Hyundai Sonata 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2018 and 374 complaints filed by owners. It has 45% more complaints than the average Hyundai Sonata from 2016–2025 (258 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Hyundai Sonata 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2018
Latches and locks
NHTSA campaign 21V619000 · 2021-08-06
What happens
Hyundai 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."
Consequence
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers 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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
374 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
18 with a crash · 13 with a fire · 20 injuries · 1 deaths
Most reported problems on the Hyundai Sonata 2018
- Engine: 212 (57% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 59 (16% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 40 (11% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 31 (8% of complaints)
- Exterior lighting: 22 (6% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Sonata 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Hyundai Sonata recalls by year
- 2016 : 6 recalls · 725 complaints
- 2017 : 3 recalls · 764 complaints
- 2018 : 1 recalls · 374 complaints
- 2019 : 0 recalls · 162 complaints
- 2020 : 4 recalls · 179 complaints
- 2021 : 4 recalls · 134 complaints
- 2022 : 3 recalls · 94 complaints
- 2023 : 2 recalls · 87 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recalls · 46 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 17 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Sonata 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (212 of 374 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).