Hyundai Sonata problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Sonata from 1990 to 2026: 16,077 owner complaints and 132 recalls across 37 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2011 (3377), 2013 (1914), 2012 (1557). Best fuel economy: 32 mpg combined (2025).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 3 | 16 | 21 | |
| 1991 | 1 | 29 | 21 | |
| 1992 | 1 | 22 | 20 | |
| 1993 | 1 | 26 | 20 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 3 | 21 | |
| 1995 | 2 | 66 | 21 | |
| 1996 | 1 | 23 | 22 | |
| 1997 | 2 | 49 | 21 | |
| 1998 | 1 | 49 | 21 | |
| 1999 | 4 | 124 | 22 | |
| 2000 | 4 | 276 | 22 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 205 | 22 | |
| 2002 | 7 | 319 | 23 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 199 | 23 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 202 | 23 | |
| 2005 | 1 | 165 | 23 | |
| 2006 | 9 | 1047 | 25 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 696 | 25 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 425 | 25 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 460 | 25 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 345 | 25 | |
| 2011 | 14 | 3377 | 27 | |
| 2012 | 8 | 1557 | 27 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 1914 | 27 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 748 | 27 | |
| 2015 | 9 | 1148 | 31 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 727 | 31 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 764 | 31 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 374 | 31 | |
| 2019 | 0 | 162 | 31 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 179 | 32 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 134 | 32 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 94 | 32 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 87 | 32 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 46 | 29 | |
| 2025 | 0 | 17 | 32 | |
| 2026 | 1 | 3 | 29 |
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Hyundai Sonata?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2011 (3377), 2013 (1914), 2012 (1557).
How many recalls has the Hyundai Sonata had?
Across 1990–2026, NHTSA lists 132 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).