2019 Hyundai Sonata: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
160 NHTSA owner complaints · 0 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The sixth-generation Sonata (2011–2014) is the car that brought Hyundai's Theta II engine problem into the open. Connecting-rod bearing failure in the 2.0 and 2.4-litre engines leads to knocking, stalling and, in the worst cases, fire; Hyundai recalled 2011–2014 Sonatas in 2015 and 2017, extended the engine warranty, installed a knock-sensor detection system, and in 2020 paid a civil penalty to the federal regulator over the timing of the recalls. Read the full note on the model page. 2019 specifically: a year the record favours — 160 complaints, score 91/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
The first-year rule: why the launch year of a new generation is the one to avoid, including 2019 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 160 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 22.86
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The oil is low, went to get looked at by another mechanic besides Dealer cause they want to hit you over the head with prices. Was told car burning oil. Took to dealer for Oil Consumption Test. Had to pay for oil change. Came back a little before 1,000 miles and car failed. They charging me 900.00 for next step because I can’t find ALL the oil changes. I just don’t get it, if this is a known issue with this model en…
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced severe overheating and excessive oil consumption. The contact also stated that there was a misfire in the engine even though the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced. Due to the failure, the vehicle could not be driven with the air conditioning activated. Additionally, the engine was …
Vehicle stalled in traffic due to recall defect. Manufacturer recall remedy is delayed beyond reasonable timeframe, creating ongoing safety exposure.
Recalls: 0 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
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What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 31 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,000
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine85 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other23 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Exterior Lighting18 complaints · typical job: Headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement (1.5 h labour + parts)$360–$1,380
- Fuel/Propulsion System12 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Electrical System12 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Air Bags9 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
Other Hyundai Sonata years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (85 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2019 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 91/100, computed from 160 NHTSA complaints and 0 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2019 Hyundai Sonata's most common problem?
85 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2019 Hyundai Sonata sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2019 Hyundai Sonata cost to run per year?
About $4,084 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $20,420 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2019 Hyundai Sonata really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 160 complaints, 0 recalls on record
- 160 NHTSA complaints on record (22.9/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (46.5/yr)
- 0 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems