Sell your 2018 Hyundai Sonata for cash

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize car that came with a choice of 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl engines. Even at 8 years old, a damaged or broken-down one still has real value for its parts. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2018 Hyundai Sonata at a glance

Body styleLarge Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic (S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM7), Automatic (AM6)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy23–40 city / 32–46 highway / 26–42 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$1,600–$2,600 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂100–342 grams per mile
EPA fuel economy score5–10 out of 10
EPA greenhouse gas score5–10 out of 10
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,315 lb
Gross vehicle weight rating4,321–4,630 lb
Versions tested by EPA7 configurations: Sonata, Sonata SE, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Hybrid SE, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
Age8 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 8 years old, a 2018 Sonata is newer than most junk cars, so working parts like the engine, transmission and body panels are in demand from rebuilders and parts buyers.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2018 Sonata weighed 3,315 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Sonata. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 21,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2018 Hyundai Sonata recalls

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesAug 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V619000

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…

Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Common 2018 Sonata problems

Owners have filed 383 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA. 18 reports involved a crash and 13 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 21 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine217
  • Unknown or Other59
  • Electrical System58
  • Power Train41
  • Fuel/Propulsion System32
  • Exterior Lighting23

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine21,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other16,000 mi
  • Electrical System20,000 mi
  • Power Train48,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System128,000 mi
  • Exterior Lighting1,000 mi

2018 Hyundai Sonata crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10.5%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2018 Hyundai Sonata service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 207 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

7 of them are warranty extensions. Warranty extensions mean the manufacturer agreed to cover a specific repair beyond the normal warranty. They rarely still apply to a car this age, but they point to known weak spots.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System35
  • Engine and Engine Cooling34
  • Engine28
  • Power Train20
  • Steering10
  • Equipment8

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 2026 · 26-EM-016H TSB

    Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning pr

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 2026 · 26-EM-015H TSB

    Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair proce

  • Warranty Program/ExtensionAug 2026 · Z05 OL

    Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel

  • Service campaignMay 2026 · 26-01-013H-2 TSB

    Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulleti

  • OtherApr 2026 · DTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured

  • OtherApr 2026 · DTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver's-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin P

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

EngineDP22003 · opened Sep 2022, closed Dec 2023

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spa

Air BagsEA19001 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024Led to recall 20V024

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags

Selling a 2018 Sonata: questions

How much is a 2018 Hyundai Sonata worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2018 Sonata that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2018 Sonatas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2018 Sonata with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2018 Sonata?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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