Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid problems
The Hyundai Sonata (Korean: 현대 쏘나타) is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn from the market in two years due to poor customer reaction. While the nameplate was originally only sold in South Korea, the second generation of 1988 was widely exported.
The Sonata is currently manufactured in South Korea where their headquarters are located, China and Pakistan. It was named after the musical term, sonata.
First generation (Y1; 1985)
The first Sonata was introduced to compete with the Daewoo Royale series and was a more luxurious version of the Stellar. It included cruise control, power seats, head lamp washers, power brakes, electric operated adjustable side mirrors and chrome bumper trims. The Sonata was available with two trim options in Korea: Luxury and Super (the latter only available with a 2.0-liter engine). In the domestic market Hyundai attempted to sell the Sonata as an executive car using catchphrases like "Luxury car for VIP"; however, as the Sonata was based on the Stellar without any major changes, it was seen by the public as no more than a luxury version of the Stellar. In 1987 Hyundai added two tone color schemes and a trip computer option, but sales soon went down and the car was discontinued in December of that year. The Sonata was sold only in the South Korean domestic market. The vehicle was unveiled in South Korea on 4 November 1985.
Engine choices included 1.6-liter Mitsubishi Saturn (only available outside the domestic market), 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Sirius inline-fours. The latter unit also found its way into the 1987 and later Stellar, and in MPI form the 1986 Hyundai Grandeur. The body was a largely unchanged Hyundai Stellar.
It was sold in New Zealand (right hand drive) with the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine with the five-speed manual gearbox; an automatic transmission was an optional extra. The original importer was a unit of the Auckland-based Giltrap Motor Group.
The final version of the Stellar was known as the Stellar 88 and was launched to celebrate the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Afterwards, Hyundai discontinued the Stellar and replaced it with the all-new Sonata.
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Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid model years
Common Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid problems
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has been subject to several common problems, primarily concerning the hybrid system and battery.
- Hybrid System Failure: The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has had 2 reported problems related to hybrid system failure, with an average failure mileage of 42,100 miles. This issue may be covered under warranty, and owners are advised to contact their Hyundai dealer for assistance.
- Battery Failure: There have been reports of battery failure in the 2016-2019 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, which can occur around 40,000 to 50,000 miles. When the battery dies, replacement batteries are not readily available, leaving the vehicles virtually inoperable. This issue is the subject of a pending class-action lawsuit in the US District Court of Maryland.
- Hybrid Malfunction Alert: Three complaints have been made regarding hybrid malfunction alerts in the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. This issue ranks high in overall reliability concerns for the model.
- Gas Cap Does Not Seal Properly: Two complaints have been made about the gas cap not sealing properly in the 2017 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
- Check Engine Light On: Two complaints have been made about the check engine light illuminating in the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
- Transmission Shifting Rough: Two complaints have been made about rough transmission shifting in the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
- Hybrid Charging Light Blinks Red While Driving: One complaint has been made about the hybrid charging light blinking red while driving in the 2017 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
These common problems with the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid can significantly impact the vehicle's performance and safety, and owners are encouraged to address these issues promptly through warranty coverage or legal action when necessary.
Are Hyundai Sonata hybrids reliable?
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100.
What is the most common problem with Hyundai Sonata?
The problems that commonly plague the Hyundai Sonata include safety issues, seizing engines, and shifting problems.
How long do the batteries last in a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Under normal conditions, your car will require a hybrid battery replacement every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. This is just an average, so some drivers may get more use out of their batteries and some might get less in East Boston.
How much does it cost to replace the battery in a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Labor costs are estimated between $264 and $333 while parts are typically priced around $9,599.
