2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 79 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (43% of complaints); the 2015 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While traveling 40 mph, car flashes a warning, "Check Hybrid System", and then the car shuts off. No power steering and brakes are difficult. The warning is only 3-5 seconds before everything shuts down. This is definitely a hazard to myself and others. If in traffic at higher speeds, there would certainly be an accident with devastating results.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2025
“I was drying my car after washing it(I only use products approved for washing and drying vehicles) when a piece of paint on the hood just peeled off. It has not been wrecked or damaged in any way on the hood so I feel it must be a defective paint job from the factory.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact stated that while attempting to purchase a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, it was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was not yet purchased. The vehicle mileage was 87,000, but the contact later discovered that the mileage was 105,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to the rod bearings failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under an unknown recall due to the mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2025
“Driving the vehicle, I was turning right on exit , the steering wheels turn extremely hard. It turn so hard have to pull over on side of the road. Steering light and traction turn on. Cycle the key and vehicle reset light nothing happen. Vehicle do not give fault code after key was cycle.”Owner report · Steering · May 2025
“The vehicle had a recall to replace the motor for bearing failure. They replaced my motor at 101,000 miles. The second motor than failed for the exact recall of bearing failure at 65,000 miles on the new motor. They told me that since I had already have done the recall and my car was now out of warranty that I would have to pay 10% of the repair bill for another motor. This second motor should have been included in that recall.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
“While driving, car started to lose power. Warning lights started flashing to turn off vehicle to recharge battery. Car lost all power. Car was towed to dealership. Dealer started diagnostic testing, and first thing that was noted is that all oil had drained from car and that crank shaft may now be damaged. Prior to incident, no warning lights came on for service, engine or oil lamp. Dealer and internet searched confirm this has been happening to this model recently.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2024
“EGR cooler leaks and slowly burns off engine coolant resulting in the car overheating while driving, forcing a quick exit from the road, or stopping in traffic not to damage the engine. Google search shows this is a very common issue with these hybrids.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2024
“While driving on the highway, the car loss. The dashboard noted the Blindspot Detention System failed and the dash noted "Hybrid System Warning. Turn off Engine." The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They confirmed a Knock System Sensor had to be replaced. Less than a month after the repair, the same issue occurred on the highway again and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. Vehicle has been at the dealership for over 2 weeks and dealership has confirmed they haven't been able to accurately diagnosis the problem yet. Both incidents have occurred after the dealership addressed the recall campaign related to the engine.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
“Engine oil misfire also noted as a recall on the 2016 model and repeatedly mentioned on line as an error in the 2017 model now reaching simlar mileages. Dealer is refusing to acknowledge it as a problem and says the engine light si not recording the error and yet an outside analysis says its error 0302!! The same as the 2016 recall notice. The 2017's should be recalled for the same fix”Owner report · Engine · May 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Sonata Hybrid years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Sonata Hybrid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 79 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The most complained-about area is engine (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,500 miles or less.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.