YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 37 engine-related complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, 21% of its 178 total complaints. That share is lower than most other Sonata years. There is no related recall tied to these engine complaints.

Engine complaints
37
21% of 178
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
14,698 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle stalling or shuddering to a stop while idling or driving at low speeds shortly after purchase.
  • Some describe the car losing power or refusing to shift into gear while merging onto a highway, sometimes unable to exceed about 45 mph.
  • Several report rough idling followed by sudden stalling in traffic, in one case linked to a fuel rail sensor and lasting weeks at the dealership.
  • A few mention excessive engine oil consumption or oil leaking from the engine after routine oil changes.
  • One owner reported smoke coming from the engine area followed by airbag deployment.
  • Another described a grinding noise traced to a loose engine undershield dragging on the road.

When 2020 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 8, 2020, latest Sep 3, 2026.

2020 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2020Apr 2021Sep 2022Aug 2023Jun 2024Jan 2025Dec 2025May 2026
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2020 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201040 (12%)
  2. 20111,078 (32%)
  3. 2012638 (41%)
  4. 2013831 (44%)
  5. 2014331 (44%)
  6. 2015666 (58%)
  7. 2016472 (65%)
  8. 2017409 (54%)
  9. 2018233 (62%)
  10. 201994 (58%)
  11. 202037 (21%)
  12. 202136 (27%)
  13. 202231 (33%)
  14. 202332 (37%)
  15. 20248 (17%)
  16. 20254 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 37 engine-related complaints for the 2020 Sonata, which is 21% of the 178 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata engine?
No. The JSON data shows no related recalls tied to these engine complaints.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among these engine complaints is 14,698 miles, though individual reports range from very low mileage upward.
Is the 2020 Sonata's engine complaint rate high compared to other years?
No. At 21% of total complaints, the 2020 Sonata's engine share is lower than years like 2016 (65%) and 2018 (62%), making it comparatively less affected.
Did any 2020 Sonata engine complaints involve crashes or fires?
Yes. Among the 37 engine-related complaints, NHTSA records show 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.