2019 Hyundai Sonata Safety Report
2019 Hyundai Sonata Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Hyundai Sonata. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (140) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 12 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Hyundai Sonata with 79 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Hyundai Sonata before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Sonata Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Sonata years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Hyundai Sonata | 151 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Hyundai Sonata | 350 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Hyundai Sonata | 109 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Hyundai Sonata | 739 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Hyundai Sonata | 79 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | 695 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2019 Hyundai Sonata Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Hyundai Sonata, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
49 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyExterior Lighting
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyAir Bags
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Hyundai onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Hyundai onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability Score
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata receives a reliability score of 8 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive Oil Consumption The engine is burning oil at an excessive rate, with some reports of a quart every 2-3 weeks. This can lead to engine damage if not addressed. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Issues The steering wheel can get stuck in a position, requiring a forceful return to center. This can be a safety hazard. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Damage During Recall Repair There is a safety concern where the windshield was damaged during a manufacturer recall repair. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Tampered Steering Wheel The steering wheel panel was glued or tampered with, making it impossible to perform a recall due to broken parts. |
High | Occasional | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Hyundai Sonata:
Issues with excessive oil consumption are the most common problem.
Steering issues are a notable concern.
Problems with exterior lighting are reported.
Air bag issues are less common but still reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Hyundai Sonata with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
consuming oil a quart every 2-3 weeks sonata hyundai in 2000 miles 3 quarts of oil were used. what happens when the motor locks up from be extremely low on oil. Possible accident! I cannot expect my wife to be checking the oil level every time she drives.
Safety Concern — Damage to Windshield During Manufacturer Recall Repair (Z05) My vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership on January 14, 2026 for a manufacturer-directed paint recall repair (Campaign Z05), which required removal and reinstallation of the windshield as part of the procedure. The repair was originally expected to be completed between January 14 and January 28, 2026....
Steering wheel panel glued/tampered (Safety Hazard) Motor/Pump assembly broken. Recall couldn't be done due to tampered parts.
Steering will stay stuck in left or right position when turned slightly, a couple of inches. The wheel has to be jerked back to center. Vehicle will not go back to center. No lane assist of any kind are on. Excessive tire wear. Consistent issue especially when it’s hot weather. Steering wheel tilts to left when brought to centerz Cannot be reset to stay centered. Dead spot in steering.
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the failure reoccurred with the messages "Check Hybrid System” and “Turn Engine Off" being displayed. The contact immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a dealer for assistance. A ...
I have had my car in 7 times for the same issue. Metal shavings in oil and burning excessive amounts of oil between oil changes. This is a very well known issue with 2019 Hyundai Sonata. They have done nothing but add oil and run tests which the car failed. No attempt to fix it or replace it. I have been in contact with Corporate who refused to help. My car has an extended warranty for this s...
See attached document for complaint.
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 Limited edition. I believe that this type of incident occurred back around 2011 with Hyundai's models for that time
My vehicle has an oil consumption problem. I put in 5 quarts of oil last week after changing the oil three weeks before this. I am down today December 19, 2025 2 1/2 quarts when I put in 5 quarts last Friday. Hyundai motor Corp. says I have to pay for the $90 oil change to do the oil consumption test then I have to go back 1000 miles later and pay $600 for an oil combustion cleaning and drive it a...
Hyundai replaced my engine under warranty due to their oil consumption in mid October. About 2 weeks later all warning lights came on and they said need new battery. They put in new battery in November. 15 miles after new battery a burning smell and smoke came from under hood with visible smoke. Took to dealer following day and no smoke. Got car back and next day it’s smoking and burning smell...
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken for an oil change, and the contact was informed that the vehicle required an oil change every 10 days. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after driving 1,000 miles after an oil change, and the dealer informed the contac...
Factory paint on my 2019 Hyundai Sonata (white Z05 warranty) is peeling on metal panels. Hyundai acknowledges paint failure under the Z05 warranty extension and directed me to authorized repair shops. When I contacted these Hyundai-referred shops, they stated they do not blend horizontal panels such as hood/roof/deck lid and would instead tint or use trim to disguise color differences. Hyundai co...
My oil light came on after driving it about 4700 miles from purchase date. I checked the oil and there was no oil on the dipstick. 200 miles and 2 days later the check engine light came on and put it into limp mode. It was about a half quart low. I was put at risk for having to go slow on a main highway to get back home. I took it to a local Hyundai dealership they did a diagnostic and bearing c...
Engine is burning oil at an excessive rate. Burning a liter every 1,000 miles and Hyundai refuses to do anything about it.
My car has been with Priority Hyundai in Chesapeake Va since September 23rd. They have advised me that I will definitely need a new engine however, Hyundai is requiring them to do 2750.00 worth of work on my engine before they can submit a claim to have my engine replaced. They explained to me that one of the piston rings in my engine needs to be replaced. The service technician reassured me “the ...
Problem with the valve cover gasket. Dealer said replaced. Engine oil smell has been entering into the cabin and making me ill. Causing chest pain, headache, dizziness, nausea.
Burning oil
Excessive oil consumption leading to no or low oil levels. Piston ring design flaw allowing oil to leak into combustion chamber, damaging the spark plugs. No warning lights until failure posing a significant crash risk for my family. Engine failure at 134K miles without warning, rings need replaced, per mechanic. I am shocked as I just paid the car off and thought Hyundai was a good brand.
Burning excess oil
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. In addition, while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer,...
Showing 20 of 140 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Has the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA been recalled?
No, the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA have?
The 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA has 140 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 8 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
The 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA involve engine (49 complaints), exterior lighting (16 complaints), unknown or other (13 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, engine and engine cooling, engine,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA have?
There are 8 crash reports associated with the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA out of 140 total complaints (5.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA out of 140 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA is acceptable with caveats. It has 140 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA are: 1. ENGINE (49 complaints), 2. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (16 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (6 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (6 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 49 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
Be cautious of excessive oil consumption and steering issues. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential engine damage and safety hazards. The 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA has 140 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
The 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA receives a reliability score of 8/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 140 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 12 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Excessive oil consumption and Steering issues.
What are the known issues with the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA?
Known issues with the 2019 HYUNDAI SONATA include: Excessive oil consumption, Steering issues, Windshield damage during recall repair, Tampered steering wheel. These are based on patterns found across 140 NHTSA complaints.
What is the most common issue with the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Excessive oil consumption is the most common issue, with some vehicles consuming a quart every 2-3 weeks.
Can the steering wheel get stuck in the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes, the steering wheel can get stuck in a position, requiring a forceful return to center.
What should I do if I notice excessive oil consumption in my 2019 Hyundai Sonata?
Take the vehicle to a dealership for inspection and maintenance to address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of excessive oil consumption and steering issues. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential engine damage and safety hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Hyundai Sonata
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The data includes 140 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Hyundai Sonata an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16