Research · Large Cars

2020 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 183 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (47) and electrical system (41). The EPA rates it 31–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
31–32mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Nov 2025
Owner complaints
183
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 18, 2025NHTSA 25V796000

Latches

Free remedy

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."

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Mar 28, 2022NHTSA 22V196000

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.

Electrical systemReported Apr 9, 2020NHTSA 20V213000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

183 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2020 – Nov 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system47
  2. Electrical system41
  3. Engine32
  4. Power train24
  5. Structure17
  6. Seats16
  7. Forward collision avoidance13
  8. Fuel system, gasoline12
  9. Air bags7

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199624
199752
199850
1999170
2000278
2001219
2002326
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,917
2014751
20151,156
2016728
2017766
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021134
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

47 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The car has strong fuel smell in the cabin when tank is full, It is especially strong after car sits. I have taken to hyundai several times for this problem. They say the computer says nothing is wrong. They refuse to investigate as they dont smell the odor.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11772139

Electrical system

41 reports2 crashes
“My 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring electronic system malfunction that causes multiple dashboard warning lights to illuminate, including the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System warning. When this occurs, the vehicle can suddenly lose the ability to accelerate. Most recently, this happened while driving in rainy conditions, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle has undergone multiple unsuccessful repairs at Hyundai dealerships, including an extended four-week repair involving Hyundai's technical specialists in 2025. The same problem has now returned, and I am concerned about the vehicle's safety and reliability.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11775083

Engine

32 reports1 crash1 fire
“Vehicle experienced intermittent, severe powertrain defect resulting in a critical safety hazard. Between 30K and 36K miles, the vehicle underwent 3 violent highway deceleration episodes. During these events, the engine began shaking, escalating to violent shaking; with deceleration and coming to a stop, it would shake, then sputter as if it would die. Coming to a complete stop, a total stall was prevented only by the ECM forcing a limp mode lock at 1200 RPMs. When Auto Hold was engaged at this point and my foot was removed from the brake pedal, the mechanical surge caused the vehicle to unexpectedly lurch forward, fighting against and nearly overriding the factory Auto Hold braking safety feature before finally holding. Luckily, no pedestrian was walking in front of my car when this occurred. No check engine light (CEL) or dashboard warning ever illuminated. This safety compromise is directly tied to an ineffective or adjacent remedy involving Service Campaign 9B1 (Opcode 40D219R0) and Safety Recall 286. Under this Opcode, a factory software flash deleted the standard OBD-II trouble code P0451and substituted it with a manufacturer-specific shadow code P14EE00.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11771519
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

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 10, 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
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950282
Sonata
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,000293
Sonata
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
273631$2,000291
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 14408
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

2020 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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.

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 183 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (47), electrical system (41), engine (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Sonata at 31–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026