2023 Hyundai Sonata: won't start

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Fuel system · GA

Hello Sir/Madam, While driving on Interstate I-75 at approximately 70 mph, the yellow check engine warning light suddenly illuminated. Immediately afterward, the vehicle began to shake violently, lose engine power, and run extremely rough. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power, and pressing the accelerator pedal did not result in normal response or acceleration. The throttle input was significantly reduced, making it difficult to maintain speed and safely control the vehicle. At highway speed and in heavy highway traffic, if we had not been able to safely exit the roadway, this loss of control could have put not only the occupants of this vehicle but also other drivers at serious risk. Fortunately, we were already in the exit lane, and a McDonald’s parking lot was located immediately off the exit. This allowed us to leave the highway quickly. Otherwise, this situation could have been extremely dangerous in active, heavy highway traffic. As the vehicle continued to shake, a strong smell of gasoline and a burning odor entered the cabin, raising concerns about a possible fire hazard. We safely stopped the vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot and then shut the engine off due to the severity of the symptoms. After shutting the vehicle off, we attempted to restart it, but the engine would not start. The vehicle had to be towed to a Hyundai service center for inspection. The Hyundai service center later confirmed that the failure was caused by a faulty fuel injector, and they have changed all 4 injectors as I attached receipt from Hyundai This failure created a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of engine power, reduced accelerator response, severe shaking at highway speed, and fuel and burning odors inside the cabin. Regards

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Fuel system · TX

The fuel injectors failed again, leaving me stranded on a busy road. The first time this happened, I had a little over 8,000 miles on my vehicle - 5 months after purchase. That was two years ago. Now, the injectors have failed for the second time and I am having to pay just north of $1,000 to get them replaced at my Hyundai dealership. It was a terrifying thing to experience and my safety was at risk due to my vehicle decelerating on a busy street. I had to call the police to help shield my vehicle from other drivers. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer upon inspection and diagnosis, and the police officer that was at the scene also could see that my vehicle would not start. This dealer works at the company that manufactures Hyundais. Prior to the fuel injection failure, there were brief moments where the 'check engine' light would illuminate but it would never stay on long. Directly before my vehicle shut off on the road due to the failure, there were no light/lamps/or other symptoms noticeable.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Fuel system · FL

My car stalled while driving through an intersection and nearly caused a T-Bone collision. The car would not start afterwards and towed to dealership. The car currently has 32000k miles on it. The inspection report stated leaking fuel injectors causing misfires. This was covered by warranty. The parts are currently backordered with no eta on possible repair indicating it might be a widespread issue. There were no warnings or lights prior to incident. The car had just been serviced at 30k miles by the dealership with no indication of possible failure given to me by maintenance department. The dealership is out of loan vehicles and I’ve been without a vehicle for 6 days now causing work and personal issues.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

My name is [XXX] , and I am the frustrated owner of a 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL. For context, I am a [XXX] woman who had never experienced the frightening event of a “brand new” car breaking down—until now. I am still in shock and trembling from the experience I had with my “new” 2023 Hyundai Sonata on the morning of [XXX]. At 9:30 a.m., I was driving on [XXX] . I was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and cruising along when, all of a sudden, as I went to accelerate, my vehicle instead began decelerating rapidly. I pressed the gas pedal, thinking I might have let up too much or accidentally had my foot on the brake. However, pressing the gas only caused the RPM to spike, with no change in my speed. I had to act quickly, paying close attention to the surrounding traffic as my car slowed down. Thankfully, I managed to maneuver from the far-left lane to the shoulder of the highway. My speed had dropped to around 30 mph and was decreasing. Trying to safely navigate a slowing vehicle on a highway filled with traffic is an adrenaline rush I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I was in a state of severe panic. As I steered the car onto the shoulder, I noticed it was shaking and struggling to move forward. White smoke was also coming from the exhaust. Once safely stopped, I put the car in park and turned off the engine to let it cool down. After a few minutes, I restarted it and noticed the engine, oil, and battery indicators were all illuminated on the dashboard. My first thought was a battery issue, but the car was still able to turn on. However, the engine did not start. A notification appeared, stating the car was not in a condition to be driven. After receiving the car back from the Hyundai Dealer I was notified that the issue was due to fuel injectors failing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 3, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

