NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 79 complaints against the 2022 Hyundai Sonata. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2022 Hyundai Sonata complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata has generated 98 NHTSA complaints and has 3 active recalls. If your 2022 Hyundai Sonata has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Hyundai pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata has generated 11 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “My 2022 Hyundai Sonata Limited had a recall issued on the vehicle. I took my vehicle to a dealership and the recall issue was taken care for my fuel tank. Months after this issue was supposedly resolved, my fuel tank exploded and the car has been totaled.” (NHTSA Complaint #11711052)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 11 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Initially vehicle battery is drained after three days of sitting in driveway and not being used. Vehicle has been taken in to dealership in July 2025 and found the 12v integrated battery was faulty and was replaced after being on backorder for three weeks. After battery was replaced the vehicle battery is drained after five days of sitting in driveway and not being used. No lights are left on, no aftermarket accessories are plugged in or attached to the electrical system. This has been an ongoing issue and the dealership I initially worked with has now had my car 3 different times and over four weeks and have stopped returning my phone calls. I have just sent my car do a different dealership and have been told it may take up to 2 months to diagnose the issue. I cannot open the door or start the car without using the emergency key, when I gain access to the car the 12v battery reset button rarely works to power the vehicle again. This is something that the dealerships are aware of, but have no idea what the actual problem is. Please for the love of God help.” (NHTSA Complaint #11695328)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 10 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “My 2022 Hyundai sonata hybrid started blowing white smoke from the exhaust. Took it to the dealership and was advised the valve that controls antifreeze failed and leaking antifreeze in exhaust. This caused the engine to overheat and would cause the engine to blow up. My car has 83,000 and was told the manufacturer warranty only covered to 80,000 and extended warranty would not cover the part. Was told it would cost 2659 to fix. This is part of the hybrid power train and should be covered under the 100,000 Hyundai warranty. I have seen the same issue with other sonata hybrids on the internet that is doing the same as mine. Hyundai needs to recall for this since it is a needed component for the engine.” (NHTSA Complaint #11709404)
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata has generated 7 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “I was driving my yesterday morning like normal, about 15mph getting off of a freeway offramp, when all of the sudden I heard a strange brief noise come from the inside of the car. I couldn’t figure it out so I drove home. Went inside for about 20 minutes, went back outside to leave again and I noticed my panoramic sunroof had shattered/exploded from the inside outward. I had it towed to my local dealer in hopes warranty would cove, but I was told it wouldn’t. I have to use aftermarket glass with my insurance company to replace it due to Geico not covering OEM glass.” (NHTSA Complaint #11662701)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 5 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Transmission issues: Knocking when it shifts. Also, it tries to “leap” forward sometimes when I come to a stop.” (NHTSA Complaint #11609629)
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata by the NHTSA or Hyundai. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 207.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 Hyundai Sonata:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Hyundai to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Hyundai must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2022 Hyundai Sonata qualifies as a lemon under California law, Hyundai may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Hyundai a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Hyundai dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Hyundai pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Hyundai a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Hyundai is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2022 Hyundai Sonata has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
Get a free case evaluation. Hyundai pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.
Check My Refund Amount →