r/sonata

I have a 2013 Sonata 2.0T on its second Theta II engine, 128k miles. I recently developed exactly the same low pressure fuel line leak detailed in NHTSA recall #22V312000. However, my model is a YFA instead of a YF, which apparently has been excluded from the recall. Hyundai corporate refuses to acknowledge that this is identical to the materials issue on the YF model, and because this is such a common issue, they have monopolized ALL high and low pressure fuel lines. I’ve called around to multiple shops, nobody can source it. The dealership is trying to charge me $1100 for this on a car that’s probably only worth around $2500 total. What can I do about this? It’s clearly exactly the same materials issue as the recall, but Hyundai legal seems to think that they’re able to screw me over here bc of that minor cosmetic facelift on the YFA. Any advice? Anyone with a similar story that we can aggregate?

Our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with the Theta II 2.4L engine suffered catastrophic engine failure. Our dealer initially refused to even submit the warranty claim, so we went directly to Hyundai Canada ourselves. Corporate was cooperative at first and opened a case, but when we called back for an update, we were suddenly told we did not qualify for the extended/lifetime warranty — despite the dealer already confirming the vehicle needed a new short block engine and catalytic converter.

Since then, we’ve faced constant runarounds. We’ve filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and Ontario Consumer Protection. We’ve also had Hyundai corporate customer service representatives hang up on us after pulling up our file, and we’ve had no success escalating to management.

Unfortunately, because our vehicle falls outside the CAMVAP eligibility timeline, we cannot file through them. But if your Hyundai is within the eligible years and you’ve experienced Theta II engine failure or warranty denial, please file complaints with CAMVAP and Consumer Protection Ontario.

If enough owners speak up, Hyundai can be held accountable for honoring these warranties. Families should not be left financially devastated over known engine defects.

If you’ve had any success getting your engine replaced after an initial denial, please share your experience. We’re all ears, but our time and energy are limited as we’re also managing work, children, and health while still needing a functioning vehicle.

2021 SEL. Went from stock 17s to 19s and 50 series tires. Ride got rougher (I knew it would). What can I do to lessen feeling EVERY PEBBLE ON THE ROAD?

I wish I had known this before going through the buying process — but honestly, that's on me for not looking closer at the different trim levels.

After purchasing my brand new 2026 Sonata SEL, I was super excited to use Digital Key on my iPhone so I wouldn't have to carry around a key fob. I did my research, saw that the 2025 model had Digital Key, and found multiple websites confirming it was available on the SEL trim. However, after revisiting some of those sites, I noticed they never actually specified the 2026 model — my mistake for not catching that.

Come to find out, Hyundai removed Digital Key from not only the SEL but also the Blue trim this year. It's now reserved exclusively for the N-Line and Limited. What makes this especially frustrating is that they've included this feature for the past 2–3 years, and this is the year they quietly pulled it — while also raising the price of the car.

I was fully ready to be a Hyundai advocate. The brand had me sold on offering great technology without sacrificing affordability. But this situation has left a bad taste in my mouth, mostly because Hyundai made zero noise about removing a feature that's been standard for years. There's also virtually nothing else different about the 2026 model to justify the change.

I get that it's ultimately my responsibility as a buyer to verify features before signing. I just hope this post saves someone else from making the same assumption I did.

When I bought the car it came with a tire inflate kit so I knew I was going to end up replacing with a spare on my own. That said, when I try and look up what size spare to get, I see conflicting information. I want to get the correct size so that it fits properly in the trunk and lays flat under the mat. Has anyone purchased a spare for this car and if so, can you share what size it was?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on a stressful situation with my car.

I purchased a pre-owned 2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L about 9 months ago, in June 2025, from a certified dealership. It had about 92,000 miles at the time of purchase. Since then, I’ve only driven it about 3,000 miles.

On April 4, 2026, while driving on the highway, the car suddenly lost power and I had to pull over. After stopping, the engine would not restart.

The car was towed to a Hyundai dealership, where they diagnosed the following:

• Engine locked up
• Crankshaft seized
• Misfire codes found

They said I need a full engine replacement, estimated around $10,000.

Where things get complicated:

Hyundai told me this may be related to the Theta II engine issue, which is known for sudden engine failures. However, they denied coverage because Service Campaign 953 was not completed by the previous owner.

I was never informed about this campaign when I bought the car from the dealership. I also checked the NHTSA site using my VIN, and Campaign 953 does not show up for my vehicle.

I also had a third-party vehicle service contract through Excela Protect, but they denied my claim as well. Their exact reason was: “The reason for this denial is due to the engine being covered under a recall with the manufacturer and therefore excluded under the provisions of your policy. Specifically, Section ‘Exclusions’ of your contract states: ‘Any loss or expense that is a direct result of a mechanical or structural defect for which a manufacturer has announced a recall or other announcement for the purpose of correcting a defect, or the repair of any part covered by the Federal Emission Warranty, whether collectible or not.’”

So essentially, Hyundai is saying it is not covered because a service campaign was not completed, while the third-party service contract provider is saying it is not covered because it is a manufacturer defect/recall. I feel stuck in the middle with no coverage from either side.

Additional details:

• No check engine light before the failure
• CARFAX showed regular maintenance by the previous owner
• Bought in good faith with no clear disclosure about this issue
• Only driven about 3,000 miles since purchase

I would really appreciate any advice or similar experiences. I am a student who struggled to get a car, and now, in less than 10 months, I’m left with a $10,000 repair on a car I barely drove.

Thank you.