Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Owners filed 9 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with NHTSA between Aug 2018 and Jan 2024. The most-cited component is engine (5).

Complaints
9
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Forward collision avoidance2
  4. Exterior lighting2
  5. Power train1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Air bags1
  8. 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 Nov 12, 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
20181
20193
20200
20210
20224
20230
20241

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

5 reports
“I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11564994

Electrical system

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 31, 2019 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2020. BOTH TIMES, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2019Electrical system, EngineODI 11269331

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports
“Driving on Interstate 10 westbound at about 0700. Clear day. No adjacent vehicles. The frontal crash avoidance alert suddenly went off and automated emergency braking activated as I approached an underpass. There were some slightly harsh shadows, but not the worst I have seen and I drive this segment every day. Entire event was very short. No injury or other event occurred.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2022Forward collision avoidanceODI 11468532

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET WAY TOO LOW AND THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN THE LIT AND UNLIT UPPER AREA. . IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN 1/2 OF A CITY BLOCK AHEAD. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I COULD EASILY HIT OR RUN OVER SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO LATE TO REACT TO. I ALSO LIVE IN AN AREA WITH A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEER ACCIDENTS. I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE BETTER AT NIGHT. THE HIGH-BEAMS ARE VERY GOOD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11268725

Power train

1 report
“Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into “Limp Home Mode” twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and speed reduced. This happened on I-75 twice and once on Hwy 674. Felt in danger each time (especially the last time on 4/27/22). Turned on caution lights and tried to safely pull over. Check…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2022Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11462848

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

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