Fuel system, gasoline
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sonata model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 24 |
| 1997 | 52 |
| 1998 | 50 |
| 1999 | 170 |
| 2000 | 278 |
| 2001 | 219 |
| 2002 | 326 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 202 |
| 2005 | 165 |
| 2006 | 1,047 |
| 2007 | 696 |
| 2008 | 425 |
| 2009 | 460 |
| 2010 | 345 |
| 2011 | 3,380 |
| 2012 | 1,559 |
| 2013 | 1,917 |
| 2014 | 751 |
| 2015 | 1,156 |
| 2016 | 728 |
| 2017 | 766 |
| 2018 | 375 |
| 2019 | 162 |
| 2020 | 183 |
| 2021 | 134 |
| 2022 | 96 |
| 2023 | 88 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 3 |
“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.”
“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.”
“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.…”
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 Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $1,950 | 282 |
| Sonata Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,000 | 293 |
| Sonata Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 31 | $2,000 | 291 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Sonata at 31–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall.