Hyundai Sonata vs Tesla Model S
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Hyundai Sonata
- Total complaints
- 16,011
- Avg per model year
- 423
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 60
- Most complained year
- 2011 (3,376)
Top problems: Engine, Steering, Air Bags
Tesla Model S
- Total complaints
- 3,381
- Avg per model year
- 226
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 38
- Most complained year
- 2015 (667)
Top problems: Electrical System, Unknown / Other, Suspension
Complaints by model year
| Year | Hyundai Sonata | Tesla Model S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 2025 | 16 | 6 | ||
| 2024 | 46 | 38 | ||
| 2023 | 86 | 113 | ||
| 2022 | 92 | 138 | ||
| 2021 | 131 | 178 | ||
| 2020 | 178 | 80 | ||
| 2019 | 161 | 44 | ||
| 2018 | 372 | 168 | ||
| 2017 | 763 | 424 | ||
| 2016 | 725 | 646 | ||
| 2015 | 1,144 | 667 | ||
| 2014 | 745 | 365 | ||
| 2013 | 1,909 | 459 | ||
| 2012 | 1,556 | 61 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.