Eventually the 3rd time at the…
    NHTSA complaint #11721841 · source
  8. Filed Feb 16, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My Hyundai Sonata 2023 is experiencing two recall codes. The first one was 9b1 which was resolved, but the other one is indefinite which is 286. I dropped my car off on December 4 of 2025 and a month later Hyundai’s corporate team reached out to discuss the state of my car. They asked me for things such as the payoff balance of what I owe through CarMax who I’m financing the car from, they asked me the mileage on the car, the registration and the lien. They then told me they…
    NHTSA complaint #11718375 · source
  9. Filed Dec 10, 2025INEngine
    My car was having an issue where it was losing all the coolant, causing my engine to overheat twice while driving down the highway. Unfortunately I couldn't find a leak anywhere and there was no fluid leaking in my garage. I lost an entire reservoir of coolant overnight. After taking my car to the dealership to get repaired, I was told that it was leaking my coolant into the exhaust system and burning it up. I was also told "it was a know issue, they had a bulletin from…
    NHTSA complaint #11704347 · source
  10. Filed Nov 20, 2025ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I am reporting a serious coolant system defect on my 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with about 13,500 miles. The vehicle develops an internal coolant leak while driving. Coolant burns off and white steam/smoke comes out of the exhaust, especially during acceleration. When this happens, the coolant level drops quickly, the interior heater stops working, and the car soon displays an engine overheating warning, forcing me to stop driving. This has happened multiple times and makes…
    NHTSA complaint #11700476 · source
  11. Filed Nov 18, 2025MIElectrical SystemEngine
    Car stalls and shuts down while shifting to park or reverse and when slowing to turn or stopping. Also the media screen will black out and not work at times.
    NHTSA complaint #11700089 · source
  12. Filed Oct 26, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The fuel injectors failed on my Hyundai Sonata in two instances. Once on 5/23/24 and once on 9/7/25. During the first instance, I was driving on a local road when the accelerator stopped working and the engine started sputtering. We were fortunately able to stop at a nearby parking lot before the engine completely stopped working. During the second instance, I was also driving through a local road when the accelerator stopped and the engine started sputtering again. This…
    NHTSA complaint #11695686 · source

Other 2023 Hyundai Sonata problem areas

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (44)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (16)
  • Electrical System (12)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (11)
  • Other / Unknown (7)
  • Brakes (4)
  • Body & Structure (4)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (4)
  • Lighting (2)
  • Steering (2)
  • Airbags (1)
  • Suspension (1)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (1)

Back to all 2023 Hyundai Sonata problems →

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