Hyundai Sonata 2018,,,,,headlight issue?

the dark line and notches, basically block out vision, when turning corners and up and down hills, a safety issue. Just get used to a dark line blocking vision half way down the windshield, and two dark notches in the view in front of the car??

just a few avenues I plan to pursue.........a consumer can not reasonably even imagine having to 'get used to' a dark line obstructing the view and two dark notches...... -Contact the BBB Auto Line -file a vehicle safety complaint with NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -call the local news station, consumer advocate, and have them drive and video the dark line/shadow and notches safety issue! It's time to warn other consumers. -In my opinion the consumer is being mislead by omission - Consumer Laws and Regulations - Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices - Hyundai is by omission, misleading the consumer. A reasonable consumer could not anticipate driving home a new 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited car, and finding out there's a dark line/shadow and notches obstructing their view.

dark line and notches obstructing view when driving at night - 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited

As Tom answered above; a lot of the newer cars nowadays come with LED Headlamps, heck take the most simple car, the Corolla, comes with LED headlamps. They all produce the cutoff to increase visibility on the road without blinding other drivers. Hyundai is right in that you should've test drove it at night. Additionally, you mention that you had a 2010 Hyundai Sonata as well. Pretty sure those came with Halogen Projector headlamps, and those have a very similar headlight housing! Please do your research before you post something like this. It's no wonder why Hyundai hasn't answered you. Get out a set of tools and aim the headlights up a little if it's bothering you that bad....

You might need to do your research.............the issue with a dark line and notches obstructing the drivers view at night has been reported to the NHTSA since 2010. The consumers aren't aware they need to test drive a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited at night to determine if they feel the dark line and notches obstruct their view. So, getting the word out to Consumers is the BEST option for Consumer safety. I'm surprised those reviewing the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited, are not aware of the issue, since it's documented at the NHTSA web site. Those who have ridden in my car, have been in disbelief at the dark line and notches! So getting the word out to Consumers is needed!

Simple don't buy it - is dangerous - they don't care - say normal - cant win

Right! Don’t buy a 2018 Hyundai Sonata! The headlights make it dangerous to drive!

Why doesn't Hyundai care - don't understand?

Some sonata seem low in front. This may cause front end car to be pointed down. I just leased a 2018 made in November. It appears more level. Hyundai does Not want to take the front end apart to level the new suspension. The dr

Most cars pointed down to reduce aerodynamic drag.

GuruWKCCV.............when I researched more about Hyundai Motor America, it seems they have to have a whistle blower from inside the company, else as soon as they have you sign on the line..............you own whatever defect they have in the vehicle. As Hyundai Motor America told me............."It was my responsibility to TEST DRIVE the brand new 2018 Hyundai Sonata at night !" After all, that's the only way to see how dangerous the car is to drive at night, with the dark line and notches across the windshield obstructing the driver's view.

Omg...shut up and get over it.

You talk nonsense advise - tell me get over not being able to see clear nite time driving.

Just get the word out to consumers.....test drive a Hyundai AT NIGHT before you buy........the headlights are dangerous! Consumers need to be aware so they can choose if they want the headlight design that obstructs their view at night!!

Sorry, maybe the photo doesn't do it justice but I don't see the significantly major issue and I've test driven one in dusky conditions and did not have an issue with the lights.

I just got a 2018 Sonata Limited a little over a week ago and have the headlight issue. To me it is very distracting and dangerous. Just got back from dealer service and they say it is within Hyundai specifications and therefore they cannot fix the issue. Next step is to go through the Hyundai chain of command to try to get this design defect corrected.

Its simple : Dont buy 2018 Sonata - also ck 2017 and 2019 before buy. Only when sales stops they do something about it. Hyundai Service is untrustworthy, in general.

Get the word out to consumers, DRIVE a HYUNDAI at night, BEFORE you buy!!!! Hyundai Motor America is selling cars that have a dark line and notches, that obstructs your view at night! When I phoned Hyundai Motor America, they told me it was my responsibility to test drive the vehicle at night! So just getting the word out to consumers, TEST DRIVE any Hyundai Motor America car at night.............dark line and notches appear across your line of vision, causing dangerous driving at night! Better yet, just don't buy from Hyundai Motor America! My mistake was buying from a company that has to have a whistle blower inside the company, before it acts responsibly! Before you buy....google Hyundai Motor America whistle blower.

I love my hyundai

I loved my previous Hyundai! But my 2018 Hyundai has a headlight issue that makes it dangerous to drive at night! Too bad Hyundai has went so downhill, they are selling a defect as a design feature! I want to get the word out to consumers...don’t buy a 2018 Hyundai Sonata until you have driven it at night......those who have ridden with me at night are in disbelief that a dark line and notches odstructing the view at night is being sold by Hyundai Motor America as a Design feature!

My 2018 Sonata Limited has the same issue, however my dealer was able to adjust the headlamps so that those 2 deep dark U shapes under the dark cut line are less visible and more off to the sides and not in my line of vision. Hyundai dealer has been very accommodating,

does this go against lemon law?

Folks, headlamps have to meet the minimum federal requirements. The manufacturers are not obligated to do anything more. As others have noted, everyone should take a vehicle for an extended test drive before purchasing. At least overnight, but preferably for a weekend, so that you can look for issues like these that you find disagreeable. Projector headlamps generally all have that sharp cut off line. Some headlamp designs have artifacts, such as the notches. Drive them at night before you purchase. And BTW...Dealers cannot redesign the product. If it is working as designed and adjusted to specifications...It is what it is. I work at a GM Dealership and headlamp complaints rate right up there as frequent fliers....

That happened to me also. Take it to the dealer and have them raise your headlights. Mine is fine now and I can see ahead of me down the road. The half moon disappears somewhat. We had to adjust it a few times before it was perfect and we weren't blinding the oncoming traffic. Good luck.

I have a 2018 Sonata. Never really drove that much at night but noticed the headlights were not illuminating like they should. The other night while in Sams Club parking lot I almost hit a couple. I honestly did not see them. This was what it took for me to investigate. I cannot believe all the complaints about this issue and Hyundai doesn't seem to care. What is our recoarse. Someone is going to get killed!! I have an appt in a few days. I surely hope I don't hear excuses or there isn't anything we can do because I'm not the type of person to sit back and not take action!!

gotta say, I didn't believe it until I drove the car at night myself...dark winding road right behind the dealership. Dealer asked why I was going this way vs the freeway. I told him, and when we got on the winding road, almost hit a person walking with their dog because neither of us saw them jump off the sidewalk in that "line blind spot." Dealer literally said "holy crap." Further, those two dark spots swing across your field of vision in a turn, made us both paranoid after that thinking it was a kid or something. I have 20/15 vision, amazing depth perception (i get checked and graded on it every year for my job), and this tripped me out. The car is amazing. love it!...and also dangerous at night IMO. Dealer couldn't believe it and agreed, it's an issue. NOTE: Take a look at the plastic cover/housing over the head lamps: notice how it sticks out...WAY further than any other car we tested. Possibly the culprit, don't know. Crazy that a head lamp issue would deter me from buying the car that after a month of research landed me on the Sonata for several reasons. But it was that bad. For those that have posted with criticism...but have yet to drive the car on a poorly lit neighborhood street on a dark night...I recommend you do it, make a turn at 20mph, then decide if you would want to drive that car, or have your family walking the dog with say someone with poor vision or texting driving that car in your neighborhood. I sure as hell wouldn't. Let's recap: 1) stop typing. 2) go drive it. 3) then post snarky comments about your experience, etc. Or, amend your previous post about something you have no first hand knowledge about maybe?

So what did that dealer suggest one do in this situation?

He was in shock really, off his game. Had no reply and didn't try to pitch any further. He knew we were really concerned about it, and based on the look on his face, he was too. We all looked at the lights back at the dealership, that's when we noticed how the housing comes out very far on the light...he even asked, "wonder if that's what causes it ".

I have a new 2019 Sonata limited turbo and noticed the two lower notches immediately. It's not a deal breaker cause I got allott of car for the price! I will be having the lights adjusted higher as most people have noted. I actually think that the brightness of the lights at night are better than average.

Anybody try installing better headlight lamps? And if you did, did that erase the issue??

The dealership told me there was nothing they could do! The dark line and notches are by design by Hyundai! So Hyundai is selling brand new vehicles that are dangerous to drive at night is the bottom line. Until a whistle blower comes out that works at Hyundai, nothing will be done!

Just wanted to know if anything else has come of this?? There were so many on here that said they contacted Hyundai and filed complaints all over the place. Is there a fix?

No, Hyundai Consumer Affairs still says it is within speculations and they plan to do nothing. I wrote two letters to the President of Hyundai USA and have a receipt for the second letter saying it was delivered, but never have received a reply. Bad business in my book. NHTSA complaint was received, but they probably won’t address until someone is injured or killed or many more complaints.

no fix, the defective headlights are by design!!!! Just post on every consumer site you can, only way to warn consumers not to buy a Hyundai!

Has anyone figured out how to adjust the headlights upward a little to help this problem? Looks like dealers will not do it, so where are our knowledgeable mechanics that can figure out how to do the adjustment?

I have the same problem with my 2018 elantra gt sport(with LED headlights). If I shelled out extra dollars for the "tech package", that included these lights as part of it, I should be getting proper, upscale illumination...and not this defected light pattern. Got it to the dealers to ask for adjustment or fix..and they keep ending making it even worse. Frustrating and driving me nuts every night when I drive this p.o.s.

