Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reliability Problems

Sonata Hybrid owners have made 177 complaints over 10 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 21st in overall reliability out of 25 Hyundai models, with real engine and transmission concerns.

3 Common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Sonata Hybrid owners have to deal with.

  1. ZF-TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    Millions of vehicles built after 2009 have defective airbag control units manufactured by the company ZF-TRW. An ACU takes information from crash sensors and decides when to deploy the airbags and seat belt pretensioners. But the crash sens…

    Continue reading article "ZF-TRW Crash Sensor Defect"

  2. Seat Belts Detatch During Crash

    Cars these days have airbags, sensors, crumple zones, tempered glass, and other safety features. But the OG, and arguably the most important, safety feature is the seat belt. Only trouble is, Hyundai's seem to be detatching from the body of…

    Continue reading article "Seat Belts Detatch During Crash" An illustrated and oversized seat belt over a red Hyundai.

  3. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

    Continue reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Explodes" An illustrated interior view of the panoramic sunroof.

What Sonata Hybrid Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Sonata Hybrid Generations

The Sonata Hybrid has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 6th generation (2011–2014).

Sonata Hybrid Key Numbers

  1. 177 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 92 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 5 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Sonata Hybrid Class-Action Lawsuits

The Sonata Hybrid has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Recent Sonata Hybrid News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Another owner has sued Hyundai and Kia for knowingly equipping vehicles with defective Theta II engines.

    Proving once again that when it comes to engines that catch on fire, people generally aren't fans. The automakers have settled similar lawsuits and issued recalls for these clunkers, but the plaintiff suggests not all affected vehicles were included.

    About the lawsuit ∞

    • These gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines are plagued with problems. From bearing failure, to connecting rod knocks, to oil consumption, and yes – engine infernos.
    • The plaintiff bought their car used and shortly after learned that the car needed a new short block to the tune of $7,000. The work also took 6 months because there're a backorder on parts.
    • In December Hyundai recalled 128,000 vehicles over concerns they could catch on fire. But the lawsuit wants more coverage for the 2012 Santa Fe
      2011-2013, 2016 Sonata Hybrid, and 2015-2016 Veloster.
    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Not Enough Vehicles Were Covered in the Theta II Recalls"

  2. Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode.

    If approved, the settlement would double the existing sunroof warranty, reimburse certain previously-paid expenses, and even offer cash to those that decide to sell their car within the next 90 days.

    Hyundai still won’t admit the sunroof is defective, but they’re sure acting like it is.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners"

  3. Apparently Hyundai’s latest seat belt recall did enough to satisfy the government, who announced they’re closing their recall.

    NHTSA continued the investigation after the first recall because safety regulators believed a better fix should be applied by dealers. Regulators were concerned about how the connectors were built to be removed from the pretensioners when working on the cars. But the connectors could release in a crash if they weren't properly reconnected during maintenance.

    The second recall added a label to the connector with graphics and instructions how to properly lock the connector if someone works on the car. No word on if that label said for the love of everything, don’t forget to put this thing back to together.

    keep reading article "Sonata Seat Belt Investigation Has Been Closed"

  5. Back in March, Hyundai recalled 978,000 cars to inspect and fix seat belt linkages and the pretensioner.

    Now those vehicles have been recalled again for the same problems.

    Although the condition of a partially latched anchor pretensioner was fixed through the recall campaign, the condition could potentially happen again if the anchor pretensioner was intentionally disconnected and then improperly reconnected by consumers or repair facilities.

    After the first recall Hyundai and their supplier talked with NHTSA about possible problems from the recall repairs.

    keep reading article "Sonata and Sonata Hybrid Owners Face a Second Recall for the Same Seat Belt Problems"

  6. Nearly 978,000 Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid cars have been recalled to fix seat belts that have been detaching from their anchor pretensioners.

    Hyundai and the seat belt supplier inspected the vehicle and the supplier recovered the parts in December 2016. Both companies started internal investigations, but neither has been able to determine what is causing the seat belt failures … The automaker says to ensure the safety of consumers, the recall will include 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid cars.

    The recall, which covers most of the 6th generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Massive Recall for Detaching Seat Belts in the 6th Generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid"

Other Hyundai Models