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Hyundai Sonata wipers problems

40 of the 16,121 owner complaints about the Hyundai Sonata describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
40
worst model year
2011
typical mileage
45,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    2
  • 2018
    2
  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    5
  • 2014
    2
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    6
  • 2008
    2
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    5
  • 2000
    1
  • 1998
    1
  • 1996
    1
  • 1995
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Visibility · 26,400 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the driver-side windshield wiper failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the wiper blade was not making proper contact with the windshield due to a bent driver-side windshield wiper arm. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that no recall coverage applied to the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V180000 (Visibility/Wiper). The contact notified the Hyundai manufacturer of the issue by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 26,400.

Filed Jan 9, 2025 · Visibility · 400 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in freezing weather conditions, the front windshield wiper fluid would not properly spray onto the front window and the window could not be cleaned, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact indicated that the failure was present on both the front driver and passenger-side windshield wipers. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 400.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Body · AL

The car's paint is peeling all over. The roof was repainted in 2018, the hood and side door in 2024 and now the the roof supports on each side and trunk are peeling . While driving a big piece of white paint flew to my windshield blocking the driver's view. It stuck under the wipers when used to remove it. Hyundai is aware and has recalled the paint but delays fix and then fixes in tiny areas so that you have to continue coming back for repainting. Now they do not want to pay for repairs stating the recall expired. It expired because of their delay and not painting the entire car. Hyundai should paint the entire car when there is a paint defect.

Filed May 1, 2023 · Seat belts, Visibility · CT

Seatbelt stopped locking on drivers side, not able to use and wipers now only work on high.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · NV

My car barely has 11,000 miles and just the other day it had about 20miles left of gas but as I was driving on the road it started to feel and seem like it was about to die on me, Also the front Wipers are not well restrained with the vehicle you can tell by the way it moves when Wipers are on....Also most of the Signals be It if something is in front of me and the signal goes off BUT THERES NOTHING THERE ...ALSO WHEN IM BACKING UP SOMETIMES the car itself will Force stop as if something is in the way ...BUT AGAIN NOTHING IS THERE AT ALL ...IT HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS ....I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ..AND REALLY THINKING IT WAS WORST MISTAKE W ALL THESE ISSUES ALREADY

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Body, Visibility · GA

Paint peeled off hood, initially causing a distraction while driving, while it fluttered, then when departing the hood it stuck to the windshield causing a visibility issue before using the wipers to remove it. Dealer said it's a known issue with this paint color, but said the warranty period was over.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Visibility · DC

2021 sonata n line not equipped with auto wipers wipers intermittently come on by itself while driving. It has come on multiple times when using my turn signal. Wipes once then goes off. Has also come on once without the use of the turn signal. Swiped 3 to 4 times and then went off

Filed Oct 15, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 110,000 miles · IL · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that his passenger side headlight housing had melted and become defective. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate without warning during a rainstorm. Additionally, he stated that the turn signals would operate in the opposite directions of his intention. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was placed under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V749000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 111,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · 16,000 miles · MA

The Contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle abruptly decelerated to 30 mph. The contact also stated that previously the windshield wipers failed and the driver’s side window failed to roll all the way up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code. The contact stated that the dealer could repair the driver’s side window and windshield wipers. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

Filed May 21, 2021 · Visibility · CT

While commuting to work on a rainy evening, the wiper blade appeared suddenly to become loose and quickly became fully detached due to the motion of my windshield wipers. It was flung from my car and could not be retrieved. The replacement wiper blades (driver and passenger side) were attached by a licensed mechanic, and they both seemed to function properly after installation until the failure occurred. The passenger side wiper blade remained connected. It had been replaced simultaneously along with the driver side blade; therefore they each sustained the same wear and relative minimal usage following their application before the critical incident. It was disturbing to have a piece of equipment necessary for the safe operation of a vehicle suddenly fail while the car was in motion, and during rainy weather conditions. There was no reason to suspect this would occur. I am hoping that reports such as this will help to put an appropriate degree of pressure on private companies to ensure they are selling products which are dependable rather than which compromise the integrity of valuable property and personal safety. The images I am including merely provide evidence of the product's purchase and support my claim of the failure. The photos of my windshield were taken upon reentering my vehicle after my overnight work shift. They show a faint line devoid of condensation, created by the bare metal windshield wiper having scraped against my windshield after the blade was disconnected.

Related recalls

Visibility: windshieldReported December 28, 2021 · 26,413 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Risk
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Recall number 21V00M000 · Recall details

Visibility: sun/moon roof assemblyReported October 11, 2016 · 62,811 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
Risk
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.

Recall number 16V726000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported February 26, 1997 · 74,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Risk
This contamination interferes with the electrical circuit continuity and prevents the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.

Recall number 97V026000 · Recall details

Questions about the Hyundai Sonata wipers

Which Hyundai Sonata years have windshield wiper failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (6 complaints), 2002 (5 complaints) and 2015 (5 complaints).

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