2023 Hyundai Sonata: engine and transmission complaints
VERY HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
73%
72 of 100 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
73% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2023 Hyundai Sonata are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.
Worse than 94% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM08/07/2026
I own a 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL. Over approximately three years, the vehicle experienced four separate incidents involving sudden loss of engine power and recurring fuel injector/powertrain problems. Three of these incidents occurred while the vehicle was being driven on interstate highways, creating serious safety con…
POWER TRAIN06/15/2026
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into neutral(N) and failed to shift into park or drive on three occasions. The vehicle was restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was shifted into drive, and the contact continue…
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE05/14/2026
This is an extremely common issue plaguing Hyundai & Kia vehicles with the Theta III 2.5L Turbo engine, Such as Kia K5 GT, Hyundai Sante Fe, Hyundai Santa Cruz, & Hyundai Sonata N-Line. Its a failing ITM (integrated thermal management) unit or otherwise known as an ITMS unit. There is a rod within the ITM that prevent…
Three of 72 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (2)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go…
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 conta…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2023 Hyundai Sonata
Ask the seller whether the fuel system has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown hard starts, stalling, hesitation, a fuel smell or a check-engine light.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many fuel system faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the fuel system.
2 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A fuel system already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.
