2018 Hyundai Sonata: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata: 1 recall, 374 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #21V619000 · 2021 · 348,158 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A person inside the trunk compartment May become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 13 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (212): the most common themes are warning light on (67), excess oil use (67), stalls / loses power (47).
- Electrical (60): the most common themes are warning light on (20), electrical failure (18), stalls / loses power (9).
- Other / unknown (58): the most common themes are warning light on (16), electrical failure (11).
- Transmission & drivetrain (40): the most common themes are warning light on (16), noise or vibration (14), hard / delayed shifting (12).
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has 374 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 37 Sonata model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 435). Complaints peaked in 2025 (82 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 21,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (764 complaints, 3 recalls), 2019 (162 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Sonata problems?
Owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (212), electrical (60), other / unknown (58).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (AM7)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Hyundai Sonata repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.