14 complaints reported

2020 Hyundai Sonata UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
14
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2025

Coolant is leaking again after being fixed at a Hyundai dealer. If I don't fix it, my car will overheat and catch fire in the middle of a public road. My warranty has now expired, so I'll have to pay for the repairs myself. However, this problem is a design flaw, not related to the car's age or mileage. Hyundai should fix this problem. I'm not the only one; there are a lot of people complaining about this.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2024

A lot of these models have wind coming through the door making a whistling noise, it’s very distracting to drivers and multiple people complaining about it online.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Jan 2024 Injury

UNKNOWN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 9999 TBD TBD, Manufacturer: ODI Demo Co
Incident: Jan 2023
Jun 2023

Hyundai updated the software for the display and made the font smaller which makes it difficult to read and a safety issue especially when driving at night. I contacted Hyundai and they say that if it is not in the owners manual there is nothing they can do. I have tried to explain to them it is a software issue that came about when their software engineers updated the software and it makes this a safety issue and they have no way to revert back to previous versions.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2023
Apr 2023

Paint on hood of car is peeling off, down to bare metal

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2023
Aug 2022

- Shifter system malfunction - Unable to use the shift buttons - Received system error on dashboard that read, "Shifter malfunction! Service immediately." Visited two dealership, who saw a photo of the system error message. Vehicle was inspected by the dealership; however, no support could be given due to the dealership not having a code for the issue. - Dealership was made aware of the issue back in November 2021; however, first available appointment with technician was not until January 2022.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2021
May 2022

while driving to work on 05.20.2022 my sunroof exploded for no apparent reason. I called my insurance company and they told me to take it to my dealership. so I did.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2022
Sep 2021

The Contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle abruptly decelerated to 30 mph. The contact also stated that previously the windshield wipers failed and the driver’s side window failed to roll all the way up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code. The contact stated that the dealer could repair the driver’s side window and windshield wipers. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
Jul 2021

The automatic shut off. When the car is locked I can run it for a total of 20 minutes with auto start, when it's unlocked I can run it for a total of 60 minutes. Sometimes because of my job I need to auto start it and run it for longer to either warm up or cool down and it is unsafe to leave it unlocked. There should be an option for me to turn off the time limit and not have it reset every time I restart the car! When I'm shopping and I need to leave my dog inside for instance and it's 91 degrees outside, I should be able to lock my car and let it run for as long as I need to be in the store without worry it will shut off with him inside and suffocate him in the heat. This is another HUGE safety issue!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021

Driving on the Interstate at 65mph the car suddenly goes down to 5mph. Unwanted deceleration! At the same time the dash warning lights come on. Check engine and ABS. This happened 3 times now. 2 times on the Interstate in heavy traffic and once going 35mph on a back road. Miraculously we were able to pull over without any cars slamming into us. This unwanted deceleration happened on July 28, August 18 and Sept 13. Each time after pulling to a safe area we turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Then resumed normal driving speed. Brought it to the dealer after each time. This shut down started after the car was only 4 months old with 2,983 miles on it.First time they said they couldn't find anything wrong and reset the computer, said if it happens again they will look into it more. The second time they replaced a Body Assy-Throttle and Gasket. The 3rd time they replaced the front wiring assembly control. I have all the repair paper work. We were driving playing Russian roulette wondering when it will happen again. With cars speeding around us we were lucky no one was close on our tail. This is an extremely dangerous situation. Each time it was beautiful sunny weather, two times heading to the beach, 3rd time heading to NH after 2 hrs of driving and one hour stopped, resumed driving for 20 min when it happened. No common denominator. I hope that this is not happening to others. I have reported this issue to Hyundai Motors America and they have offered me $500 and 60 days to release them from any liability or claim. Since I just got my car back finally Sept 20th, I certainly can't say my concerns have been resolved.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2021
Dec 2020

THE CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING SOMETIMES THE CAR IS UNSTABLE ALSO WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR AND I PREPARE TO PUT IT ON DRIVE THE CAR APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BY ITSELF. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REMOVE IT, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF CONTINUALLY UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR REMOVES THE BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE STREET AND WHILE I WAS DOING SO THE CAR PUT ON THE BRAKES BY ITSELF. ONE TO TWO MONTHS AGO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID THAT THE CARE NEEDS 2 UPDATES, APPARENTLY THE CAR HAS TWO RECALLS. 6 HOURS LATER AFTER THE UPDATE THE CARE WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 TO 4 DAYS, I GOT A LONER BY THEN. LAST WEEK WEDNESDAY 08/05/2020 I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THE CARE WOULD BE READY IN 5 HOURS BUT AFTER 5 HOURS IT WASN'T. SINCE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR AND GIVE ME A LOANER BECAUSE THE CAR IS GOING TO TAKE ONE WEEK TO FIX BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO ORDER PARTS, THEY WANT TO KEEP THE CAR BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME A LOANER. I CONTACT HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE IT IS TWICE ALREADY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH ME IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. I MISSED THE CALL AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CALL TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT EVERY TIME I CALL THEY COME WITH ANOTHER EXCUSE. THE CASE MANAGER IN CHARGE OF THE CASE IS GARRISON AND THE CASE NUMBER 17216875.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2020
Sep 2020

ENGINE BLOCK BECAME INFESTED WITH RATS/MICE OVERNIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS WAS THE RESULT OF SOY-BASED COMPONENTS USED BY HYUNDAI. NO OTHER CARS ON MY BLOCK HAD THIS PROBLEM (I WAS ABLE TO SURVEY THE VEHICLE OWNERS BECAUSE WE ALL WERE THERE WAITING FOR STREET CLEANING TO OCCUR.) IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THE RATS/MICE WERE ATTRACTED BY THE MATERIALS USED BY HYUNDAI AND ANECDOTAL REPORTS SUGGEST THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AMONG MANY CAR MANUFACTURERS, BUT ESPECIALLY ONES THAT USE SOY BASED COMPONENTS SUCH AS HYUNDAI, LAND ROVER, AND HONDA.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2020
Sep 2020 Crash Injury

PUSHED THE PARK BUTTON, SHOWED P ON THE DASH INDICATOR, DOORS THEN UNLOCKED. WHEN EXITED VEHICLE IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARD, PARK HAD NOT ENGAGED SLIGHT HILL ONLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. PUSHED BUTTON TO PLACE THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR GO ANYWHERE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2020
Apr 2020

WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS INSIDE THE DOORS WHILE PARKED. ESPECIALLY THE BACK DOORS. IF IT RAINS HARD A CUP FULL OF WATER WILL COME OUT THE DOOR UPON OPENING. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN'T HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT AND LOOK AND IT BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has 14 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.