2018 Hyundai Sonata power train problems
40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I recently had the 9C2 Emissions recall update performed on my car, and since the update my car drives like total garbage after a cold start. It hesitates to accelerate, it bucks when trying to accelerate, and it’s to the point the engine is about to stall. I took it back to the Hyundai dealership…”
filed Aug 16, 2026
“Check engine light solid/engine failure while driving. 2018 Sonata SE purchased new in fall 2018. Around 50,000 miles started noticing oil level drop and had to add more before next scheduled change. Dealership service center said I just had to shorten the mileage between changes which didn't seem…”
filed Jun 16, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Sonata years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 Sonata | 16 | 19% |
| 2022 Sonata | 24 | 26% |
| 2021 Sonata | 24 | 18% |
| 2020 Sonata | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 Sonata | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 Sonata | 55 | 7% |
| 2016 Sonata | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 Sonata | 134 | 12% |
| 2014 Sonata | 54 | 7% |
| 2013 Sonata | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 Sonata | 97 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.