2026 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain is the largest identified problem area: 1 of 5 complaints (20%) mentions it. 2 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed fell from 27 in 2025 to 5 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,350–2,300 | 1,350–2,300 | 1,200–2,300 | 1,200–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–47 | 27–47 | 27–51 | 26–51 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–44 / 32–51 | 23–44 / 32–51 | 23–47 / 32–56 | 22–47 / 32–56 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 188–333 | 188–333 | 175–333 | 175–343 | |
| Complaints filed | 54 | 27 | 5 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates it 27–51 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA estimates $1,200–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 327 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 28 mpg | 38 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 281 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 333 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 44 mpg | 51 mpg | 47 mpg | $1,350 | 188 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 47 mpg (high) | 56 mpg (high) | 51 mpg (high) | $1,200 (low) | 175 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 26V047000 · Jan 27, 2026
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.