2018 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 75owner reports
- 57,000median miles
- $700median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
230 of the 373 complaints on this car are about the engine. 75 of those describe oil consumption. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 75 reports
Oil consumption 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: 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (28 reports) and the engine (7 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
17 of the 75 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $3,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 1,300 and 86,400 miles, from the 44 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle caught fire after repeatedly taking it to Hyundai for service . I complained about the oil consumption and knocking noises while the vehicle was still under warranty and it was denied.”
Filed Jun 19, 2026
“Engine failure. Definitely a safety issue, check engine light flashing, limited engine power. Wouldnât accelerate. Dealer inspected, there is a nationwide recall and class action lawsuits and they wonât replace even though itâs under warranty. False information saying maintenance neglect on my part. That is FALSE. Known failure and oil consumption. Rod bearing failure.”
Filed Aug 11, 2025
“Burns oil fast. 900 miles from an oil change the car oil stick was empty. There are no signs of oil leaking. Every 1000 miles you have to place oil back into it. Iâm not the only one complains of this issue. I was reading on Reddit and itâs thousands of people having the same issue.”
Filed May 24, 2025 · 1,000 miles
“This engine consumes oil rapidly to the point i have to add quarts of it constantly . This results in the spark plugs deteriorating at a rapid rate and the coil packs as well. The car only has 75,000 miles but the problems began to start around 69,000 miles because of these issues and the engine and burning oil because of the rings and pressure it begins to shake rapidly and sputter and stall out.”
Filed Apr 29, 2025 · 75,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 75 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 88 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 66 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 53 reports