As stated earlier, I filed complaint with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and directly with Hyundai Corp. Yesterday I received a call from lady at Hyundai Case Managers. I again summarized the problem we are all seeing with the Sonata low beam headlight problem. She said she would document my complaint but that so far they have not received complaints and there is no problem as far as they are concerned. I urge everyone on here to let them know there is a problem. Report your complaint with NHTSA at https://www.nhtsa.gov/ and also directly to Hyundai Corp at email (HyundaiNationalCustomerCare@hmausa.com) or at https://www.hyundaiusa.com/customer-service/complaints-lemon-law-concerns/index.aspx

"Well it appears this problem is affecting everyone with the Sonata Limited. I hope you will file a complaint with hyundai.com and with National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration (NHTSA.gov). I have contacted Hyundai Corp and talked to a person there who had me set up an appointment with local dealer. I just picked up my car this afternoon. The dealer rep drove the car, verified my complaint about the headlights but said he has a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 18-BE-003-1) that instructs dealers not to make adjustments to the headlights. Bottom line, Hyundai still will not recognize this as a problem. All owners need to keep filing complaints with Hyundai and NHTSA. I hope that if and when someone has an accident that they sue Hyundai for some huge amount and win. I would like to see a class action suit also. Please every owner, FILE A COMPLAINT. The more we complain the better chance we have of getting someone to recognize the problem."

I filed a complaint with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) as well as following the Chain of Command within Hyundai USA to the dealer first, the Hyundai Consumer Affairs Department and I've also written two letters to the President of Hyundai USA complaining about the unsafe headlight system. The dealer and Consumer Affairs Department keep saying that it is not a problem and "is within specifications". The two letters to the Hyundai USA President have gone unanswered even though the last one I sent certified mail and have an acknowledged receipt. I've loved the Hyundai vehicles that I've owned, except for this headlight issue and the failure of Hyundai to accept responsibility for the issue and respond with an adequate fix. Regretfully, this will likely be the last Hyundai vehicle that I will ever own.

I just wish everyone that has this problem would file complaints with Hyundai and NHTSA. I think that they must be getting complaints because they issued the TSB telling dealers not to adjust the lights. The more we complain the better chance to get their attention.

Spoke to the service dept today about this on my 2019 limited and he said he wasn't aware of the issue. I said go to the internet, everybody is bitching about the shadows in low beam.

We just bought a 2019 Sonata Limited with the bending headlights/LED's and after reading this forum, I went for a night drive. They must have fixed the problem because my lights shine way out in front of the car with no noticeable notches or lines of any kind. Automatic brights are a trip. Love this car.

How stupid is this. Is this the first time EVER you drive a car with projection headlamp? All projection headlamp has that "cut off line" on top of the light pattern. A correctly adjusted headlamp shouldn't have safety issue with that. The 2 notch I don't have on my 17 sonata hybrid. But I believe if you adjust the angle of your headlamp they will be minimized. For how to adjust your headlamp find YouTube or users manual.

17 sonata hybrid se. Replace halogen with led and no issue

2

Daniel, all I see on the youtube link you posted is a scooter. What does that have to do with the headlight issue being discussed?

Hello Gmidkiff, I guess I posted a wrong link. Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjWYCRCI0Ro

It starts around 7:35

Daniel, that's better, however, it doesn't appear to be the Sonata Limited, which I believe is the model (like mine) that has the light problem.

We have had ours in many times with the issue. They say it is normal. It is not. The view is obstructed in the left lane with a big black spot. Someday there will be a recall I suspect after someone gets killed by the terrible headlights. We do not drive it at night on the interstate of highway. Very unsafe.

GuruQKR1P, I agree whole heartedly with what you say and I feel the same way. I hope that if someone should happen to be seriously injured that they sue Hyundai for millions and win. It is horrible that they can't see how bad these headlights are on low beam, how they obstruct the drivers view. It is just a matter of time before someone is seriously injured. I have read that if you adjust the left light up a little it really helps but I have not done it yet. Just wish Hyundai would recognize the problem. I wonder if any officials read this group? I have file complaints with NHTSA as well as with Hyundai.

My solution, I won't buy another Hyundai, and I tell everyone about the defect! Everyone who has ridden with me is in shock...…..a consumer can not anticipate a dark line and notches bouncing on the road in front of you! The dealership is bound by what Hyundai Motor American says, so if Hyundai Motor American says it's by design, then that is what the dealership has to say. But, bottom line Hyundai Motor American will NEVER get my business again. Also the arbitration is a JOKE on the consumer, it's of no value and it's basically PAID for by the corporation, so it's set up AGAINST the consumer! Bottom line, don't buy a HYUNDAI ever, without driving it out in the country where there are no lights......then hope you don't get dizzy with the bouncing notches!

The youtube link, is not addressing the dangerous issue with the Hyundai Sonata. It's just mentioning a yellow headlight, instead of bright white. Refer to the original post to see the DANGEROUS lights, a dark line, and notches! Driving at night with the Hyundai Sonata is dangerous.

Wow, I have a 2019 Sonata Limited. I drive a lot at night, never have I seen the problems you are having with yours. Mine has the proper cut-off line, with no dark spots or intrusions, just white light lighting up the road in front of me.

I have a 2019 Sonota limited and it definitely has the 2 shadows on low beam. It really is dangerous because it is so destracting to the point it looks like something is coming at you. No good. Love the car but this is a real problem. Let’s get a fix for it Hyundai. Will check it out with the dealer when the corona virus calms down.

It is sad that nothing has been done by Hyundai to address this problem. Have you heard if it still exist in 2020 Sonata Limited model? I hope you have filed a complain directly with Hyundai and the National Transportation Safety Board. Have you checked with your dealer yet to see what they say?