*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Electrical system
On 12/20/25, the car - a Sonata plug-in hybrid - failed to start. When I pushed the "start" button, the dashboard display lit up w many clearly irrelevant error messages. Each time I pressed start, somewhat fewer error messages blasted toward me, and finally, no response at all. On 12/21/2026, the tow driver said it was the 12-volt battery. He gave us a jump start and we drove a few blocks. However, it failed at the turn lane while waiting for the light to turn. We turned it back on, bought a new battery, had it installed. On 12/29/25, my husband was driving. He turned into the intersection with a traffic light. As he was making the turn, the car simply quit. No warning. The car was dead,…
Dec 29, 2025Engine
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), originally purchased in California. While driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and rapidly decelerated. This created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic and put me and my family at risk. I had to quickly maneuver to the shoulder to avoid a potential collision. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership in Utah, where it was diagnosed with a failure of the high-voltage battery system. I was informed that the battery requires replacement. This type of sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed is…
Apr 11, 2026Power train
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am filing this formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous engine failure incident involving my 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. Description of Incident: While traveling on CA-85 near Mountain View, California, at approximately 65 miles per hour, the engine suddenly and without warning lost all power. The vehicle began to slow down involuntarily in active highway traffic, creating an immediate and serious risk of rear-end collision. The driver had no ability to maintain safe highway speed or accelerate out of danger. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene to the dealership. There was no warning light or prior indication that…
Dec 7, 2025Fuel/propulsion system
While driving car stuttered check engine light and check hybrid system flashed. Check engine lights stayed on until getting home. Next day. I scanned and code p0b68 was set.
Sep 11, 2025Electrical system
While driving at a high rate of speed propulsion to the vehicle suddenly and without warning ceased, the electric and internal combustion engine were non-responsive (ICE stopped; hybrid motor didn't provide propulsion), the warning light said "Check Hybrid System. Turn off engine" I was put at risk because I was traveling at highway speed and was given no warning before the vehicle shut down. This has occurred nine times, I've reported all to Hyundai, they have had the car in the shop three times, the issue is not fixed. No, despite ODB2 error codes, the car has not shut down while a dealership is driving it. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected multiple times by Hyundai. Yes, always "Check…
Oct 23, 2024Electrical system
While driving the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, the car will begin to stall, a rapid number of audible beeps will start, the "Check Hybrid System" notification will pop up on the dashboard, and the "Check Engine Light" appears.. The car therefore cannot be driven anymore, and I am forced to pull over to the side. In order to fix the issue temporarily, I need to turn the car off and turn it back on again. Once this is completed, both the "Check Hybrid System" and the "Check Engine Light" disappears and the car can be driven again. An OBD Scanner is unable to find exactly what is going on as the "Check Hybrid System" and the "Check Engine Light" no longer appear. This has happened 4…
Mar 24, 2024Steering
I was driving the vehicle with 2 other occupants onboard on [XXX] towards US-101. The EPS warning light already came on after entering [XXX] from [XXX], but initially, I didn't think it was much of an issue. As I merged to the right lane in preparation of entering the highway, the steering began to feel very stiff, so I immediately made a right turn into a local street when there was a little bit of steering left. As soon as I pulled over, the steering locked up completely, and both the EPS warning light and the dash display's lane-departure system warning were activated. Luckily no other vehicle or humans were endangered at the time. I put the car into park and powered it off. When I…
Jan 25, 2024Engine
Vehicle lost power in freeway. Complete power failure. Early crashed into. Vehicle coasted to off ramp and towed away.
Nov 27, 2023
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.