Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Owners filed 29 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with NHTSA between Aug 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (13).

Complaints
29
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Exterior lighting1
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  12. Other / unknown1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20142
20153
20162
20173
20182
20196
20200
20210
20220
20232
20246
20251
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Service brakes, hydraulic

5 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact replaced the brake pads; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,453. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11586391

Seat belts

2 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“SEATBELT POPS OUT OF THE SEATBELT RECEIVER AND MOST OF THE TIME, SEATBELT DOES NOT ATTACH TO RECEIVER AT ALL. DOES NOT ATTACH PROPERLY. THIS IS HAPPENING FOR LONG TIME BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE THAT WE CAN FILE A SAFETY ISSUES ON CARS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2019Seat beltsODI 11176215

Engine and engine cooling

1 report
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. Several unknow warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rod bearings and observed metal shavings inside the short block. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2024Engine and engine coolingODI 11597490
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

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