2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (3) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 39 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Power train2
- Electrical system2
- Engine1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Fuel/propulsion system
“The high voltage battery will no longer charge neither from being plugged in to the charger on the wall nor from the buikt in system onboard the car. There are warning lights saying the inverter coolant is low but the reservoir is at the proper level. I suspect the coolant for the Hybrid charging inverter is bad and crystalizes causing blockages in the inverter coolant system. My car refuses to charge for the last 2 years. After a few seconds (about 7-10) the car shuts off the charging system when plugged in. And now that summer heat us here in the South West, it will not even charge from the regenerative braking. The high voltage battery previously would maintain 10-15% charge from the gas engine and regenerative braking. Now it's sitting at 1%. Because the battery is so low the electric motor does not produce power, and the gas engine is under powered on its own. This makes acceleration from a stop light/sign sluggish, slow and dangerous. Other Hyundai EV (IONIC and Kona) and PHEV (Santa Fe and Tucson) models have had their inverter coolant flushed and replace, some with a different spec coolant. This Sonata 2019 PHEV probably suffers from the same poor…”
Power train
“I was traveling on a highway when a "hybrid system warning" suddenly appeared on the dashboard. Every dashboard warning light illuminated. The car began to lose power. I exited the highway immediately and the car began to have sporadic power and was "lurching." I immediately pulled onto the shoulder and at that time another warning on the dash appeared within a minute or two of the first warning that said "shut engine off." The computer screen began to flash on and of and the windows would not roll up smoothly. When the tow truck arrived the car wouldn't start and it didn't recognize the key fob. Hyundai now has the vehicle and claims the car needed a "software update", but they cannot tell me if it will ever happen again and cannot tell me why the car goes into critical failure when it needs a mere software update. This is the second time this has happened. The first time it was repaired under a voluntary recall campaign about a year ago. This is an extremely dangerous occurrence as the car loses power without warning. I was fortunate to be near an exit when it happened and able to safely get off the highway, but that was just luck. The manual indicates that a…”
Electrical system
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (AM6)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- EV range
- 600 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 37 | 42 | 39 | $1,550 | 100 |
- 39mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| 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 |
- 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
2019 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.
What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid problems?
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (3), power train (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid at 39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).