Short answer
Among Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years through 2024, 2019, 2021 and 2022 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2011 and 2012 have the most (6). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 14 (2011–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 13
- Fewest recalls
- 2019, 2021 and 2022 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2011 and 2012 (6)
- Most recalled system
- Seat belts (10)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2011, 2012, 2013 and 10 more years
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | 5 stars | Electrical system |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2022 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2021 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2020 | 1 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2019 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2018 | 1 | 5 stars | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2017 | 3 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Engine, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Engine |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Service brakes, hydraulic, Visibility |
| 2014 | 3 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2013 | 4 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2012 | 6 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Air bags, Engine |
| 2011 | 6 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Air bags, Engine |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20261 recall
- 20250 recalls
- 20220 recalls
- 20210 recalls
- 20201 recall
- 20190 recalls
- 20181 recall
- 20173 recalls
- 20165 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 20143 recalls
- 20134 recalls
- 20126 recalls
- 20116 recalls
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls are seat belts (10), engine (5), service brakes, hydraulic (5), latches/locks/linkages (4) and air bags (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 13 of these 14 model years, and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 10 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2019, 2021 and 2022 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years have the most recalls?
2011 and 2012 have the most, with 6 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Sonata Hybrid", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy