2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (7) · Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Electrical System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Hybrid Propulsion System 2018-03-12 · campaign 18V166000 · 2,840 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Risk: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
Service bulletins (93)
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
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 93 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-11 · Electrical System“on 12/20/25, the car - a sonata plug-in hybrid - failed to start. when i pushed the "start" button, the dashboard display lit up w many clearly irrelevant error messages. each time i pressed start, somewhat fewer error messages blasted toward me, and finally, no response at all. on 12/21/2026, the tow driver said it was the 12-volt battery. he gav…”
2026-04-29 · Unknown Or Other“i am reporting a serious safety issue involving a 2017 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid (vin: [xxx] ), originally purchased in california. while driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and rapidly decelerated. this created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic and put me and my f…”
2026-03-18 · Power Train“to the national highway traffic safety administration, i am filing this formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous engine failure incident involving my 2017 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. description of incident: while traveling on ca-85 near mountain view, california, at approximately 65 miles per hour, the engine suddenly and without warnin…”
2025-09-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving car stuttered check engine light and check hybrid system flashed. check engine lights stayed on until getting home. next day. i scanned and code p0b68 was set.…”
2025-03-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving at a high rate of speed propulsion to the vehicle suddenly and without warning ceased, the electric and internal combustion engine were non-responsive (ice stopped; hybrid motor didn't provide propulsion), the warning light said "check hybrid system. turn off engine" i was put at risk because i was traveling at highway speed and was…”
2024-03-26 · Power Train“while driving the 2017 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid, the car will begin to stall, a rapid number of audible beeps will start, the "check hybrid system" notification will pop up on the dashboard, and the "check engine light" appears.. the car therefore cannot be driven anymore, and i am forced to pull over to the side. in order to fix the issue tem…”
2024-01-27 · Steering“i was driving the vehicle with 2 other occupants onboard on [xxx] towards us-101. the eps warning light already came on after entering [xxx] from [xxx], but initially, i didn't think it was much of an issue. as i merged to the right lane in preparation of entering the highway, the steering began to feel very stiff, so i immediately made a right tu…”
2024-01-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“vehicle lost power in freeway. complete power failure. early crashed into. vehicle coasted to off ramp and towed away. …”
2024-01-04 · Unknown Or Other“about 3 weeks ago i had just left my house, battery fully charged and gas tank full. i was coming down a hill to a stop sign and started braking. suddenly the car seemed to lose power and essentially stopped moving. there was an error on the dash saying "hybrid system failure". there was barely able enough power to slowly pull the car over to the s…”
2023-05-06 · Unknown Or Other“occurrence: this has been a recurring issue for over a year (over a year, might be closer to two years now) for our phev sonata. it has happened approximately 10 times. problem: total engine shutdown when driving the car. "shut down engine" type error message pops up and cannot accelerate. steering still works, but it can be hard to pull over due…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.