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The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has 761 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns.
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has 761 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 293 complaints, typically surfacing around 84,718 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Sonata | 742 | 7 |
| 2015 Sonata | 1,130 | 9 |
| 2016 Sonata | 716 | 6 |
| 2017 Sonata (this page) | 761 | 3 |
| 2018 Sonata | 366 | 1 |
| 2019 Sonata | 155 | 0 |
| 2020 Sonata | 170 | 4 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 40,902 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
The car's paint is peeling all over. The roof was repainted in 2018, the hood and side door in 2024 and now the the roof supports on each side and trunk are peeling . While driving a big piece of white paint flew to my windshield blocking the driver's view. It stuck under the…
Problem 1: I made a right turn at a red light. As I turned my power steering light turned on and my steering wheel locked up and I lost control of the vehicle. After stopping and turning off the vehicle, I restarted it. At this point I was able to regain control of the car.…
My 2017 Hyundai Sonata Sport Limited 2.4 has a known engine defect causing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was at an authorized Hyundai dealership for the oil consumption test and had been approved for a new engine replacement. Prior to the repair, I completed $2,300 in…
In winter of 2018, my husband and I purchased a certified pre-owned 2017 Hyundai Sonata, and from the moment we drove it off the lot, it had an oil consumption problem. Then, in 2023, the spark plugs began failing. Each time this happens, the whole car shakes and stops running.…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA25005 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 761 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Hyundai Sonata has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Hyundai Sonata is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 46 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 14,000–55,080 mi; Body: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 37,400–93,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 293 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,718 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 761 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 84,718 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 293 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,718 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,718 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 761 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.