Short answer
Among Hyundai Sonata model years through 2024, 2019 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2011 has the most (14). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Hyundai Sonata: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 27 (2000–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 60
- Fewest recalls
- 2019 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2011 (14)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (17)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2012, 2013, 2014 and 12 more years
Hyundai Sonata 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 |
| 2024 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2023 | 2 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train |
| 2022 | 3 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train |
| 2021 | 4 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Visibility |
| 2020 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Equipment, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2019 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2018 | 2 | 5 stars | Hybrid propulsion system, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2017 | 4 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2016 | 7 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2015 | 9 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Air bags, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 7 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts, Engine |
| 2013 | 9 | 5 stars | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts |
| 2012 | 8 | 5 stars | Air bags, Engine, Seat belts |
| 2011 | 14 | 4–5 stars | Steering, Engine, Exterior lighting |
| 2010 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Suspension |
| 2009 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Suspension |
| 2008 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Suspension |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Air bags, Suspension |
| 2006 | 9 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Air bags, Electronic stability control |
| 2005 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Suspension |
| 2003 | 6 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages, Suspension |
| 2002 | 7 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages, Air bags |
| 2001 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Suspension |
| 2000 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Suspension |
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
- 20241 recall
- 20232 recalls
- 20223 recalls
- 20214 recalls
- 20204 recalls
- 20190 recalls
- 20182 recalls
- 20174 recalls
- 20167 recalls
- 20159 recalls
- 20147 recalls
- 20139 recalls
- 20128 recalls
- 201114 recalls
- 20102 recalls
- 20092 recalls
- 20083 recalls
- 20075 recalls
- 20069 recalls
- 20051 recall
- 20041 recall
- 20036 recalls
- 20027 recalls
- 20013 recalls
- 20004 recalls
Hyundai Sonata: 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 recalls are air bags (17), exterior lighting (14), fuel system, gasoline (14), suspension (11) and electrical system (9). 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 16 of these 27 model years, and 2012, 2013, 2014 and 12 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 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Hyundai Sonata?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2019 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Hyundai Sonata model years have the most recalls?
2011 has the most, with 14 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", 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