What has been your experience with the Sonata's Longevity

For reference, I own a 2013 GLS. Two years ago, I had a serious engine problem but got it replaced for free. To me, this feels like a fresh start for the car and I hope to keep it for many more years.

I recently moved from Texas to Colorado and I’m a bit worried about how the Sonata will handle the snow. The owners of my new house told me I’d need a 4X4 to get out of the neighborhood.

I’m curious about everyone else’s experience. How has your Sonata held up with regular maintenance as it aged? Did you have trouble with older Sonatas? I want to know if I can realistically expect my car to last another 10 years.

I had a 2012 Sonata GLS and it was my favorite sedan ever. But it didn’t hold up well over time. At about 130,000 miles, the engine broke and I needed a full transmission replacement which cost almost $3K. I sold it to my father-in-law for cheap and he fixed it himself. Now it’s running fine. I switched to a truck but I really miss that Sonata.

@Devin
I’ve heard from a few mechanics that Sonatas can have bad transmissions. That’s disappointing to hear.

Basil said:
@Devin
I’ve heard from a few mechanics that Sonatas can have bad transmissions. That’s disappointing to hear.

It really hurt to let it go. If that car hadn’t broken down, I would still be driving it. I really loved that car.

I own a 2011 Sonata and also a 2021 Sonata now. The 2011 has 160,000 miles and I’ve had engine issues too, but it was replaced for free. It rusts easily due to the salty roads up north, and I had to replace some parts because of that. Overall it runs well but costs me around $1K for service each time. There are some design flaws with the 2011 but it’s been a solid car.

@Rio
Mine has 94,000 miles but only 12,000 on the new engine. Should I act like it’s brand new or stick with the higher mileage? I’m worried about rust and salt damage too.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about Sonatas. Some people love them and say they are solid while others suggest getting rid of it due to transmission issues. I know fixing it is cheaper than a new one, but I’m still uneasy about the transmission.

@Basil
I faced maintenance issues after owning the car for 7 years. Any problems after that are normal wear and tear. It might be easier and less stressful to lease a new one under warranty.

@Basil
My car has 116,000 miles on it but the new engine has just 12,000.

@Rio
How’s your 2021 Sonata doing so far?

Nico said:
@Rio
How’s your 2021 Sonata doing so far?

It’s still like a brand new car, just been 2 years.

My second engine in my 2012 Sonata died at only 115,000 miles. Hyundai did not replace it, both engines were rebuilt so don’t buy one.

Finnian said:
My second engine in my 2012 Sonata died at only 115,000 miles. Hyundai did not replace it, both engines were rebuilt so don’t buy one.

That’s terrible to hear. I assume my engine was brand new. Was your engine part of a recall settlement?

My 2008 GLS 2.4 has 160,000 miles. Rust is a problem and I think the previous owner skipped a recall, so I’m fixing that too. Keep an eye on the oil level and warm up the car before driving. Regular maintenance helps prolong its life.

I can relate to your story! I got my 2013 Sonata as a graduation gift. Two years ago, I had the engine recall issue too, and I got a new engine for free. I also moved to Colorado recently and found out it’s not great in the snow. I guess it’s just me not being good in it.

I have a 2017 Sonata 2.0T Sport and I’m the first owner. I had to replace my engine at 130,000 miles because it consumed too much oil. It cost me about $5K. Other than that, it’s been fine but my paint is peeling around the windshield.

@Zen
Wow that sounds unusual for a 2017. That really stinks.

Basil said:
@Zen
Wow that sounds unusual for a 2017. That really stinks.

It really does. I bought it brand new and always kept it serviced, so I thought I would be okay.

I just bought a 2013 Sonata Hybrid last week. Hearing your stories makes me nervous. Is there a way to find out if I can get a new engine before it fails? I just hit 95,000 miles and already put 2,000 miles on it in a week. Please let me know what to do.

@Sloan
Check out the Hyundai Engine Settlement class action suit. I don’t think they’re going to replace it unless there’s a serious problem.

What I suggest is take it to a mechanic to see if all the recalls and updates have been done. Hyundai has software that can detect potential engine issues before they happen, but you have to ensure the computer is updated.

The engines have been known to fail randomly. In my case, it died at 82,000 miles. Other than needing the engine replacement, my car has been pretty reliable for the most part and I’ve had minimal costs besides regular maintenance.

@Basil
There’s actually a software update for detecting knocking problems in the engine. If your software is updated, your engine warranty is also extended. Some people have lifetime coverage while others have it for 10 years.

It seems like a lot of folks face engine issues. I wonder how many vehicles are affected.