1997 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 17 of 49 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 23 in 1996 to 49 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,450 | 2,850–3,300 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–21 | 19–22 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–19 / 22–26 | 16–19 / 23–26 | 16–19 / 22–26 | 15–19 / 22–25 | 18–19 / 26–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–494 | 404–468 | 423–494 | 423–494 | 404–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 66 | 23 | 49 | 49 | 170 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 25 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
Fuel System: 17 of 49 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 00V314001 · Oct 25, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 97V026000 · Mar 3, 1997
Defect: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.