Total Complaints
15 filings
HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID · model year
15 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018HYUNDAISONATA HYBRID carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 SONATA HYBRID is engine with 5 filings, followed by exterior lighting (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2018 SONATA HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
15 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 1 |
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera 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 F
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. I told him that my previous car was a 2013 Sonata and sold it with 100,000 miles and I never had water pump issues. My online research discovered that this has been a recurrent issue with 2018 Sonata's.
2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. June 10 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966 (dealer says there are 2 software updates and the first time they only did 1). I return rental and pick up my vehicle. June 11 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" . I go to dealer. Dealer turns off check engine light and tells me vehicle is safe to drive and bring the vehicle back on the 13th (Monday). Dealer affirms vehicle is safe, they cannot get me a car rental today and my vehicle is fine. I drive the vehicle home.
2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. June 10 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966 (dealer says there are 2 software updates and the first time they only did 1). I return rental and pick up my vehicle. June 11 - "Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off" . I go to dealer. Dealer turns off check engine light and tells me vehicle is safe to drive and bring the vehicle back on the 13th (Monday). Dealer affirms vehicle is safe, they cannot get me a car rental today and my vehicle is fine. I drive the vehicle home.
Driving on Interstate 10 westbound at about 0700. Clear day. No adjacent vehicles. The frontal crash avoidance alert suddenly went off and automated emergency braking activated as I approached an underpass. There were some slightly harsh shadows, but not the worst I have seen and I drive this segment every day. Entire event was very short. No injury or other event occurred.
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonataâs with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into âLimp Home Modeâ twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonataâs with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into âLimp Home Modeâ twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonataâs with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time). I have documentation. P1326 Knock Sensor indicated engine failure problems P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire (occurred next day after repair of this part) U0293 Lost communication with HEV Powertrain control module ( not charging hybrid U1004 H-CAN C135B-08 no code explanation given C1612-08 CAN time-out TCM C1611-08 CAN time-out EPS ECM C1614-08 CAN time-out HCU C2229-08 Towed to dealer for repair. These problems occurred from 4/18/22 to 4/27/22 3 times in less than 2 weeks. car still in service dept today 4/30/22 with no resolution. Failures continued to escalate after each service. Went into âLimp Home Modeâ twice. Very unsafe to drive. Stalled, jerked and
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. The malfunction lamp indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and that there was a Service Campaign Number: 966 (Engine Monitoring Logic) associated with the VIN that was unrepaired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested the vehicle's service records. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 31, 2019 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2020. BOTH TIMES, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AS
Mileage: 19,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MESSAGE "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI (2820 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16248749. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 31, 2019 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2020. BOTH TIMES, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AS
Mileage: 19,000
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET WAY TOO LOW AND THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN THE LIT AND UNLIT UPPER AREA. . IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN 1/2 OF A CITY BLOCK AHEAD. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I COULD EASILY HIT OR RUN OVER SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO LATE TO REACT TO. I ALSO LIVE IN AN AREA WITH A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEER ACCIDENTS. I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE BETTER AT NIGHT. THE HIGH-BEAMS ARE VERY GOOD.
Mileage: 9,500
MY 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID LIMITED WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ON 4:19/19. IT WAS A FRONT RIGHT IMPACT THAT INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. IT WAS A HARD IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN 8 LANE DIVIDED CITY HIGHWAY. THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER TO THE RIGHT, CAME OVER 2 LANES THEN HIT ME AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE 3. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR AN IMPROPER LANE CHANGE, CAME INTO MY LANE AND HIT MY VEHICLE.
Mileage: 5
I JUST BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED AND DROVE IT HOME. ON LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS PROJECT 2 BLACK NOTCHES OR DARK AREAS THAT DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD UNDER THEM. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT EVENLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SAFELY SO I CAN SEE WELL. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THIS IS NOW WIDELY REPORTED AND I AM GOING TO CONTACT CONSUMER REPORTS ABOUT THIS. DOES HYUNDAI HAVE A FIX FOR THIS OR AT LEAST AN INTELLIGENT EXPLANATION? THE DARK LINE AND NOTCHES, BASICALLY BLOCK OUT VISION, WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND UP AND DOWN HILLS, A SAFETY ISSUE. JUST GET USED TO A DARK LINE BLOCKING VISION HALF WAY DOWN THE WINDSHIELD, AND TWO DARK NOTCHES IN THE VIEW IN FRONT OF THE CAR??
Mileage: 70
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.