Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Hyundai Sonata 2020 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Hyundai Sonata 2020, 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.

MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gold Pony, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s, CC BY-SA 4.0
MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0

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 4
Owner complaints …
Crash rating ★★★★★ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵1,610 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 6 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2020 car is about 6 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2034.

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.

Electrical system 20V213000 · 09/04/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.

The risk: Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RSPA software, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 191.
Equipment 20V122000 · 28/02/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata vehicles produced between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020. The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual state an incorrect tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

The risk: The incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 190.
Latches/locks/linkages 22V196000 · 28/03/2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, and 2019 Genesis G70 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 inspect the trunk latch and replace the trunk latch base, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 221/010G.
Fuel system, gasoline 25V796000 · 18/11/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.

The risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.

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.

Getting owner reports from the US database… this one takes a few seconds.

Crash test ratings

2020 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Front crash	★★★★☆
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★ 10% 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 (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵1,610 a month

Town driving8.7 L/100 km
Mixed driving7.6 L/100 km
Litres a month104
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 2020 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Hyundai Sonata 2020 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 2020 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 US safety recalls for the Hyundai Sonata 2020. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

How much fuel does a Hyundai Sonata 2020 use in Ghana?

About 8.7 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 104 litres a month, roughly GH₵1,610 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Hyundai Sonata 2020 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2020 car can be imported until about 2034. 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.