Is the 2019 Hyundai SONATA reliable?

The 2019 Hyundai SONATA has 205 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Hyundai SONATA?

Top problems: ENGINE (90 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (24 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Hyundai SONATA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2019 Hyundai SONATA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Hyundai SONATA?

The 2019 Hyundai SONATA gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2019 Hyundai SONATA often stolen?

The Hyundai SONATA was the #3 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 17,687 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: very-high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Hyundai SONATA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Hyundai SONATA is approximately $1,934/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Hyundai SONATA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Hyundai SONATA has 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 540. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: i have lease this car since 1/16/2019 until 4/14/19 . start first with lower the speed and power just a little bit. then 4/14/19 the car lower the speed by itself,start shaking up,limp,shows the engine light and the speed control ligh in conjunction with slippery control ligh then stay at "temporary. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 9 crash reports 6 injuries

205

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

90 complaints

44%

• I HAVE LEASE THIS CAR SINCE 1/16/2019 UNTIL 4/14/19 . START FIRST WITH LOWER THE SPEED AND POWER JUST A LITTLE BIT. THEN 4/14/19 THE CAR LOWER THE SPEED BY ITSELF,START SHAKING UP,LIMP,SHOWS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SPEED CONTROL LIGH IN CONJUNCTION WITH SLIPPERY CONTROL LIGH THEN STAY AT "TEMPORARY
• 2019 SONATA 2.0T WITH JUST OVER 11K MILES ON IT BEGAN TO SUDDENLY STUDDER AND WANT TO STALL AT LOW RPM OR AT THE STOP. OBDII ERROR CODE P0302. DEALERSHIP SAID CYLINDER 2 HAD LITTLE TO NO COMPRESSION AND NEEDED REPAIR. COULD BARELY LIMP VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND SMELL THE UNBURNED FUEL BEING PORT
• I PURCHASED A 2019 SONATA DEMO VEHICLE WITH 5,020 MILES IN JUNE 2019. I REMOVED THE TEMPORARY TAG AND REPLACED WITH PERMANENT TAG ON JULY 16. ON JULY 20, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATING ALERT CAME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ON HOT. I PULLED OVER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“I HAVE LEASE THIS CAR SINCE 1/16/2019 UNTIL 4/14/19 . START FIRST WITH LOWER THE SPEED AND POWER JUST A LITTLE BIT. THEN 4/14/19 THE CAR LOWER THE SPEED BY ITSELF,START SHAKING UP,LIMP,SHOWS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SPEED CONTROL LIGH IN CONJUNCTION WITH SLIPPERY CONTROL LIGH THEN STAY AT "TEMPORARY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Hyundai SONATA

Based on 53 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 23K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Very high theft risk

#3 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai SONATA was the #3 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 17,687 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Hyundai SONATA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Hyundai SONATA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,934

Full coverage / month

$161

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

+16%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.28x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1934

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai SONATA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2019 SONATA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 205 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I HAVE LEASE THIS CAR SINCE 1/16/2019 UNTIL 4/14/19 . START FIRST WITH LOWER THE SPEED AND POWER JUST A LITTLE BIT. THEN 4/14/19 THE CAR LOWER THE SPEED BY ITSELF,START SHAKING UP,LIMP,SHOWS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SPEED CONTROL LIGH IN CONJUNCTION WITH SLIPPERY CONTROL LIGH THEN STAY AT "TEMPORARY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I MOVED THE CAR IT TOOK OF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED , FLEW PASSED 5 OTHER PARKING SPACES AND CAUSED ME TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE AN AREA UP TO ABOUT 1 TELEPHONE POLE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET). WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, I CANNOT SEE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. IT IS ONLY WHEN THE AUTO HIGH BEAMS TURN ON THAT THE ROAD AHEAD IS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: NEWLY LEASED VEHICLE. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AND LESS THAN 300 MILES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS IN THE MORNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER MORE THAN 5 ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY STARTED. IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)