Hyundai Sonata years to avoid and best years
Newer Hyundai Sonata years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 71 (1,909 complaints). From 2018 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 9 (from 161 complaints), 2024 at 15 (from 46 complaints), and 2021 at 16 (from 133 complaints). The Hyundai Sonata 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 488 of 1,909 complaints name Engine.
Data as of .
2019
2024
2021
2025–26
Hyundai Sonata reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Hyundai Sonata. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 35.5 |
| 2025 → Too early | 8 | 16 | 0 | Service brakes | 32.6 |
| 2024 → Fewest | 15 | 46 | 1 | Electrical system | 32.8 |
| 2023 → | 21 | 87 | 2 | Fuel and propulsion system | 36.7 |
| 2022 → | 18 | 93 | 3 | Fuel and propulsion system | 36.7 |
| 2021 → Fewest | 16 | 133 | 4 | Powertrain | 36.5 |
| 2020 → | 19 | 178 | 4 | Fuel and propulsion system | 38.6 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 9 | 161 | 0 | Engine | 33.7 |
| 2018 → | 32 | 373 | 1 | Engine | 33.7 |
| 2017 → | 35 | 764 | 3 | Engine | 32.4 |
| 2016 → | 23 | 723 | 6 | Engine | 32.4 |
| 2015 → | 62 | 1,144 | 9 | Engine | 30 |
| 2014 → | 25 | 746 | 7 | Engine | 31.3 |
| 2013 → Most | 71 | 1,909 | 9 | Engine | 30.8 |
| 2012 → | 60 | 1,556 | 8 | Engine | 29 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual) · 5 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 205/65R16 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Owner complaints for early years in this span (especially 2013) concentrate on the engine. Safety recall 17V-226 covers certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles: machining errors during engine manufacturing may cause premature bearing wear that can seize the engine; dealers inspect and replace the short block as needed. Safety recall 22V-312 (replacing 20V-121) covers certain 2013-2014 Sonatas whose low-pressure fuel hose between the low-pressure and direct-injection pumps may crack from engine-bay heat and leak fuel; dealers replace that hose. Safety recall 18V-934 covers certain 2011-2014 Sonatas previously remedied under 15V-568 or 17V-226 whose high-pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged or mis-torqued during engine replacement and can leak; dealers inspect and replace the pipe as needed. Safety recall 16V-956 covers a small build of 2017 Sonatas (and Elantras) whose driver frontal air-bag inflator end seal may be missing; dealers replace the driver frontal air-bag module.
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-20 (2.5L Smartstream and 1.6L turbo where equipped) · 5 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R17 to 245/40R19 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Safety recall 25V-796 covers certain 2020-2023 Sonatas: a damaged check valve can let air into the fuel tank so the tank expands, contacts hot exhaust parts, and melts; dealers inspect and replace the check valve and tank as needed and update engine-control software. Safety recall 21V-524 covers certain 2021-2022 Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles with 2.5L turbo engines: fuel may leak at the pipe between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail; dealers inspect and tighten or replace that pipe. Those turbo-only units are a subset of DN8, not the gasoline majority.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 9 (from 161 complaints), 2024 at 15 (from 46 complaints), and 2021 at 16 (from 133 complaints).
Which Hyundai Sonata year has the most owner complaints?
2013 has the most complaints per year, at 71 (1,909 complaints). On the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 488 of 1,909 complaints name Engine.
How do Hyundai Sonata owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Hyundai Sonata years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2018 on, complaints per year fall.
Which Hyundai Sonata years are too early to compare?
The Hyundai Sonata 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What oil does a Sonata take?
Viscosity and capacity depend on engine and model year; use the generation specs here and confirm in the owner’s manual.
Which Sonata years had the engine bearing safety recall?
Safety recall 17V-226 covers certain 2013-2014 Sonatas (and Santa Fe Sport) for premature engine bearing wear; dealers inspect and replace the short block as needed.