Hyundai Sonata VIN Check — Free Recall & Complaint Lookup

Quick answer

The most-reported Sonata run is 5NPEB4AC7BH (2011 builds) with 153 complaints, 15.6× the typical run. Engine problems make up 31% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 24.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 68 recall campaigns for Sonata model years 1989–2026.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Hyundai Sonata has 1,501 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Sonata complaint on file.

FIG.01·Hyundai Sonata — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)	Year	Complaints	Involved a crash	Fire
5NPEB4AC7BH••••••	2011	153	7	3
5NPEB4AC1BH••••••	2011	150	6	4
5NPEB4AC4BH••••••	2011	148	3	4
5NPEB4AC5BH••••••	2011	137	4	3
5NPEB4ACXBH••••••	2011	136	9	8
5NPEB4AC6BH••••••	2011	133	4	4
5NPEB4AC0BH••••••	2011	130	5	3
5NPEB4AC2BH••••••	2011	128	5	5
5NPEB4AC3BH••••••	2011	126	3	2
5NPEB4AC9BH••••••	2011	121	2	3
5NPEB4AC8BH••••••	2011	120	7	2
5NPEC4ACXBH••••••	2011	110	2	6

ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 1,489 Sonata runs has 110 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 388 Sonata VINs so far, most often 2015, 2018, 2016 builds; 13 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Hyundai Sonata the gap between build years is 11.2×: a 2013 car draws 24.6 complaints per run, a 2021 one 2.2.

FIG.02·Hyundai Sonata — complaint rate by model year
Year	Per run	Complaints	Runs	Crashes
2025	1.3	17	13	—
2024	2	45	22	1
2023	1.7	87	52	5
2022	1.6	93	59	8
2021	2.2	132	60	7
2020	3.4	177	52	5
2019	5.3	159	30	7
2018	7.8	366	47	18
2017	11.3	747	66	27
2016	14.2	709	50	18
2015	14.8	1112	75	32
2014	12.9	720	56	27
2013	24.6	1799	73	83
2012	18.5	1459	79	50
2011	23.2	3057	132	105
2010	5.8	290	50	14
2009	7.5	391	52	14
2008	6.4	360	56	15
2007	16.3	603	37	26
2006	11.4	886	78	36

ROWS 20·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 24.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2025 at 1.3. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 31% of everything Hyundai Sonata owners report: Engine, 4,497 of 14,636 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Hyundai Sonata — most-reported systems
System	Complaints	Involved a crash	Fire
Engine	4497	76	320
Steering	2155	57	15
Electrical System	1833	48	147
Air Bags	1820	293	14
Unknown Or Other	1274	50	74
Service Brakes	1118	113	39
Power Train	979	43	16
Structure	936	44	24

ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 68 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Sonata; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Hyundai Sonata — recall campaigns
Campaign	Component	Model years
09V124000	Suspension	1999–2004
93V196000	Seat Belts	1989–1994
13V113000	Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch	2007–2011
13V354000	Suspension:rear	2006–2010
25V796000	Fuel System, Gasoline	2020–2023
18V934000	Engine	2011–2014

ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

09V124000 was opened in 2009 on cars built from 1999: 10 years on the road before the recall.

The Sonata against its rivals

The Sonata draws 9.8 complaints per production run; the Chrysler 300 4.1. That is the highest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Hyundai Sonata VIN check vs rivals
Model	Complaints	Runs	Per run	Involved a crash
Hyundai Sonata	14,636	1,501	9.8	4.4%
Chrysler 300	4,583	1,115	4.1	5%

ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 14,636 reports on the Hyundai Sonata, 4.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Hyundai Sonata — complaint severity
Outcome	Hyundai Sonata	All vehicles
Complaints filed	14,636	1,115,966
Involved a crash	644 (4.4%)	64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire	495 (3.4%)	26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported	619	58,013
Deaths reported	13	2,728

ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Hyundai Sonata share of that is 14,636 complaints over 1,501 runs, 1.3% of everything on record.

Everything on the Hyundai Sonata

Recalls152 campaigns Fuel economy52 mpg best Reliability4.5/5 Common problems16,220 complaints DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space16 cu ft Used prices5,032 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1989–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Hyundai Sonata VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 14,636 NHTSA complaints from 1,501 Sonata runs and 68 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Sonata production run has the most complaints?

5NPEB4AC7BH, a 2011 build, with 153 complaints, 7 of them after a crash. The typical Sonata run has 9.8.

Which Sonata years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 24.6 complaints per run and 2025 lightest at 1.3.

Does the Sonata get more complaints than the Chrysler 300?

Yes: 9.8 complaints per production run for the Sonata against 4.1 for the Chrysler 300.

How many Sonata complaints involve a crash?

4.4% of 14,636 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 495 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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