2023 Hyundai Sonata: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
87 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 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. 2023 specifically: a year the record favours — 87 complaints, score 87/100. 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 2023 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 87 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 29.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
While driving at highway speeds, the emergency brake system will apply and alert me. It’s happened twice now in the last 3 weeks. I’ve experienced a random loss of power while driving on the highway with no check engine light on the dashboard. Lastly, at lower speeds the car will randomly jerk while accelerating with no lights on the dashboard as well. I’ve gone to the dealership but they wanted to charge me a diagno…
When left turn signal is selected blinker nor camera comes on and at times it does work. Constantly in and out never steady. This never happened with the right turn signal only the left
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-40 MPH, the vehicle was sputtering and shaking abnormally. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the VIN was not under recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer w…
Recalls: 2 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 23V526000 | 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 oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat. |
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.
- Fuel/Propulsion System37 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Engine28 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train16 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System12 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Forward Collision Avoidance9 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Fuel System7 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Hyundai Sonata years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Fuel/Propulsion System (37 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2023 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 87/100, computed from 87 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2023 Hyundai Sonata's most common problem?
37 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2023 Hyundai Sonata sit in the Fuel/Propulsion System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is fuel pump or injector replacement: about 3.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $680–$1,620 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 2023 Hyundai Sonata cost to run per year?
About $4,041 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $20,205 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 2023 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2023 Hyundai Sonata, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 18/11/2025. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2023 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 — 87 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 87 NHTSA complaints on record (29.0/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (46.5/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems