Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Hyundai Sonata 2018 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Hyundai Sonata 2018, its safety recalls and crash stars, what fuel costs you a month in cedis, whether it can still be imported, and what it sells for in Ghana.

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Photos of the same model and year, not of the car you are buying. Ask the seller for photos of that car, with the VIN and the odometer in shot.

At a glance

US safety recalls 1
Owner complaints 375 18 crashes, 13 fires reported
Crash rating ★★★★★ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵1,550 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 8 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2018 car is about 8 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2032.

Every used vehicle needs a pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity from a GSA-approved body in the country it ships from.
Not allowed at all: flood- or fire-damaged cars, cars with chassis damage, and cars assembled from parts, according to published guides to the rules.
Import duty: 10% of the customs value for a petrol, 1,001 to 3,000 cc car (GRA's vehicle duty table). VAT, NHIL, GETFund and the ECOWAS, AU, EXIM and special import levies come on top, plus an age penalty on older cars.
The customs value is GRA's own figure (the car's price when new, minus up to 50% for age, plus freight and insurance), not what you paid. Only the ICUMS assessment gives the final amount, so never pay a "clearing agent" a figure you cannot see on the official assessment.
Buying a car already in Ghana? Ask the DVLA to confirm through ICUMS that duty was paid before you pay.

Age is worked out from the model year; the rule uses the date of manufacture, which can be a few months earlier. Source: GSA public notice of 14 August 2026, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Safety recalls

Faults the maker agreed to fix for free in the US. A car shipped to Ghana usually never got the repair, so these are worth asking about.

Latches/locks/linkages 21V619000 · 06/08/2021

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 number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

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

The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

Recalls for this model and year. Not every car of the model is affected: check the exact car with its VIN.

What owners say goes wrong

Problems real owners reported to the US government (NHTSA). A high count on a popular car is normal; look at which part comes up most.

Engine212
Electrical system60
Power train40
Fuel/propulsion system32
Exterior lighting22
Vehicle speed control19

375 complaints · 18 crashes · 13 fires · 20 injuries · 1 deaths reported

In owners' own words

"The vehicle experiences a severe delayed start/extended crank condition before finally starting. This is caused by a loss of fuel pressure prime due to the defective fuel filter housing leaking internally, creating an unpredictable and unsafe vehicle operation hazard. The dealership is denying coverage under the 15-year/150,000-mile extended warranty (Campaign TXXS), claiming the issue is a standard fuel pump failur…"
Fuel/propulsion system · filed 10/22/2026

"What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint is peeling off the car, when I went to the dealership they said this is a known problem for 2015-2018, but they can't fix it there is no recall. It is causing rust. The valve cover gasket leaks oil and caused spark plugs to blow twice. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The valve cover h…"
Structure · filed 10/05/2026

"Hyundai dealership confirms I am in need of a new engine due to large oil consumption which is a known issue on 2018 Hyundai Sonata engines. Hyundai will not approve repairs because I am the second owner and vehicle is out of the 5 year warranty period. I only have 52K miles on my vehicle."
Engine · filed 09/21/2026

Crash test ratings

2018 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Front crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★☆ 11% risk in a single-vehicle crash

Front crash test · NHTSA
Side crash test · NHTSA
Side pole test · NHTSA

What it costs to run in Ghana

US EPA fuel figures for the Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵1,550 a month

Town driving8.4 L/100 km
Mixed driving7.6 L/100 km
Litres a month101
Petrol price (1 Nov 2026)GH₵15.39/L

Uses the NPA price floor; pump prices are at or a little above it. Accra traffic and air conditioning use more than the US test, so treat this as the least you will spend.

What a Hyundai Sonata 2018 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Hyundai Sonata 2018 to buy?

Check that exact car: the VIN shows whether the ad tells the truth, and which recalls apply to it.

Questions people ask

Does the Hyundai Sonata 2018 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 US safety recall for the Hyundai Sonata 2018. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

What are the common problems with the Hyundai Sonata 2018?

Owners in the US most often report problems with: engine, electrical system, power train, fuel/propulsion system (NHTSA owner complaints).

How much fuel does a Hyundai Sonata 2018 use in Ghana?

About 8.4 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 101 litres a month, roughly GH₵1,550 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Hyundai Sonata 2018 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2018 car can be imported until about 2032. It needs a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Sources: US NHTSA and EPA public data, Ghana NPA fuel prices, Ghana Standards Authority import notice (14 August 2026). Figures are for US-market versions of this model.