The car would not accelerate, nor switch gear while I'm driving middle of the highway. The car engine started to shake after my car wouldn't switch gear. The car engine would not start after turning the car off and caused a engine misfire. The transmission gear has a hard time switching gear from 0-40mph. This same incident occurred twice since purchasing the car in late November 2022.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Fuel system · UT

Had been traveling for approximately 2.5 hours in a winter storm, pushed on brake to slow down and park and the car started to chug. Turned car off and then back on again. Car would not start and had to be towed to nearest Hyundai dealership. There were no warning signs at all, car just suddenly quit. We were later informed that it was the fuel injectors. We were very fortunate that this did not occur in a place with no cell service on a very frigid, stormy night.

Filed Jan 29, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · UT

Driving going 30 mph, vehicle stopped accelerating. Error code was Engine Control System failure. Codes P2178, P0301 and P0087F0 were shown at dealership. Car was taken to dealership for repairs where the fuel injector on cylinder #1. 16 days after receiving car back, we went to start the car and it wouldn't start. After several attempts, gasoline began spewing from the car leaking an entire tank of gas on our garage floor and driveway. Very dangerous! Being towed to dealership again today.

Filed May 4, 2023 · Fuel system · TN

I want to say through this message exactly a month ago that I bought my Hyundai sonata sel 2023 and today driving the car it completely lost power when accelerating so I had to stop immediately I put my turn signals after that I turned off the car! I opened the hood and I didn't see any smoke coming out until that part, everything was fine. Then when I tried to start the car, it made a strange noise and a strong smell of gasoline began to come out! try several times and the same result that the car does not start the engine makes strange noise and the smell of gasoline is very strong that I had to get out of the car and leave it off, at the time I write this message I am still waiting for assistance!

Filed Feb 22, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

I was driving on the freeway, at the speed limit, cruising along. Then all of a sudden, my vehicle starts to decelerate from 65 MPH and I push the gas, thinking I must have let up too much on the pedal. However, that only causes the RPM to drastically rise with NO change in my speed. I thankfully managed to maneuver from the far left lane to the freeway shoulder on the far right. The whole time, my speed was around 40 MPH and dropping drastically. Trying to safely navigate a slowing vehicle on a 65+ Texas freeway is an adrenaline-rush that I wouldn’t wish on anybody. I was severely panicking. I was almost hit by several vehicles in my maneuvering. I could have died last night. Once on the shoulder, I tried to start my car. I thought it may be a battery issue, but it turned on. It didn't start, though. The lights came on, as did all of the typical system/dash lights that usually indicate when a car’s engine hasn’t “turned over.” I used Bluelink to call for roadside assistance (since I’m only a little over 2 months into ownership) and waited. I was escorted off of the freeway to safety — thanks to a 3-car police escort AND free city tow trucks — and eventually picked up by Hyundai-serviced AAA. The latter then towed my vehicle to the dealership where I bought my Sonata. My car is currently being checked/inspected by my dealer (North Freeway Hyundai) and I only have gotten the following notice from Bluelink: "A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected with your 2023 SONATA on 02/22/2023 at 07:23 am CST. A full system check is recommended to be done soon." I checked and there are no open recalls (currently). Even more concerning, my car recently underwent complimentary maintenance, including an oil change, through my dealer (on February 13, 2023 - I have the receipt), was good on gas, and had no warning lights displaying. Until it stopped running — the time I tried to start it on the side of the road, the dash showed an “engine” light.

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · Fuel system · MN

While on the highway, my car suddenly started shaking violently and losing power. I lost steering and was unable to accelerate. I pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle would not start again. I took it in and a fuel injector was stuck open and it had flooded my engine. This was the second time with this vehicle that this happened.