Seventh generation (LF)
2018 Hyundai Sonata
The most reported problem on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata is engine failure, with 88 complaints, usually around 22,000 miles.
- 373owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 18involved a crash
- 32,677median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sonata doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has 373 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.1 times the median of 177 for 2018 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Sonata model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2017 draws 76, the 2018 41 and the 2019 20.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Engine failure has 88 complaints and oil consumption has 75, out of 373 in all. A quarter of the 55 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 3,000 miles, and half by about 22,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 31 of the 373 complaints (8%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 18 reports mention a crash, 13 mention a fire and 20 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 6 of 18, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as engine failure, oil consumption and misfire. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 82, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 36 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 88 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
373 complaints is 1.4 times the median 2018 model on this site and 2.1 times the median 2018 sedan. Among the 11 Sonata model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai filed 205 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. 23 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 3 bulletins · 88 complaints
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
1 more on this problem
Hyundai has refined the engine inspection for vehicles that experienced the Check Engine light with DTC P132600 to eliminate the interference caused by the wiring harness.
Check engine light or misfire 6 bulletins · 66 complaints
If you are servicing an 8-speed vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed, follow the service procedure and replace the related solenoid and harness.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related input/output speed sensor and harness.
4 more on this problem
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 53 complaints
If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each clutch in the transmission.
Engine knocking or ticking 2 bulletins · 32 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The technology uses software innovations and leverages existing engine sensors to continuously monitor for symptoms that may precede an engine failure.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 17 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 5 bulletins · 12 complaints
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
If you are servicing any of the vehicles listed below with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
3 more on this problem
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4.
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
Rod bearing failure 4 bulletins · 10 complaints
The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
Certain vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
2 more on this problem
The warranty coverage for certain Theta II engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
The warranty coverage for the engine long block for engine repairs or replacement related to connecting rod bearing damage as described in Campaign T3G (Seized and/or BCT No Pass Result Only) has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of ...
Fuel pump failure 1 bulletin · 9 complaints
Certain 2015-2019MY Sonata (LFA) vehicles may intermittently exhibit reduced engine power, a âCrank/No Startâ condition, and/or have DTC P1233 stored in the ECM due to an internally leaking fuel pump filter housing.
Complaints filed by year
82 complaints came in 2025, 1.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Electrical overstress. Closed sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V-024.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The recall on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine failure, with 88 of the 373 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 22,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Of the 196 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 8,000 miles and half by about 33,000.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has fewer complaints than the 2017 and more complaints than the 2019: 41 a year against 76 and 20.
How many 2018 Hyundai Sonata complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
31 of them (8%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata?
No recall on file for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.