Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2011–2025)
Avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years, which carry complaint indexes of 79, 93, 100, and 86 and multiple recalls tied to Engine and Brakes problems. The 2018, 2020, and 2024 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 7, 21, and 14.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2016Best 2018Best 2020Best 2024
- Model years
- 15
- 2011–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 788
- Recall campaigns
- 12
- Crashes reported
- 35
- Fires reported
- 25
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sonata Hybrid Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Avoid | 79 | 96 | 6 | 5 | 6 | Engine | 36 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 154 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Engine | 36 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 108 | 8 | 4 | 4 | Engine | 37 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Good | 36 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 37 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 64 | 53 | 4 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 37 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 86 | 132 | 4 | 3 | 5 | Engine | 40.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 80 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 41 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 41.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 41.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 21 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 49.5 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 71 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 49.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 29 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 49.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 43 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 49.5 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 47 | — |
| 2025 | Caution | 57 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 47 | 5★ |
Sonata Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Index 100 · 108 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2013 Sonata Hybrid has 108 complaints and the highest complaint index of any year, 100, making it the worst-ranked year. Engine problems are 42% of complaints at a median of 90,000 miles, and Brakes are 27% at 49,900 miles. Owners reported sudden brake failure while parking, unintended acceleration into a garage wall, and a seat that caught fire. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including a seat belt linkage recall specific to repaired units and the engine bearing recall.
2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Index 93 · 154 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Sonata Hybrid logs 154 complaints and a complaint index of 93, the 2nd worst year. Engine issues are 51% of complaints at a median of 88,000 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain problems are 19% at 80,000 miles. Owners reported brake grinding and failure, engine fires, and electrical fires while driving. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, including the same connecting rod bearing wear recall and the park-outside brake recall shared with other years.
2012 engine problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 brakes problems →
2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Index 86 · 132 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2016 Sonata Hybrid has 132 complaints and a complaint index of 86, the 3rd worst year. Engine problems dominate at 60% of complaints with a median of 80,000 miles, and Electrical System issues are 30% at 50,000 miles. Owners reported engine smoke and stalling leading to replacement, steering that turned rigid at low speed, and a vehicle that started smoking and caught fire near a dealership. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including Smart Junction Box software, a trunk latch defect, and engine bearing wear.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Index 79 · 96 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 Sonata Hybrid has 96 complaints and a complaint index of 79, ranking 4th worst of the 15 model years covered. Engine problems make up 45% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 102,000, and Brakes account for 23% with a median of 76,919 miles. Owners reported brake pedals going soft or failing and steering issues around 72,940 miles. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, including engine connecting rod bearing wear, a park-outside brake fire recall, and an overtightened 12V accessory socket issue.
2011 engine problems →2011 brakes problems →2011 steering problems →
Most common Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine385 (49%)
- Electrical System214 (27%)
- Brakes123 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain98 (12%)
- Other94 (12%)
- Fuel System63 (8%)
- Steering53 (7%)
- Structure & Body23 (3%)
- Airbags21 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Sonata Hybrid should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid. The 2013 model has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2012 at 93, 2016 at 86, and 2011 at 79.
- Which Sonata Hybrid model years are the best?
- The 2018, 2020, and 2024 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 7, 21, and 14 respectively and very few complaints reported to NHTSA.
- Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
- The 2013 Sonata Hybrid has the worst complaint index (100) of all 15 model years covered, driven by Engine (42% of complaints, median 90,000 miles) and Brakes (27%, median 49,900 miles) issues, plus 4 recalls.
- What is the most common problem area across all Sonata Hybrid years?
- Engine problems account for 385 of 788 total complaints (49%), followed by Electrical System issues at 27% and Brakes at 16%.
- Does the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have engine recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists a recall for premature connecting rod bearing wear covering 2011-2013 and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles, among 12 total recall campaigns across all model years.