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2018 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems

19 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 8,916. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
8,916
crashes
6
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Cruise control
    1
  • Accelerator pedal
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Hyundai Sonata owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

On 05/27/2025, my rear back-up camera started to malfunction. Last week my dash started to malfunction electronically. When I would start my vehicle, all of the lights would start to turn on and stay on on my dash. My speedometer would not move while I was driving, so I could not see how fast I was going. I believe this is a severe safety issue for myself as well as others. The tachometer would jump up and down and would not function correctly. My dash stated that I had low tire pressure, that I was having problems with my traction control, that my BSD system was not working, that my ABS was not working, that my emergency brake was on even though it was not. It also stated that I did have functioning air bags, which is a severe safety hazard in the chance that I could've gotten into a wreck and they might not have worked. It also stated that I was not in Drive even though I clearly was. It also stated that I had no power steering while I was driving, before the light would turn off and I could properly steer again. This is a severe safety issue that could put me at risk. Finally, my check engine light turned on and stayed on. Yesterday on 06/09/2025 I was able to take it a vehicle maintenance shop so they could run a full diagnostic test. They discovered that I did not have power steering even though there was fluid due to the electrical problems with my dash. They also discovered the C-CAN buss was off and that my vehicle was losing communications with the TCM and HVAC. It was discovered that this was due to my rear view back-up camera malfunctioning, causing the C-CAN network to short out. They had to unplug my rear back-up camera to return everything to normal. I have found on hyundai recall forms that other years of hyundai models had similar problems and I believe that 2018 hyundai sonatas are also having the same problem. I wanted it to be made aware because online, people have stated they are having the same issues. Attached gif that shows part of problem.

Filed Oct 27, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

My car is part of a campaign due to rod-bearing failure where the engine experiences problems such as complete failure, vibrating, hesitating, engine light on, and oil light on. I've been communicating with Hyundai who is not helping me with this issue. I was advised by them to continue driving the car "until the engine seizes", or I hear "a loud knocking noise". Upon inspection, three local Hyundai employees "agreed 100%" I need a new engine. However, per these employees Hyundai Corporate will not approve the replacement even though the vehicle is constantly experiencing the above symptoms above, simply because there is not a "loud knocking noise" coming from the engine. Even though ALL the other issues are present. This is very unsafe. I have a minor child I take to school daily, for an advisor to advise to drive the vehicle until "the engine seizes" is extremely dangerous, especially when they are aware my VIN is associated with engine replacement. My car exhibits symptoms of a rod-bearing failure and this multi-billion dollar company is taking advantage of hard-working urban mothers, by turning a blind eye and trying to require me to pay thousands of dollars up front for a problem THEY created by selling a vehicle with faulty engine. Again, the technicians indicated i in fact do need the engine replaced, but that Hyundai Corporate will require me to pay for a diagnostic test, rod-bearing test, and engine compression test because Corporate does not take their word for it. The fact a auto manufacturer is advising people to drive in such an unsafe manner is disheartening. If my child and I get injured in an accident by following their advice, our blood will be on their hands!

Filed Jan 22, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

I have had a new engine put in my Sonata back at the beginning of 2023. For the past two days my car will jerk really hard, and then loose power not accelerating over 25 rpms and my check engine lights comes on when it jerks really hard.

Filed Jul 4, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

My 2018 sonata has been stalling out while I’m driving more so when I accelerate.I have a baby that I’m scared to drive with in the car because it does it randomly. It has been happening more & more everyday. I got new parts/starter etc. No codes on dash. Have an appointment next week with Hyundai to take a look.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NV

Engine takes a long time to start up, about 10-15 seconds of pushing the start button starts engine which is probably not good for the car. Also, the car jolts/ wants to stop while driving. Has been an ongoing issue since the week of 9/5/22. Loss of motor power issue sounds like what is going on with my 2018 Hyundai Sonata vehicle.

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Acceleration · 41,000 miles · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her daughter was reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The vehicle drove forward and crashed into a brick post. The contact's daughter did not sustain any injury but later received medical attention. There were no airbags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where the dealer later picked up the vehicle and took it to their location. The contact was unaware of what was repaired since the dealer did not provide a work order and she had to sign a power of attorney for the dealer to release the vehicle. The failure recurred with unintended acceleration up to 25 MPH, immediately after the brake pedal was released. The vehicle was not repaired. The insurance company did not deem the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2021 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · CA · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while braking and pulling into a parking space, the vehicle reeved up, accelerated forward, and crashed into a wall. There were no reported injuries, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where they were unable to duplicate the failure after a road test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Consumer stated crash was due to electronic malfunction. Auto will be assessed by Hyundai Corp case still open.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Acceleration · MA · crash

2018 hyundai sonata. Consumer writes in regards to unintended acceleration. *ld the consumer stated the while attempting to make a right turn into a parking space the vehicle accelerated rapidly. The consumer attempted to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes, but to no avail. The vehicle crashed over concrete parking barriers into an embankment with shrubs and was stopped by a tree angled upwards. The dealer was contacted and did not offer any assistance.

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 7,500 miles · AZ

On five separate occasions while driving on the highway the vehicle will loose power and ability accelerate with a flashing engine light. These incidents have almost caused me to be rear ended three times because you are not able to accelerate above 60mph in rush hour traffic on a busy interstate and the ability just stops quickly with no warning. The vehicle also has been having the rpms drop to 0 and shoot back up while braking, and while driving it is tough to accelerate and then you will feel a noticeable 'kick' and the rpms will shoot up drastically before it will accelerate. I have had 2 software updates done, a new wire harness, knock sensor cleaning and a knock sensor replacement. The engine code is always the same 1326.

Filed Nov 9, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 24,600 miles · LA

On 2 different days the car killed on the highway. Both times the hyundai service dept. Looked at it. The first time, they said the software update that was worked on a few months previous, had a glitch in it. The second time they said they didn't know why it happened. While driving the rpms will race up but the car doesn't move much. They said it didn't do that when they drove it. Also since the first software update was done , if I drive 80mph (on the interstate hwy.) the seats shake.

Questions about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata acceleration

Does the 2018 Hyundai Sonata have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the acceleration of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 8,916 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most acceleration problems?

The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (95 complaints), 2013 (86 complaints) and 2012 (84 complaints).

Other 2018 Hyundai Sonata problems

Engine 224Electrical 60Transmission 40Fuel system 34Lights 22Body 17Brakes 17Driver assistance 11Steering 9Locks 8Seat belts 8Visibility 6Suspension 5Airbags 4Tires 4Seats 2

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