2017 Hyundai Sonata Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

On the morning of XXX, when starting my vehicle, I noticed that the oil warning light was flashing. The outside temperature was in the low 40s, which immediately raised concerns about the vehicle's engine and oil pressure. I promptly shut off the engine and checked the oil level. The oil level was full, as I expected, because I had…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine was consuming…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 180,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Was just driving and lost steering, basically very hard to turn the wheel. Traction control light and a red steering wheel light came on.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

HEV battery constantly states that the car needs turned off. Hyundai had to replace my engine as it just died and blew a hole in a pipeOwner complaint, filed 2024

driving on the side of the interstate, the hybrid battery indicator continuously dipped low. Minutes after continuing driving on the interstate around 50 to 60 mph, every light on the dash came on the vehicle stopped accelerating, and the warning light check HEV system shut engine off started flashing. The vehicle would no longer start…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had my engine replaced under the Theta Engine lawsuit and I was due for the 9C2 service campaign and it was installed...ever since I picked up my car it shifts weird between 1st and 2nd. I brought it back to a different Hyundai dealer as the warranty work was done at another location and they recommended a transmission flush and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

While driving about 45 miles per hour the gas engine shut off and the electric engine lost power, were able to coast a few miles under low power under electric engine and then engine shutdown completely and would not start, had car tolled to nearest mechanic, he confirmed eninge damaged by rod bearing failure, he tried to get a new…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (36), Trunk lid: latch (8).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

1. Sunroof frame detached from car due to defective adhesive. (Antena tailfin also detached from car years earlier because of defective adhesive). Because of this the frame was bent causing the sunroof to disengage from car . 2. Sunroof disengaging while on Interstate could have causes an accident or harmed person in car. A recall was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

My car was recalled because of the paint chipping. I had it fixed however it is still chipping in more spots. I'd like it fixed considering I have paid over $27,000 and still owe $12,000 more. It would be nice to still have a decent car after I finally pay it off. I'd appreciate the help.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

High pressure fuel pump defective. Code p016b. Dealer replaced high pressure pump, gasket, bolt. Sonata has 43265 miles and 80 months.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Complete loss of power. Car shut down at freeway speeds. Dealership runs codes and they cannot find out what specifically is causing issue. Issue cannot be replicated as it only happens a few times a year and has existed since shortly after purchase of the car brand new. There is articles all over the internet people having similar…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact engaged the hybrid function on the vehicle and the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took several minutes to respond. There were several unknown…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the service brakes independently activated, and the vehicle stopped with a hard impact. The contact stated that the failure caused items within the vehicle to be thrown around inside. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 45,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a vehicle purchased from [XXX] on [XXX]. The vehicle was later involved in a collision that resulted in a total loss. According to the police report, I was not at fault. During this crash, none of the airbags deployed, which indicates a possible defect or prior undisclosed issue with the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The airbag light has been on for years. Also, the controllers on the steering wheel stopped working, first left side, 6 months later followed by right side. I’ve been told it’s due to a faulty ring inside or under the steering wheel. Worried to drive with faulty airbag.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Engine does not reach normal operating temperature, possibly failed thermostat. Front window does not defrost properly and ices up while driving for 10 minutes after warming up for 15 minutes.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was provided a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle inspected. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 58,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Important: This is hybrid vehicle. With the cruise control set to maintain a constant speed and while descending a long hill, the vehicle speed is maintained using dynamic braking by charging the battery. But if the grade is long - such as on CA 101 just north of San Luis Obispo, (locally referred to as the Questa Grade) there will come…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Issue: cruise control speeds up too much going uphill, and slows down too much going downhill. Description: I set my cruise control to 75mph, the car will go over 77mph when going uphill, and slows down below 73mph when going downhill without any driver input. This doesn't occur on other gasoline only hyundai I drove such as santa fe. It…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt failed to lock securely. The contact stated that the seat belt loosened unexpectedly and failed to properly protect the driver while operating the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 102,000 miles

Front two seat belts are difficult to latch to buckles. Even when they are buckled while the car is in motion they tend to unlatch by itself.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Tire blew out at low speed near residential area on the tire sidewall in a square shape approximately 3inches wide and 3inches long on each side. The blown out square area is still attached from the outer tire area like an open flap. The sidewall failed four inches in from the outer edge and ripped open. These was an Arizonian Silver…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata equip with Kumo Solus 215 55 R17 tires. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered the steel belt were exposed on the front driver side tire. The tire was replaced and the…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 23,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX]; [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Date: XXX To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) Subject: Formal Safety Defect Complaint, 2017 Hyundai Sonata Theta II Engine Failure, Excessive Oil Consumption, Intake/Engine Component Failure and Safety Hazard Dear Sir or Madam: I am submitting this…Owner complaint, filed 2026

To whom it may concern, I have own my vehicle since Jan 2018, which was purchased from the dealership's owner w/less than 10k miles. Maintenance has been performed iaw Hyundai's recommended schedule. However, yesterday, I was informed that my vehicle needed a new engine and other replacements totaling $13,934.89. This is OUTRAGEOUS. How…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Airbags did not deploy no indicator light came on before nor after I was struck from my driver side front area and yes it is available for inspection upon request. My safety along with my sisters safety was put at risk due to the negligence and cheapness of the dealership I purchased the car from also from there misleading information…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Fault code in the Automatic Braking System C24020 C17410 White body paint bubbling and peeling off the car for no reason. Passenger door roof frame and trunk. Hood previously repairedOwner complaint, filed 2025