2019 Hyundai Sonata Problems

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke started coming from the hood and the vehicle was pulled over into a parking space. While opening the hood, the contact saw that fire was coming from the top of the engine. The contact stated that the fire consumed the front of the vehicle, including the windshield and the dashboard. The smoke coming from the vehicle was dark gray and turned black afterwards. The contact called 911, and the Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries reported. A vehicle parked next to the vehicle was damaged by the flames. The contact's vehicle was not inspected or officially deemed a total loss. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where an oil change had been performed prior to the failure. The mechanic stated that there might have been a high-pressure fuel valve on top of the engine that possibly caused a gas leak, which started the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.

The engine is the component or system failed or malfunctioned, and it is available for inspection upon request. Sudden loss of engine power while driving, including during highway speeds or intersections, increasing the risk of a crash. Engine stalling or failure to accelerate, preventing me from safely maneuvering away from hazards. Overheating events, which resulted in complete engine seizure and an unexpected loss of vehicle control, all which can potentially causing catastrophic incident without warning. To include, the increased risk of collision, especially if the failure occurs during traffic, merging, passing, or emergency situations. It has been reported to CC Transmission Auto Repair and independent service center. It was previously inspected by Hyundai dealer. Check engine light present September 2025.

The vehicle consumes a gallon of oil weekly. The spark plugs are having to be replaced every three months. The Low beams have been replaced and are working but the headlights are completely out and flashes on the dash board. I have Hi beam’s only. There is an electrical issue with the vehicle and is very dangerous to drive with the oil leaks that are continuously happening.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were dim. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the inadequate illumination, the contact was forced to use the high beam headlights while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the halogen headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

I wanted to report the failure of my rear camera and/or the electrical circuit that is tied to it. It's my understanding that Hyundai has issued multiple recalls across different years/vehicles for issues in this area. My 2019 Sonata is NOT included in those current recalls. I was without my vehicle for a week and was charged over $1600 to repair. The issue was diagnosed and repaired by an independent mechanic. When they system failed numerous error lights/warning went off and continued to cycle thru (plus beeping). I wanted to report this in hopes of continued pressure on Hyundai to add this model/year to their recalls.

On April 14, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Sonata was parked at a retail store parking lot. Returning from the store, I attempted to start the car, and it did not start. I attempted to start it again, and I saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately exited the vehicle and opened the hood. I saw open flames coming out of the engine area, about 4” high. I called 911 and waited about 10 minutes for the fire department to arrive. During this time, the flames engulfed the entire engine compartment and extended vertically above the hood height. The hood eventually melted and fell back onto the engine area. The fire department came and put out the fire. The car is totaled. There were no injuries, thank God!

Vehicle stalled in traffic due to recall defect. Manufacturer recall remedy is delayed beyond reasonable timeframe, creating ongoing safety exposure.

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

The air bag light suddenly illuminated when turning on my car. My car has around 60k miles. It was previously repaired a few times for a power steering faliure while driving making it hard to stear. I believe that this latest failure is due to a failure of the stearing wheel clock spring or another SRS module. failure.

See attached document for complaint.

Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning/Blind Spot Detection Forward Collision Warning Antilock Brake System/ABS Lane Departure Warning Lane keeping Assistance I bought this vehicle last month from a dealer and two days later all the warning lights start popping up on the dashboard so I contacted the dealer and told them what was going on with the car they told me to bring it in so that the technician can check to see what’s wrong with it they told me that there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle so I went back home and the same day all the warning lights came back on so now I’m concerned about my daughter’s safety because she use the vehicle to drive to and from school and you never know when the brakes might fail, again I just bought this vehicle a month ago just one month not even a year and it’s having all this problem even though it’s a pre-owned vehicle I shouldn’t have to take it to the shop after one month please help… thank you

I respectfully submit the following additional information.In connection with this matter, the dealer in question asserted in writing that I "should have refused to participate" in the manufacturer-authorized "Z05 Service Campaign"—a measure designed to prevent potential damage—and characterized the program as nothing more than "free paint work." Service campaigns administered by manufacturers are conducted within the framework of federal safety regulations pursuant to Title 49, Chapter 301 of the U.S. Code; they are neither optional nor merely cosmetic in nature. Rather, they constitute systematic procedures intended to preserve vehicle integrity and support public safety. Statements suggesting that consumers should decline participation in such campaigns—or that they may bear financial responsibility for damage incurred during their execution—raise concerns regarding how these federally supervised programs are communicated and implemented and may discourage participation and undermine public confidence in the national vehicle safety campaign system. Although the dealership subsequently offered to replace the windshield at no cost, I have not received confirmation that the repair has been completed. This offer was made only after the vehicle remained at the facility for an extended period, during which I was repeatedly placed under pressure to assume financial responsibility for damage that occurred while the vehicle was under dealership custody. I was presented with two conditional options; however, in either scenario, I would ultimately be required to accept financial responsibility for the outcome. Ultimately, I was required to assume financial responsibility for issues arising during the work. On 2/23, I was told the loaner could be reported as "stolen," and I returned it immediately. After returning the vehicle, no alternative transportation was provided while my own vehicle remained unrepaired.

