The Lemon IndexHyundai Sonata.
The best Hyundai Sonata years are 2004, 2005, 2010. Years to avoid: 2011, 2006, 2007. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 129, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2004.
Compare the Hyundai Sonata.
vs Toyota Camry · vs Honda Civic · vs Toyota Corolla · vs Honda Accord · vs Nissan Altima · vs Ford Fusion · vs Hyundai Elantra · vs Chevrolet Malibu
Quick answers.
Is the Hyundai Sonata a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 129; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2004 and the worst is 2011.
What are the best Hyundai Sonata years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2004, 2005, 2010.
What Hyundai Sonata years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2011, 2006, 2007.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata have?
122 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2011 (14), 2006 (11), 2013 (9). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Hyundai Sonata problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, steering and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 136 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 69 | airbags (35%) | 4 | — | 20–22 |
| 2001 | 98 | about average | 65 | airbags (28%) | 3 | — | 20–22 |
| 2002 | 124 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 86 | airbags (30%) | 7 | — | 20–23 |
| 2003 | 98 | about average | 66 | airbags (17%) | 6 | — | 20–23 |
| 2004 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 28 | airbags (21%) | 1 | — | 20–23 |
| 2005 | 32 | 3.1× fewer complaints than average | 29 | airbags (38%) | 1 | — | 20–23 |
| 2006 | 190 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 198 | airbags (46%) | 11 | — | 21–25 |
| 2007 | 167 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 215 | airbags (29%) | 7 | — | 21–25 |
| 2008 | 116 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 136 | visibility (35%) | 5 | — | 22–25 |
| 2009 | 111 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 107 | service brakes, hydraulic (30%) | 2 | — | 22–25 |
| 2010 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 80 | body structure (28%) | 2 | — | 22–25 |
| 2011 | 301 | 3× the average car's complaints | 792 | steering (43%) | 14 | ★★★★★ | 26–36 |
| 2012 | 130 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 335 | engine (26%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 26–36 |
| 2013 | 127 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 336 | steering (37%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 26–37 |
| 2014 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 152 | engine (34%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 24–37 |
| 2015 | 138 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 292 | engine (45%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 24–37 |
| 2016 | 87 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 178 | engine (37%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 24–41 |
| 2017 | 123 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 200 | engine (29%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 24–42 |
| 2018 | 107 | about average | 123 | engine (41%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–42 |
| 2019 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 42 | lights (36%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 26–42 |
| 2020 | 111 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 80 | engine (24%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 31–52 |
| 2021 | 128 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 103 | engine (31%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 27–52 |
| 2022 | 117 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 87 | transmission & drivetrain (26%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 27–52 |
| 2023 | 188 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 103 | fuel or EV drive system (39%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 27–52 |
| 2024 | 104 | about average | 55 | electrical (35%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 27–47 |
| 2025 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 28 | brakes (21%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 27–47 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data