Hyundai Sonata engine problems, 2016–2027
1,524 of the 2,997 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Sonata 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (560), 2017 (468), 2018 (230). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Sonata engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne 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 year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 2 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 37 | 36% | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 27 | 24% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 59 | 31% | — | 37 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 | 39 | 20% | — | 40 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 99 | 58% | 81k | 133 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 230 | 60% | 24k | 149 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 468 | 53% | 75k | 155 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 560 | 63% | 78k | 161 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the 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 engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 7 · 2017: 20 · 2018: 35 · 2019: 84 · 2020: 67 · 2021: 125 · 2022: 198 · 2023: 304 · 2024: 244 · 2025: 272 · 2026: 168
Across the model years, half of the 438 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 32,000 and 104,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, 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.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, the “Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine” message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went into LIMP Mode.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH or faster in Hybrid Mode, the vehicle stalled. The HEV error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was also illuminated.
Vehicle lost power in freeway. Complete power failure. Early crashed into. Vehicle coasted to off ramp and towed away
Occurrence: This has been a recurring issue for over a year (over a year, might be closer to two years now) for our PHEV Sonata. It has happened approximately 10 times. Problem: Total engine shutdown when driving the car. "Shut down engine" type error message pops up and cannot accelerate.
Same problem with this 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid engine as the already recalled 2017 Sonata’s with the same 4 liter/direct fuel injection engines. At approximately 69,000 miles the problems and check engine light analyzed was done by Auto Zone and Brandon Hyundai (3 times each and finding additional problems each time).
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 21V727000 HighSep 17, 2021 · 95,515 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
- 20V746000 HighDec 1, 2020 · 128,948 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
NHTSA investigations
- DP22003 Loss of Motive Poweropened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
- EA21003 Engine Firesopened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024
- On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, includ…
6 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- May 21, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
- Apr 18, 2026
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
- Mar 26, 2026
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
- Mar 26, 2026
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
- Feb 5, 2026
- Some Sonata (DN8, DN8A) vehicles may have DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Engine Control Module, resulting in an illuminated Check Engine warning lamp. Follow the procedure in this TSB to replace the Integrated Thermal Management (ITM) module and update both the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) if applicable. Follow the
- Dec 18, 2025
- Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure in this bulletin to install a spring onto the thermostat within the ITM, in order to prevent premature opening, and perform an ECU
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- fuel system problems
- electrical problems
- steering problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Hyundai Sonata problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Sonata years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 560; 2017, 468; 2018, 230. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (63%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Hyundai Sonata?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 21V727000 (2017), 20V746000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 68,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 32,000 and 104,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.