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)

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

I respectfully submit the following additional information.In connection with this matter, the dealer in question asserted in writing that I "should have refused to participate" in the manufacturer-authorized "Z05 Service Campaign"—a measure designed to prevent potential damage—and characterized the program as nothing more than "free paint work." Service campaigns administered by manufacturers are conducted within the framework of federal safety regulations pursuant to Title 49, Chapter 301 of the U.S. Code; they are neither optional nor merely cosmetic in nature. Rather, they constitute systematic procedures intended to preserve vehicle integrity and support public safety. Statements suggesting that consumers should decline participation in such campaigns—or that they may bear financial responsibility for damage incurred during their execution—raise concerns regarding how these federally supervised programs are communicated and implemented and may discourage participation and undermine public confidence in the national vehicle safety campaign system. Although the dealership subsequently offered to replace the windshield at no cost, I have not received confirmation that the repair has been completed. This offer was made only after the vehicle remained at the facility for an extended period, during which I was repeatedly placed under pressure to assume financial responsibility for damage that occurred while the vehicle was under dealership custody. I was presented with two conditional options; however, in either scenario, I would ultimately be required to accept financial responsibility for the outcome. Ultimately, I was required to assume financial responsibility for issues arising during the work. On 2/23, I was told the loaner could be reported as "stolen," and I returned it immediately. After returning the vehicle, no alternative transportation was provided while my own vehicle remained unrepaired.

The exterior paint of my white 2019 Hyundai sonata has been peeling continuously in different places since 2023 when I bought it. The Hyundai dealer is aware of this problem but refuses to recall or give compensation for this problem.

after the car is driven for a while in warm weather, the steering can feel sticky after doing a slight turn doing more than 30 MPH. It takes extra force to return the steering wheel to the straight/neutral position. It acts as though the steering wheel is stuck in this slight turn position. The problem is intermittent but does create a safety hazard with the risk of the car being unable to easily remain in its correct lane position. Symptom summary: Intermittent; Worse in warm weather; happens after small steering inputs; Feels like the wheel is “hung up”.

Steering wheel panel glued/tampered (Safety Hazard) Motor/Pump assembly broken. Recall couldn't be done due to tampered parts.

Driver's side seatbelt retraction mechanism failed without warning. Intentionally brought car to dealer ASAP since it was close to 100,000 miles pointed out. This was serious safety defect dealer refused to repair under warranty.

Drivers side seat belt strap does not retract back when removed and has faulty latch which sometimes pops out. Dealer told us that because the car had over 60,000 miles on it that we would be responsible for payment to replace the pretensions and other internal parts plus the latch. This car was bought new in 2019 and had only been involved in one accident which the seat belt was not used due to the fact that the car was parked when it was struck. Since this is a safety issue which could result in my death or serious injury in the event of a vehicle accident I am taking a chance evey time i drive this vehicle. The approximate cost according to hyundai would be around $1800.00 - $2000.00. I consider this a manufacturer defect that hyundai should replace and be responsible for the cost. They refuse to fix this issue unless I pay for the repair. I never heard of a seat belt having a mileage cut off at any amount of mileage. Please advise me if you can enforce safety defect repair to be paid for by hyundai. If you are not able to hold hyundai liable I would appreciate any entity that you may know of that can make them replace for free the defective belt and latch. I'm afraid to drive this car without a working seat belt on the drivers side nor do I have the outrageous money for it to be repaired at my expense.

I respectfully submit the following additional information.In connection with this matter, the dealer in question asserted in writing that I "should have refused to participate" in the manufacturer-authorized "Z05 Service Campaign"—a measure designed to prevent potential damage—and characterized the program as nothing more than "free paint work." Service campaigns administered by manufacturers are conducted within the framework of federal safety regulations pursuant to Title 49, Chapter 301 of the U.S. Code; they are neither optional nor merely cosmetic in nature. Rather, they constitute systematic procedures intended to preserve vehicle integrity and support public safety. Statements suggesting that consumers should decline participation in such campaigns—or that they may bear financial responsibility for damage incurred during their execution—raise concerns regarding how these federally supervised programs are communicated and implemented and may discourage participation and undermine public confidence in the national vehicle safety campaign system. Although the dealership subsequently offered to replace the windshield at no cost, I have not received confirmation that the repair has been completed. This offer was made only after the vehicle remained at the facility for an extended period, during which I was repeatedly placed under pressure to assume financial responsibility for damage that occurred while the vehicle was under dealership custody. I was presented with two conditional options; however, in either scenario, I would ultimately be required to accept financial responsibility for the outcome. Ultimately, I was required to assume financial responsibility for issues arising during the work. On 2/23, I was told the loaner could be reported as "stolen," and I returned it immediately. After returning the vehicle, no alternative transportation was provided while my own vehicle remained unrepaired.

