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2020 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

8 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

8
Complaints
Jan 2025Dec 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (8)

highENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

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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NHTSA #: 11720439
highENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2026

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.

NHTSA #: 11719504
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2025

Whille driving back to Washington state my car check engine light came on and the car shut off while I was driving. I had to have it towed to the nearest city whi ch was Laramie Wyoming. There is no Hyundai dealer had to drive the car once it started back up to Cheyenne Wyoming it was checked. My on star told me there was a problem DTC P0145100 the status had red triangle the DTC power system powertrain and the DTC sub system EMS. I was told and given paperwork by the dealer and was told the car would need major repairs and could take up to 21 days once the work started it would have to he completed there because Hyundai had campaign dealing with my cars problem. I was told I could drive the car home but if the check engine light is flashing pull over immediately. My car is now at the 3rd dealer when I took it to Korum in Puyallup they did not have anyone to diagnose the vehicle only update onboard computer. They said and documented nothing was wrong with the vehicle which is inaccurate. I told Korum about the paperwork from the dealer in Cheyenne they did not so much as look at it. I took the car to the Dealership in Auburn Washington they to had the same findings as Wyoming also there was additional findings which corresponded with the smell of gas and my tank going empty after filling and trying to fill tank because was showing low fuel warning. Pictures were taken of the gas tank which had expanded as well as other pictures of the findings. I was told in Wyoming and Auburn that the code and findings are consistent with the Hyundai campaign

NHTSA #: 11677686
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2025

Been having an issue with a check engine light and a popping noise in the from the front of the vehicle for about two years. Took it to the dealership more than 3 times over that span and every time they discovered it was caused by something different..during the July of 2024 while driving on the interstate a loud pop noise was made from the back and my children complain about the seat lifting…shortly after I went to get gas and a full tank was more gallons than usual 14 increased to 17g…. I once again took it to the dealer for the issue of the gas tank expansion and pop but found nothing. No more than a week later my car would hesitate to accelerate and progressively got worse. On 12/27/24 I took it to the dealer and they discovered my gas tank was expanded and was unsafe to drive leaving me without a vehicle.as of 1/04/2025 I still have no solution.

NHTSA #: 11634109
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2023

In May of 2023 my check engine light came on. Took the car to the dealer and the diagnosis was that the egr cooler was the culprit so they replaced it and everything was fine until 12/21/2023. I am driving on the highway and suddenly I hear a loud alarm and upon checking my instrument cluster I see a warning for engine overheating, the heat was on but suddenly the smell of something burning covered the entire cabin of the vehicle. I had to pull over to the side in the middle of a busy highway in freezing conditions and shut my engine down to avoid further damage. I believe the egr cooler has failed once again inly this time leading to a more terrifying experience. My car was towed to the dealership but I am worried for myself and others with similar vehicles I would not like anyone to experience what I did. I have seen multiple online forums with people complaining about the same situation. Mileage was around 57,900 miles when this occured. I bought the car with 30,000 miles as a certified preowned model. I kindly request for a recall for affected sonatas manufactured from the year 2020 to ensure our safety on the road. If it was not for warranty I would not be able to pay for the repairs

NHTSA #: 11561382
mediumENGINE,STRUCTURE
Filed: Oct 2022

2020 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON INSPECTION BY TOYOTA, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERSHIELD HAD COME LOOSE AND DRAGGING.

NHTSA #: 11489948
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2021

ON NOV. 17 WHILE DRIVING APP. 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT ITSELF OFF. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP & THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 10 MIN. OF TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, & ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR DISAPPEARED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE WAITING IN THE TURNING LANE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR SPUTTERED & TURNED OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP & THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD THE CAR TOWED ON NOV 18 202 TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITH THE ABS MODULE & THE HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON, NOV 24, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR & THE CAR STALLED ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT BACK ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT STAYED UNTIL DECEMBER 11 THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON DEC 11 & THE CAR APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. HOWEVER, ON DEC19, WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK & FORTH AT IDLE & THE RPMS STARTED TO GO UP DESPITE MY FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BEHIND ME SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING & HELPED ME PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE ON DEC 23, 2020. HOWEVER, NO FIX WAS DONE TO THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE CAR WAS IN A 'RELEARN' PROCESS & IT WOULD NEED MORE TIME FOR THE CAR TO 'RELEARN' HOW TO DRIVE AGAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY AFTER THE DEC 23 INCIDENT UNTIL FEB 8 2021 WHEN I TRIED TO STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC & THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. I NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT & ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WAS INTERNALLY DEFECTIVE & WAS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AND AS A RESULT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ON FEB 11 2021.

NHTSA #: 11407502
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2020

MY CAR STALLED AND STUTTERED BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 MILES IN TRAFFIC AND COULDN'T GET IT INTO GEAR ONCE STARTED. IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. NOW AT 6000 MILES DID SAME THING. IF SITS FOR BIT WORKS AGAIN. IT ALSO RESET ITSELF AND I LOST ALL PREPROGRAMMED INFORMATION. THE GAS DOOR ALSO OPENS AT TIMES WHEN UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT THE FIRST TIME FOR OVER 30 DAYS AND HAD TO CONTACT ENGINEERS TO FIX IT.

NHTSA #: 11360642

Other 2020 Hyundai Sonata Issues