2018 Hyundai Sonata Body & structure Problems

The trunk latch on the Hyundai Sonata malfunctioned, and our safety was put at risk when the trunk malfunctioned while driving on the freeway, obstructing the back view. After several attempts to try to close the trunk and after doing some research, I learned it had a vehicle recall, 21V619000. An appointment was made at Ontario Hyundai for the latch to be repaired due to the recall. After taking the vehicle in, the dealer stated that an attempt to repair the latch had been attempted and refused to do the repair and provided an invoice of $616.00 for repair. Since the latch malfunctioned, no attempt to repair the latch was ever attempted, nor was it taken anywhere else for repair. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The trunk latch is still inoperable, and recall status is incomplete.

NHTSA ID

11734172

Incident

Apr 27, 2026

The paint has been chipping from the hood and top.

NHTSA ID

11681198

Incident

Feb 6, 2023

The engine burns oil, I have to get spark plugs every two months, and put oil in it almost every week. The check engine light is now flashing and is throwing more sensors. The paint on this car is also all peeling off.

NHTSA ID

11649138

Incident

Mar 18, 2025

I am writing to file a formal complaint against Hyundai Motor America regarding a significant defect in the paint quality of my 2018 Hyundai vehicle and the company's lack of response to my attempts to resolve this issue.I am the owner of a 2018 Hyundai [Model], which I purchased from priority Hyundai in dec 2017. Over the past few months, the paint on my white Hyundai has started to peel significantly, despite regular maintenance and care. This issue has not only affected the aesthetic appeal of my vehicle but also its potential resale value. I first reported this issue to have subsequently made multiple attempts to contact Hyundai’s customer service department directly. Despite these efforts, I have received no response or acknowledgment from Hyundai regarding my concerns. This lack of communication and failure to address the defect is unacceptable and does not align with the standards expected from a reputable automobile manufacturer. The paint peeling problem is not an isolated incident, as many other owners of 2018 Hyundai white vehicles have reported similar issues. This suggests a potential defect in the paint application process or materials used, which should be addressed under the vehicle’s warranty or through a manufacturer recall.My specific complaints are as follows: 1. Hyundai has failed to acknowledge or respond to my multiple attempts to contact them about the paint peeling issue. 2. Hyundai has not offered any solution or repair for the defective paint, which is clearly a manufacturing issue. 3. The lack of customer service and support from Hyundai in handling this complaint is highly disappointing. 1. Acknowledge receipt of my complaint and provide an explanation for the delay in response. 2. Arrange for an inspection of my vehicle and offer a comprehensive solution to the paint peeling issue, which may include repainting the affected areas or other appropriate measures. 3. Improve their customer service procedures to ensure that such complaints

NHTSA ID

11607232

Incident

Aug 8, 2024

The paint if pealing off in large sections due to a manufacturer defect in the primer. The flakes can fly onto the windshields of other vehicles causing collisions.

NHTSA ID

11561197

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

White paint peeling off vehicle body in large sections

NHTSA ID

11502964

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport+ with 23K miles that has White Pearl exterior paint. The paint (W8 or WW8) is peeling off from several locations (Hood and Roof). This has been a know issue with this type of paint on Hyundai vehicles but manufacturer is not taking any responsibility that paint or paint job is defective. One can google this issue and thousands of user complaints are there of different forums and messaging boards. Example: https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-hyundai-sonata-paint-peeling/185473/7 https://www.reddit.com/r/Hyundai/comments/zt5lsk/warranty_extension_for_1718_elantrasonata_white/

NHTSA ID

11500366

Incident

Oct 12, 2022

My car was serviced at Hyundai dealer for other problems while my car was being serviced the service department said they fixed a recalled latch on trunk I never had problems with trunk before the so called recall was fixed Now my trunk is stuck close and pops open and is very hard to close once open you have to slam it shut once shut it will not open I had a tail light out I press the button to open the trunk and after riding around for Three Days it popped open and I fixed the tail light within 3 weeks the tail light is out again and my trunk is still stuck shut I called the dealership and it’s seems as though it’s not important and been giving appointments so far away

NHTSA ID

11493943

Incident

Jun 8, 2022

White paint has started to peel off the body. Vehicle is past warranty (>3 years, >36,000 miles) and Hyundai refused to deal with it. It has been a known problem that their pearl white paint easily peels off the body down to the steel but they refuse to issue a recall for it.

NHTSA ID

11491845

Incident

Oct 31, 2022

This car literally has sheets of painting peeling off of it while driving down the interstate blowing onto others cars .

NHTSA ID

11483398

Incident

Apr 7, 2022

In August 2021, my son went to open the front passenger door of his 2018 Hyundai Sonata. When opening the door, the handle came off in his hand. We reported the broken handle and asked if it was covered under the factory warranty. We were told by the local Hyundai Dealer that it was not. So we paid over $100.00 to have the handle replaced. Fast forward to January of 2022, I was packing my son's car for him to return to college and the back passenger door handle came off in my hand. That's two door handles in less than five months. There was no forced entry. No yanking or pulling above a normal opening the door process. My son is unable to access the passenger side of his car and has to crawl across the back seat. When the front passenger handle fell off, the passenger front seat was unusable. I have done research online and this seems to be a problem. Our car is not the first one to have this happen. I placed a claim with Hyundai Motor America and was guaranteed a call back within 3-5 business days. I have since placed four more calls in to the customer service line and have yet to hear from anyone regarding fixing this issues. It has been over two weeks. I have photographs to upload but the system will not allow the upload although they meet all criteria.

NHTSA ID

11449365

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

I WAS I A PARKING AND I OPENED THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE IT. THE TRUNCK LATCH FAILED. IT HAS A PLASTIC PART THAT BROKE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE.

NHTSA ID

11389160

Incident

Jan 3, 2021

Mileage

32,000 mi

DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 530 IN ARKANSAS, ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH OF CLINTON LIBRARY THERE WAS A SUDDEN EXPLOSION OF GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF. THE INTERNAL VISOR WAS OPEN AND GLASS BEGAN TO POUR INTO MY LAP, SHIRT AND THE OTHER SEATS IN THE VEHICLE. I SCREAMED IN FEAR AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND ME AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11365459

Incident

Oct 18, 2020

Mileage

72,470 mi

THE OUTSIDE ANTENNA COMPLETELY CAME OFF AND DISAPPEARED... NOT BROKEN, BUT LITERALLY CAME LOOSE AND BLEW AWAY DOWN THE INTERSTATE

NHTSA ID

11152862

Incident

Nov 6, 2018

Mileage

25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT CAUSED A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE VIA U.S. MAIL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11078317

Incident

Jan 8, 2018