Safety Concern — Damage to Windshield During Manufacturer Recall Repair (Z05) My vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership on January 14, 2026 for a manufacturer-directed paint recall repair (Campaign Z05), which required removal and reinstallation of the windshield as part of the procedure. The repair was originally expected to be completed between January 14 and January 28, 2026. However, I received no explanation for the delay during that period. On February 13, 2026 — nearly one month after check-in — I was informed for the first time that the windshield had cracked during the reinstallation process while the vehicle was in the dealership’s custody. As of March 18, 2026, the windshield has not been replaced, and the vehicle remains at the dealership without this safety-critical component restored. Because the windshield is a structural element essential to roof strength, airbag deployment performance, and overall crash integrity, the prolonged failure to properly restore it raises serious safety concerns. The unresolved condition of this component creates uncertainty regarding the vehicle’s crashworthiness and may expose occupants to significant risk of injury in the event of a collision. Damage occurred during a manufacturer-mandated recall repair while the vehicle was under the exclusive control of an authorized service provider, and the vehicle has not been returned to a safe, operable condition for an extended period. This situation raises broader concerns regarding the handling of safety-critical components during recall procedures and the timely restoration of vehicles to safe operating condition. This matter is also currently under review by the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission (AMVC), Case #26-009, due to the prolonged inability to restore the vehicle to a safe condition. I am submitting this complaint in the interest of vehicle safety oversight and to help prevent similar situations from affecting other consumers.

Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning/Blind Spot Detection Forward Collision Warning Antilock Brake System/ABS Lane Departure Warning Lane keeping Assistance I bought this vehicle last month from a dealer and two days later all the warning lights start popping up on the dashboard so I contacted the dealer and told them what was going on with the car they told me to bring it in so that the technician can check to see what’s wrong with it they told me that there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle so I went back home and the same day all the warning lights came back on so now I’m concerned about my daughter’s safety because she use the vehicle to drive to and from school and you never know when the brakes might fail, again I just bought this vehicle a month ago just one month not even a year and it’s having all this problem even though it’s a pre-owned vehicle I shouldn’t have to take it to the shop after one month please help… thank you

Everything was displayed in red on the front screen, it was automatically parked, and the steering wheel did not move. This happened late March/02/2024 last Saturday night, so I called AAA twice and had them toward to my house. March/04/2024 I called AAA on Monday and had my car toward to hyundai service. They gave me a $199.95 bill for finding the problem with my car. And they said they would contact me and let me know about the problem with my car in 3~4 days. I am an Uber driver, but I am currently unable to work because I don't have a car.

Ecm, p0303, yes, not yet, no, cel light before the car was brought to the dealership, 2019 Hyundai Sonata SE, 2.4L Theta II GDI. Perryville Hyundai IL refused applicable TSB in writing 5/4/26 despite active P0303 misfire, fuel-in-oil smell, crankcase pressure. I have Photos prove falsified multi-point inspection: 1.0 inch (.0833') wheel well discrepancy, same mileage in/out. Vehicle has stall risk. Case Manager [XXX] non-responsive 2hr 45min after requesting written tow instructions on safety matter. RSPM escalated 1:00 PM CDT 5/5/26 with 3:00 PM deadline. No contact received as of 3:03 PM. Vehicle unsafe to drive. Theta II Lifetime Warranty Settlement violation. Case #XXX. Requesting federal investigation. Photo upload is not working, I'll need a email to send them in apparently INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I own a 2019 Hyundai Sonata with an original manufacturer set of 205/65 R16 95H Kumho Solus TA31 tires on it. I noticed around a month ago that all 4 of the tires have cracks in between the treads, mostly on the outer and inner treads of the 4 tread areas. These cracks are all around and significant. I am afraid to drive on them. I have brought this defect to the attention of Kumho tires over the phone and to the dealership I bought my car from. There is approximately 34,000 miles currently on my car. These tires are supposed to rated for 60,000 miles. They are trying to tell me that they will not warranty their tires with ozone or weather cracking over 4 years old from the date of the tire manufacture stamped on the tire. I believe this is not weather related. I believe it is a defect in the tire and they are trying to blame weather. Even if the problem is what they call "weather" related that should not preclude a consumer/purchaser of a vehicle with their tires on it from pursuing a claim. Their tires should be able to withstand any "weather" and if not they should inform consumers as such. This is a "safety" issue and should NOT be taken lightly. I would like the NHTSA to investigate this issue further. Thank you.

2019 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEY FOB. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC FOB EASILY AND UNITENTIONALLY DETACHES FROM THE EMERGENCY KEY. *JS