The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Sonata · 2018

2018 Hyundai Sonata. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index107100 = average car
Complaints123NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold105,118U.S. model year
Per 100K sold117complaints
Year rank#9 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD28 / 37 / 31Regular$2,000
2.0L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AM6)FWD39 / 44 / 41Regular$1,500
2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybridAuto (AM6)FWD37 / 42 / 39Regular$1,600
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S8)FWD23 / 32 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 35 / 28Regular$2,200

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,400 and 58,000 miles. Median 20,000, from 145 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine19,8006,200–63,00060
Electrical20,50011,000–70,00027
Transmission & drivetrain40,5005,400–82,50012
Fuel or ev drive system128,0004,800–165,0005
Lights300100–8,00016

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine41%
Electrical20%
Lights17%
Speed control11%
Brakes7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
383181310129

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 21V619000 Aug 2021 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch

    Defect. 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."

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedElectrical overstress20192024

Manufacturer communications 208

Hyundai filed 208 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Small oil leak from the electric oil pump (EOP) seals
  • Before installing an automatic transmission, check the depth of the torque converter in the…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring4516K
Infotainment, battery & electrical4364K
Windows, doors & mirrors2360K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors2186K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2179K
Oil changes & service1134K
Brakes & ABS1125K
Cooling system177K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015138292213,303Engine
201687178199,408Engine
2017123200131,803Engine
2018107123105,118Engine
2019444287,466Lights
20201118076,997Engine
202112810383,434Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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