2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#8 most-complained of 15 Sonata Hybrid years
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 80 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 50, ranking 8th worst out of 15 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by engine complaints (64% of total, median failure mileage 77,500).
- Complaints
- 80
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 41
- 38.5 city / 44 hwy
Top 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine51 (64%)
- Electrical System19 (24%)
- Other11 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (13%)
- Fuel System8 (10%)
- Steering8 (10%)
- Brakes7 (9%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
- Lane Departure1 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine loses power suddenly on the highway, sometimes with braking difficulty and a warning message.
- Vehicle shudders at highway speed with the check engine light on, followed by an unusual odor and smoke.
- Some vehicles catch fire near the rear hybrid components while driving or shortly after driving.
- Car displays a 'check hybrid system shut off engine' message and then fails to restart, sometimes requiring multiple attempts.
- Brakes make a howling noise when applied, occurring intermittently and reportedly unresolved after multiple dealer visits.
- Vehicle loses power to the wheels on the freeway with a 'stop vehicle and check brakes' message, then resumes normal function after restart.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V749000Sep 24, 2021Electrical System469,377 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V727000Sep 17, 2021Engine95,515 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V619000Aug 6, 2021Structure & Body348,158 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
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."
Risk: 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.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 38.5 MPG
- Highway
- 44 MPG
- Combined
- 41 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,575
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Sonata Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA lists 80 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2017 Sonata Hybrid, giving it a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict compared to other years of this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
- The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 64% of complaints (51 of 80), with a median failure mileage of 77,500 miles.
- Does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have an engine recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V727000 covers connecting rod bearings inside the engine that may wear prematurely and cause engine damage, affecting 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
- How does the 2017 Sonata Hybrid compare to other years?
- It ranks 8th worst of 15 model years with a complaint index of 50, better than 2011-2013 and 2016 (indexes 79-100, all Avoid) but worse than 2018 and 2020 (indexes 7 and 21, both Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 41 mpg combined (38.5 city / 44 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,575.