2018 Hyundai Sonata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 16%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,250miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, 16% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,250 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“During the drive, check engine lights on then suddenly, HEV warning lights with turn off the engine with critical alert sound. I was drove again after attempting to start several times then again & again... It freaked me out when I drove on the highway, and yet to fixed & afraid to go to the dealer becase of cost & uncertain reasons. This could be big accidents on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11514538, filed 2023-03, 111,325 miles“My 2018 Sonata will not start when temp drops below 20 deg f. It has happened 3 times this winter and when it warms back up to 40 to 50 degree it will start. When I turn the key on all the lights on the dash light up like normal. I can move hear selector and turn wheel. But the starter will not engage nothing is heard not a click or a shirt. Is this common problem?”
NHTSA complaint #11290767, filed 2019-12, 9,500 miles“This car has a mind of it on when I turn on heat the radio station goes static very bad engine light keep coming on go to dealership they keep on reset instead of fixing it yesterday my starter burn out .just out the blue with no warning sign it was going out”
NHTSA complaint #11301284, filed 2020-01, 51,160 miles“On 03/23/2019, when I was leaving a parking lot my car started to hesitate and would not rev up. I just turned out the parking lot when this happened. Message came on stated it need to be serviced. At the same time the engine light came on. I was not able to press the accelerator because it would jump like crazy. I was able to get back to the parking lot safely. I have been in a rental for a month now and as of 04/23/2019 I was told the part is on back order. …”
NHTSA complaint #11203148, filed 2019-04, 11,000 miles“I rent this car from tower rentals I paid 1300$ day before easter no one would come get it fix it I'm in queens I got money tolls and gas took to their repair shop in bronx yesterday after 4 hours they told me nothing wrong sent me home after they did 50 min inspection which it failed. They have caused me tons of money parts jumps travel time loss of work and do not care or reimburse me the car sits x time won't start again without jump I sent numerous emails asking my yearly receipt all I've paid still not given it to me”
NHTSA complaint #11322706, filed 2020-04, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033700May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air…
- 11033699May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin…
- 11033705May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11033701May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11031400Apr 18, 2026Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing…
- 11026704Dec 19, 2025In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at…
- 11027035Dec 15, 2025Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly…
- 11027034Dec 15, 2025In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made…
- 11027033Dec 15, 2025This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
- 11018575May 8, 2025Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 19 | 40% |
| 2023 | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 | 17 | 18% |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% |
| 2020 | 40 | 22% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 | 65 | 8% |
| 2016 | 89 | 12% |
| 2015 | 167 | 14% |
| 2014 | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 | 261 | 14% |
| 2012 | 235 | 15% |
| 2011 | 444 | 13% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 61 | 13% |
| 2008 | 32 | 8% |
| 2007 | 51 | 7% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 12% |
| 2004 | 17 | 8% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 37 | 13% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 7 | 27% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 17% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
212 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology