Hyundai Sonata vs Tesla Model S
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Hyundai Sonata
- Total complaints
- 15,942
- Avg per model year
- 432
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 60
- Most complained year
- 2011 (3,371)
Top problems: Engine, Steering, Air Bags
Tesla Model S
- Total complaints
- 3,362
- Avg per model year
- 225
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 38
- Most complained year
- 2015 (666)
Top problems: Electrical System, Unknown OR Other, Suspension
Complaints by model year
| Year | Hyundai Sonata | Tesla Model S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 6 | ||
| 2024 | 43 | 38 | ||
| 2023 | 84 | 109 | ||
| 2022 | 91 | 136 | ||
| 2021 | 125 | 175 | ||
| 2020 | 170 | 80 | ||
| 2019 | 156 | 43 | ||
| 2018 | 366 | 168 | ||
| 2017 | 761 | 421 | ||
| 2016 | 718 | 641 | ||
| 2015 | 1,132 | 666 | ||
| 2014 | 742 | 365 | ||
| 2013 | 1,900 | 459 | ||
| 2012 | 1,556 | 61 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.