NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 16 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Most complaints involve engine (8) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 47–52 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sonata Hybrid model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 96 |
| 2012 | 155 |
| 2013 | 108 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 54 |
| 2016 | 133 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 3 |
“On July 15th I was driving away from work and my car suddenly stopped accelerating. I was able to get it towed to a body shop I previously had it repaired at. They said the battery system was blowing a fuse when it would become undrivable. They took it to the local Hyundai dealership where they applied a new software update related to the battery management system. This did not solve the issue, it continues to stop while in traffic and the dealership refuses to do anything to figure out the cause.”
“Over the last 3 months at least a dozen times the 12v auxiliary battery is completely dead after parking the car outdoors for an hour or so. This poses a safety issue, especially at night because you cannot easily access the car. You have to fumble around trying to get the key hole cover off in order to use the key supplied in the fob. Once you get access, you then have to press the 12v reset button in order to get the car started. This issue has been reported on the Hyundai sonata forums since the introduction of the 2020 sonata. At this point the dealer has not been able to find the issues as they say it has been occur while they have the car. Asking for the problem to occur while they are watching is unrealistic . Their calls to Hyundai tech support has been useless as they claim to have not heard of this issue.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata Hybrid Blue Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 50 | 54 | 52 | $1,250 | 172 |
| Sonata Hybrid Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 45 | 51 | 47 | $1,350 | 189 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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.
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (8), electrical system (6), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at 47–52 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.