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2018 Hyundai Sonata

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Large Cars
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
86 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA380
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA42 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large car with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sonata Hybrid SE, is EPA-rated at 42 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 380 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Sonata Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 50 kW IPMSM374239 (59 MPGe blended)28 mi electric342.7 h$1,600
Sonata Hybrid SEHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion404642———$1,500
Sonata HybridHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion394441———$1,500
SonataGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283731———$2,000
Sonata SEGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253629———$2,150
SonataGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253528———$2,250
SonataGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233226———$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40066, 39899, 39898, 39063, 38664, 38663, 38719.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

208
348,158 vehicles
ProblemHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
NHTSA campaign 21V619000reported Aug 6, 2021Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Hybrid Propulsion System

175
2,840 vehiclesPlug-in hybrid only
ProblemHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.RiskIf the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixHyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
NHTSA campaign 18V166000reported Mar 12, 2018Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

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 indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
380complaints filed

18 involved a crash · 13 a fire · 21 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 18 · 2019: 64 · 2020: 18 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 41 · 2023: 55 · 2024: 45 · 2025: 82 · 2026: 34

Most-cited components

Engine214
Electrical System62
Unspecified58
Power Train41
Fuel/Propulsion System31
Exterior Lighting24

What owners describe

“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 …”Jan 11, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The issue that I am having with my 2018 Hyundai Sonata is excessive oil consumption. And yes the vehicle is available for inspection. My family and I are put at risk because of the high oil consumption the engine may seize at any time. I have been told that not only is the engine is at risk but also the exhaust system …”Jul 29, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I was driving and tried to make a turn when the steering wheel gave out on me unexpectedly. This lead my car to continue forward onto the other lane of oncoming traffic. The steering wheel signal also turned on. When my car was finally able to turn and I arrived at my destination, I parked my car for 2 hrs. After it wa…”Jul 15, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sonata model years

A

2027 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Hyundai Sonata

1 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2025 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2024 Hyundai Sonata

1 recalls · 54 complaints

C

2023 Hyundai Sonata

2 recalls · 100 complaints

D

2022 Hyundai Sonata

3 recalls · 110 complaints

F

2021 Hyundai Sonata

4 recalls · 183 complaints

C

2020 Hyundai Sonata

4 recalls · 194 complaints

A

2019 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 169 complaints

D

2017 Hyundai Sonata

5 recalls · 874 complaints

F

2016 Hyundai Sonata

9 recalls · 880 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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