Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 335 of the 734 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011–2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (45.6%) name the engine, 2.4× the median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2016, 2012 and 2017.
Engine complaints
335
Filed with NHTSA, 2011–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
45.6%
of 734 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 40 | 42.1% | 3 | 20V746000 | 35 |
| 2012WORST | 70 | 45.8% | 5 | 20V746000 | 35 |
| 2013 | 40 | 38.1% | 6 | 20V746000 | 35 |
| 2014 | 13 | 46.4% | 1 | — | 34 |
| 2015 | 19 | 38% | 2 | — | 35 |
| 2016WORST | 74 | 56.9% | 2 | 20V746000 | 38 |
| 2017WORST | 48 | 60.8% | 3 | 21V727000 | 35 |
| 2018 | 5 | 55.6% | 0 | — | 31 |
| 2019 | 1 | 33.3% | 0 | — | 28 |
| 2021 | 23 | 44.2% | 0 | — | 11 |
| 2022 | 2 | 10.5% | 0 | — | 9 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2020 and 2023–2024: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 335 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years to avoid for the engine
2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
74 engine complaints (56.9% of the year's 130). Most often described: misfire or check-engine light. Covered by engine recall 20V746000.
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
70 engine complaints (45.8% of the year's 153). Most often described: engine failure, seizure or replacement. Covered by engine recall 20V746000.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
48 engine complaints (60.8% of the year's 79). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 21V727000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 21V727000 · 2021-09-17 · 2017 models
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
- 20V746000 · 2020-12-01 · 2011–2013 and 2016 models
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 74 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 56.9% of all 130 complaints for that year. The most common description is "misfire or check-engine light" (27 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 20V746000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 70 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 45.8% of all 153 complaints for that year. The most common description is "engine failure, seizure or replacement" (28 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 20V746000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 48 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 60.8% of all 79 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (14 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 21V727000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years have the most engine complaints?
2016 (74), 2012 (70) and 2017 (48), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems?
In the 335 engine complaints, owners most often describe engine failure, seizure or replacement (28.1%), stalling or shutting off while driving (24.8%) and misfire or check-engine light (23.3%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration