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Home›Hyundai›Hyundai Sonata› electrical problems
Owner complaints · Electrical System · every model year

Hyundai Sonata electrical problems, 2016–2027

462 of the 2,997 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Sonata 2016–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (138), 2017 (94), 2018 (62). Filed under the same heading across these years: 8 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

462 complaints, 12 model years 15% of everything filed about the Sonata typically at 44k miles

Hyundai Sonata electrical problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model yearComplaints naming the electrical systemShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
20270———the year →
20260——12 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2025415%—34 TSBsthe year →
20241935%—35 TSBsthe year →
20231313%—33 TSBsthe year →
20222724%—40 TSBs · 1 investigationthe year →
20214323%—34 TSBs · 1 investigationthe year →
20204624%—47 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigationthe year →
2019169%—102 TSBs · 1 investigationthe year →
2018 in depth6216%20k112 TSBs · 1 investigationthe record →
2017 in depth9411%25k150 TSBs · 1 investigationthe record →
2016 in depth13816%66k149 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigationthe record →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.

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When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
462complaints name the electrical system, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 12 · 2018: 21 · 2019: 37 · 2020: 25 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 50 · 2023: 74 · 2024: 83 · 2025: 66 · 2026: 64

44kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 124 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 18,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents. The vehicle slows down and gives no warning prior to this occurring.
Electrical System Jan 6, 2023 NHTSA owner report
My 2016 plug in hybrid Sonata repeatedly inidcates that there is "high system temperature switching to hybrid mode." This first happened on my first long trip in the car in 10/21 and has happened repeatedly since. This happens at all temperatures, including moderate temperatures (mid 70s).
Electrical System Aug 11, 2022 NHTSA owner report
On 12/20/25, the car - a Sonata plug-in hybrid - failed to start. When I pushed the "start" button, the dashboard display lit up w many clearly irrelevant error messages. Each time I pressed start, somewhat fewer error messages blasted toward me, and finally, no response at all.
Electrical System May 11, 2026 NHTSA owner report
Odometer Fraud. The contact stated that while attempting to purchase a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, it was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was not yet purchased. The vehicle mileage was 87,000, but the contact later discovered that the mileage was 105,000
Electrical System at 105,000 miles Jun 16, 2025 NHTSA owner report
I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me.
Electrical System Jan 11, 2024 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the electrical system, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

NHTSA investigation

8 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year

Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Sonata

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Hyundai Sonata problems by year →

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Hyundai Sonata years have the most electrical complaints?

2016, 138; 2017, 94; 2018, 62. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (35%).

Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Hyundai Sonata?

Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V047000 (2026), 20V213000 (2020), 15V678000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do electrical problems show up on the Hyundai Sonata?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 44,176 miles across the model years; half of them between 18,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?

Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.