Recalls Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid 2016
- Report Received Date: 2021-09-24
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
- Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
- Model: Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid 2017
- Report Received Date: 2021-09-24
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
- Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
- Model: Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid 2016
- Report Received Date: 2018-03-12
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
- Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
- Model: Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid 2017
- Report Received Date: 2018-03-12
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
- Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
Latest negative Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid car reviews
Latest positive Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2016
While researching the Chevy Volt and Ford Fusion Energi, I stumbled across the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid and I'm so glad I did! Hyundai has done an excellent job with this car. The interior is spacious, refined, and well laid out with high-quality materials and intuitive controls and electronics interfaces. The Limited version feels luxurious with a myriad of features that rival our S Class Mercedes. Although it's only rated at 27 miles of battery range, I've consistently been getting 30-35 miles over the last two weeks before reverting to hybrid operation, where it gets an average of just over 40 MPG. On a 1000 mile trip combining interstate and secondary highways, it averaged about 41 MPG, which is impressive considering we were going 75-80 on the freeway sections. On one 70 mile section of Highway 1 in northern California, it actually achieved 48 MPG. The comfort level is high with excellent ventilated seats, an extremely smooth and controlled ride, and a noise level that's about as quiet as any car I've been in. The navigation/information/media system is outstanding with loads of information and easy to use. The price at $39,000.00 may seem high, but rebates and dealer discounts brought the price down over $5,000.00. In addition, the California rebate of $1,500.00 and Federal tax credit of $4,900.00 (?) drops the net price down below $28,000.00, which is a screaming deal for a car with this content and capability. It has more electric range than the Ford Fusion and a vastly bigger interior than the Volt. The adaptive cruise works very well, as do the electronic driving assists. I haven't discovered any glaring flaws or shortcomings yet, other than the trunk being a smallish 10 cubic feet due to the battery pack. With this car, Hyundai has not only established itself as an equal competitor, but it leads the pack. UPDATE 8/18/17 Car broke down on 7/26/17 with hybrid warning lights on the dash.Had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it has been sitting since it stopped. They were not able to analyze the problem, and after finally replacing a part which didn't fix the problem, now say the hybrid battery needs replacement. The problem is that the battery is not available and they don't know when it will be! I had an initial contact with Hyundai customer care, and they promised they would look into it and get back to me. Unfortunately, it has been 12 days and I have not heard anything back, despite leaving 5 messages which weren't returned. It would be great if Hyundai could improve their customer service. I am definitely done with Hyundai, but I must say that they did the right thing in the end by purchasing the car back from me, paying back all of my costs less a fair pro-rated amount for miles driven. Shame. I really liked the car.
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Vehicle year: 2016
I recently test drove a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at the dealership. Although they had a PHEV in stock, I was hesitant to try it out due to the higher price tag. However, I decided to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did! The car is absolutely amazing. It runs smoothly on all types of roads and is incredibly quiet, especially in electric mode. The interior is well-appointed and I'm constantly discovering new features that I didn't even know existed. For example, when adjusting the mirrors, I accidentally left it in Reverse mode and the side mirrors angled down to give me a better view of my surroundings. Even parallel parking is a breeze with this car. I've been using it primarily for my daily commute to work, but I also took it on a 160-mile trip to the mountains over the weekend. I'm currently at 770 miles since my last fill-up and still have about 40% of the tank left. It's truly amazing! The car has also made me a better driver because I'm constantly trying to maximize my mileage. It even has a screen that tells me how aggressive I'm being, which my wife appreciates. Don't let the cost of the car hold you back. Even with gas prices at $2.20 per gallon, it's still a money-saver. It only costs me about $0.70 to recharge the battery every day, compared to my previous car which cost me about $1.70 per day in gas. Plus, using less fuel is environmentally and geopolitically responsible. Lastly, the car has a spacious cabin that comfortably fits all three of my kids.I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share my experience with the car sales guy. After I adjusted the car to my liking, I had him sit behind me and checked out his seating arrangement. He's 5'11
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Vehicle year: 2017
I commute 34 miles each way to work. This car's battery has been able to get me almost all the way to work with minimal use of gas (like 2 to 14 miles of gas depending on my charge percentage). When I charge at work, I have actually been able to get all the way home just on battery. I am 6'7The Ford C-Max received poor ratings by consumer reports, so it's not a good option. The Audi E-Tron is a fun car to drive, but it's smaller and has lower specs on both gas mileage and electric-only range. The Kia Optima looked comparable (or perhaps a bit better), but unfortunately, it's not available in Utah at this time. Availability in your state depends on whether or not a given dealer has two trained technicians that can work on PHEVs. I admit that I am still very new to driving electric cars, but I love how quiet the car is and the thought of saving money and avoiding gas stations whenever possible. So, for me, this vehicle is an outstanding value. I'm not a tree hugger by any means, but this car makes me happy from the standpoint of keeping money in my pocketbook. Therefore, I believe it's a great buy! As a mechanical engineer, I'm not easily impressed, but this one is impressive.
