2019 Hyundai Sonata Powertrain (other) Problems

2019 Hyundai Sonata Sport. (Original owner). Problem: Transmission. [XXX] (9,912 miles). Lack of power, vehicle did not move when trying to merge onto freeway. Very unsafe. Also, hesitation and jerking. [XXX] (10,619 miles). Lack of power, hesitation, jerking. Hyundai tech performed TSB, TCU updates, ECU update for knock sensor performance, reset engine & transmission updates. [XXX] (41,332 miles). Harsh shifts, hesitation, jerking, clunk sound, gear grabs, bursts of power, lack of power. Unsafe to drive. February 2, 2026 (41,751 miles). Hyundai tech found leak at case seal. Hyundai replaced transmission. [XXX] rough start, vibration in pedals. March 9, 2026 Hyundai tech found transmission fluid leak at case seal. Hyundai replaced transmission. March 25, 2026 Hyundai service advisor voicemail said, have to submit to Hyundai another transmission replacement because new transmission is not good. Issues shifting in reverse, hard slams, loses gears. [XXX] picked up vehicle from Hyundai service dept. Harsh shifting, hesitation, jerking, clunk sound, gear grabs, bursts of power. Clunk sound in steering wheel when turned back-and-forth. Front end vibration & wobbly. Vehicle unsafe. May 26, 2026. I notified Hyundai Motor America. Case #[XXX]. June 10, 2026 (43,000 miles). Hyundai service dept. informed me of right and left front axle replacement, universal steering joint replacement. Vehicle unsafe. [XXX] (43,000 miles). Test drove car with Hyundai tech. Verified front end vibration & shaking. Vehicle unsafe to drive. Hyundai service manager said that Hyundai should recall the transmissions. To date, my car is still at Hyundai service dept. Hyundai's service manager said that the Hyundai service dept. will have a meeting regarding my car and include Hyundai's service director, etc. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11745802

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

For the past several years, this vehicle has experienced a recurring and unresolved engine malfunction that creates a safety hazard. The problem manifests as follows: Symptoms when check engine light illuminates: • Idle RPM elevation to approximately 1500 RPM (normal idle: 800 RPM) • Sudden unintended forward acceleration when foot is removed from brake pedal • Significantly reduced acceleration performance during normal driving • Vehicle becomes difficult to control safely The malfunction occurs intermittently but follows a consistent pattern. This is not an isolated incident but a recurring defect that has persisted for years. Multiple diagnostic and repair attempts have been unsuccessful: • Coconut Creek Hyundai service center - unable to diagnose [DATE(S)] • Independent mechanics - unable to resolve [DATE(S)] • Issue remains unresolved despite multiple service visits Despite multiple attempts by qualified technicians, the root cause has not been identified and the defect has not been corrected. This malfunction creates a significant safety hazard: • Unintended acceleration increases risk of collision • Reduced acceleration capability limits ability to merge or accelerate safely • Check engine light indicates undiagnosed system failure • Problem is intermittent and unpredictable, making it unsafe to drive I am concerned this may represent a defect pattern affecting multiple 2019 Sonata vehicles. NHTSA should: 1. Investigate whether this represents a defect pattern in 2019 Hyundai Sonata vehicles 2. Determine if a safety recall is warranted 3. Contact Hyundai Motor America to address this systemic issue

NHTSA ID

11738831

Incident

Mar 8, 2023

I purchased a 2019 Hyundai Sonata SE in December 2024. Within one month, the vehicle consumed 3.5 quarts of oil out of a 5-quart capacity. After researching the issue, I discovered that this is a known engine defect covered under Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 23-EM-008H, which relates to excessive oil consumption. This condition can lead to engine failure, posing a significant safety risk if the engine fails while driving at high speeds or in traffic. This issue is part of an active class-action lawsuit and has affected numerous vehicles with the same engine type. I am reporting this defect so that the NHTSA can track the scope of the problem and determine whether a recall should be issued.

NHTSA ID

11653821

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Failed Component: Engine - Burnt Valve/ Snapped Piston/ Piston Scrapping Internally; available for inspection - Risk of safety: Car sputters/jerks upon acceleration, takes a long time to gain speed, STALLS when slowing or stopping, may or not start after stalling, violently shakes while driving - Problem has been confirmed by Hyundai dealer/repair - Component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative; only Hyundai repair - Warning lamp, messages, and symptom PRIOR to failure, NO, after the failure, YES; check engine light and all symptoms listed above; all appeared approximately September 15, 2024. Since the purchase of the vehicle in January 2024, I have made complaint regarding the performance of the vehicle. Have had multiple oil changes/fill ups within the last 7 months, due to excessive oil consumption. Vehicle has had scheduled maintenance, several diagnostics, and too many trips to the dealership/repair for a 5 year old vehicle, with regular maintenance, and 3 owners. I have owned the vehicle for less than a year and I am UNABLE TO DRIVE IT DUE TO HYUNDAI STATING IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. It stalls when slowing and stopping, which it may or may not start back up - this happened a few times in the middle of traffic. It will not gain speed appropriately when moving from a complete stop, inhibiting me from keeping up with traffic. It shakes violently while accelerating, causing mishandling and ability to steer effectively.

NHTSA ID

11623798

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

Car has a rod knock, has been looked at by a private mechanic, seen online there was a recall on Hyundai Sonatas for rod knock issues.

NHTSA ID

11611921

Incident

Aug 20, 2024

Starting in July 2023 I have noticed that the oil consumption for my car is racing through the engine. I barely make it 1000 miles before the oil is completely gone. After 2 local oil changes - I decided to take it to the Hyundai dealer where I purchased the car. This was in October - I have brought my car in 4 times for 1000 mile oil consumption tests. I had to add an additional visit due to the fact that Hyundai changed the testing standards. Now I have to bring it again today - Hyundai has not told me what the next step is other than I have to leave the car there all day - after they speak to tech support they will determine next steps. Most likely a combustion cleaning. Then I have to start the 1000 mile consumption tests again. I live 35 mins from the dealer - I have had to hire someone to take me there to leave car - and I then have to take mass transit to work. There are never any loaners because they are booked months in advance. I have had to rent numerous cars for long distance travel due to the mileage meter of 1000 miles on my car - I am not allowed to go over - if I do have to start all over again. That happened to me the first time. My car is crap at this point - I am not able to use it as I should be able to and Hyundai is giving us the run around. I have been contacted about trading it in and getting a new Hyundai - what a scam. I am not the only person - there are so many of us - follow the chats on Facebook and Reddit - nobody is helping us. The staff said if your engine seizes - that would be great. People are seizing on highways - that is very scary to me. Why is this not recalled yet?

NHTSA ID

11581072

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Car consumes excessive oil – one quart about every 500-700 miles. This has caused sludge in the engine and the car hesitates significantly on starting from a stopped position and now hesitates even at highway speeds. This has become a definite safety issue. If the car stalls it is only a matter of time before I am hit by another driver. The dealer first stated the oil consumption was fine IF it was one quart every 1,000 miles and that no repairs would be needed. My car is consuming almost double that amount of oil. Dealership agreed to look at it; stated the car needs a new engine. Hyundai refused to even do an oil consumption test, let alone repair/replace the engine. The “sludge” in the oil that Hyundai states was present is a result of the oil consumption (even the dealer service department verbally agreed). I’m literally putting new oil in it about once a week! There is no possibility this would NOT cause sludge. In addition, dealership said to expect the engine to fail fairly soon. Hyundai claims the car was not maintained properly; however, that is untrue. I’ve submitted records to them that I had. The warranty has no requirement that the oil must be changed or maintained by a certain individual or company. Without a new engine, the car will continue to hesitate and will eventually fail. Hesitation (and especially engine failure) subjects me to a much higher possibility of a crash causing injury or death to myself or someone else. Hyunadai should absolutely recall the thousands of vehicles having this exact same issue.

NHTSA ID

11528458

Incident

Jun 6, 2023

The transmission in my vehicle makes a whine when shifting at about 35-40 miles per hour. No other car I ever drove made that noise. Hyundai has replaced the transmission 3 times and they still could not fix it. After the third replacement they said it's normal and that other Sonatas make that noise. That cannot be true. They did not replace the transmission 3 times if that noise is normal. If it IS true and other Sonatas make that noise, there may be a defect that will turn dangerous in other Sonatas. The second time the transmission was replaced, the service manager told me they found metal fragments in the transmission fluid. I don't know what problem this defect will cause later on. If you would like to inspect my car to determine if this is dangerous, I can make it available. Thanks! P.S. - Below, I have to pick a date of the incident and mileage at that time (so I chose when I first reported it to Hyundai), but this happens every time I drive the car.

NHTSA ID

11455749

Incident

Aug 8, 2019