Hyundai Sonata Hybrid key fob problems

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · VA

​My Lincoln Nautilus (~9,180 miles) logged 6 "Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power" alerts in the [XXX] telematics system between XXX (XXX at 7:59 PM and 8:16 PM; XXX at 1:07 PM and 1:39 PM; XXX at 11:16 PM; and XXX at 10:56 AM). Out of the 6 logged events, I experienced severe loss of motive power during two of them. On XXX, while driving 70 mph on I-95, the vehicle completely lost all propulsion. Coasting without power, I was unable to pull fully onto the shoulder, leaving the car partially stuck in active traffic and narrowly escaping a high-speed collision. Once stopped, the vehicle failed to recognize that it was in Park, causing the electronic parking brake to lock without releasing, which severely delayed towing recovery. The vehicle was towed to a Lincoln dealership in [XXX], whose service department was closed. Upon arrival, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical blackout; the key fob would not unlock the doors, requiring physical key entry. A sales representative provided a jump box, allowing me to start the car, drive back to [XXX], and deliver it to Cavalier Lincoln Ford in [XXX] between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on XXX. Cavalier Lincoln Ford stated they could not reproduce the malfunction. The vehicle and its electronic records remain available for inspection upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Electrical · 33,808 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to use the key fob to unlock the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact manually unlocked the vehicle with the key, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two occasions, and the vehicle was jump-started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,808. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 27, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · CT

When outside temperature drops, car starts in morning with several warning lights illuminated, indicating fault with several safety systems including airbags, brake, power steering, front camera, blind-spot collision warning system, traction control and smart cruise control. Car key fobs have consistently failed, disabling access to the vehicle. The vehicles 12V reset recently failed which required Hyundai Roadside Assistance (10/25/24). According to BlueLink application, cars 12V battery has been reset dozens of times, which is information visible to the service centers. However, at several past service appointments it has been verbally stated that "problem can not be replicated" and was not documented. Problem was confirmed by Hyundai service center on March 13, 2024. Problem was not resolved at the time of service, vehicle was returned back without resolution. With temperatures now dropping at night, said issues are occurring daily with warning indicators for failing safety systems illuminating upon cold start and electrical system failing daily.

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the key fob was inoperable and after using the key to manually open the door. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while pressing the START/STOP button. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was advised that when the failure occurred, to start the vehicle, the battery reset button should be pressed before pressing the START/STOP button. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Body, Electrical · CA

The vehicle, after parking, is nonresponsive to the key fob, nor will it start. This can happen at anytime and anywhere. Dealer said "It is possible the integrated 12v battery into the hybrid battery may be faulty. No codes or tests can confirm the issue. The dealer said the key fobs tested ok." My wife works late at night in a dark area, this has happened 2 times at her place of work and we are concerned for her safety as she has to wait outside for a tow truck to tow it to the dealer. The first 3 times it occured, this issue started around march of 2024, and repeated every 30-45 days. Now it has happened 2 more times in the last week. No warning lamps or indications of problems. The windshield has distortion within the glass and is not a clear view. It is as though you are looking through the heat of a jet engine trying to focus on what is on the other side. This is a major distraction while driving, reading the heads up display in the car, reading street signs and general navigation of pedestrian and other vehicle traffic. There is no aftermarket film or materials on the windshield. The door handle on the drivers side has a cover plate over the hole where a manual key could be inserted. As a construction worker I have very strong hands and I have a difficult time removing the cover plate. The last time I removed the plate I cut my hand on the interior part of the handle as the cover plate popped off. That is how hard the plate is to remove. My wife cannot remove the cover plate on her own. This system is in place for the manual use of the hidden key inside the key fob to be able to open the door in the event of a power failure of the vehicle. which has now happened randomly 5 times.

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Electrical · CA

the car keeps randomly dying (not during driving "yet") it happens at least once or twice a week of where i go to ride my car and it is completely dead, i have to unlock the door using the key fob manually and push the "Reset 12v battery button" inside the car. i have tried to have Hyundai service repair the issue or at least tell me what's wrong but no hope as they can never replicate the problem. I am seeing alot of users posting online on numerous web forms (reddit,facebook..etc) that they are having the same exact issue as me for the same exact model of my car, With also no help from the dealer on the matter. This must be a defect at some point and would greatly appreciate if the federal safety agency can help push this issue to the dealer

Filed Nov 15, 2023 · Electrical · GA

My car's battery dies 2 or 3 times every week. I have to enter into the the car with the manual key that is inside the key fob then hit the 12v rest button to start my car. I have been to two Hyundai dealerships and they both tell me nothing is wrong. I just picked it up a week a go and it has died twice since I picked up. I see many complaints on reddit about the same issue, even some with car dying while driving. This is a serious that Hyundai needs to figure out.

Filed Oct 12, 2023 · Engine · CA

Starting in July 2023, my car has exhibited a recurring problem that seriously hampers its functionality and reliability. Specifically, the car intermittently fails to respond to unlock commands from both the key fobs and the Hyundai cellphone app. Initially, this issue occurred infrequently, happening about once a month. However, the situation has escalated, and in October 2023, it happened three times within a span of two weeks. I promptly brought my car to my local Hyundai dealership, hoping to find a solution to this perplexing issue. On the first visit, the dealership stated that they were unable to duplicate the issue, which left me deeply frustrated but willing to continue troubleshooting. The dealership suggested that I either leave my car with them overnight or bring it in again for further diagnosis. Due to my reliance on the vehicle for daily transportation, I opted for the latter, bringing my car to the dealership on two additional occasions. Regrettably, on each visit, the dealership was still unable to replicate the issue, leaving me with a vehicle that continues to malfunction. My frustration reached its peak during my last conversation with a Hyundai HQ customer care representative. I expressed my concern and requested that Hyundai cover the cost of a rental car while my vehicle was being examined more thoroughly. However, the representative refused to accommodate this request unless the issue was identified as warrant-able. This response left me feeling unsupported and unheard. I would like to emphasize that I have diligently documented the recurring issues with my Hyundai car, even providing video recordings of the last three incidents to demonstrate the problem's severity and consistency. Despite my efforts, Hyundai has chosen to close the case with no resolution, citing my refusal to bear the cost of a rental car as the reason.

Filed Nov 7, 2022 · Engine, Steering · 15,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an unknown recall repair, there were abnormal knocking, clicking, and flapping noises heard intermittently coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the vehicle had reduced power steering assist and was stalling while driving uphill. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on three different occasions; however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the wiper blades and key fob were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2021 · Locks · NC

The trunk will not open by any means, the button inside, the key fob, the mechanical key, the smart trunk open feature. Mine is the Hybrid and does not have fold down back seats. So there is no way to open it from inside or outside only via the inside of the trunk. It just has 28,045 miles. I called the dealer Bob King Hyundai and they did not know if it is under warranty and it will cost $130 just to look at it?