2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (33) · Power Train (8) · Steering (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
37 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.
Engine 2021-09-17 · campaign 21V727000 · 95,515 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
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.
Service bulletins (118)
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.
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
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Air Bags 2025-12-19 · TRW Settlement DCS · Other
a class action settlement regarding the trw airbag was recently decided. based on the class action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. please see attached for details. impacted vehicles are also noted below. for further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, ple
Air Bags 2025-12-19 · TRW Summary Notice · Other
a class action settlement regarding the trw airbag was recently decided. based on the class action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. impacted vehicles are also noted below. for further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, please review the corresponding dea
Showing the 6 most recent of 118 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Engine“my 2017 hyundai sonata hybrid suffered a sudden and dangerous engine failure matching the exact conditions of nhtsa safety recall 209 (hyundai campaign 209) for premature connecting rod bearing wear. the vehicle entered limp mode due to diagnostic trouble code p1326. the mandatory knock sensor detection system (ksds) software update was successfull…”
2026-09-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 110,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption with an abnormal burning odor. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, and an oil consumption test was performed. the contact was informed that the vehicle passed the inspection. while driving later, the vehicle stalled and was taken back to…”
2026-06-10 · Engine“the hybrid electric vehicle (hev) system in my 2017 hyundai sonata hybrid limited malfunctioned. on three separate occasions, the hev warning light illuminated while i was driving on the highway, followed by a sudden loss of power. the vehicle stalled and stopped running, leaving it inoperable. the incidents occurred in approximately august 2022, n…”
2026-04-15 · Engine“2/25/2026 vehicle was put in service for a safety warranty recall. 2/26/2026 hyundai approved the replacement of the engine, but there were costs involved that i was responsible for (approx. $800). 3/9/2026 i was informed by hyundai the vehicle was complete, and would now last "for another 200,000 miles". i picked up the vehicle and only drove 5+ m…”
2025-11-29 · Steering“while traveling 40 mph, car flashes a warning, "check hybrid system", and then the car shuts off. no power steering and brakes are difficult. the warning is only 3-5 seconds before everything shuts down. this is definitely a hazard to myself and others. if in traffic at higher speeds, there would certainly be an accident with devastating results. …”
2025-09-21 · Engine“the engine shut off on the highway on two different days. vehicle was going between 65 and 70 mph. the vehicle engine shut down and all the warning lights came on. every one. the vehicle still moved but nothing inside worked, it ran on battery mode for the 17 miles to the dealership with a maximum speed of 60 mph. the risk was the immediate unres…”
2025-09-12 · Service Brakes“vehicle: 2017 hyundai sonata hybrid – 131,700 miles – maryland registered while driving, my vehicle displayed the warning “check hybrid system. turn off engine.” the dealer diagnosed a failure of the hydraulic control assembly (abs/brake control unit). this is a safety-critical braking system. the vehicle is unsafe to drive until repaired. hyunda…”
2025-08-25 · Structure:body“i was drying my car after washing it(i only use products approved for washing and drying vehicles) when a piece of paint on the hood just peeled off. it has not been wrecked or damaged in any way on the hood so i feel it must be a defective paint job from the factory.…”
2025-06-16 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 105,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact stated that while attempting to purchase a 2017 hyundai sonata hybrid, it was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was not yet purchased. the vehicle mileage was 87,000, but the contact later discovered that the mileage was 105,000.…”
2025-06-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 183,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to the rod bearings failure. the dealer determined that t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.