Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2020 Hyundai Sonata — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2021 to Dec 2025
The most reported issue is fuel/propulsion system problems (18 complaints). 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fire.
Open Safety Recalls (4)
NHTSA Campaign: 20V213000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RSPA software, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 191.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V122000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 190.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V196000
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 221/010G.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V796000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 151)
Back Over Prevention →3 issues
Your rear camera display shows only a black screen and isn't working. The problem started intermittently but has now become constant, preventing you from using the backup camera feature. Fixing this will likely involve diagnosing the camera connection, wiring, or the camera unit itself, and may require replacement of the camera or its associated components.
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Your backup camera stopped working properly — when you put your car in reverse, the screen only showed lines instead of a clear image of what's behind you. This creates a safety risk since you can't see what's in your blind spot when backing up. An independent mechanic confirmed the camera itself is faulty and needs to be replaced.
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Your backup camera system went completely black while your wife was reversing, leaving no video feed on the display. The dealer was notified but hasn't diagnosed or repaired the issue yet. This safety feature is designed to help prevent accidents when backing up, so getting it fixed should be a priority.
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Electrical System,engine,fuel/propulsion System →2 issues
Your engine has stalled and failed to restart multiple times while stopped in traffic, leaving you stuck in the intersection while other vehicles pass. This happened more than 6 times, and you had to keep attempting to restart the engine until it finally turned over. The issue appears to be related to the EGR valve, which is a known recurring problem for this model year, with repairs typically costing around $1,600.
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Your car's engine won't start even though the lights, electrical components, and remote unlock work fine. When this happens, you have to turn off the ignition and try again—sometimes it eventually starts, but other times you need a tow truck or jump start. The problem happens most often in cold weather and has been ongoing for over a year, even after getting a new battery installed. The dealership hasn't been able to reproduce the issue during service visits, but it likely involves a starting system or electrical connection that needs diagnosis.
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Fuel System, Gasoline →2 issues
Your 2020 Sonata failed to start, with battery and key warning lights appearing on the dashboard. After several restart attempts, the vehicle did start, but you felt unsafe driving it. Your dealer confirmed there's an open recall (NHTSA Campaign 25V796000) related to the fuel system that may be causing this issue, though replacement parts weren't yet available at the time of your complaint. The fix will likely involve replacing fuel system components once the recall parts become available through your Hyundai dealer.
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Your 2020 Hyundai Sonata is part of a fuel system recall (Campaign 25V796000), but the required repair part hasn't been available yet. You've been waiting longer than seems reasonable for the dealer to complete the recall work. The manufacturer has been notified of the delay, and you haven't experienced any actual fuel system failure so far.
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Electrical System →2 issues
Your car wouldn't start while parked, and several warning lights came on the dashboard. After a few attempts, the engine started and the car drove normally afterward. A mechanic diagnosed the problem as a faulty starter that needed replacement, which fixed the issue.
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Your backup camera display occasionally shows only a black screen instead of the camera feed, and this happens randomly regardless of weather conditions. The issue typically resolves itself the next time you start your vehicle. The fix will likely involve checking the camera wiring, connector, or potentially replacing the camera or its control module.
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Structure →2 issues
Your car's factory paint on the driver-side rear quarter panel started peeling and separating from the body on its own, without any accident or damage. The clear coat failed and exposed the underlying surface. You took it to a Hyundai dealer, who confirmed it was a paint adhesion problem, but Hyundai refused to cover it fully under warranty, even though they've covered the same issue on earlier Sonata years—you ended up paying about 20% of the repair cost. You've also noticed the paint may be starting to fail around the rear window frame. Fixing this typically involves stripping the affected panels and repainting them with proper surface preparation and primer.
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Your car's white paint is peeling off, especially in areas exposed to car washes. This is a cosmetic issue affecting the exterior appearance of your vehicle. Addressing this would typically involve repainting the affected areas.
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Air Bags,engine,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your engine began smoking while you were driving, so you stopped immediately. The airbags deployed and hit you in the face, causing facial swelling. There was a fire risk, and no warning lights appeared on your dashboard before this happened. The issue likely involves a serious engine problem that caused overheating and smoke, possibly related to fuel system or engine component failure, which may require a complete engine inspection and repair.
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Unknown Or Other,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your car was damaged by a third-party cleaning vendor while at a dealership for a manufacturer recall repair, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. The manufacturer initially agreed in writing to cover the repair costs but later reversed course and claimed they weren't involved. The dealership has refused to identify the cleaning company or provide insurance information, leaving you unable to pursue a claim. This situation raises concerns about how vehicles are handled and protected during recall service appointments.
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Seats,unknown Or Other,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your 2020 Hyundai Sonata's fuel tank expanded while you were driving, causing three loud explosive sounds inside the vehicle and the backseat to heat up and rise. The tank became pressurized and wouldn't accept fuel, leaving the car inoperable. The fuel tank and surrounding structures were damaged, creating a serious safety hazard. The dealer has had your vehicle for 30 days without providing a repair plan or timeline, citing repeated delays from Hyundai Corporate.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your car is leaking coolant again even though a Hyundai dealer recently repaired it. Without a fix, your engine could overheat and potentially catch fire while driving. You believe this is a design flaw rather than normal wear, and your warranty has now expired, so you'd have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
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Structure,seats,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
While driving at 40 mph, you heard a loud pop and discovered your back seats had popped out of their latches with damaged framing underneath. The issue was traced to a fuel tank check valve recall (Service Campaign 9B1). After two separate repair visits to the dealership spanning several months, your car now won't start randomly, raising concerns about fuel system safety. The repairs may require fuel tank replacement and fuel system diagnostics to identify why the vehicle is experiencing starting issues.
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Engine →1 issue
Your engine is burning through oil much faster than normal, causing the oil warning light to come on well before your scheduled oil change is due. This started happening around 123,000 miles on your vehicle. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the cause of excessive oil consumption, which could range from worn piston rings to valve seal issues, and may require engine work or an oil system repair.
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Engine,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
While driving, your 2020 Hyundai Sonata started making loud popping and explosive sounds from the engine while the fuel gauge dropped rapidly on the display. At the same time, the engine hesitated and lost power during acceleration, feeling like it was misfiring or struggling. The Hyundai service department found that your fuel tank had expanded and needs repair, though they didn't provide details about what caused it or how long the repair would take.
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Electrical System,visibility/wiper →1 issue
Your car's wiring harness under the fuse box isn't making a reliable connection, which causes the blower motor to overheat and shut down. When this happens, your cabin air won't blow and your front and rear defrost stop working. You can temporarily get the blower working again by removing the fuse box cover and tapping the 30-amp fuse, but this is just a temporary fix. The dealership may need to replace or repair the wiring harness and fuse box connections to permanently solve this issue.
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Power Train,engine →1 issue
Your 2020 Sonata hesitates when you press the accelerator pedal, and your check engine light is on. Multiple mechanics and dealers have tried to diagnose the problem but couldn't pinpoint the cause; one mechanic replaced a sensor, but the hesitation came back shortly after. The vehicle hasn't been successfully repaired yet, and the issue started around 101,000 miles.
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Related Vehicles
Other Hyundai Sonata years: