2025 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2025 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: the dash warning "consider taking a break" fires off randomly. this is a distraction as when i'm in traffic, driving well within my lane, no sudden changes, it will alert and i look down as i assume there may be a more serious problem. it takes my attention from the road often. this feature can.

3 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

5 complaints

36%

• The dash warning "Consider Taking A Break" fires off randomly. This is a distraction as when I'm in traffic, driving well within my lane, no sudden changes, it will alert and I look down as I assume there may be a more serious problem. It takes my attention from the road often. This feature can
• The emergency rear collision detection system is able to be turned off, but automatically turns on when the car starts. There are situations where the car detects an object and it prevents me from reversing. I disabled this because I use my eyes and have accepted the risk of running into something
• On [XXX] while entering 2 car garage with no other cars in garage, the subject vehicle which is a HEV, changed from the electric drive mode to gasoline mode at the garage door and driveway apex. Immediately, the vehicle uncommandedly surged forward from approximately 1mph. The vehicle impacted a la

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“The dash warning "Consider Taking A Break" fires off randomly. This is a distraction as when I'm in traffic, driving well within my lane, no sudden changes, it will alert and I look down as I assume there may be a more serious problem. It takes my attention from the road often. This feature can”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

21%

• The 12 v battery drains repeatedly causing the car to be without power . Requires opening the car with a manual key . Happens within as little of 3 days of not being driven . Dealer stated battery was without issues has continued to occur . Loses potential safety risk as entry into car becomes compr
• On April 8, 2026, I returned to my brand-new 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited (purchased as a new ccar on February 10th 2026)_after being away from March 31 to April 6, 2026 (approximately 7 days of normal parking). The vehicle was completely dead — the 12V auxiliary battery had fully discharged.
• The horn stopped working unexpectedly. Pressing the horn button produces no sound. The vehicle has not been in any accident. This is a safety issue as the horn is required for alerting other drivers in emergency situations.

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

“The 12 v battery drains repeatedly causing the car to be without power . Requires opening the car with a manual key . Happens within as little of 3 days of not being driven . Dealer stated battery was without issues has continued to occur . Loses potential safety risk as entry into car becomes compr”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

21%

• The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gea
• The Inattentive Driving Warning goes off excessively, causing distraction even in heavy traffic. Over a 2 hour drive, the Inattentive Driving Warning would alert approximately every 30 minutes regardless of traffic or driving conditions. The sound, which lasted approximately 1 to 2 seconds, and aler
• take.a break warning light is a hazard and distraction and is not accurate at all. i am not a new driver but this id not s safety feature it is such a distraction and is not consistent. i am not going in and out of the lane and even with both hands on the wheel it still goes off about every 90 seco

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

“The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gea”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

1 complaints

• The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gea

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

1 complaints

• Lump on driver seat, under right buttocks. Feels like hard steel poking up on right side of seat , predominantly under right side.

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

“Lump on driver seat, under right buttocks. Feels like hard steel poking up on right side of seat , predominantly under right side.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The dash warning "Consider Taking A Break" fires off randomly. This is a distraction as when I'm in traffic, driving well within my lane, no sudden changes, it will alert and I look down as I assume there may be a more serious problem. It takes my attention from the road often. This feature can
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The 12 v battery drains repeatedly causing the car to be without power . Requires opening the car with a manual key . Happens within as little of 3 days of not being driven . Dealer stated battery was without issues has continued to occur . Loses potential safety risk as entry into car becomes compr
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gea
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: The gear shifter design on this Hyundai model is dangerously counterintuitive compared to industry norms. It nearly caused me to drive off a cliff. I encountered a serious safety issue with the gear selector design. In most vehicles — including Mercedes, GM, and even pickup trucks — pushing the gea
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)