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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
2019 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
5 complaints — well below segment average
2024 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
12 complaints — well below segment average
2025 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
14 complaints — well below segment average
2018 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
15 complaints — well below segment average
2020 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
21 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
23 complaints — well below segment average
2022 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
30 complaints — well below segment average
2014 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID
40 complaints — well below segment average