Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (5) and the 2012 the most (154).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
3 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 47 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 41 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 41 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
9 | 0 | Structure | — | 47 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
11 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 47 |
| 2023 | 15 | 0 | Engine | — | 47 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 1 | Engine | — | 47 |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 47 |
| 2014 | 27 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 37 |
| 2015 | 53 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 37 |
| 2021 | 55 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 47 |
| 2017 | 80 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 40 |
| 2011 | 96 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 36 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
108 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 37 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
132 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 40 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
154 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 36 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 154 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 67 (44%); Power train 30 (19%); Service brakes 24 (16%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,259 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 132 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 72 (55%); Electrical system 35 (27%); Power train 14 (11%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 108 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 40 (37%); Service brakes 26 (24%); Electrical system 24 (22%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years with the fewest complaints
2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (60%); Electrical system 2 (40%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (40%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (56%); Electrical system 2 (22%); Exterior lighting 2 (22%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 8 (50%); Electrical system 6 (38%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (6%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 80 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 66,000 |
| 2016 | 132 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2015 | 53 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 50,500 |
| 2014 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 88,000 |
| 2013 | 108 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2012 | 154 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 77,259 |
| 2011 | 96 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 89,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
- ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2011–2015 model years; 1,649,478 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V651000)
- Seat Belt Linkages may Detach (2011–2015 model years; 977,778 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V152000)
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled (2011–2012 model years; 580,058 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2018; 18V137000)
- Turn Signal May Activate in Wrong Direction (2016–2017 model years; 469,377 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2021; 21V749000)
- Seat Belt Linkage Detaches from Pretensioner (2011–2015 model years; 443,545 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2017; 17V617000)
All 13 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recall campaigns · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years FAQ
Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (5). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2016 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (340 of 792 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.