At the shop, Hyundai visibility issues have a recognizable signature. 1,430 documented complaints across 79 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2006 Hyundai Sonata tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 49 injury reports on the record — not a category to wave off. Across the 814 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 50,713 miles. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
ProblemsByVin HYUNDAI / VISIBILITY
79 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Hyundai visibility problems
1,430 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for visibility issues. 6 active recall campaigns. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
1,430
Recalls
6
Year-models
79
Avg fix
$350
13crashes
1fire
49injuries
Worst-affected Hyundai model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2006 Hyundai Sonata
178 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Hyundai Sonata
135 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2020 Hyundai Palisade
115 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2008 Hyundai Sonata
90 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
70 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Hyundai Veloster
64 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$350 severe
2023 Hyundai Palisade
58 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2007 Hyundai Elantra
55 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 Hyundai Palisade
52 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2022 Hyundai Palisade
41 complaints · ~$350 severe
2013 Hyundai Elantra
35 complaints · ~$350 severe
2013 Hyundai Veloster
31 complaints · ~$350 severe
2016 Hyundai Tucson
23 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Hyundai Sonata
20 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2008 Hyundai Accent
20 complaints · ~$350 severe
2009 Hyundai Sonata
19 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2015 Hyundai Sonata
18 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2009 Hyundai Accent
18 complaints · ~$350 severe
2010 Hyundai Accent
17 complaints · ~$350 severe
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
16 complaints · ~$350 severe
2013 Hyundai Sonata
15 complaints · ~$350 severe
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
14 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 Hyundai Elantra
14 complaints · ~$350 severe
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
13 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2007 Hyundai Accent
13 complaints · ~$350 severe
Active recalls — Hyundai visibility 7 on file
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012
Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs
If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Palisade vehicles
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 243. This recall is an expansion of recall number 22V-627.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 233.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs
If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Common questions
How many Hyundai visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
1,430 complaints across 79 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 6 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the Hyundai lineup.
Which Hyundai model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata leads with 178 complaints in this category. Next: 2007 Sonata (135) and 2020 Palisade (115).
What does it cost to fix Hyundai visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the Hyundai lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Hyundai visibility recalls?
Yes — 7 active recall campaigns cover visibility on Hyundai vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Hyundai.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.