Brand record
Hyundai Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every Hyundai model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2010 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 202639,777 complaints35 models
The Sonata drew the most owner complaints of any Hyundai in NHTSA's file for 2010 to 2025, then the Tucson and the Elantra. The Sonata and the Santa Fe have the most recall campaigns, 40 and 33.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
Two recalls cover the steering on early 2011 Sonatas: 16V-190, for an electric power steering circuit board that can lose its assist, and 10V-426, for steering shaft joints that may not have been tightened. The 2013 Sonata engine falls under recall 17V-226, for machining errors that can wear the bearings and seize the engine.
NHTSA's fire investigation of the 2011 to 2014 Sonata (EA21-003) led to recalls 20V-746 and 21V-727, where the dealer inspects the engine and replaces it if needed. On the 2016 Tucson, recall 16V-628 covers the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which may not move in hot conditions after the pedal is pressed and released repeatedly.
Hyundai recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each Hyundai model, model years 2010 to 2025, read Oct 2, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. NHTSA's recall service returned no answer for Sonata 2019 and 2025; Elantra 2018 and 2025; Veloster 2017; Genesis 2013 and 2014, so those years are not counted. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- SonataMost often: exterior lighting40
- Santa FeMost often: powertrain33
- ElantraMost often: airbag system29
- TucsonMost often: electrical system26
- Ioniq 5Most often: electrical system14
- PalisadeMost often: airbag system13
- Santa Fe SportMost often: hydraulic braking11
- VelosterMost often: visibility10
- GenesisMost often: electrical system10
Hyundai complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each Hyundai model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2010 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 26 smaller models are left out.
- SonataMost: 2011 · steering11,606
- TucsonMost: 2016 · powertrain5,706
- ElantraMost: 2013 · steering5,637
- Santa FeMost: 2017 · engine4,662
- PalisadeMost: 2020 · engine2,255
- Ioniq 5Most: 2022 · electrical system1,297
- VelosterMost: 2013 · engine1,282
- Santa Fe SportMost: 2017 · engine1,168
- GenesisMost: 2015 · electrical system1,002
Hyundai model years with the most complaints
The ten Hyundai model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2011 SonataSteering34%3,374
- 2013 SonataEngine38%1,903
- 2016 TucsonPowertrain32%1,616
- 2012 SonataEngine36%1,556
- 2013 ElantraSteering21%1,311
- 2015 SonataEngine54%1,139
- 2017 TucsonEngine55%1,081
- 2017 Santa FeEngine67%955
- 2017 ElantraEngine38%763
- 2017 SonataEngine50%761
Most common Hyundai problems
The systems owners named most across every Hyundai model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Engine34% of the complaints13,716
- Electrical system15% of the complaints5,992
- Powertrain9% of the complaints3,573
- Steering9% of the complaints3,390
- Braking system5% of the complaints2,097
- Airbag system4% of the complaints1,422
Our guides for these problems
Check engine codes Hyundai owners name
The OBD-II codes owners wrote into their complaints for the 5 Hyundai model years we have read in full, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
Common questions
Are Hyundais reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where Hyundai owners report trouble: the engine most, then the electrical system, and the Sonata, Tucson and Elantra draw the most complaints.
Which Hyundais should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2011 Sonata, 2013 Sonata, 2016 Tucson and 2012 Sonata; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which Hyundai has the most recalls?
The Sonata, with 40 recall campaigns across model years 2010 to 2025, then the Santa Fe with 33.
What is the most common problem with Hyundais?
Owners name the engine most, in 13,716 complaints, 34% of the Hyundai record, then the electrical system, in 5,992.
How do I check if my Hyundai has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.