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 78 complaints against the 2023 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 2023 Hyundai Sonata complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata has generated 93 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2023 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 2023 Hyundai Sonata has generated 18 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “I am filing this complaint regarding Recall 25V-796 (Hyundai Recall 286). On November 27th, while driving, my vehicle made a loud popping noise twice and then began sounding muffled. About a week later, while on a long-distance drive, I attempted to refuel and the gas would not go into the tank. At another gas station I was able to fuel it, but afterward the vehicle began rapidly leaking fuel while I was driving. The fuel gauge was also malfunctioning. It showed 53 miles remaining and then suddenly jumped to 200 miles. It was not accurately reflecting the fuel level. When I stopped again for gas, the same muffled noise occurred and the fuel level rapidly dropped again. Due to safety concerns, I took the vehicle directly to the dealership.I dropped the vehicle off on December 6th and it has remained at the dealership ever since. The vehicle is currently sitting in their lot with no remedy available. I am still making monthly payments on a vehicle I cannot use. Although Hyundai provided a rental vehicle, it has now been over three months of inconvenience, including having to exchange rental vehicles for service. This has caused disruption to my daily life and financial strain. Hyundai has offered to pay off my loan and provide 8% toward the purchase of another vehicle. However, I am a single mother who is currently rebuilding financially after losing my job in prior years, and my credit score has been affected. I do not believe I should be pressured into purchasing another vehicle due to an unresolved manufacturer safety defect. I also attempted to seek guidance regarding Florida Lemon Law, but was informed that I may not qualify because the vehicle was purchased in April 2023 and the issue occurred after the two-year period. However, this is a manufacturer recall involving the fuel system, and I believe it is unfair that I am left financially responsible for a vehicle with a serious safety defect and no available remedy. I am requesting investigation” (NHTSA Complaint #11721116)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 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 9 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “My car was having an issue where it was losing all the coolant, causing my engine to overheat twice while driving down the highway. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a leak anywhere and there was no fluid leaking in my garage. I lost an entire reservoir of coolant overnight. After taking my car to the dealership to get repaired, I was told that it was leaking my coolant into the exhaust system and burning it up. I was also told “it was a know issue, they had a bulletin from Hyundai on how to fix the problem, and Hyundai completely redesigned the part to stop the leak and it had to be special ordered.” I was without my car for a week and left with a $1300 bill as apparently it was not covered by my warranty. I have no idea how a known issue is happening so frequently that requires a nationwide bulletin and a part redesign, yet somehow is recalled. Especially considering it left me stranded on the side on the side of the highway in Indiana during a snow storm but someone seriously needs to investigate it.” (NHTSA Complaint #11704347)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Sonata have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 7 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “At least 8 times when driving the car the transmission switches from the drive “d” position to the park “p” position and I have to cut off the car and…”
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 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 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “My Hyundai Sonata 2023 is experiencing two recall codes. The first one was 9b1 which was resolved, but the other one is indefinite which is 286. I dropped my car off on December 4 of 2025 and a month later Hyundai’s corporate team reached out to discuss the state of my car. They asked me for things such as the payoff balance of what I owe through CarMax who I’m financing the car from, they asked me the mileage on the car, the registration and the lien. They then told me they would provide me with an update by certain dates it’s been over two months and I haven’t received any updates. The car shop called me to come pick up my car because one of the issues was resolved, but after reviewing the recall code 286 and seeing that there is very much so a safety risk when driving the car, I ultimately chose to leave the car with Hyundai. Hyundai has been unsuccessful with providing me with the solution. I’ve waited two months almost 3 months and I believe that this vehicle is a lemon and I need a solution. Hyundai took back the loaner, I have nothing now and they keep telling me they’re going to follow up, but have not followed up with anything I need help. I don’t want to risk my life, driving the car and being paranoid that it could catch on fire and harm me or other people driving in it please help.” (NHTSA Complaint #11718375)
Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2023 Hyundai Sonata has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after depressing the START/STOP button, the vehicle failed to start immediately. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated; however, an undisclosed message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the fuel injector; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720359)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer
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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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.
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