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Hyundai Sonata HybridModel year report

2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
9,500miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
42 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 40 city / 46 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The part named most often is engine, with 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and exterior lighting (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 87 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine: “2018 Sonata Hybrid May 19 - Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle brought to dealership. May 22 - I pay for a rental vehicle May 26 - Dealer states vehicle is ready and they performed service campaign 966. May 27 - My rental car is returned. Dealer picks me up and I go to dealership. I get into my car and Check Hybrid System Turn Engine Off appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle never driven off dealership lot. Dealership pays for my rental this time. …”

NHTSA complaint #11468982, filed 2022-06

Electrical system: “I was driving on the freeway and my car lost all power. My indicator dash board flashed lights and a loud beeping sound. The warning lights flashed to check my hybrid system and turn engine off, HEV. My car immediately lost power and turned off. I was on the freeway, I almost got into an accident, cars were honking at me. My vehicle was towed by my insurance company. I receieved a phone call from the service advisor today, he informed me that I need an electical water pump and the cost quoted to me is $1908.00. When I complained to the advisor he told me that water pumps only last 3-5 years. …”

NHTSA complaint #11564994, filed 2024-01

Exterior lighting: “I just bought this car and the low-beam headlights are set way too low and there is a definite line between the lit and unlit upper area. . It is not possible to see more than 1/2 of a city block ahead. It is a great concern to me because I could easily hit or run over something that appears to late to react to. I also live in an area with a very high number of deer accidents. I absolutely need to be able to see better at night. The high-beams are very good.”

NHTSA complaint #11268725, filed 2019-10, 9,500 miles

Forward collision avoidance: “Driving on Interstate 10 westbound at about 0700. Clear day. No adjacent vehicles. The frontal crash avoidance alert suddenly went off and automated emergency braking activated as I approached an underpass. There were some slightly harsh shadows, but not the worst I have seen and I drive this segment every day. Entire event was very short. No injury or other event occurred.”

NHTSA complaint #11468532, filed 2022-06

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70 and 19,000 miles.

60%0–1020%10–250%25–500%50–7520%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 9,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20182019202242024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sonata Hybrid · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 10.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sonata Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid6-speed automatic394441$1,650
Sonata Hybrid SE FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid6-speed automatic404642$1,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 87 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 87 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202511—0547—Too new
2024915,3950—47—Too new
20231534,0000—52—Too new
20221916,9120552—Rising
20215528,274055231 · FewerRising
2020167,1501—52—Rising
201953,5000542—Not enough data
201899,5001542—Not enough data
20178166,000354246 · TypicalRising
201613364,000554181 · MoreFalling
20155450,500453753 · TypicalRising
20142888,00035372 · FewerRising
201310863,500453770 · MoreFalling
201215576,630653690 · MoreFalling
20119686,750653647 · TypicalFalling

All Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (Sonata Hybrid SE, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 42 mpg combined, 40 city and 46 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,500 miles and the middle half falls between 70 and 19,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.