What's Wrong with the 7th Generation Sonata?

Front 3/4 view of a Hyundai Sonata

The 7th generation Sonata spans the 2015 to 2019 model years.

It has accumulated 277 owner complaints over those year and ranks 45th in reliability out of 50 eligible Hyundai generations.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Hyundai score is 6.88 while this generation comes in at 18.44.

Compare With Other Sonata Generations

The Worst 2015-2019 Sonata Problems

  1. Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring

    The wiring in cars used to be coated in a petroleum-based plastic, but recently automakers, including Hyundai, have switched to a soy-based material. The soy is biodegradable and helps keep plastic out of the landfill (yay!). Unfortunately …

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  2. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

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  3. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Topics

Worst Years

7th Generation Sonata Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 277 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 45th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 50 eligible generations.

Recent 7th Generation Sonata News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. Tagged
    #lawsuit
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    Hyundai’s “smart trunk” is supposed to open all the way without using keys or pushing any buttons.

    However, a lawsuit alleges that while the trunk unlatches, it never really works as advertised.

    Hyundai has marketed the Smart Trunk as a feature that automatically opens the trunk fully, or at least enough for a person to put large items into the trunk. But according to the lawsuit, the trunks are defective because they fail to open more than a few inches, or sometimes not more than a small crack.

    I never saw the appeal in this feature, especially given its $950-$1,900 price.

  3. Tagged
    #lawsuit
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    Hyundai is being sued for using soy-based wire insulation that attracts rabbits, mice, squirrels and other creatures.

    The Hyundai lawsuit alleges the automaker denies there is a problem by using the soy-based wiring and since no defect exists, any replacement parts will also consist of soy products.

    The soy-based materials are more biodegradable and generally cost less than their plastic counterparts.…

  5. Tagged
    #recall
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    Hyundai is recalling 161,000 cars for issues with parking brake switch issues.

    According to Hyundai, the warning light used to indicate when the parking brake is applied may not illuminate due to corrosion of the parking brake switch. This could cause a driver to possibly leave the parking brake engaged while trying to drive the car.

    The affected cars are from the 2015 and 2016 model years.

  6. Tagged
    #investigation
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    The government says they can’t find evidence of a safety defect with the electronic parking brake in the 2016 Sonata. They’ve closed their investigation.

    Safety regulators knew that Hyundai had issued a technical service bulletin to dealers in May 2016 about problems with the electronic parking brake systems and NHTSA wanted to know if the proposed repairs did indeed fix the cars.

    The optional electronic parking brake uses an electric motor to push the rear brake pads against the rotors. The brake is supposed to disengage when the transmission is shifted into gear with the ignition on.

    Owners report that the brakes aren’t getting enough clearance after disengaging, causing premature wear and – in at least one case – a fire.

  7. Tagged
    #lawsuit
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    Hyundai is being sued for permanently disabling Blue Link systems if a subscription has been inactive for more than one year.

    The plaintiff claims on or about January 7, 2015, Hyundai notified owners of its Blue Link vehicles whose Blue Link subscriptions had been inactive for more than one year. Hyundai told owners, “If you do not reactivate your Blue Link services by January 28, 2015, your current Blue Link system in your vehicle will be permanently disabled.

    Except, permanent didn’t mean forever if you’re willing to pony up the cash. The Blue Link handbook mentioned that disconnected services could be easily restored for a “nominal reconnection fee.” They just didn’t say what it was.…