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: other or unspecified
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 24, 2022
Hybrid system failed, lost power while driving on freeway going 65 m/h during rush hours, RPM gage went down to 0, most instrument light weee lit on dashboard. Speed went all the way down to 40 m/h pressing the gas all the way down. Hybrid system warning light was flashing. Could have been hit by other vehicles on freeway I had to put my hazard flashing signal and wait for the right moment to pull my car off the road and to emergency lane to stop. The first time car was towed to dealer. And dealer was able to confirm the Problem. The spent 2 weeks at dealer until the claimed they had to contact the manufacture and ended up replacing a wire harness they thought water got into it, paid over $600 for this fix. Few months later same problem they ended replacing some sensors due to a recall. A week later happened again all 3 time on the freeway. The check engine light was on few months prior to these issue and took to dealer multiple times since was still under warranty. But the problem kept coming back. They replace fuel injector then coil pack, the 3 time I was told the engine needs to be flushed and that not covered under warranty. Not long after that the major issues with the hybrid system 3 times
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2022
I have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata white paint began peeling off. even washing the car or driving at high speed resulted in peeling. paint began peeling off of the roof, hood and trunk of the car and sides as well.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2022
Paint is peeling badly all over car
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2022
Paint and clearcoat have separated from body on roof of car.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2022
The power steering stopped working. I am unsure if this is powertrain, electrical or something else. My wife was driving the vehicle without an issue and then the steering became very difficult to the point of not being able to control the car.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2022
Trunk latch will not latch. Trunk will not close.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2022
I was driving north bound on I-95 north in Georgia when I heard a loud bang and then at same time looked out my driver side mirror when I see the cover of my antenna flying down the road, which was dangerous since it could have it a car behind me, a car could have run it over and gotten a flat time, or a car could have seen it and made it swerve and caused an accident. When I went to look for a replacement Hyundai makes you buy the whole antenna at over $600 and when I went to look online, I found a lot of other Hyundai customers had same problem of their antenna cover just breaking off and, in my search, found cars Hyundai made by them had a recall on same thing in the year before mine was made.
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2022
I just bought this car about 10 days ago everything was great until about 2 days ago, I started feeing my steering wheel lock for a little bit or get extremely loose. It did that a couple times through out the day and everything was fine. Next day about the same thing. I thought it was weird. Now today I was driving and felt the same sensation of stiffness on the steering wheel but still able to drive then boom steering wheel locks completely and multiple lights come on. This was extremely scary and I'm already traumatized by other incidents in my life. I like the car but this error in the system is so risky. After turning the car off and on , steering wheel began to work normal. hopefully this does not happen when I am on highway !
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2022
Check Engine light on,, throttle stuck/revving high in idle. Vehicle lunges forward without touching the gas pedal. Difficult to keep brake applied to stop it from lunging forward. Yet, little to no power over 25mph. Vehicle still under manufacturer, dealer and wrap warranty which was purchased at the dealership at point of sale. Vehicle affected by theta II engine safety campaign. Hyundai extended the powertrain warranties for all affected vehicles. Manufacturer and dealer notified of the safety issue on vehicle. Both unconcerned and uncooperative. Upon attempting to get my vehicle serviced; Was first told 8 weeks before my car can even be looked at. That no loaners are available(I am entitled to a loaner of a vehicle in the same class as mine per my warranty)I reiterated the safety concern. Hyundai and dealership failed & continue to fail to make this issue a priority. Explained that I could not drive the car for 8weeks. That it's dangerous, its going to kill myself or someone else. At the very least it will cause injury. Still no solution offered by manufacturer or dealership. Hyundai representative gave me an itinerary #(?) for reference. Also, attempted to sell me another warranty. I explained that my vehicle was covered by THREE warranties. I don't NEED another warranty. I NEED my car fixed and for someone to make this safety issue a priority! My car was a CPO purchased 5/28/20. Less than 30days after sale the check engine light came on & the car started misfiring. It was able to be serviced quickly, a loaner was given to me promptly and the issue was "fixed". This has now reoccured 6 times. Each of those 6 times my car was able to be brought in and serviced quickly, a loaner given to me. The dealership nor the manufacturer will resolve the current safety issue. The car is going to cause bodily harm and/or a fatality & they will have blood on their hands.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2022
I have had my 2017 since July of 2017. Specifically, I have a petal white Hyundai Sonata sport. Over this past summer I started to notice that there was paint chipping on my roof directly above the passenger side window. It has progressively gotten worse. The paint is peeling off in sheets as I am driving down the high way. I explored my options on how I can go about fixing this and have notice that this is a country wide issue with this specific color and make of car. I have been compiling information because I am currently over the 36,000 warranty. I see similar cars in my neighborhood and we all have the same issue. Additionally, my dolphin antenna flew off while driving. Which could have caused damage to others around me. Prior to this, it was a bit lose. But again this is another issue that seems to be more common in this model and make of car.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2022
For the past several months, my vehicle has been burning oil. The oil lamp would only come on when the oil was completely gone and that would happen at least a month before I was set to get another oil change. This morning my check engine light came on for the first time and I was barely able to make it to work without my car stalling. I have not been able to have it checked because it just happened and I'm not even sure it will start when I leave work today. After just a short search online, I have found that other vehicles of the same year, make, and model have been recalled for similar things happening. Unfortunately, my car was not included in that recall even though I am experiencing the same issues.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2021
The engine is stalling and shut off at a traffic light. Using oil on a weekly basis. Gas mileage is not efficient at all. No warning the oil pressure is low. The latch on trunk had to be replaced weeks after I purchased the car but I had to replace it cause it would not shut. And now there is a recall.
Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2021
My Steering Wheel Would Lock Up On Me Sporadically & my EPS & ESC Malfunction Indicator Light Will come on & don’t illuminate, but once I cut the car off & cut it back on my steering wheel will go back to normal & the warning lights will go off. My car have done this multiple times out of the blue but this particular time it just did it again my warning indications light doesn’t illuminate even after turning the car on & off. I can’t drive because my steering wheel is very hard to steer. It’s nearly impossible to get a service appointment with Hyundai and my car is just sitting. Also, multiple people have had this same problem with the steering with this vehicle. Consumer stated power steering had problems and locked up. *JB
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2021
Bought car 8/30/20 on 9/29/20 engine light came on and went into limp mode. Friend came and 1st thing we done was checked oil. 2qts low. Car had 2 codes that came up. Car had 42090 miles. There's now 52200. Car has burned oil since I got it. Been checked by place referred to & states burning oil. afraid to drive now. hear ticking/knocking in motor too.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2021
I was driving and the steering wheel completely locked up. I was unable to turn. I had to turn the car off then back on in order to reset the computer. No warning lights prior to this. When it happened the light on my dash with a steering wheel and exclamation mark appeared. Very dangerous and appears to be a common issue. Vehicle has not been driven since. Where’s the recall? Does someone need to die first?
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2021
As I am driving my steering wheel locked up. I am in lunch hour rush and my steering wheel is locked up. Very unsafe. When I research it, there are a lot of complaints on the steering wheel. Please fix it.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2021
dealership has failed to fix the issue since aug 2021 this is my business ar im out of business because of this
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2021
Steering wheel sticks at about 6:00 position, it takes an extra effort to move the steering wheel to the left or right. While this is occurring I experience dangerous and excessive lane travel. I hear a faint crack coming from the steering column at about the 6:00 position and then it feels like the steering wheel is loosening up again. It seems this problem is worsening and happening more frequent as time goes on. I have had the vehicle to the Hyundai dealership to be looked at and they stated that they could find nothing wrong. This occurs both on the highway and while driving around town at all speeds. I have searched the internet for recalls associated with this problem, but no recall, but a lot of complaints on line from other Hyundai vehicle owners experiencing this same issue. I do not enjoy driving this vehicle with this steering problem occurring all the time.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2021
My steering wheel has been locking on me for about a year several times I’ve almost crashed with my children in the car It seems to be getting worse and staying locked longer I used to be able to just turn the car off and turn it on and it go away back to normal but now it’s getting worse I did take it to a dealership and they cannot find anything wrong with it I’m reading so much bad reviews on this car and what it’s doing not safe at all I don’t even drive on the highway anymore I’m too scared I should not have to live like this
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2021, fire
While being driven, the check in engine light came on. Next the battery light came on followed by the other lights on the dashboards. It then became difficult to accelerate and smoke began to come from under the hood. Then flames were noticed by a man passing and he began to point to the bottom passenger side of the car. The car was pulled over and more flames began. The passengers exited out of the driver side and the car was soon engulfed.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2021
The trunk latch has broken
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2021
Trunk latch
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 8, 2021
MY USES UP A LOT OF OIL, I HAVE TO PUT IN OIL A LOT AN NOW THE ENGINE IN MY CAR IS GONE IT MAKES A WEIRD NOISE IN THE ENGINE, CAN'T SPEED UP AN THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING. I WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THE PISTONS IN MY CAR IS MESSED UP BECAUSE THE CAR BURNS SO MUCH OIL AN IT WAS HEATED UP AN NOW A PISTON IS MESSED AN ITS HITTING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE MOTOR AN MY MOTOR HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE AN IF IT DIDN'T BREAK DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE ALREADY IT WOULD OF BEEN WORST SO. I'M OUT OF A CAR AN I NEED MY TO MAKE MONEY SO
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2021
HOOD DOES NOT STAY OPEN. LAST OIL CHANGE IT SLAMMED DOWN. I HEARD THERE WAS ISSUE WITH TRUNK LATCH.