Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Hyundai Sonata problems
Owners filed 769 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between Oct 2016 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (386).
Complaints
769
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine386
- Steering173
- Electrical system65
- Power train56
- Structure37
- Fuel/propulsion system33
- Air bags22
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Exterior lighting20
- Vehicle speed control20
- Service brakes20
- Latches/locks/linkages17
- Seat belts8
- Electronic stability control (esc)7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
22
23
59
65
88
131
122
113
92
52
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2020 | 65 |
| 2021 | 88 |
| 2022 | 131 |
| 2023 | 122 |
| 2024 | 113 |
| 2025 | 92 |
| 2026 | 52 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
386 reports6 crashes9 fires
“On the morning of XXX, when starting my vehicle, I noticed that the oil warning light was flashing. The outside temperature was in the low 40s, which immediately raised concerns about the vehicle's engine and oil pressure. I promptly shut off the engine and checked the oil level. The oil level was full, as I expected, because I had checked it the previous day. I have consistently paid close attention to the oil level in this vehicle because it has consumed oil throughout the entire time I have owned it, beginning shortly after I purchased it brand new. Due to this ongoing issue, I make it a point to keep extra engine oil in my trunk so I can monitor and maintain the proper oil level. On XXXX, I stopped by the Joe Holland Hyundai Service Department and spoke with [XXX] about the oil warning light continuing to flicker while driving. Unfortunately, no resolution or explanation was provided. However, [XXX] did acknowledge that the engine in my vehicle had previously been identified on a problem list due to a machining error that occurred during the engine manufacturing process. This acknowledgment is particularly concerning because it suggests that Hyundai was…”
Steering
173 reports5 crashes1 fire
“I was driving and all of a sudden the traction lights turned on and the sterring wheel is hard to turn. Almost go in a car accident. The windows just stopped working and the brakes light constantly keep getting burned out.”
Electrical system
65 reports4 crashes
“I am writing to report a direct violation of the Theta II Class Action Settlement terms by Hyundai Motor America. This morning , I emailed an Executive Case Manager explicitly explaining that my 2017 Sonata has an active P1326 code, has the 2019 KSDS update, and requires a mandatory diagnostic under NHTSA Recall 17V226 that cannot be denied due to a salvage title. Instead of replying to my facts, the Case Manager Kathy gave me a hard denial falsely framing my federal recall safety request as a "voluntary goodwill warranty" issue to justify her rejection. Please help me in getting authorization my car with Hyundai dealership in Plano Tx to run the bearing rod test and get it fixed.”
Power train
56 reports2 crashes
“I had my engine replaced under the Theta Engine lawsuit and I was due for the 9C2 service campaign and it was installed...ever since I picked up my car it shifts weird between 1st and 2nd. I brought it back to a different Hyundai dealer as the warranty work was done at another location and they recommended a transmission flush and relearn. They can feel it slipping and the other dealership noted no problems, which leads me to believe it was because of the service campaign. I also called corporate and the customer service rep had heard of this before as well as a bunch of forums online.”
Structure
37 reports1 crash2 fires
“I was involved in a severe motor vehicle collision in a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The airbags failed to deploy during the crash. I sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by EMS. This vehicle has known safety recalls, and I believe the airbag non-deployment may indicate a safety defect.”
Fuel/propulsion system
33 reports1 fire
“Supplemental Information to Existing NHTSA Complaint involving a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) While traveling at approximately 70 MPH on a heavily traveled highway, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost propulsion without warning. The vehicle rapidly decelerated in traffic, creating a significant safety hazard for my family and surrounding motorists and requiring emergency maneuvering to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership, where diagnostic testing identified multiple high-voltage battery system fault codes: • P0B68 • P0B6D • P0B72 The dealership diagnosed a high-voltage battery system failure requiring battery replacement. The vehicle is currently non-drivable. During my research, I found multiple owner reports involving Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles experiencing loss of power, hybrid system failures, limp mode conditions, and propulsion-related incidents. I also learned that Hyundai previously issued Recall 18V166000 involving 2016–2018 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vehicles due to battery management system and voltage protection device concerns that could result in loss of power…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.