2017 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 764 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 28 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, turn signalSep 24, 2021
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.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V749000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 6, 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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V619000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleDec 30, 2016
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.
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V956000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
173 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jan 19, 2023
The steering wheel became stiff and I had to jerk it a little just to coast with the curves in the road. Took it to Hyundai and they said nothing was wrong and recalibrated the steering. The problem remained. A few months later there was a mechanical griding sound coming from the steering column while car was idle on several occasions. It eventually stopped and then the steering wheel was not in sync with turning the wheels causing a knocking sound. The plastic gear in the motor was bad and replaced by a mechanic. Vehicle now has additional sounds coming from the steering column and they suspect the power steering motor itself is bad. Sound/problem more noticeable when driving on a bumpy road.
Steering, Jan 15, 2023
Electric power steering light has come on… when this happens the stirring wheel almost feels locked and when merging off the freeway this was a scary thing. Not sure how something like this can go out already and the car is only a little over 5 years old.
Steering, Jan 13, 2023
When driving the vehicle, the power steering stops working causing the steering to become very difficult to operate. It has created very hazardous situations. I’m very nervous when driving the vehicle due to the seriousness of the situation.
Steering, Jan 11, 2023
I had just come off the interstate and was driving down a side road when my steering wheel became locked ( very hard to steer) and warning lights on the dashboard came on. It has happened two separate times.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 1, 2023
I took my car to a shop due to my car having a loud knocking noise coming from the engine bay and lack of acceleration as well as the oil light flickering on and off and once the mechanic inspected my vehicle he said metal particles were being deposited into my oil due to internal engine parts. After picking my car up all the lights on the dash cut on and the car completely had no steering, no brakes, no power but the radio still worked. I barely could turn the steering wheel nor could stop the vehicle due to this and thankfully could coast into an upgrade leveled hill and stop the car. Car would barely recrank or hold power nor would go above 40 mph. Only drove 5 miles to get the car back home safely. Drove back around 3:00 a.m. so there wouldn't be much traffic out in case of something like this happening. Could've been catastrophic!
Steering, Dec 27, 2022
Was pulling out of a parking space started driving and power steering completely failed second time this has happened in 2 months
Steering, Dec 19, 2022
Yesterday when turning right on to my street making right turn very slow as children going home from school my steer ing lock no control. Car stopped within a few feet but unable to restart or take it out of drive. I tried several times turning the key nothing happened. But finally able to get it out of drive and start the car. With that the power steering worked I slowly drove it home about ten houses from intersections. Lucky no one hurt when I turned on to my street. Looked up problem with the electric steering for this cat and reports from your agency referenced similar problems but for some reason no recall issued by manufacturer. Call dealer can do nothing without mfg doing recall. How possible.? Your agency is to protect. What's more dangerous then having your steering going completely out while driving.
Steering, Nov 13, 2022
2017 Hyundai Sonata. 53k miles. Steering becomes sticky and hard to turn. It is most concerning on the highway when at speed it is difficult to keep the car going in a straight line. It takes extra force to turn the wheel just a little. Once its forced, it can turn too much if not careful and will swerve into the next lane. It then does not freely return to center without manually doing so. I will not let my wife drive the car. I have read other reports of this problem and it is a serious issue. I have not brought the car to any dealer or repair shop. This is clearly a safety recall issue and must be dealt with before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.
Steering, Nov 4, 2022
The system malfunction would be the power steering. As I turned the car on and then proceeded to go in reverse out of my driveway, my steering wheel locked up as I made a left. A red steering wheel with exclamation mark popped up on my dashboard and steering wheel was locked. I believe the outcome would have been extremely unsafe If it would have happened on the road, because I had no control of steering
Steering, Engine, Nov 4, 2022
The steering wheel began making a clicking and crunching sound in June 2022. Happening inconsistently the issue was not looked into right away. In October 2022 the issue escalated with the power steering disengaging completely when the wheel was making the noise. The steering wheel becomes so hard and immovable, locking all most. The steering wheel waning light comes on and hydroplane slippery warning as well. The engine also shudders and turns off sometimes when cold and warm.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2022
Electric power steering randomly fails while driving, causing a huge safety issue.
