Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Hyundai Sonata HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Most complaints involve engine (13) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 37 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
37mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2023
Owner complaints
29
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 22, 2023NHTSA 23V651000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Seat beltsReported Oct 4, 2017NHTSA 17V617000

Seat belts: anchorage

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Seat beltsReported Mar 8, 2017NHTSA 17V152000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine13
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Service brakes6
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  5. Seat belts2
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Steering1
  8. Hybrid propulsion system1
  9. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sonata Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201196
2012155
2013108
201429
201554
2016133
201781
20189
20195
202016
202155
202219
202315
20249
202511
20263
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

13 reports1 crash
“• the engine Hybrid electrical network & anti lock braking system (ABS) failed. The independent scan confirmed codes P136 (engine knock signal) U2093/U1004 ( hybrid control module communication loss) and C1614 (ABS CAN TIMEOUT). The vehicle is fully available upon request. • while driving at highway speeds on the freeway every single light on the dashboard suddenly lit up all at once & the vehicle immediately starting loading acceleration & propulsion power. This sudden loss of speed on a active freeway created a immediate severe hazard of a of a high speed for myself & other motorists. • Yes, the electronic faults components have been confirmed & documented by an independent service center (oreilly auto parts veriscan diagnostic report. 05621260920003155). • No the vehicle hasn’t been inspected by the manufacturer, police , or the insurance representatives. • there were no symptoms or warning lamps prior to the failure everything happened instantly while driving on the freeway when the entire dashboard illuminated at once & the power was lost the physical odometer reads exactly 138,764( (note the third party scanner printout manually estimated 152,000 due to a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11769494

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2024Electrical systemODI 11570339

Service brakes

6 reports2 crashes
“I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A FLAT RESIDENTAL STREET. A LOUD DASH ALARM SOUNDED IN MY 2014 HYUNDAI SONADA HYBRID. THE DASH DISPLAYED "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE" . BELOW THE WARNING A YELLOW CAUTION TRIANGLE DISPLAYED. I ATTEMPTED TO GIVE THE VEHICLE GAS, SO I COULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT HAD NO POWER. A BLINKING GREEN "READY" LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. THE ECO GUIDE DISPLAY WAS MOVING UP AND DOWN FROM THE TOP TO BOTTOM. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND BEGAN BRAKING. THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WAS THE ENGINE WAS REVVING UP AND DOWN BUT LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GEAR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS, I LOST THE POWER STEERING AND THE IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I AGAIN TRIED BRAKING BUT THE BRAKES JUST FELT MUSHY AND WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED COASTING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED I SHUT IT OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE GREEN "READY" LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AS WELL AS THE WARNING LIGHTS. THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2019Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11217433
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AM6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata Hybrid
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
353837$1,750242
Sonata Hybrid Limited
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
353837$1,750245
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 8131
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Sonata Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (13), electrical system (11), service brakes (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at 37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026