The Lemon Index2018 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is about average by owner complaints: 123 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 107, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 26 to 42 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring516K views
Hyundai Sonata (2015-2019): Low Beam Headlight Bulbs Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 251K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical364K views
How to Start A 2015 - 2018 Hyundai Sonata With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"PYR Automotive · 150K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors360K views
2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata lock actuator, door handle, window replacementRust Belt Auto · 223K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors186K views
How to Replace Intake Manifold Runner Control Motor 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 109K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Spark plugs & ignition coils179K views
How to Replace Spark Plug 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 117K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service134K views
Oil Change 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata. DIY.JONAH VLOGS & DIY · 134K views - Brakes & ABS125K views
How to Replace Front Brakes 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 125K views - Cooling system77K views
2015 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata thermostat location and replacement. 1-2TS Mobile Mechanic · 77K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Sonata Sedan 7th Generation 2015-201A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 407K views
Hyundai sonata 2018 headlights problems fixLoi Journey · 95K views
2017 Hyundai Sonata Dangerous steering issue / problems steering shaft locked up. Recall?vidsharing10101 · 61K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 383 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 58K miles on the car (145 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 6K–63K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 11K–70K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 0K–8K miles
Recalls 1
- latches/locks/linkages 2021
The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 208 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Small oil leak from the electric oil pump (EOP) seals
- Before installing an automatic transmission, check the depth of the torque converter in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The lock for the trunk , open automaticly , it stay lock and wont open....
2018 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 11394872
More owner reports
I want to have all changed after the oil was changed the engine light came on in the car I wanted to stall
NHTSA complaint 11174874
Entertainment screen turns off after a while and will reset or I have to tap it and make sure it goes back on and does this over and over at times. Smoke comes out exhaust when passing a car sometimes
NHTSA complaint 11289754
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 107; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (41%), electrical (20%) and lights (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 safety recall (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata get?
26 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,400 and 58,000 miles. The middle report was at 20,000 miles, from 145 complaints.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works