2017 Hyundai Sonata: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
763 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The sixth-generation Sonata (2011–2014) is the car that brought Hyundai's Theta II engine problem into the open. Connecting-rod bearing failure in the 2.0 and 2.4-litre engines leads to knocking, stalling and, in the worst cases, fire; Hyundai recalled 2011–2014 Sonatas in 2015 and 2017, extended the engine warranty, installed a knock-sensor detection system, and in 2020 paid a civil penalty to the federal regulator over the timing of the recalls. Read the full note on the model page. 2017 specifically: 763 complaints on record, score 56/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
The first-year rule: why the launch year of a new generation is the one to avoid, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 763 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 84.78
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I was driving down the road when my sunroof glass completely ripped away from the top and flew off. The glass is gone but the frame is still there but bent. I took it to a auto glass repair shop that stated "sunroof glass separated from urethane, came off and bent frame." I am dropping off at Hyundai dealership 9.17.26 to have them inspect. My insurance will not cover repairs. So I am hoping maybe this has happened t…
We had a recall done, Campaign 92C, and every since then the car drives horrible. It's worse when cool, it sputters, and hesitates especially when excellerating. Even after warmed up it seems to slam in and out of gear at low speeds, even when foot is not on the gas. The drive is choppy. The dealership told us to drive it and let the transmission "learn" our driving patterns, but it has not resolved itself. Before c…
I was driving and all of a sudden the traction lights turned on and the sterring wheel is hard to turn. Almost go in a car accident. The windows just stopped working and the brakes light constantly keep getting burned out.
Recalls: 3 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 21V619000 | 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. |
| 21V749000 | 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 activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended. |
| 16V956000 | 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 have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 31 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine383 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Steering173 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other102 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System65 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Power Train55 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Structure37 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
Other Hyundai Sonata years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (383 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 56/100, computed from 763 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Hyundai Sonata's most common problem?
383 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Hyundai Sonata sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Hyundai Sonata cost to run per year?
About $5,640 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $28,202 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Hyundai Sonata, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/08/2021. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Hyundai Sonata really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 763 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 763 NHTSA complaints on record (84.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (46.5/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems