⌘K
HomeHyundaiSonata2017
Hyundai · Large car

2017 Hyundai Sonata

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Large Cars
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
60 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA874
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA42 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large car with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sonata Hybrid SE, is EPA-rated at 42 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 874 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Sonata Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 50 kW IPMSM384039 (58 MPGe blended)27 mi electric342.7 h$1,600
Sonata Hybrid SEHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion394542$1,500
Sonata HybridHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion384340$1,550
SonataGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283631$2,000
SonataGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253629$2,150
Sonata Sport LimitedGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253528$2,250
SonataGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223126$2,400
Sonata LimitedGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo213024$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38046, 37531, 37532, 37452, 37432, 37433, 37462, 37431.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
minor

Exterior Lighting

210
469,377 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 21V749000reported Sep 24, 2021Hyundai Motor America
!critical

Engine

209
95,515 vehiclesHybrid only
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 21V727000reported Sep 17, 2021Hyundai Motor America
moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

208
348,158 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers 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 campaign 21V619000reported Aug 6, 2021Hyundai Motor America
high

Hybrid Propulsion System

175
2,840 vehiclesPlug-in hybrid only
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIf 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.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V166000reported Mar 12, 2018Hyundai Motor America
high

Air Bags

156
110 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V956000reported Dec 30, 2016Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module — DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of eight vehicle crashes in which a rupture of a Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN) air bag inflator occurred during the deployment of the driver side air bag. All eight drivers in these crashes sustained serious or fatal injuries that appear linked to the ruptures. Six of those drivers sustained fatal injuries and two sustained severe injuries. In all eight incidents, the subject inflators had been installed as replacement equipment after the vehicle was involved in a previous crash. Information gathered during NHTSA’s initial analysis of these incidents indicates that the inflators were potentially

Opened Oct 21, 2025 · action EA25005

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Engine — Engine Fires closed

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software mo

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024 · action EA21003

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
874complaints filed

29 involved a crash · 15 a fire · 12 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 26 · 2018: 36 · 2019: 67 · 2020: 68 · 2021: 98 · 2022: 150 · 2023: 139 · 2024: 132 · 2025: 104 · 2026: 51

Most-cited components

Engine445
Steering181
Unspecified119
Electrical System94
Power Train69
Structure37

What owners describe

“On 12/20/25, the car - a Sonata plug-in hybrid - failed to start. When I pushed the "start" button, the dashboard display lit up w many clearly irrelevant error messages. Each time I pressed start, somewhat fewer error messages blasted toward me, and finally, no response at all. On 12/21/2026, the tow driver said it wa…”May 11, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), originally purchased in California. While driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and rapidly decelerated. This created a dangerous situation with surroundin…”Apr 29, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am filing this formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous engine failure incident involving my 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. Description of Incident: While traveling on CA-85 near Mountain View, California, at approximately 65 miles per hour, the engine …”Mar 18, 2026 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sonata model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API