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Research · Large Cars

2026 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve tires (1). The EPA rates it 27–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
27–32mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jan 2026
Owner complaints
3
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Jan 27, 2026NHTSA 26V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2026 – Sep 2026
  1. Tires1
  2. Other / unknown2

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
2017769
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021135
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Tires

1 report
“When backing into my parking spot the front driver side tire blew at the side wall. Then a few weeks late the Rear driver side tire started to bubble at the same spot and was showing signs that it was getting ready to blow. The first one was immediately replaced under Kumho's warranty and then the second one was replaced on my dime. I feel that the other 2 tires could blow at anytime as the car only has 2800 miles on it and has not been involved in any significant impact or accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026TiresODI 11746007
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (AM-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 9, 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 FWD w/Stop-Start
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950281
Sonata FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,150310
Sonata AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,300327
Sonata FWD
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233227$2,300333
  • Sonata FWD w/Stop-Start
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata FWD
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
HYUNDAI SONATA 4DR N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Overall
5 / 5
HYUNDAI SONATA 4 DR N/A 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 9, 2026Vehicle 21161Vehicle 21160
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

2026 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Sonata have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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 2026 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Sonata at 27–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026