BestCarRank

Hyundai SONATA HYBRID — Years to Avoid

Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.

Avoid These Years

2012 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

216 complaints (270% of segment average)

Avoid This Year

Main issue: WHILE SLOWLY MOVING DOWNHILL, ON THE FREEWAY, DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATED QUICKLY. THE SWITCH FROM HYBRID TO GAS ENGINE INTERFACE ONLY CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV (INCREASE RPM) WITHOUT ANY GEAR BEING ENGAGED. I QUICKLY LET OFF THE PEDDLE AND DEPRESSED IT AGAIN

2016 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

183 complaints (229% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: ABRUPT AND TOTAL LOSS OF ACCELERATION AT FULL THROTTLE AT OR NEAR HIGH RPM SHIFT POINTS. THIS BEHAVIOR CAN BE RELIABLY REPRODUCED BY "FLOORING IT" (ALL THE WAY, INCLUDING KICKDOWN) AND NOT LETTING GO - AS IF ONE IS EXECUTING A PASSING MANEUVER. THE POWER LOSS WILL OCCUR AT THE NEXT SHIFT PO

2013 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

169 complaints (211% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: ENGINE SHUT OFF AND BATTERY ONLY LETS YOU GO 1/4 MILE PULLED INTO PARKING LOT TURNED CAR OFF WAITED 5 MINUTES AND CAR STARTED BACK UP. TOOK CAR TO DEALER BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN APRIL THEY HAD CAR FOR 7 DAYS BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. TOLD ME TO

2011 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

144 complaints (180% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED CHIMING LOUDLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP, A SECOND LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH AND A WARNING MESSAGE THAT SAID TO CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM APPEARED ON THE CONSOLE. THE CAR BECAME NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE: LIMITED ACCELERATION, JERKED REPEATEDLY TRYING TO STOP IN A SAFE L

2017 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID

123 complaints (154% of segment average)

Below Average

Main issue: WHILE DRIVING ON A 4 LANE STREET THE CAR SUDDENLY GAVE A MESSAGE 'CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM SHUT OFF ENGINE'. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. IT TOOK 4 TRIED TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED. LATER THAT NIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT START

Safe to Buy