2023 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (28) · Power Train (14) · Engine (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2025-11-17 · campaign 25V796000 · 85,043 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:pump 2023-07-27 · campaign 23V526000 · 52,109 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update key improv
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Power Train 2026-06-05 · 26-AT-005H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to a transmission control unit (tcu) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8wdct). the software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. some 8wdcts (ind
Electrical System 2026-05-27 · 26-GI-002H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 improv
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-17 · Power Train“transmission problems began around 60,000 miles (but we didn’t know what it was) — jerking and hesitation, that worsened over time. we took the vehicle in (november 2025 ),at around 109,000 miles at which time they couldn’t find anything. i took it back in december and they recommended the spark plugs. we took the car back again in march at which t…”
2026-09-23 · Service Brakes“while driving at highway speeds, the emergency brake system will apply and alert me. it’s happened twice now in the last 3 weeks. i’ve experienced a random loss of power while driving on the highway with no check engine light on the dashboard. lastly, at lower speeds the car will randomly jerk while accelerating with no lights on the dashboard as w…”
2026-09-15 · Exterior Lighting“when left turn signal is selected blinker nor camera comes on and at times it does work. constantly in and out never steady. this never happened with the right turn signal only the left…”
2026-08-07 · Power Train“i own a 2023 hyundai sonata sel. over approximately three years, the vehicle experienced four separate incidents involving sudden loss of engine power and recurring fuel injector/powertrain problems. three of these incidents occurred while the vehicle was being driven on interstate highways, creating serious safety concerns. the first incident occ…”
2026-07-29 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 86,500 mi“the contact owns a 2023 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15-40 mph, the vehicle was sputtering and shaking abnormally. the failure was a recurring failure. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 25v796000 (fuel system, gasoline); but the vin was not under recall. the dealer was contacted; h…”
2026-06-15 · Power Train · 50 mi“the contact owns a 2023 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into neutral(n) and failed to shift into park or drive on three occasions. the vehicle was restarted. after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was shifted into drive, and the contact continued driving. the message that th…”
2026-05-14 · Power Train“this is an extremely common issue plaguing hyundai & kia vehicles with the theta iii 2.5l turbo engine, such as kia k5 gt, hyundai sante fe, hyundai santa cruz, & hyundai sonata n-line. its a failing itm (integrated thermal management) unit or otherwise known as an itms unit. there is a rod within the itm that prevents proper control of the flow o…”
2026-05-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“was driving and stopped at a stoplight. when i went to drive it started sputtering and if i wouldn’t have driven into a gas station, it would’ve given out in the middle of the road. it wouldn’t let me switch to drive or reverse , only neutral or park. it threw a code p0301, cylinder 1 misfire. had to get it towed. now i have to get my spark plugs a…”
2026-05-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 18,500 mi“the contact owns a 2023 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "engine overheated" displayed. the contact checked the hyundai app, but it showed no failure. the contact's wife drove to their son's residence, who inspected and discovered that there was no coolant in the engine. the con…”
2026-04-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.