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Vehicle year: 2017
I've been driving my Hyundai for a year and a half now. When I was shopping for a car, I compared it to the Chevy Volt and the Ford Fusion Hybrid Plug In. I ultimately chose the Hyundai because it had more electric range than the Ford, which was just enough to finish my daily commute on all electric, and it was more spacious and comfortable than the Volt. Overall, I think Hyundai did an excellent job. At work, one of my friends is always complaining about how much gas he puts into his SUV. I respond by complaining about how I just had to complete my 'seasonal' fill up. It's not far from the truth. I drove from the first week of September until the last week of November on a single tank of gas. I commute about 25 miles round trip, and I can complete the commute on just an overnight charge. I've got solar panels, so the charge costs nothing (I've reached break even on the panels themselves). I am leasing the car, and with the Federal and State rebates (and some negotiation), the monthly cost is $265 (I have the base model), which is not far off from a similarly equipped hybrid sedan. I think Hyundai's estimate of 27 miles to an electric charge is pretty accurate, but I live in the Northeast, and in the winter months, the electric range drops slightly. I should say that my commute is fairly level, and your mileage may vary if you drive on uneven terrain. When using the gas engine, the economy is still very good. I average between 42 and 44 mpg when using gas. Pure highway driving is slightly better. We took my daughter for a tour of prospective colleges, driving from Massachusetts to Virginia by way of Pennsylvania. The gas consumption was just over 50 mpg overall for that trip, even with quite a bit of mountain driving. I love the freedom the hybrid plug-in offers. My daily commute is all-electric, but I can go on a long trip without worrying about where to charge. That trip was a pleasure with this car. The roominess is excellent - better than my last car, which was a Camry.I was pleasantly surprised by the fit and finish of this car. The cockpit and back seats are thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of cup holders and everything within easy reach. The front cabin offers excellent seat comfort and adjustability, and the cloth seats come with heaters as standard equipment. My daughter reported that the back seat was very comfortable too. Visibility is excellent, although the headlights could be improved for night driving. The dashboard is simple, and the controls, including the Nav/Entertainment system, are logical and easy to use. This was a selling point over the Ford. Hyundai did an amazing job of cramming in the battery and hybrid technology without skimping on interior space. The cargo capacity is slightly less than that of a standard hybrid, but still quite good. We had no problem packing the trunk with enough luggage for three people on a seven-day road trip, without taking up space in the back seat. The sound system is very good, with the exception of satellite radio (see below). The Android Auto system works pretty well. We recently got Waze support, so that Waze can run on the dashboard screen, although it isn't fully functional yet. This car is not going to win any races, but it can cruise effortlessly at 80mph. Acceleration is adequate for passing, even on a grade, although there is a slight lag when you floor the pedal. The ride is very comfortable at any speed, and the car feels quite stable around turns. The exterior of my white car is very sharp. Although the car has had some issues, such as a persistent check engine light that the dealership has looked into four times, I remain optimistic that it will be resolved soon.During my last visit, the technician suggested that the Level 2 charger might be the issue. However, I find that unlikely. It seems more probable that the hybrid plug-in system is quite complex, and Hyundai hasn't fully debugged it yet. Fortunately, I haven't experienced any of the hybrid system problems that others have reported here. I have had some persistent issues with Sirius XM on the entertainment system, though. It takes a while to find stations, especially on cloudy days, and for a long time, it wasn't working at all. Even so, I sometimes don't get reception until the end of my commute. The heating system is not the best, but the heated seats help a lot and heat up quickly. The climate control system is slow to heat the cabin, and it has trouble doing so when running in EV mode. The gas engine kicks in to help, and then it takes a good ten to fifteen minutes to get going. Even so, I only have to fill the tank once a month during the winter. Overall, I really like this car - it's almost perfect, and I would definitely buy it again.
