Connecting rod bearing failure
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019)
Fix: Check recall / extended warranty
€0–6,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Hyundai Sonata (NF)
2004–2010
1
engines covered
4
known faults
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Hyundai Sonata (NF) was built from 2004 to 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 4 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Connecting rod bearing failure: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €0–6,000 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · API SN · ~4.6 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)
Oil consumption
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Topping up between changes
Fix: Monitor
€0–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 1,483, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Diesel2.0 (1,991 cm³) · Diesel | 83.5 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)2.0 (1,998 cm³) · Petrol | 8.0 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)2.4 (2,359 cm³) · Petrol | 5.9 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 3.3 Petrol3.3 (3,342 cm³) · Petrol | 2.7 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 3,094 complaints.
Common questions
Does the Hyundai Sonata (NF) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II): chain.
What are the known problems with the Hyundai Sonata (NF)?
The faults with the highest risk: connecting rod bearing failure (80,000–200,000 km, €0–6,000); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); oil consumption (100,000–180,000 km, €0–1,500); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used Hyundai Sonata (NF)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019); harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Kia Sportage (SL) 2010–2015Hyundai ix35 2009–2015Kia Sorento II 2009–2014Kia Optima (TF) 2010–2015
Other Hyundai models
Hyundai Tucson (JM) 2004–2010Hyundai Accent 2005–2011Hyundai Elantra 2006–2016Hyundai Getz 2002–2011Hyundai Santa Fe II 2006–2012Hyundai i30 (FD) 2007–2012Hyundai Matrix 2001–2010Hyundai i10 I 2008–2013Hyundai i20 I 2008–2014Hyundai ix20 2010–2019
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026