Steering, Oct 30, 2022
1.loss of power steering vehicle is available for inspection.2. Person that was operating vehicle when it lost power steering didnt have the strength to handle steering could of led to an accident causing personal injury or property damage.3. Problem occured twice code in vehicle was C1290 call dealer wouldnt look at vehicle untill 2 weeks when looked at was told code wasnt active and was told code was in history then told it wasnt in history then told even it was in history they wouldnt do anything, Gave me vehicle back after a week at dealer told it was ok two days later same issue almost hitting bldg wall same code C1290 dealer refusing to look at MY vehicle.4. Vehicle looked at by southshore hyundai valley stream NY.5. Nothing prior lights and code showed up when incident qccured first time Oct 8 2022 second time Oct 29 2022
Steering, Oct 27, 2022
The power steering stop working and the wheel it's hard to manuver. Very difficult to make turns
Steering, Lane departure, Oct 26, 2022
I purchased a brand new Hyundai Sonata SE in 2017. After 1.5 years, I took a 3-4 hour road trip from Houston to Longview, TX. During that trip, my steering wheel locked and I could not turn the wheel as my traction and steering wheel light lit up on my dashboard. To remedy the problem, I had to turn the engine off and back on. There was no accident but there could have been since I was driving amongst other vehicles on the interstate. This was the first of many scary incidents with my locked steering wheel. I've reported and submitted this complaint to Hyundai but they have done nothing to remedy the problem. The Hyundai dealership explained they cannot do anything unless there diagnostic machine can detect the problem. I explained that it normally happens while I'm driving and that there are several online and Youtube reviews of other 2017 Hyundai Sonata vehicle owners with the same issue. I also showed the traction and steering wheel lights that come on when the steering wheel locks. Still there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is getting increasingly worse as I now must turn it off and on three times before the steering wheel unlocks. This is a danger to myself, my children, pedestrians, and other drivers. The steering wheel locks unexpectedly and without warning. I facilitate large groups and happen to mention my issue with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata today. They were alarmed about the dangers to myself and others while driving the 2017 Hyundai Sonata SE. I explained that it was previously reported to Hyundai and NHTSA but nothing was done to remedy the problem. The group encouraged me to report it again. I'm doing so with little to no confidence that mentioning it will do anything. It may take someone or people being killed or seriously hurt before anything is done. I can't afford another vehicle and need it for transportation. Otherwise I would have purchased another brand of vehicle.
Steering, Oct 15, 2022
2017 Hyundai Sonata’s electric power steering is having an undiagnosable issue. Mechanics cannot figure it out only speculate since Hyundai has no remedies for this issue. The axle has been replaced and suspension inspected and the issue persists. Crunch when turning left usually a hard left at or more than 180 degrees. Vehicle has resistance if not kickback or tension when turning left, but turning right has little to no resistance at all. You could be parked, driving, or backing up and the vehicle makes hard crunch noises to the left. Also, when the sounds and issue becomes frequent (its intermittent) the steering wheel will kick to the right and lock up. There is a traction control light that comes on and a red steering wheel light with an exclamation point that pops on. If you turn off car and turn back on the issue and lights go away. This is extremely dangerous. It has happened to myself and my husband 3 separate occasions, different times of day, different temperatures and roughly a speed under 20 mph. The jolt and locking up of steering wheel is someone’s death waiting to happen. Extremely unsafe to drive.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 11, 2022
As I am driving, at random times, typically at cruising speeds of about 40 mph or less, the STEERING wheel will lock up and I will be unable to STEER the vehicle until I turn the car off and back on again. There are typically some warning lights (i’ll try to attach the picture) that pop up and go away once the car is turned off and back on again. No dealership that I have taken it to has been able to diagnose the problem since it does not, to my disdain, occur under their watch (it is not reproduced). This issue puts both my life and EVERYONE in my proximity’s life at risk as I have NO CONTROL of the vehicle once it locks up. At this point it has occurred for over 2 years that I have had this car. There are some warning signs right before it occurs. First, there is typically a sudden change in the resistance of the steering wheel. Particularly, it will become harder to move the steering wheel left but then turning it right will have NO resistance. As soon as this occurs I start to panic because it indicates that ANY turn at that point will lock the steering wheel. It has occurred this way every single time. Sometimes it happens in the opposite direction and the right side becomes stiff and suddenly any turn in the steering locks it up. This is VERY dangerous and can potentially kill. This model needs to be recalled!
Steering, Oct 10, 2022, crash
While driving the electric power steering locked and I couldn’t turn while driving. Hit curb and someone’s personal property. I was so frustrated because there wasn’t anything I could do. The steering locks up and you can’t move it.
