The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Sonata

2019 Hyundai Sonata.

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 42 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 26 to 42 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.

44Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.3× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2004 · Worst year 2011

Hyundai Sonata
Photo shows a Hyundai Sonata. Benespit, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints42first 3 years
Fuel economy26–42 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views. The 2019 is the same generation.

  1. Gauges, lights & wiring516K views
    Hyundai Sonata (2015-2019): Low Beam Headlight Bulbs Replacement.Hyundai Sonata (2015-2019): Low Beam Headlight Bulbs Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 251K views · 4 videos
  2. Infotainment, battery & electrical364K views
    How to Start A 2015 - 2018 Hyundai Sonata With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"How to Start A 2015 - 2018 Hyundai Sonata With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"PYR Automotive · 150K views · 4 videos
  3. Windows, doors & mirrors360K views
    2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata lock actuator, door handle, window replacement2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata lock actuator, door handle, window replacementRust Belt Auto · 223K views · 2 videos
  4. Intake, EGR & engine sensors186K views
    How to Replace Intake Manifold Runner Control Motor 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataHow to Replace Intake Manifold Runner Control Motor 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 109K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Spark plugs & ignition coils179K views
    How to Replace Spark Plug 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataHow to Replace Spark Plug 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 117K views · 2 videos
  2. Oil changes & service134K views
    Oil Change 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata. DIY.Oil Change 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata. DIY.JONAH VLOGS & DIY · 134K views
  3. Brakes & ABS125K views
    How to Replace Front Brakes 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataHow to Replace Front Brakes 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 125K views
  4. Cooling system77K views
    2015 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata thermostat location and replacement. 1-22015 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata thermostat location and replacement. 1-2TS Mobile Mechanic · 77K views

Before you buy, watch

Views 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 172 owner complaints, owners reported:

9crashes
7injuries
6fires
12tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

lights36%
engine21%
airbags10%
electrical7%
speed control5%

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.

Transmission problems in every Hyundai Sonata year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 23K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 85K miles on the car (49 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 22K–137K miles
  • lights complaints mostly came at 0K–9K miles

Recalls 0

No safety recalls on record.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Hyundai told dealers about

Hyundai sent dealers 170 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine?
  • Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection…
  • Check Engine warning lamp

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

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
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

4500 miles after an oil change the oil drain plug fell out and oil leaked out resulting in an engine stalling. An oil warning light came on 7 minutes before the vehicle stalled on the highway.

2019 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 11493018

Quick answers

Is the 2019 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 44; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.

What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Sonata problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (36%), engine (21%) and airbags (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata have?

None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata get?

26 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2019 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 2019 Hyundai Sonata problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,300 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 23,000 miles, from 49 complaints.

Does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?

About $1550 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Hyundai Sonata have?

1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.

What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2019?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data