Hyundai Sonata years to avoid
The Hyundai Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1988 is the cleanest year on record.
22,271
Total complaints
68
Recall campaigns
1986–2026
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Sonata years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 4,621 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 2,652 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 2,280 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 1,661 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 1,422 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 1,080 | |
| 2017 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,000 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 997 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 906 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 612 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 554 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 549 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 415 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 407 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 378 |
Every Sonata year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 74 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 140 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 142 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 184 | 4 | |
| 2020 | 272 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 212 | 0 | |
| 2018avoid | 549 | 1 | |
| 2017avoid | 1,000 | 3 | |
| 2016avoid | 997 | 6 | |
| 2015avoid | 1,661 | 9 | |
| 2014avoid | 1,080 | 7 | |
| 2013avoid | 2,652 | 9 | |
| 2012avoid | 2,280 | 8 | |
| 2011avoid | 4,621 | 14 | |
| 2010avoid | 415 | 2 | |
| 2009avoid | 612 | 2 | |
| 2008avoid | 554 | 5 | |
| 2007avoid | 906 | 7 | |
| 2006avoid | 1,422 | 11 | |
| 2005 | 217 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 288 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 249 | 6 | |
| 2002avoid | 407 | 7 | |
| 2001 | 293 | 3 | |
| 2000avoid | 378 | 4 | |
| 1999 | 187 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 68 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 74 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 37 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 93 | 2 | |
| 1994 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 46 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 43 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 41 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 25 | 3 | |
| 1989 | 18 | 3 | |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Hyundai Sonata years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest year on record is 1988.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Sonata?
By complaint volume, 1988 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sonata years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata have?
Across all model years, the Sonata has 68 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 22,271 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.