2019 Hyundai Sonata problems
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata has 155 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata has 155 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 69 complaints, typically surfacing around 80,398 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Sonata | 716 | 6 |
| 2017 Sonata | 761 | 3 |
| 2018 Sonata | 366 | 1 |
| 2019 Sonata (this page) | 155 | 0 |
| 2020 Sonata | 170 | 4 |
| 2021 Sonata | 123 | 4 |
| 2022 Sonata | 90 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Engine: 69 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–118,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2019 Hyundai Sonata? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 69 owner reports · tends to show around 80,398 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- lighting — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 22,211 mi · ~$250 to fix
- electrical — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 153,400 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 50,600 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 80,398 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 Hyundai Sonata
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The engine is burning oil around 1 quart every 700 miles. I check the car oil level around every 10 days. I have experienced when I didn't check the oil and the low oil engine light would come on in the instrument panel. Hyundai shows no recall for this 2019 Hyundai Sonata…
The part in question is the oil pan. An oil leak was identified at the place where I get my oil changed. The service center at the dealership informed me that there was a crack in the oil pan due to overtightening of the drain plug. I am not sure how they made that…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Since april 2025 i’ve been having low oil readings in my vehicle despite regular oil changes I took it into the dealer since my vehicle was still under warranty, which they stated…
The car was stolen, one of the vehicles that Hyundai manufactured without an Engine Immobilizer, making it very easy to steal. Consumers didn't know about this defect, because the corrupt automaker kept us in the dark. I'm fairly certain that by breaking the steering column to…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Hyundai Sonata is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 69 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–118,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 69 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,398 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 155 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 80,398 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 69 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,398 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,398 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Sonata has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 155 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.