2017 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (280) · Steering (161) · Power Train (41)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
235 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:software 2021-09-24 · campaign 21V749000 · 469,377 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Risk: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:trunk Lid:latch 2021-08-06 · campaign 21V619000 · 348,158 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-12-30 · campaign 16V956000 · 110 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Service bulletins (231)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · Z05 OL · Warranty Program/Extension
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(s), and tailgate/trunk. this warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint
Engine 2026-05-21 · 26-01-013H-2 DN · Service Campaign
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. the california air resources board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed federal and california stan
Engine 2026-05-21 · 26-01-013H-2 TSB · Service Campaign
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 bulletin provides instructions for updating the engine control module (ecm) to address this condition.
Showing the 6 most recent of 231 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. the contact was informed that the engine was consuming oil. the co…”
2026-10-22 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, there was smoke coming from under the hood, and the vehicle lost automotive power and the vehicle was barely moving. the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at a slow speed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact wa…”
2026-10-15 · Engine“i had recently taken my 2017 hyundai sonata in for an engine diagnostic check at the bel air hyundai dealership, (10/15/26) worth $199.99 for an hour of maintenance, after experiencing sudden jolts when powering on and driving, needing additional time warming up. my initial thought was that the temperature gauge had gotten stuck again, or that the …”
2026-10-12 · Power Train“i had my engine replaced under the theta engine lawsuit and i was due for the 9c2 service campaign and it was installed...ever since i picked up my car it shifts weird between 1st and 2nd. i brought it back to a different hyundai dealer as the warranty work was done at another location and they recommended a transmission flush and relearn. they can…”
2026-09-22 · Engine“i am reporting an unaddressed, critical safety defect involving the theta ii engine in my 2017 hyundai sonata. the engine has developed a severe internal metallic knocking noise consistent with connecting rod bearing failure—the exact manufacturing defect associated with hyundai's major engine recall campaigns (such as recall 198 / campaign 966)…”
2026-09-16 · Unknown Or Other“i was driving down the road when my sunroof glass completely ripped away from the top and flew off. the glass is gone but the frame is still there but bent. i took it to a auto glass repair shop that stated "sunroof glass separated from urethane, came off and bent frame." i am dropping off at hyundai dealership 9.17.26 to have them inspect. my insu…”
2026-09-04 · Engine“the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal mechanical engine failure out of nowhere without any warning lights or previous symptoms. an inspection of the engine cylinder revealed a physical hole blown through the top of the cylinder 2 piston, causing immediate and complete loss of engine compression. this sudden structural failure caused …”
2026-07-26 · Engine“we had a recall done, campaign 92c, and every since then the car drives horrible. it's worse when cool, it sputters, and hesitates especially when excellerating. even after warmed up it seems to slam in and out of gear at low speeds, even when foot is not on the gas. the drive is choppy. the dealership told us to drive it and let the transmission …”
2026-07-25 · Steering“i was driving and all of a sudden the traction lights turned on and the sterring wheel is hard to turn. almost go in a car accident. the windows just stopped working and the brakes light constantly keep getting burned out. …”
2026-07-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am writing to report a direct violation of the theta ii class action settlement terms by hyundai motor america. this morning , i emailed an executive case manager explicitly explaining that my 2017 sonata has an active p1326 code, has the 2019 ksds update, and requires a mandatory diagnostic under nhtsa recall 17v226 that cannot be denied due to …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.