Are there open safety recalls?
1 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 366 owner complaints, and gets about 39 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2018 Hyundai Sonata
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular Gas and Electricity
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 366 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 20166recalls
- 20173recalls
- 2018 · this car1recall
- 20190recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2018 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
1 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Latches/Locks/Linkages
06/08/2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera 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."
How they fix it: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 2016716reports
- 2017759reports
- 2018 · this car366reports
- 2019154reports
366 owner reports on file
18 crash mentions 13 fire mentions 20 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 366 total reports.
- ENGINE 124 of 366
The lower aluminum engine oil pan developed a structural hairline fracture ("micro-crack") directly along the factory casting ridge adjacent to the drain plug. The component failed without any external impact, road hazard, scraping, or unde
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 51 of 366
We think there’s an issue with the abs module and wheel speed sensor because we started having a problem where the brakes wouldn’t work or would stutter. The car would shake real bad it would make an awful grinding sound but normally only w
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 45 of 366
The computer system malfunctioned; the front panel warning was "Stop vehicle and check regen. brakes". I put my car in drive and when I hit the gas pedal the car reversed instead of going forward. I got it towed to the dealer at Piazza Hyun
- POWER TRAIN 36 of 366
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 ha
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 18 of 366
THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP? After his death, I acquired this vehicle from my father who had stopped driving at night thinking he had developed a vision issue. The first time I drove it at night I disc
- STRUCTURE 14 of 366
The trunk latch on the Hyundai Sonata malfunctioned, and our safety was put at risk when the trunk malfunctioned while driving on the freeway, obstructing the back view. After several attempts to try to close the trunk and after doing some
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
600 miles
estimated range on a full charge
About $1,600 per year for electricity
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $5,500 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 106 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 10 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AM6)
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM6)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular Gas and Electricity
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2018 Hyundai Sonata listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, including the latches/locks/linkages. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Sonata at 39 mpg combined (37 city / 42 highway), about $1,600 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata? +
Owners have filed 366 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, including 18 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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