RoadVitals

2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Dec 11, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine735.0%
  • Driver assistance315.0%
  • Fuel system315.0%
  • Powertrain (other)315.0%
  • Visibility210.0%
  • Electrical15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 11, 2025

UNKNOWN- While driving on highway, from 70 mph speed the car suddenly lost acceleration and speed dropped. No response to accelerator. Even with pushing the accelerator high, car will go in high RPM and speed will barely reach 40 mph. I was lucky that there was no other vehicle behind me, especially heavy automobile like semi truck as it would have crashed in me from behind due to sudden propulsion loss. The car started working fine next day. I took it to dealer and they couldn't find any error code but said it could be 12V battery BMS software update and they updated it. They mentioned that this is NOT a safety issue which is mind-blowing and concerning as this is a MAJOR safety hazard. I would request you to investigate this further and if this is a software issue then please direct Hyundai to update this with all vehicles and cover the cost for those who have had to pay for it.

NHTSA ID
11704561
Incident
Dec 7, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2025

On 11/28/25 at approximately 6:30 pm, I was driving on a Highway 17 going about 60 mph when my car's engine completely shut down. a "Hybrid System Failure" warning flashed and my car was no longer drivable. The car was towed to the dealership. In mid October 2025, my car stopped running with the same "Hybrid System Failure" warning, but it happened in my driveway. The car was towed to the dealership and supposedly repaired.

NHTSA ID
11702405
Incident
Nov 28, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2025

The vehicle went in for repair at the dealership early July for a check engine light and DTC error code. It was revving high after being driven for more than 20 min or so and wouldn’t get to above 60 mph. Jerky, dangerous acceleration and deceleration seemingly out of nowhere. The dealership replaced the fuel pump which is what they said was causing the error. Today on August 10th, check engine light popped up again with a DTC error code. Weird acceleration and deceleration and general jerkiness when driving. Scheduled service appointment for next week.

NHTSA ID
11679707
Incident
Aug 10, 2025
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before downshifting to a lower gear. In addition, the engine revved independently. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was no longer being driven. The contact parked the vehicle at the residence. The contact started the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

NHTSA ID
11670632
Incident
Jun 26, 2025
Mileage
34,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2025

Similar to other stories I’ve read online, my 2023 sonata broke down on the highway a minute after any error signal popping up, in a dangerous location on the highway with no shoulder. Plaza Hyundai dealership was first/last and only people to perform an oil change or service the car. They told me they wouldn’t take the car due to being full after the incident. A Different Hyundai dealership took the car and found the breakdown was due to a missing oil drain plug and the engine leaked all the oil, while noting they didn’t do the previous oil change and there was no external damages. Plaza Hyundai is refusing to claim responsibility and just trying to milk me for much money as possible/get me to purchase a new engine.

NHTSA ID
11652891
Incident
Mar 31, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2025

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2023, BY FEBRUARY, THE CAR STARTED STALLING ON THE STREETS/HYWAY. ALL DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO RESTART. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIME IN 2024. WHEN I TOW IT TO THE DEALER, THEY ALWAYS COME BACK WITH THE SAME ANSWER. ''THE AC MOTOR POWER CABLE HAS BEEN DISCONNECTING LEADING TO LOSE OF POWER''. THEY HAVE REPLACED IT 4X BUT THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST. IT'S VERY SCARY ESPECIALLY WHN AM DRIVING IN A BUSY ROAD OR WHEN AM DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. AM NOT SURE HOW TO MOVE FROM HERE. THANKS.

NHTSA ID
11636797
Incident
Jan 18, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 27, 2024
Crash reported

The push button shifters do not shift gears, unless the brake is depressed. On a slight incline, it is natural to shift from forward to reverse without braking leaving the driver in the wrong gear. So I have often started forward expecting to go backwards. I accidently ran over a portable toilet trying to quickly reverse out of a driveway on a slight incline. I hope no one has run over a person this way. I have had other close calls. This system is far more dangerous than lever style shifters. Even a little mistiming between brake and shift can leave the car going the wrong way.

NHTSA ID
11627724
Incident
Nov 6, 2024
Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2024

At 82,000 miles car started to consume coolant. Had EHRS TBS performed coolant no longer leaking. Thi is the 2nd car that had this coolant issue.

NHTSA ID
11609732
Incident
Aug 2, 2024

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26-GI-002H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.

DTN DL

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.

DTN DCS

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

25-EM-007H TSB

ENGINE

Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure in this bulletin to install a spring onto the thermostat within the ITM, in order to prevent premature opening, and perform an ECU software update on affected vehicles.

25-BD-012H TSB

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

25-BE-020H TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this TSB.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010
2025110048.4
2024900
2023Viewing150044.4
2022190141.0
2021530140.3
2020161142.5
2019403
2018913
2017793462.1
20161315459.4
2015514467.4
2014273665.0
20131064764.0
20121546760.1
2011956762.2

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.