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Vehicle year: 2017
My wife and I were on the hunt for a fuel-efficient car for her 35-mile round trip to work. We explored various options, including hybrids, plug-ins, and full electrics. Unfortunately, the Tesla was too expensive and had a long wait time for the Model 3. The BMW i3 had a really harsh ride and wasn't an inviting space. The Prius was boring and had a harsh ride. However, we found the Honda to be comfortable and with reasonable mileage. The Mini Countryman PHEV was fun, but it was somewhat expensive with options. Ultimately, we decided on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which had everything the Honda had, plus it was cheaper and had a better warranty. Although we couldn't find a Hyundai Sonata PHEV to test, we persevered and bought it for environmental reasons. It was the best decision we ever made. We've had it for four weeks now, and I love everything about it, including the fact that we've used less than seven gallons of gas so far. It's loaded with features, has a lifetime warranty on the battery, and makes me smile every time I drive or ride in it. Being fuel-efficient is also fun, as I enjoy seeing how far I can get on each charge. An update on our experience: we've had the car for 19 months now, and the odometer shows 16,057 miles. We've only spent $361.89 on gas during that time. We thought our electric bill would increase, but it still averages under $150 a month for our 2,400 sqft house, including car charging and HVAC. I prefer this PHEV over a pure electric because we can travel without charging delays. We'll trade this one in for a parallel PHEV with a 150-200 mile range on the battery when it becomes available. Until then, we're happy with our Sonata PHEV.
Are you having problems with your Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid?
Trent Kihn 2025-07-22
Vehicle year: 2017
(1) Your car has been in for the check engine light 11-13 times. (2) It broke down on the highway due to a hybrid system failure and was at the dealer for over 3 weeks. However, I am happy to inform you that the car was eventually recalled for the above two items and has not been a problem since.
Dino Carter 2025-05-06
Vehicle year: 2016
The 2016 Plug-Ins have a faulty hybrid battery, which unfortunately led to a recent recall. I had a scary experience when my car cut off on the freeway, and it wasn't the first time my car had to be serviced. In fact, last year it was in service for over a month. However, I am grateful that Hyundai has agreed to repurchase the vehicle. It's a shame that such a great car has these issues.
Jonathan Donnelly 2024-10-28
Vehicle year: 2016
This car was great for the first 7 months after I bought it brand new. It had super great mileage and was perfect for my wife's daily commute. However, we did experience some frustration when it didn't charge overnight about twice a month. Eventually, it stopped charging entirely and had to spend 9 days in the shop at 7 months. Although it continued to have sporadic charging issues for another 7 months, it eventually stopped charging entirely again and had to spend 41 days in service. Despite these issues, we loved the car until it stopped working. Thankfully, Hyundai agreed to buy it back, following the lemon laws of CA. We have since moved on and now own a 2018 Accord 1.5t Touring.
Kory DuBuque 2024-05-06
Vehicle year: 2017
This car was great for the first 7 months after I bought it brand new. It had super great mileage and was perfect for my wife's daily commute. However, we did experience some frustration when it didn't charge overnight about twice a month. Eventually, it stopped charging entirely and had to spend 9 days in the shop at 7 months. Although it continued to have sporadic charging issues for another 7 months, it eventually stopped charging entirely again and had to spend 41 days in service. Despite these issues, we loved the car until it stopped working. Thankfully, Hyundai agreed to buy it back, following the lemon laws of CA. We have since moved on and now own a 2018 Accord 1.5t Touring.
Darrel Hamill 2024-05-02
Vehicle year: 2016
I have owned the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid for just over a year and have driven it for 17,500 miles. Unfortunately, the hybrid system has failed twice in the past three weeks, causing significant inconvenience. The first time, the car wouldn't even start and had to be towed. As a result, I am now hesitant to drive the car due to the possibility of getting stuck. This is not an acceptable situation. Although I lost a week of use during the first dealership visit, the car is now back there again for repairs.