2020 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2020 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID has 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: check engine light came on and i contacted the dealer. took 6 weeks to get an appointment and they advised that a module needed to be replaced giving me the impression it was a computer chip. the car has been sitting at the dealer since february 22, 2022, and they have been very cooperative includ.

2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

8 complaints

38%

• Check engine light came on and I contacted the dealer. Took 6 weeks to get an appointment and they advised that a module needed to be replaced giving me the impression it was a computer chip. The car has been sitting at the dealer since February 22, 2022, and they have been very cooperative includ
• I have had the same issue 3 separate times related to the coolant system. The first time happened January 2021. I was driving on the highway and I noticed that when the car switched from electric to fuel a large plume of white smoke came out of the exhaust and then the engine overheating message sta
• I noticed a strange smell almost like burning maple syrup in the garage for months. I thought it was just a different smell from Hybrid cars as I didn't have this used car very long. While driving at times the acceleration would stutter, again I thought this was just expected having never driven a h

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Check engine light came on and I contacted the dealer. Took 6 weeks to get an appointment and they advised that a module needed to be replaced giving me the impression it was a computer chip. The car has been sitting at the dealer since February 22, 2022, and they have been very cooperative includ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

29%

• The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and pressing the power button, the vehicle continued running. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the power button. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa
• My car's battery dies 2 or 3 times every week. I have to enter into the the car with the manual key that is inside the key fob then hit the 12v rest button to start my car. I have been to two Hyundai dealerships and they both tell me nothing is wrong. I just picked it up a week a go and it has died
• Car shutdown (stops) in the highway driving 3 times last couple of weeks. - It first shows Battery Warning Light first and car shutdown on highway driving, and slowly park the side. It restarts with jump (it is hybrid system and allows jump inside the car). - When visited Hyundai Kirkland WA deale

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and pressing the power button, the vehicle continued running. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the power button. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

19%

• My car is a Hyundai sonata hybrid (non plug in) 2020. the issue I have is that when the car transitions from electric motor to the gas engine there can be a small delay resulting in the car not picking up and causing me to almost get hit in different scenarios. (I have not had this checked with a m
• I have a 2020 Hyundai Sonata limited, recently at 68,089 miles on the odometer my wife was driving and got an engine overheat light and noticed thick white smoke puffing out the exhaust pipe. I told her to pull over when she called me and have it towed to the dealer. Soon after I went to the dealer
• My car's battery dies 2 or 3 times every week. I have to enter into the the car with the manual key that is inside the key fob then hit the 12v rest button to start my car. I have been to two Hyundai dealerships and they both tell me nothing is wrong. I just picked it up a week a go and it has died

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My car is a Hyundai sonata hybrid (non plug in) 2020. the issue I have is that when the car transitions from electric motor to the gas engine there can be a small delay resulting in the car not picking up and causing me to almost get hit in different scenarios. (I have not had this checked with a m”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints

• DRIVING ON DRY ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES GOING 65 MPH. SUDDENLY, RIGHT REAR TIRE "POOFED" BUT I KEPT CONTROL, STARTED TO LOOK RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, DID NOT PUT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY, LEFT REAR "POOFED" AND THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD-METAL ON METAL- SOUND OCCURRED BACK LEFT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“DRIVING ON DRY ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES GOING 65 MPH. SUDDENLY, RIGHT REAR TIRE "POOFED" BUT I KEPT CONTROL, STARTED TO LOOK RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, DID NOT PUT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY, LEFT REAR "POOFED" AND THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD-METAL ON METAL- SOUND OCCURRED BACK LEFT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

1 complaints

• DRIVING ON DRY ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES GOING 65 MPH. SUDDENLY, RIGHT REAR TIRE "POOFED" BUT I KEPT CONTROL, STARTED TO LOOK RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, DID NOT PUT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY, LEFT REAR "POOFED" AND THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD-METAL ON METAL- SOUND OCCURRED BACK LEFT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 21 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Check engine light came on and I contacted the dealer. Took 6 weeks to get an appointment and they advised that a module needed to be replaced giving me the impression it was a computer chip. The car has been sitting at the dealer since February 22, 2022, and they have been very cooperative includ
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and pressing the power button, the vehicle continued running. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the power button. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: My car is a Hyundai sonata hybrid (non plug in) 2020. the issue I have is that when the car transitions from electric motor to the gas engine there can be a small delay resulting in the car not picking up and causing me to almost get hit in different scenarios. (I have not had this checked with a m
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: DRIVING ON DRY ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES GOING 65 MPH. SUDDENLY, RIGHT REAR TIRE "POOFED" BUT I KEPT CONTROL, STARTED TO LOOK RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, DID NOT PUT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY, LEFT REAR "POOFED" AND THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD-METAL ON METAL- SOUND OCCURRED BACK LEFT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)