2017 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 464 of 874 complaints (53%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (10) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 880 in 2016 to 874 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,700–2,600 | 1,500–2,600 | 1,500–2,600 | 1,500–2,400 | 1,500–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–37 | 24–41 | 24–42 | 26–42 | 26–42 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–35 / 30–38 | 21–39 / 30–42 | 21–39 / 30–45 | 23–40 / 32–46 | 23–40 / 32–46 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 242–365 | 221–365 | 221–365 | 212–342 | 212–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,194 | 880 | 874 | 380 | 169 | |
| Recalls issued | 12 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 38 | 23 | 29 | 18 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 50 | 31 | 15 | 13 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 37 | 20 | 12 | 21 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 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 2017 Hyundai Sonata have?
5 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 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine: 464 of 874 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates it 24–42 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA estimates $1,500–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 365 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 307 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 316 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 28 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 286 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 22 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 347 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 39 mpg (high) | 45 mpg (high) | 42 mpg (high) | $1,500 (low) | 221 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 43 mpg | 40 mpg | $1,550 | 222 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 40 mpg | 39 mpg | $1,600 | 104 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 464 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 69 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 47 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 94 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 38 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 182 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 31 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 30 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 57 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 119 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
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 (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 21V749000 · Sep 27, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
ENGINE · Campaign 21V727000 · Sep 20, 2021
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH · Campaign 21V619000 · Aug 9, 2021
Defect: 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 18V166000 · Mar 13, 2018
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V956000 · Jan 5, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.