Steering, Sep 20, 2022
The steering wheel is not responsive when pulling out of parking I.e when turning to pull out of parking. When I attempt to turn left or right the steering wheel pops and makes a noise it distracts daily driving as it makes you think you hit something or were involved in a crash. 09/01/2022 On 09/07/2022 I brought my car in to maxon hyndai in New Jersey and Informed them of the problem I have been having with the steering on my car. I checked my wheels , brakes and suspension and that is not the issue at a mechanic shop 09/01/22 Hyndai moter America whom I bought the car from is always made aware of my issue as I reported my incident to them as well. The dealership won’t pick up my calls and the Hyundai customer service is not helpful. Hyundai Motor America sent me a correspondence that the car is under warranty for up to 150,000 miles but are trying to give me the run around. I called on 09/07/2022 and spoke with Tiffany the case manager at Hyundai Motor America the corporation and it took her 3 weeks to finally get back to me and to let me know that customer service from Hyundai had forwarded me to the wrong department as her department doesn’t resolve warranty issues. When I told her this was a dishonest act and that Hyundai is lying about MDPS extended warranty her reply was she’s only doing what the company told her. Below attached is the official correspondence from Hyundai motor America The invoice concern when I brought it in for service at Maxon Hyundai in New Jersey And last is a picture of my car parked at the dealership on 09/07/2022 after being inspected my Maxon Hyundai telling me there is no defect on the steering on my car while my steering wheel is turned at 180 degree angle and the wheels are still straight I also have a video of the incident if need be
Steering, Sep 14, 2022
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata hybrid is having power steering problems, it has literally locked on me while driving it is really unsafe for me and my husband to be driving with my new born child. I have taken the car to Hyundai dealer to get it “fix” they are never able to do anything! Because the “problem hasn’t presented itself” so they can’t fix it. I got a letter from the mail stating a EXTENDED WARRANTY was given to me because my car may exhibit reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power steering (MDPS) I showed this extended warranty to the dealer and they still can’t do ANYTHING To my car…I’ve seen so many videos on this same problem I’m having others are having it to and nothing is being done by Hyundai dealer to fix it. It seems like we need to crash or hurt ourselves for someone to finally realize and do something…I’m surprised there is no RECALL on this no power steering problem. Hope to get it resolved soon…thank you!!
Steering, Aug 11, 2022
The electronic power steering sporadically fails. This has happened 3 time in the last two months. The frequency of occurrences are now closer. When this happens the car is almost impossible to steer, it would be unsafe to attempt to operate the car on a public road. The majority of the time when this happens it's when the car is started (regardless if the vehicle is cold or warm). It did happen once while the car was moving at approximate 45 mph. Turning the car off and back on will stop the problem. A warning light on the dash appears when the problem happens. We unsuccessfully tried to recreate the problem so it can be diagnosed from the dealer. The dealer stated in conversation that is difficult if not impossible to diagnose a problem when it is not occurring.
Steering, Aug 2, 2022
Steering has locked up or become extremely difficult to manipulate on 4 occasions. Carried it to the dealership after first time and they said since the code was still not up there was nothing they could do. Has failed 3 more times with latest issue almost causing a wreck with my wife. This is NOT normal wear and tear!
Steering, Aug 1, 2022
As I was turning my car into a parking spot the steering locked up on me. I tried to turn the wheel left and right and I simply couldn't do it at all. I turned the vehicle off and turned it back on after a few seconds and it seemed to fix itself. It's been 1 day since this incident happened and I'm afraid it could happen again. Luckily I wasn't on a highway or I could've been seriously injured!
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Jul 28, 2022
My steering wheel is locked it’s hard to turn left or right. I go to school in a different city so I drive back and forth from school to home. While I was turning into the parking lot to park my steering wheel just locked while I was trying to park i almost hit someone’s car in the process. I had to turn the steering wheel with both hands tightly to one side for the steering wheel to move. I was so scared
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2022
The power steering system appears to be failing. There is no indication of the failure prior to failing. When making turns the power steering would randomly stop working, all emergency lights would turn on, and the steering would become extremely difficult to control. This becomes an extreme safety issue when I’m driving around other vehicles. I took my vehicle to a mechanic and they explained that the power steering is electronic, therefore power steering fluid will not fix the problem. Also, there’s an electrical issue with the windows as well. The passenger window can no longer can be controlled by the driver. Lastly, the AC has failed as well. It blows out only hot air. I’ve taken my car to the manufacture dealership and they assessed my vehicle for the AC problem, but they stated that it’s working fine. This is not true because I’ve continued to have problems with the AC, even after many failed troubleshooting attempts. To summarize my report, I have a total of 3 issues in order of importance, power steering, power windows/electrical, and air conditioning unit. My car is available immediately for inspection upon request. Thank you.
Steering, Jul 16, 2022
Steering Wheel locked while turning. I got a red light on the dashboard. I had to restart the engine again to unlock it. Continued driving for 5 minutes and it happened again.