Hyundai Sonata Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid 2011–2016 Hyundai Sonata years, led by 2011 with a complaint index of 100 and 14 recall campaigns. Best years are 2022, 2024, and 2025, each with low complaint indexes (20, 5, and 0) and few reported problems.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Best 2022Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 14,446
- Recall campaigns
- 48
- Crashes reported
- 580
- Fires reported
- 494
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sonata 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 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 15 | 165 | 26 | 2 | 1 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 65 | 1,047 | 43 | 9 | 9 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 55 | 696 | 30 | 6 | 5 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 40 | 425 | 19 | 11 | 3 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 60 | 460 | 21 | 11 | 2 | Brakes | 25 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 45 | 345 | 19 | 3 | 2 | Structure & Body | 25 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 3,376 | 116 | 112 | 14 | Steering | 26 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 90 | 1,556 | 51 | 95 | 8 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 95 | 1,910 | 93 | 97 | 9 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 746 | 29 | 40 | 7 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 1,144 | 34 | 48 | 9 ! | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 725 | 19 | 28 | 6 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 70 | 764 | 28 | 11 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 373 | 18 | 13 | 1 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 25 | 161 | 8 | 6 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 30 | 178 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Fuel System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 35 | 133 | 7 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 30.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 93 | 8 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 31 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 10 | 87 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 5 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 28 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | 5★ |
Sonata years to avoid: what went wrong
2011 Hyundai Sonata Index 100 · 3,376 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2011 Sonata has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 3,376 complaints and 14 recall campaigns. Steering problems make up 35% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 65,000, and engine problems make up 32%, failing at a median of 93,000 miles. Owners reported sudden power steering loss leading to loss of control, engine stalling at highway speed, and fires. NHTSA recalls cover the engine fuel pipe, airbag wiring, and seat belt linkage detachment.
2011 steering problems →2011 engine problems →2011 electrical system problems →
2013 Hyundai Sonata Index 95 · 1,910 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2013 Sonata carries a complaint index of 95 with 1,910 complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Engine complaints dominate at 44% with a median failure mileage of 90,000, followed by electrical system issues at 20%. Owners reported vehicles rolling away after shutting off without shifting to park, brake failure leading to crashes, and engine fires. Recalls address a low-pressure fuel hose that can crack from heat and the high-pressure fuel pipe connection.
2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 steering problems →
2012 Hyundai Sonata Index 90 · 1,556 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2012 Sonata ranks third-worst with a complaint index of 90 and 1,556 complaints across 8 recall campaigns. Engine issues account for 41% of complaints at a median 89,898 miles, and electrical system issues 21% at 90,000 miles. Owners described unintended acceleration, power steering failure causing crashes, and full electrical shutdowns that cut power steering and brakes. The same fuel pipe, airbag wiring, and seat belt recalls from 2011 also apply here.
2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 steering problems →
2015 Hyundai Sonata Index 85 · 1,144 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2015 Sonata shows a complaint index of 85 with 1,144 complaints, 9 recall campaigns, and 2 do-not-drive recalls. Engine complaints jump to 58% of the total at a median 63,000 miles, while electrical issues make up 17% at 57,321 miles. Owners described brake failure with pedals going to the floor, brake lockups causing fires, and airbag deployment issues during minor parking incidents. Recalls cover a Smart Junction Box software fault and a parking brake warning light defect.
2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2014 Hyundai Sonata Index 80 · 746 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2014 Sonata has a complaint index of 80 from 746 complaints and 7 recall campaigns. Engine problems represent 44% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 83,500, and electrical system issues 28% at 68,000 miles. Owners reported engine fires with smoke and flames while driving, vehicles rolling away unexpectedly, and airbag deployment problems in crashes. Fuel hose and fuel pipe recalls carry over from the 2013 model year.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 fuel system problems →
2016 Hyundai Sonata Index 75 · 725 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2016 Sonata has a complaint index of 75 across 725 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Engine problems account for 65% of complaints at a median 79,150 miles, the highest engine share among avoid years. Owners reported rear brakes locking up and overheating without warning, airbag chemical burns, and engine fires that Hyundai could not determine a cause for. The Smart Junction Box software recall and wind deflector anchor plate recall apply to this year.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Hyundai Sonata problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine5,285 (37%)
- Electrical System2,515 (17%)
- Steering2,286 (16%)
- Airbags1,748 (12%)
- Brakes1,434 (10%)
- Other1,353 (9%)
- Fuel System991 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain923 (6%)
- Structure & Body842 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires624 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years should I avoid for the Hyundai Sonata?
- NHTSA data flags 2011 through 2016 as Avoid years, with 2011 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 14 recall campaigns. Engine and steering problems dominate complaints in this range.
- What is the best year for a Hyundai Sonata?
- 2022, 2024, and 2025 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 5, and 0 respectively and few reported problems compared to other years.
- Why is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata rated Avoid?
- The 2011 Sonata has 3,376 complaints, the highest complaint index of 100 among all years, and 14 recall campaigns. Steering failures and engine problems make up the bulk of the complaints.
- Are there recalls on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata?
- Yes, the 2015 Sonata has 9 recall campaigns including 2 do-not-drive recalls, covering a Smart Junction Box software issue and a parking brake warning light defect.
- What is the most common problem area across all Sonata years?
- Engine problems are the top issue overall, accounting for 5,285 complaints or 37% of the 14,446 total complaints across all model years.