MODEL
Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA safety across every Hyundai Sonata model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Hyundai Sonata we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 95 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 84. 15 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize family sedan competing in one of the most contested segments in the American market. Positioned as a value-forward alternative to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Sonata targets commuters, families, and budget-conscious buyers who want a spacious, well-equipped four-door without premium pricing. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2025 model years, a generation that brought meaningful safety technology upgrades.
The Hyundai Sonata posts a genuinely strong safety record across our 2019-to-2025 coverage window, peaking at a 95 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index on the 2025 model - a score that lands in our Exceptional band. Crash-test geometry tells a mixed but mostly encouraging story: rollover resistance and side-impact protection both earn 5 out of 5 stars, which is exactly what you want to see in a sedan carrying a family. The frontal rating of 4 out of 5 stars is solid rather than outstanding, and shoppers prioritizing head-on collision protection should note that gap relative to top-rated rivals. The recall picture deserves honest attention. Across these model years, NHTSA has recorded 14 recalls, and critically, at least one of those carried a park-outside or do-not-drive designation - the most serious classification federal regulators issue. That level of urgency is never routine, and any Sonata owner should verify their VIN at NHTSA.gov immediately. The 660 owner complaints logged across this generation include 33 alleged crashes, 27 reported injuries, and 6 fire-related allegations. These are unverified allegations, but the fire claims in particular warrant awareness. Bottom line: the Sonata's crash-test hardware is genuinely competitive, and the 2025 model represents a real safety high point for this generation. The recall volume and the severity of at least one campaign, however, mean diligent VIN checking is not optional - it is essential.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Sonata as a competent, well-rounded midsize sedan that punches above its price point in features and interior quality. Most professional assessments highlight its comfortable ride and generous standard technology as standout traits, while noting that the segment is intensely competitive and that rivals occasionally edge it out in driving dynamics or powertrain refinement.
- At least one recall across the 2019-2025 generation carried a park-outside or do-not-drive directive - the most serious warning federal regulators can issue. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov before driving a used Sonata.
- The 2025 model year achieves a 95 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index, placing it in the Exceptional band, so shoppers with flexibility on model year should prioritize the newest examples for the strongest federal safety standing.
- Side-impact and rollover crash-test ratings both reach 5 out of 5 stars, which is reassuring for a family-hauling sedan, but the frontal crash rating of 4 out of 5 stars falls one step short of perfect and is worth factoring in if head-on protection is your top priority.
- Owner complaints across this generation include 6 fire-related allegations and 27 reported injuries - all unverified - but the fire claims are a category that warrants extra scrutiny when reviewing open or incomplete recalls on any specific vehicle.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Hyundai Sonata with 4 recalls.