2018 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 88owner reports
- 22,000median miles
- $564median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
223 of the 373 complaints on this car are about the engine. 88 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Sonata.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (32 reports)
Tick what matches of 88 reports
Engine failure on other Sonata years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (84 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sonata
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
What owners paid
13 of the 88 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $850.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 86,500 miles, from the 55 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5 more on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata page.
What owners wrote
“Hyundai dealership confirms I am in need of a new engine due to large oil consumption which is a known issue on 2018 Hyundai Sonata engines. Hyundai will not approve repairs because I am the second owner and vehicle is out of the 5 year warranty period. I only have 52K miles on my vehicle.”
Filed Sep 21, 2026 · 52,000 miles
“2018 Hyundai Sonata with only 128k miles already needs a new engine due to oil consumption. I have done the regular maintenance on the car and have only put roughly 25k miles on the car since owning it”
Filed Jan 16, 2025 · 128,000 miles
“Car has an engine defect and consumes too much oil. Hyundai Sonata is denying the repair or engine replacement”
Filed Sep 27, 2024
“Had issues with engine consuming oil. Took to dealer who completed an engine oil consumption test to find the engine oil was 3 quarts low. All services had been completed through the dealer for the life of the vehicle. Engine replacement was approved. Vehicle was still under warranty. Vehicle was at 88227 miles when taken to dealer for repairs for oil consumption.”
Filed May 16, 2024 · 88,227 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 88 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Burns oil or oil level rises 75 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 66 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 53 reports