Research · Midsize Cars

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.

Combined MPG
39mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2020 – Jul 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system3
  2. Power train2
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Engine1
  5. Other / unknown1

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 Plug-in Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2016159
201732
20195
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11752871

Power train

2 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2022Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11492604

Electrical system

2 reports
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 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 Plug-in Hybrid
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
374239$1,550100
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 13636
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

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).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026