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
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2020
THE TRUCK WON'T OPEN AN THERE IS NO EMERGENCY HANDLE TO OPEN IT MY THINGS ARE STUFF IN MY TRUNK. CAR IS PARKED
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2020
TRUNK WON'T OPEN
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 28, 2020
THE OIL PLUG FELL OUT AND SEIZED THE ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT LIGHTLY FOR 2 DAYS THROUGH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEMS LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE OIL LIGHT, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (WITHIN THE SPAN OF AROUND 45 SECONDS). AFTER THE LIGHTS THE CAR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND SLOWED TO A HALT. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT TE OIL PLUG IS MISSING AND IT CAUSED THE WHOLE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND NEED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING I'VE FOUND MANY OWNERS OF 2017 HYUNDAI SONOTA HYBRIDS TO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE PLUG FALLING OUT. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO GETTING RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
AFTER SPENDING OVER $1000 TO HAVE MY SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE FLUIDS FLUSHED; I'VE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY TRUNK ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WILL NOT OPEN. DEALERSHIP IS SAYING IT WILL COST OVER $700 TO FIX, WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THIS SHOWS TO BE MANUFACTURER ISSUES. IT SHOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE, I WILL PURCHASE A BRAND NEW CAR, BEFORE I PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO A TICKING TIME BOMB AS THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE ENGINE. CURRENTLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2020
TRUNK WON'T OPEN USING KEY FOB OR DASH. CAN'T CLOSE IT MANUALLY WITH KEY. THE TRUNK LATCH MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2020
WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE, ABS, TPMS, TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG, ELECTRONIC STEERING & EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. & AT THAT SAME TIME THE SPEEDOMETER & TACHOMETER BOTH DROPPED TO 0, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY OF THE ENGINE TEMP GUAGE, GEAR SETTING & OTHER ONBOARD DISPLAYS WENT DOWN WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT ONCE THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK THE SHIFTER LOCKED & I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO CHANGE GEAR SETTINGS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2020
TRUNK LATCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY...ONLY 3 YEAR OLD CAR...I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR...THEY HAVE NOT OR WILL NOT CALL BACK. LATCH WORKS SOMETIMES...BUT OTHER TIMES WILL NOT OPEN OR OTHER TIMES WILL NOT STAY SHUT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2020
THE CAR WAS STATIONED IN MY GARAGE, CAME HOME FROM SHOPPING, HIT THE TRUNK BUTTON ON MY KEY FOB, JUST STARTING HEARING SOME CLICKING NOISES, TRIED TO PRESS THE THE TRUCK RELEASE FROM INSIDE, CONTINUE TO HEAR CLICKING NOISES. I HAD A MECHANICAL TO LOOK AT IT, THEY HAD TO PULL MY SEATS IN THE BACK DOWN TO LOOK INSIDE THE TRUNK AND THEY SAID IT LOOK LIKE A MALFUNCTION ON THE TRUNK BOX INSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2020
PAINT CHIPPED ON IT'S OWN. IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS OVER THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX THE CONTINUING ISSUE. THE PAINT MUST HAVE BEEN A BAD BATCH FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND NOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I CANNOT FIX NOT EVEN THROUGH MY INSURANCE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 23, 2020
WHEN STARTING CAR, IT STARTS SHAKING REAL HARD THEN CUTS OFF. IT DOESN'T AT TIMES. *TR
Steering, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 16, 2020, crash
WHILE DRIVING THE 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA AT SPEEDS OF 60 PLUS MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS. THIS INCIDENT HAS EVEN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER OF MY HYUNDAI DUE TO LOSING STEERING CAUSING ME TO VEER IN TO THE GUARD RAILS.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 16, 2020
ISSUE #1 BRAKES MAKING A WIERD SQUALLING SOUND WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES AT VARIOUS TIMES DRIVING . WE BROUGHT OUR 2017 SONATA HYBRID NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT ANY FIX ! SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ! ISSUE #2 WEI BROUGHT OUR 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES TO SERVICE DEPT. AT HYUNDAI TO INSPECT TIRES & BRAKES & OIL CHANGE BEFORE LEAVING ON OUR LONG TRIP TO MIAMI . EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK ! WE DROVE 2/3 OF WAY ON I-75 HIGHWAY & ONLY STOPPED ONCE FOR GAS . WE NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND & OUR CAR STARTED "PULLING TO THE RIGHT". WE THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE & STOPPED AT THE NEXT REST AREA TO INSPECT TIRES FOR PROPER PSI INFLATION...ALL TIRES CHECKED OUT OK?? THERE WAS NO "WARNING LIGHTS ON " SO WE GOT BACK ONTO I-75 & WE REALLY GOT NERVOUS AS THE SHAKING REALLY GOT WORSE AS WE DROVE ON. WE SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH. WITH FLASHERS ON. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR DIRECTIONS TO NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. WE SLOWLY MADE IT TO RICK CASE HYUNDAI WHO INSPECTED OUR CAR & WERE "SHOCKINGLY TOLD THAT THE (2) RIGHT SIDE TIRES EXPERIENCED "BELT SEPERATIONS " & THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW WHEEL ALIGNMENT (OVER $ 500). TECH SAID ! WOW THAT LOOKS LIKE TWO MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE TIRES ! WE CARRIED 2 TIRES BACK TTO OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPT IN NPR & WILL TRY TO GET REIMBURSED BY HANKOOK ! THIS IS A "SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE " WITH THESE TIRES AS WE HAVE READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE MODEL TIRES. WE WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE OTHER (2) TIRES THAT ARE STILL ON VEHICLE WITH THESE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ! MY WIFE & I DONT FEEL SAFE WITH THE TIRES & BRAKES CONCERNS !
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2019
TRUCK LATCH INITIALLY WOULD NOT OPEN WITH OUT THE KEY OR DASHBOARD OPTION NOW WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2019
MY TRUNK LATCH MECANISUM BROKE AND IT WAS TROUBLING TO THINK THAT MY PURSE OR LUGGAGE WAS IN IT OR I COULD NOT GET TO MY MEDS OR A SPARE TIRE IN THE EVENT IT WAS NEEDED. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET INTO THE LOCKED TRUNK ACCEPT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT OUT UNLIKE MOST CARS WHERE YOU CAN PULL A LATCH ON THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT AND BRING THE SEAT DOWN. I HAVE WHAT IS CALLED THE "SMART TRUNK" THAT OPENS WITHOUT THE USE OF A KEY IF YOU ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF IT. I HAD TO PUT OUT JUST UNDER $500.00 TO GET INTO THE TRUNK AND REPAIR THE LATCH. I DO HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO A SAFETY RECALL ON THE LATCH SOON. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS NOT AT HOME AND I HAD TO WAIT TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2019
TRUNK LATCH FAILED COMPLETELY. FAILURE TO RELEASE BY KEY FOB, FAILURE TO RELEASE FROM INTERIOR BUTTON, AND FAILURE TO RELEASE FROM MANUAL LOCK CYLINDER.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2019
TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN, WITH DASH BUTTON, TRUNK BUTTON, OR KEY. STATIONAY WITH $173 PERISHIBLE GROCERIES INSIDE, WILL BE ODERIOUS BY THE TIME IT GETS TO A SHOP. PARKED IN GARAGE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 25, 2019
WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, AT ABOUT 6:45AM ESATERN TIME ON 07/25/2019, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR TRUNK FLIPPED OPEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS OR ANY SIGNS OF DEFECT AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER BY EMERGENCY SIDE AND TRIED TO CLOSE IT BACK, AFTER ALL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, WITH TRUNK WILD OPEN, I HAD TO DRIVE STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED (RICK CASE HYUNDAI DULUTH 3190 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH GA 30096) AND TO MY UTMOST SURPRISE, AFTER EXPLAINING THE INCIDENT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER SUCH MECHANICAL DEFECT AND THEY CHARGED ME $233 JUST TO FIX THE LATCH, I TRIED TO CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTIONS AT ALL, WHAT A VERY POOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM OF TRUNK LATCH PROBLEMS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE OR HELP OUT.. REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH HYUNDAI. MY CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 23, 2019
CAMPAIGN 953 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BY MAIL FOR THE KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND IT WAS COMPLETED ON 03/19/2019. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH, JERKS AND HESITATE. I CONTACT THE HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, WILL NOT PROVIDE ME A LOANED VEHICLE AND WILL NOT COVER A RENTAL. MY WIFE JUST GAVE BIRTH TO OUR SON ON 03/21/2019 AND WE WERE DEPENDING ON THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT THE BABY FROM THE HOSPITAL TO OUR HOME. I WAS BASICALLY FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER COMPANY, BECAUSE THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT GIVE ME A DATE OR AN APPROXIMATION OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL BE FIXED. I STILL OWED $3500 AND STILL PAYING INSURANCE FOR IT. I NEED HELP.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2019
ANTENNA CAP KEEPS COMING OFF. SECOND TIME REPLACEMENT. THIS IS REALLY AGGRAVATING NOW THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 18, 2019, crash
I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY TO MAKE A TURN INTO MY GARAGE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND HIT THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE BREAKING THROUGH A PATIO GUARD RAIL. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE CAR WENT OVER THE BULKHEAD. INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A WRECKER TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD OCCURRED ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE ROAD IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BEYOND THE SET CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD ALSO OCCURRED WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHILE IN SPEED CONTROL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2019
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 2.8.2019, MY SUNROOF VIOLENTLY EXPLODED. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 10 IN PHOENIX, AZ AT APPROXIMATELY 5:40 AM. NO VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OR BESIDE ME. THE EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES, THE HEATER WAS ON IN THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 67 MILES PER HOUR, DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR DID NOT SWERVE. INSIDE THE CAR I COULD NOW HEAR MORE ROAD NOISE. I OPENED THE SUNROOF SHADE ENOUGH TO SLIP MY FINGERS THROUGH AND FELT COLD AIR AND BROKEN GLASS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2018
WHILE I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR CUT OFF. AFTER IT TURNED OF I TRIED STATING IT BACK UP 3 TIMES. FIRST I TRIED ONCE I PUT IT IN PARK ONCE IN NEUTRAL AND FINALLY THE THIRD TIME I WAS IN PARK AD IT STARTED BACK UP.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HEARD A LONG NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I THEN HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE SUNROOF LIKE BROKEN GLASS. I HAD THE COVER CLOSED. HAD I NOT HAD IT CLOSED, GLASS WOULD HAVE BEEN FALLING IN ALL AROUND US. I PULLED OVER TO LOOK AT IT AND IT LOOKED A BOMB HAD EXPLODED. SOME PIECES WERE STILL ATTACHED BUT SHATTERED AND OTHERS WERE EVERYWHERE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 22, 2018
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
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2017
I BROUGHT THIS IN OCT 6, 2017 AT WIN HYUNDAI IN CARSON. A COUPLE WEEK LATER, I AM HAVING TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEMS. THE TIRES IS SLIDING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STREET. THE TIRE PRESSURE KEEPS GOING UP AND DOWN EVERYDAY. I BROUGHT THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING IS WRONG BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TIRES. LAST NIGHT, WHEN I PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY THE WHEEL WAS STRUCK UNTIL IT STOP. THIS CAR IS 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA SE. I NOTICED A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU CHANGE TIRES BECAUSE THE TIRES ISN'T SLIDING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STREET.