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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2016–2019

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 63 owner complaints for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, covering model years 2016 to 2019. The 2017 model year drew the most complaints (32), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 63 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2016–2019)
  • most complaints: 2017 (32 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (36 complaints)
  • latest recall 21V749000 (reported Sep 24, 2021)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2017 model year has the most complaints: 32 of 63, or 50.8%. Next come 2016 (26) and 2019 (5).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2016–2019Column chart of 63 complaints across 4 model years. The highest is 2017 with 32. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2016: 26 complaints2620162017: 32 complaints3220172018: 0 complaints20182019: 5 complaints52019
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2016260000
2017320000
201950000
All model years630000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 36 complaints (57.1% of all 63), followed by Electrical System (25) and Fuel/Propulsion System (11).

Components named most often in Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints (top 11)
Components named most often in Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints (top 11)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine3657.1%
Electrical System2539.7%
Unknown or Other1320.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System1117.5%
Power Train914.3%
Hybrid Propulsion System34.8%
Vehicle Speed Control23.2%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)11.6%
Forward Collision Avoidance11.6%
Service Brakes11.6%
Steering11.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2016 to 2018. The 2016 and 2017 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid recall campaigns covering each model year
2016: 2 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 21V749000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Software; Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal

    Model years 2016–2017

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.

    Consequence:
    A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  2. NHTSA campaign 18V166000

    Reported

    Hybrid Propulsion System

    Model years 2016–2018

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

    Consequence:
    If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, covering model years 2016 to 2019. The most recent, 21V749000, was reported on September 24, 2021 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2016 and 2017 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model year has the most complaints?

The 2017 model year, with 32 of the 63 complaints in NHTSA’s file (50.8%). The next are 2016 (26) and 2019 (5). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 36 complaints, or 57.1% of all 63. Electrical System (25) and Fuel/Propulsion System (11) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Hyundai dealer.

How many Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 63 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Hyundai models

8 models · most complaints first

The Hyundai models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Hyundai VIN decoder with every Hyundai model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Hyundai models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.