2017 Hyundai Sonata Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 54% of complaints, alongside 3 recalls covering electrical, structure, and airbag components.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Sonata years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 764
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 28
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 1
Top 2017 Hyundai Sonata problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine409 (54%)
- Steering173 (23%)
- Other102 (13%)
- Electrical System83 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain55 (7%)
- Structure & Body54 (7%)
- Fuel System33 (4%)
- Brakes30 (4%)
- Airbags22 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration where the car surges forward without warning even at low speeds like 5 mph.
- Multiple owners describe brake failure where the pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not slow or stop, leading to crashes into garages, fences, or other vehicles.
- Drivers report the airbag deploying during very minor, low-speed taps that caused no other visible damage.
- Some owners describe the transmission or vehicle rolling on its own while parked, even after being placed in park.
- Owners report engine oil consumption problems severe enough to require repeated shop visits and testing.
- Electrical glitches are described where the car hesitates or stalls briefly at intersections before suddenly accelerating.
2017 Hyundai Sonata 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 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.
- NHTSA 16V956000Dec 30, 2016Airbags110 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2017 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
- The 2017 Sonata carries a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 70. Engine issues make up 54% of its 764 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
- Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 409 of 764 complaints (54%), with a median mileage at failure of 67,500 miles.
- Does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Sonata: one for the Smart Junction Box software, one for a trunk latch that may prevent opening, and one for a driver's frontal airbag module replacement.
- How does the 2017 Sonata compare to other Sonata years?
- The 2017 model (complaint index 70) is worse than 2018 (50), 2019 (25), and the Best-rated 2022, 2024, and 2025 model years, but better than the Avoid-rated 2011-2016 Sonatas.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
- The 2017 Sonata gets 28 mpg combined (25 city, 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.