Total Complaints
956 filings
HYUNDAI SONATA · model year
956 NHTSA complaints, 46 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2017HYUNDAISONATA carries 956 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 46 crashes, 16 fires, 18 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 SONATA is engine with 360 filings, followed by steering (170) and unknown or other (96). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2017 SONATA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
956 filings
Crashes Reported
46 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 360 |
| STEERING | 170 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 96 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 58 |
| POWER TRAIN | 52 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 36 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 31 |
| AIR BAGS | 21 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 20 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 19 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 12 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH | 8 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 8 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 7 |
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 ha
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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 activat
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 F
While driving around 45 mph, the steering wheel locked up and car came to a hard stop. Luckily cars swerved to avoid me. This was the second time it happened. The first time I was in a parking garage and the steering wheel locked up. After restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel worked again. The dash showed no fault codes or engine light. I found out there is a service bulletin and took it in to the dealer. Once there, the confirmed it was the power steering and is covered by the service bulletin and extended warranty. However, because the bulletin requires the dealer to clear code to try and reproduce it, I have to pick up vehicle because they could not reproduce the fault code. So now I have to drive the vehicle knowing their is a service bulletin for the problem and have it happen again before it is fixed. There is an extremely high likelihood of injury considering you lose all power at wheel and car continues to move.
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a permanent and recurring DTC P1326 (Knock signal range/performance) from the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), indicating potential connecting rod bearing wear in the Nu 2.0L engine. The vehicle enters limp mode (reduced power, limited acceleration/speed) on the highway under load, with hard engine vibration, tinkling/knocking noise from under hood, and significantly reduced MPG. These symptoms create a serious safety risk: sudden loss of power at highway speeds (e.g., 50+ mph) makes it difficult to maintain speed, merge, or avoid hazards, increasing crash risk or stranding in traffic. In rare cases, bearing wear can lead to engine seizure or failure. The problem first appeared summer 2024 at approximately 115,000 miles. The Check Engine Light illuminates (cristmass tree), and limp mode triggers during highway driving. I have an OBD scan showing confirmed, pending, and permanent P1326, plus related hybrid communication codes (U0293, U1004) likely
Car just sputtered and then the engine stopped working in cyclinder 2
This car is becoming more of a headache than itâs worth. Turned the car on, My car started shaking and my check engine light came on. then I got this message âA possible condition with your engine control system has been detected on a 2017 Hyundai Sonataâ
This car is becoming more of a headache than itâs worth. Turned the car on, My car started shaking and my check engine light came on. then I got this message âA possible condition with your engine control system has been detected on a 2017 Hyundai Sonataâ
This car is becoming more of a headache than itâs worth. Turned the car on, My car started shaking and my check engine light came on. then I got this message âA possible condition with your engine control system has been detected on a 2017 Hyundai Sonataâ
My car stayed with up to date oil changes and everything. One day I noticed it was leaking oil and had to stay on top of adding oil. When took to a mechanic they said my motor was blown and needed a new one. I took very good care of this car and itâs crazy that I need a new motor after babying the car.
Was just driving and lost steering, basically very hard to turn the wheel. Traction control light and a red steering wheel light came on.
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata is exhibiting a severe metallic knocking noise and metal debris in the engine oilâprimary indicators of the Theta II engine defect (NHTSA Campaign 17V578). These symptoms indicate imminent engine failure, posing a significant stall and crash risk. On or around 8/20/25, I took the vehicle to Earnhardt Hyundai-San Tan. I informed the technician of the oil burning and metal shavings. They refused to perform the recall repair and charged a $200 diagnostic fee for an inspection related to a federally mandated safety recall. Under federal law (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301), recall remedies must be provided at no cost to the owner. Furthermore, components were not reassembled correctly during the inspection. The vehicle is now leaking oil onto my driveway and has been rendered inoperable. It has not been driven since I picked it up on August 25, 2025. I am requesting that Hyundai be compelled to perform the recall remedy and reimburse the unauthorized diagnostic fee.
Please see the attached paperwork and I have more if needed. I am not receiving any help from the local Hyundai dealership in which I purchased the car, and I have reached out to the main Headquarter. This is the 2nd Hyundai I purchased, and I was not made aware of the oil consumption issue.
My vehicle has a documented excessive oilâconsumption defect. After a 1,000âmile oilâconsumption test performed by a Hyundai dealership, the engine was found to have consumed 2.8 quarts of oil, which is far above normal and poses a safety risk. The dealer referenced TSB 23âEMâ008H and recommended a chamber cleaning but could not guarantee it would resolve the issue. Hyundai Motor America declined to cover the repair and refused to escalate my case. This level of oil consumption is consistent with known Theta II engine defects that have led to engine seizure, stalling, and fire in other vehicles. I am reporting this as a safety concern due to the risk of sudden engine failure while driving.
My vehicle has a documented excessive oilâconsumption defect. After a 1,000âmile oilâconsumption test performed by a Hyundai dealership, the engine was found to have consumed 2.8 quarts of oil, which is far above normal and poses a safety risk. The dealer referenced TSB 23âEMâ008H and recommended a chamber cleaning but could not guarantee it would resolve the issue. Hyundai Motor America declined to cover the repair and refused to escalate my case. This level of oil consumption is consistent with known Theta II engine defects that have led to engine seizure, stalling, and fire in other vehicles. I am reporting this as a safety concern due to the risk of sudden engine failure while driving.
My vehicle has a documented excessive oilâconsumption defect. After a 1,000âmile oilâconsumption test performed by a Hyundai dealership, the engine was found to have consumed 2.8 quarts of oil, which is far above normal and poses a safety risk. The dealer referenced TSB 23âEMâ008H and recommended a chamber cleaning but could not guarantee it would resolve the issue. Hyundai Motor America declined to cover the repair and refused to escalate my case. This level of oil consumption is consistent with known Theta II engine defects that have led to engine seizure, stalling, and fire in other vehicles. I am reporting this as a safety concern due to the risk of sudden engine failure while driving.
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has had an ongoing engine malfunction defect that is causing engine knocking, stalling, and smell and rapid depletion of oil. The continuous issues are concerning especially when the car is not driven on a regular basis as it is utilized as a second vehicle. This has been a noticeable issue for quite sometime now. I have taken the car to the Hyundai dealership on multiple occassions after notably heavy oil consumption in a short time period in between scheduled oil changes. I am told by the dealership that it is evident that the engine is rapidly processing and burning oil inappropriately from a possible manufacturing defect recall related to connecting-rod bearing failure that was issued by Hyundai for various Hyundai models. The damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of fire.
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.
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.
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.
Manufacturer has refused engine replacement under federal KSDS recall settlement without providing causation proof. Owner has maintenance records. Request NHTSA compliance review.
Manufacturer is refusing recall engine replacement alleging neglect without proof of causation. Vehicle has documented maintenance. Denial appears improper under recall compliance law.
The vehicleâs dashboard continuously displays a âhood openâ warning even though the hood is fully closed and securely latched. The hood has been physically inspected and confirmed to be closed, yet the warning persists. The issue appears to be related to a faulty hood latch sensor or switch, which is part of the hood latch assembly. The warning is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual condition of the hood. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue for potential investigation, as it may represent a defect in the hood latch sensor system on the 2017 Hyundai Sonata that could affect multiple vehicles and pose a safety risk.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.