2018 Hyundai Sonata: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Lights · OR

THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ASAP? After his death, I acquired this vehicle from my father who had stopped driving at night thinking he had developed a vision issue. The first time I drove it at night I discovered the low beams are defective, and that was the problem, not my dear old Dad’s vision. The light emitted does not extend far enough in front of the vehicle to light a large enough safe distance. There are also large black areas at the far edge of each light that float from side to side with the beam while making turns. This also causes the areas on one side or the other to loose lighting. While turning they are often facing the wrong direction making it virtually impossible to see the unlit areas. We live in the country down a 20 mile long two lane road with many turns and minimal lighting compared to city driving. We then turn onto a 3 mile very narrow road with numerous turn, minimal shoulders, and a double hairpin turn with a dip at the end. It required us to leave the high beams on at all times even when other vehicles are approaching because it would be too dangerous to only use the low beams. When I took it to the dealer they ignored the problem. I then insisted they examine them immediately—since that was my #1 PRIORITY when I dropped it off for inspection during a regular service. Their conclusion was that there was nothing they could do to fix it. THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE! THOSE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. My research has found that this has been an issue since the vehicle was first made and when purchased by my dear old Dad, his only way of dealing with it was to stop driving at night.

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Lights · PA

Headlight lens has a projection in the middle of the lens that interferes with and is very distracting to the lighted field of vision. Hyundai mechanics have tiold me they've gotten many complaints from drivers, but hyundai refuses to correct it. I filed a formal complaint with hyundai, and they gave a very dubious and weak excuse for the defect. They responded in writing to me "the black half-moon triangular image is designed to prevent glare to the vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Hyundai motor america is unable to replace the headlamp assembly for concerns related to the half-moon/triangular shadow." this response defies logic and it appears to be an after the fact fabricated response so that they don't have to correct the design flaw. This flaw is obviously only observable during night driving.

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Lights · 20 miles · GA

Dim headlights are very weak, not aimed correctly or poor design. Not enough candle power to see dividing lines on highway. With bright lights things are good. I have talked with 3 other people who have sonata's, different year models, they have the same complaint. Not safe! I would like to know how this high safety item passed the ntsb!!!!

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Lights · 2 miles · MD

I have a 2018 hyundai sonata. I took it in for service because my headlights look like they are partially shaded and each light has a notch hanging down over it. The service manager told me the lights have an anti glare system and that's how they are supposed to work! This is a very dangerous feature. When I drive at night on a dark road I can see about 15 - 2 feet in front of me. This is an accident waiting to happen. Please do something.

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Lights · PA

Defective headlights. A black projection protrudes down into the middle of each headlight in the line of sight. Very, very distracting. Must use hi-beams at all times to eliminate this sight hazard, which then can become a danger to oncoming vehicles. Hyundai says "sorry about that, nothing we can do". They should at least be required to offer a replacement headlight, which would eliminate this hazard.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Lights · 55 miles · OH

The low beam headlights are useless can't see 30 feet in front of vehicle when turning can't see anything or limited in front of you. Have to drive with high beams on in order to see. Dealer says headlights adjusted correctly. There is definitely a problem. The vehicle is not safe to drive at night causing this to be a danger to drivers and pedestrians. When turning it's impossible to see in order to make safe turn.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 hyundai sonata. While driving 50 MPH, the headlights flashed and the brake and reverse lights went out. The contact could not see the road and smelled an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was taken to stanley parma hyundai (7115 brookpark rd, parma, oh 44129, (216) 749-2525) where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed replacing. The vehicle was repaired five times; however, the failure recurred each time. The vehicle was then taken to elyria hyundai (845 leona st, elyria, oh 44035, (440) 374-8700) where it was diagnosed that the computer needed an update. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2019 · Lights · 8,100 miles · OH

From the time of purchase in june 2018, the low beam headlights are aimed very low and project only 15 to 20 feet in front of the car. When traveling on dark roads, it allows for no reaction time to any hazards, such as animals our pedestrians. Hyundai claims it is designed to not blind oncoming drivers, but this poses a danger to the occupants of my car and anyone that may be near the car.

Filed May 19, 2019 · Engine, Lights · 2,134 miles · CA

I purchased the 2018 hyundai sonata 2.0t on 8/27/18. After we were able to experience different driving conditions and situations, my husband and I noticed that (1) at night, while driving on the highway, the windshield appeared very dark as if it was heavily tinted,and making it difficult to see the road. (2) when driving on highway or road, with normal beam headlights, we noticed that the line of demarcation from headlight to dark road was very close to the front of the car. The reason given by the maintenance dept was that this was so cars in front wouldn't be blinded by the headlight. To us, it seemed that the headlights were aimed too low. I should be able to see more than 20 feet in front of my car. We were told that nothing could be done. Also, when making a turn, the area opposite the direction of the turn is completely dark because of the way the headlights work on a turn. This is extremely dangerous-should someone decide to walk there or if there is an animal, I will not be able to see anything. Again I was told there was nothing they could do. (3) my husband put rain-x on all the windows of the car. It worked on every window except the windshield. We thought there was some sort of coating placed by the manufacturer. I was told no there was not. They could not understand why the rain-x didn't take. They told me that they spent quite a bit of time "scraping the windshield", but nothing came off. We still do not know why it should do that. (4) I noticed. Whether I was driving in smart or sport mode, their is an annoying hesitation when I step on the gas. When the stoplight turns green, it takes several seconds before the car is able to move at normal speed. We were told that they received lots of complaints about that, but no offer for a fix.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Visibility · 25 miles · OH

The low beam headlights at night have very distracting dark line and half moon dark spots that seriously hinder the driver's view of the road. There are many complaints by owners at cargurus.com. Just do a search for 2018 sonata limited healights. Many have reported this to hyundai and to the federal safety agency but so far our complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Just have some test drive at night on dark country road and see for your self. This is going to cause someone to be killed.

Filed Mar 3, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I was one of the first people to drive off with this 2018 sonata 2.0t trim in ending of 2017. Fast foward to now, I have been having electrical, lighting and engine problems. When driving at night, it is hard to see what's 30 feet from you on the ground because there's some parts that the light doesn't illuminate very well. When I have my car's interior lights on auto meaning to turn on, whenever I open the driver's door, it doesn't turn on. Sometimes my headlamps won't turn on neither, when I press the unlock button from my keys. Couple of months back and still is happening to this day my cars engine will start up funny or start up a couple of seconds late after pushing the start button. It even happens when I let my car sit for a day without driving. I've been to the dealer now and told them about the issue with the interior lights and I am waiting on them to get me some new lights for the interior (pretty sure that's not the problem). I know now that it's something electrical seeing all these comment/issues left on here. I paid too much to have this happening to my car. Maybe I should of just stuck with japanese smh. Help please.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Lights · 286 miles · IL

The projected angle of the headlights do not project out far enough when driving this vehicle. The headlights only project out one vehicle in front of the driver, leaving a vast amount of darkness in front of the driver in the hyundai sonata. This is a safety hazard for the owner of this vehicle.