2022 Hyundai Sonata: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
93 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 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. 2022 specifically: a year the record favours — 93 complaints, score 84/100. 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 2022 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 93 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 23.25
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond as intended. The manufacturer w…
The driver's power seat drive cable on the left-hand track rail snapped internally. The motor only advances the right side, causing the seat to twist violently to the left and jam. This mechanical failure occurred prematurely at 9,000 miles. Because the seat framework is structurally compromised and twisting out of alignment, it poses a severe occupant safety hazard in a collision. And interferes with positioning the…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud bang coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the sunroof windshield visor had shattered. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained for further inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The fa…
Recalls: 3 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 22V746000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. |
| 21V524000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. |
| 25V796000 | 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 contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank. |
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 27 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,400
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.
- Engine25 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train24 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System22 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Electrical System16 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Unknown Or Other9 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
Other Hyundai Sonata years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (25 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2022 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 84/100, computed from 93 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2022 Hyundai Sonata's most common problem?
25 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2022 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 2022 Hyundai Sonata cost to run per year?
About $4,071 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $20,358 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.
Does the 2022 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/10/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2022 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.
Moderate evidence — 93 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 93 NHTSA complaints on record (23.2/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (46.5/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems