FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2020 Hyundai Sonata
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 165 owner complaints, and gets about 31 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2020 Hyundai Sonata at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Body
- Large Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 9, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
4 openElectrical System
09/04/2020
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.
Remedy: 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.
Equipment
28/02/2020
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."
Remedy: 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
28/03/2022
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."
Remedy: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
18/11/2025
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 9, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
165 filed- 25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No air coming from cabin, upon further inspection found melted multifuse with melting terminal pin area in fuse box. No prior signs of warning, leaving vehicle without operable air condition for high temperatures.
- 22
POWER TRAIN
For my vehicle the Check Engine light has been on continuously throughout the last 6 months and mechanics are going to have to replace the thermostat. Multiple auto mechanics have indicated online that this is a very common problem with man
- 21
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Hyundai Motors America has failed to comply with its statutory obligations in conducting the recall campaign 25V796, and is instead engaging in behavior substantially similar to that which has been previously censured by NHTSA. My Sonata s
- 17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC Evaporator core is leaking. Known issue amongst these vehicles.
- 12
FUEL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the family inside the vehicle, a strong gasoline odor was inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was
- 12
STRUCTURE
White pain is pealing off and it’s pretty bad especially when going through car wash
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 9, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★★
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 9, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 31 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 27 / 37
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,000
- CO₂ / mi
- 293 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 9, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the electrical system). 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, including the electrical system. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Sonata at 31 mpg combined (27 city / 37 highway), about $2,000 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Sonata? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata? +
Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, including 4 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.
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