What's Wrong with the 7th Generation Sonata?

The Worst 2015-2019 Sonata Problems

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 …

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.

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.

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

2015 Sonata engine stalls/shuts down while driving 18 (100%)
2015 Sonata check engine light on 17 (94%)
2015 Sonata excessive oil consumption 16 (89%)
2015 Sonata panoramic sunroof has annoying noise 13 (72%)
2018 Sonata check engine light on 9 (50%)

Worst Topics

Engine 103 (100%)
Interior 48 (47%)
Transmission 23 (22%)
Steering 18 (17%)
Windows 18 (17%)

Worst Years

2015 188 (100%)
2017 33 (18%)
2016 32 (17%)
2018 23 (12%)
2019 2 (1%)

7th Generation Sonata in the News

Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners

Posted on: February 2, 2019
Source: carcomplaints.com

Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode. … continue reading

Lawsuit Says Hyundai’s Smart Trunk is Really Kind of Stupid

Posted on: August 27, 2017
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 fe … continue reading

Rodents Are Attracted to Hyundai’s Soy-Based Wire Coating

Posted on: August 1, 2017
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 exi … continue reading

Over 160,000 Sonata and Genesis Cars Recalled with Corroded Parking Brake Switches

Posted on: June 7, 2017
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 … continue reading

Feds Don’t Think Sonata’s Electronic Parking Brake Needs a Recall

Posted on: February 25, 2017
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 dealer … continue reading

Lawsuit Says Blue Link Decreases the Vehicle’s Value

Posted on: February 19, 2015
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 Li … continue reading

By the Numbers

5 model years
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
277 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
45th in reliability
Overall reliability rank out of 50 eligible generations.