Every automaker draws owner grumbling, and Hyundai’s mix of sedans, crossovers, trucks and electric models gives owners plenty to report. The entries below draw on complaint databases, theft statistics, federal recall records and a class settlement. Here are ten Hyundai models that owners and regulators have flagged.
Tech news worth reading: Get Techpresso, the daily email with the most interesting tech news and insights, read by 400,000+ professionals from Google, Apple and OpenAI.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Hyundai Sonata: Complaint Champion
Among Hyundai’s lineup, the Sonata stands out for sheer volume: CarComplaints.com’s Hyundai tally shows 2,543 owner complaints, the most of any model the brand sells. The site’s number one reported problem is a seized engine on the 2011 Sonata, which averaged $5,100 to fix at around 96,000 miles.
A seized engine is the kind of failure that can total an aging sedan, so buyers shopping used Sonatas should weigh the model year closely. Pull service records, ask about oil changes, and compare the specific generation against the complaint data before committing money.
2. Hyundai Elantra: Thieves’ Favorite
Theft numbers put the Elantra in an unwelcome spotlight. Reported national theft figures list it as America’s most-stolen vehicle in 2025, with 21,732 taken, a ranking that sits above every other make and model on the list.
For owners, that ranking translates into insurance conversations and practical worries about a car vanishing from a driveway. Anyone buying an Elantra should ask about the theft-deterrent features on the exact model year, and consider a steering wheel lock or other visible deterrent. Used-market buyers should also confirm how the car is insured.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe: Third in Line
Owners of the midsize crossover have been vocal. Complaint listings for Hyundai record 1,217 filings on the Santa Fe, which makes it the third-most-complained-about Hyundai behind only the Sonata and the Elantra.
A high count alone does not say how severe any single issue is, and popular models naturally collect more reports. Still, shoppers should read the complaint breakdown for their target year and see whether the top problems are cosmetic annoyances or costly mechanical ones. Comparing the count against sibling models gives useful context before a purchase.
4. Hyundai Tucson: Worst-Five Mention
The compact SUV also draws steady criticism. The Tucson has accumulated 999 complaints, and the CarComplaints Hyundai page names the 2016 Tucson among the brand’s five worst models.
That singles out one model year rather than the whole nameplate, which is useful for used-car shoppers. A 2016 example deserves a thorough pre-purchase inspection, while other years of the Tucson may carry a different risk profile that is worth checking separately. Reading owner reports for the generation under consideration is a sensible first step, and a mechanic’s opinion adds a second layer of protection.
5. Hyundai Palisade: Curtain Airbag Recall
The three-row Palisade carries one of the biggest safety campaigns on the list. Hyundai recalled 568,576 Palisades from the 2020 through 2025 model years in 2026, and Motor1’s recall roundup explains the reason: the side curtain air bag may deploy improperly.
Curtain air bags protect occupants in side impacts and rollovers, so a deployment fault is not a trivial matter. Owners of these years should confirm their VIN is covered and book the free dealer repair rather than wait. Dealers perform the remedy at no cost to the owner, so there is little reason to delay the appointment.
6. Hyundai Kona: Cracked Knuckle
Not every serious recall involves a huge fleet. A 2026 campaign covers 4,555 Konas for a cracked steering knuckle, a part that links the wheel to the suspension and steering, as a 2026 recall list documents.
Steering components are critical to control, which makes any crack worth taking seriously even in a small recall. Kona owners should run their VIN through the official lookup and schedule the remedy promptly, since the repair is handled under the recall. Stopping by a dealer service desk for confirmation is a quick way to settle any doubt.
7. Hyundai Santa Cruz: Dashboard Display Trouble
The compact pickup shares a recall with much of the lineup. The Santa Cruz is part of a 41,651-vehicle 2026 Hyundai action over instrument panel displays, and the same recall coverage lists the Tucson, Ioniq 5, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe and Sonata alongside it.
A faulty instrument display can hide speed, warnings and other information a driver depends on. Because so many models are involved, owners of any of these vehicles benefit from checking their VIN instead of assuming their own is unaffected.
8. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Battery Fire Risk
Hyundai’s electric crossover has also landed in the recall column. Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 models were recalled in 2026 because the high-voltage battery may catch fire, according to Motor1’s list of Hyundai recalls.
Battery fire concerns weigh heavily on electric-vehicle owners, especially those who charge at home overnight. Anyone with an affected Ioniq should follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the notice and contact a dealer to arrange the fix. Parking outdoors until the repair is complete is a precaution some owners may wish to discuss with their dealer.
9. Hyundai Ioniq 9: Trapped Child Risk
The larger electric SUV faces a family-safety problem. NHTSA recall 26V588000 covers 5,360 2026 Ioniq 9s, and the federal recall record says the second-row power seats may fail to detect a person, so a child may become trapped.
Until the repair is done, owners are told to avoid the power seat functions entirely. Families with young children should treat that instruction as firm, keep the second-row seats manually positioned, and get the dealer remedy scheduled quickly. Dealers can explain the interim steps and the timeline for parts.
10. Hyundai Veloster: Settlement Payout
The sporty hatchback shows up in a legal settlement rather than a single recall. 2019 to 2021 Velosters are among the unrecalled vehicles in the airbag settlement program, a $62,100,100 Hyundai-Kia deal over airbag control units that pays up to $150 for unrecalled vehicles.
Eligible owners may be able to claim a payment, though the amount is modest next to a real repair bill. Anyone with a Veloster from those years should check the settlement site for deadlines and requirements before assuming they qualify.
Tech news worth reading: Get Techpresso →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- The FBI told the rest of ShinyHunters to surrender after a 24-year-old was arrested
- Two passengers died at an Ohio toll plaza, and the NTSB now wants the cash lanes shut
- Long use of a common prostate pill is tied to a higher chance of glaucoma
- Ford is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups because the fuel tank can leak or detach
