Model year report

2017 Hyundai Sonata: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2017 Hyundai Sonata

On the 2017 Hyundai Sonata, the failure owners report most often is other engine problem, and the reports cluster around 67,500 miles. The earliest to appear is fuel pump failure, reported by a median of 5,000 miles. Overall it scores 75 out of 100, severe risk for a 2017.

Severe risk for a 2017 — 104th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. 1,004 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 75 named failure modes on the 2017 Hyundai Sonata, and the three most-reported carry 42% of everything filed.

Other engine problem leads with 176 reports, about 2.6 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 39k to 107,500 miles.

Excessive oil consumption follows with 132 reports, usually reported between 59k to 95,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

Other steering problem follows with 114 reports, usually reported between 15k to 75,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (378), steering (158) and electrical (84).

The mileage the reports cluster at

296 of the reports on the 2017 Hyundai Sonata came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 54,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 47% by 50,000 miles, 85% by 100,000 miles and 96% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 1 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 15% of the dated reports.

38% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.

In the order they tend to show up: fuel pump failure around 6k, other brake problem around 14k, other electrical problem around 25k and liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure around 42k.

Median

Other engine problem

69k
Excessive oil consumption

76k
Other steering problem

53k
Other electrical problem

25k
Other powertrain problem

48k
Other body or interior problem

55k
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure

42k
Loss of power steering

53k
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure

72k
Other fuel system problem

67k
Complete engine failure or seizure

140k
Steering column or shaft failure

76k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 75. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 53.9k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 1 report came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

What happens when these parts fail

Across the named modes, 42 mention a crash, 14 a fire and 12 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.16, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other engine problem at $300–$4,000, excessive oil consumption at $900–$6,500, other steering problem at $350–$2,400 and other electrical problem at $250–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

43% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other engine problem	engine	176	60	39k	69k	107k	2.6	$300–$4,000	High
Excessive oil consumption	engine	132	18	59k	76k	93k	2.0	$900–$6,500	High
Other steering problem	steering	114	40	15k	53k	76k	1.7	$350–$2,400	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	44	13	8k	25k	50k	0.7	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other powertrain problem	transmission	38	12	24k	48k	76k	0.6	$400–$4,500	High
Other body or interior problem	body	33	11	43k	55k	90k	0.5	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure	body	27	8	25k	42k	66k	0.4	$250–$1,500	Moderate
Loss of power steering	steering	25	7	—	53k	—	0.4	$600–$2,800	Critical
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	22	8	56k	72k	80k	0.3	$700–$3,000	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	22	4	—	67k	—	0.3	$300–$2,200	High
Complete engine failure or seizure	engine	21	6	—	140k	—	0.3	$4,500–$12,000	Critical
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	17	7	—	76k	—	0.3	$600–$2,500	Critical
Misfire or rough idle	engine	16	1	—	110k	—	0.2	$250–$1,600	Moderate
Paint peeling or clear coat failure	body	16	1	—	18k	—	0.2	$600–$6,000	Low
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	14	4	—	20k	—	0.2	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Other brake problem	brakes	14	9	3k	14k	24k	0.2	$300–$1,800	High
Stalling while driving	engine	11	1	—	175k	—	0.2	$300–$2,500	Critical
Fuel pump failure	fuel	11	8	3k	6k	9k	0.2	$600–$2,600	High
Other lighting problem	lighting	9	5	—	24k	—	0.1	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Other speed control problem	adas	9	6	—	21k	—	0.1	$250–$2,000	Critical
Cruise control failure	adas	8	6	—	16k	—	0.1	$200–$1,400	High
Oil leak	engine	7	0	—	—	—	0.1	$250–$2,200	Moderate
Software fault or failed update	software	7	0	—	—	—	0.1	$0–$600	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	7	4	—	85k	—	0.1	$250–$1,800	High
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	6	2	—	45k	—	0.1	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	6	4	—	64k	—	0.1	$250–$1,500	High
Loss of braking	brakes	6	2	—	26k	—	0.1	$400–$3,000	Critical
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	6	2	—	30k	—	0.1	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	6	1	—	20k	—	0.1	$200–$900	High
Lane keep or steering assist fault	adas	6	1	—	14k	—	0.1	$200–$1,600	High
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	6	3	—	76k	—	0.1	$100–$900	Moderate
Complete transmission failure	transmission	5	1	—	69k	—	0.1	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	5	0	—	—	—	0.1	$400–$3,500	High
Infotainment screen failure	infotainment	5	0	—	—	—	0.1	$400–$2,600	Low
Sunroof failure or glass breakage	body	5	3	—	54k	—	0.1	$700–$4,500	High
Parking brake failure	brakes	4	4	—	55k	—	0.1	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	4	3	—	14k	—	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$350–$1,900	High
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$450–$1,600	High
Engine sensor failure	electrical	3	2	—	44k	—	0.0	$180–$900	Moderate
Air conditioning failure	hvac	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$2,800	Moderate
Other suspension problem	suspension	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Water pump failure	cooling	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$500–$2,200	High
Overheating	cooling	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Fuel gauge or level sensor failure	fuel	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$300–$1,200	Moderate
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	2	1	—	6k	—	0.0	$500–$2,400	High
Master cylinder or brake booster failure	brakes	2	1	—	60k	—	0.0	$450–$2,200	Critical
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$300–$1,600	High
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	2	2	—	56k	—	0.0	$0–$0	Critical
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	2	1	—	91k	—	0.0	$700–$2,600	High
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$200–$1,500	Critical
Door latch or handle failure	body	2	1	—	88k	—	0.0	$250–$1,200	High
Windshield cracking	glass	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$300–$1,600	Moderate
Other visibility problem	glass	2	1	—	25k	—	0.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Engine bay fire	engine	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$4,000–$20,000	Critical
Electrical fire or melted wiring	electrical	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$1,500–$9,000	Critical
Head gasket failure	engine	1	1	—	111k	—	0.0	$1,400–$4,000	Critical
Engine knock or bearing noise	engine	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$2,500–$9,000	High
Piston, ring or cylinder wall damage	engine	1	1	—	119k	—	0.0	$3,000–$9,500	Critical
Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure	engine	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$1,800–$7,000	High
Intake carbon buildup	engine	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$1,200	Moderate
Thermostat failure	cooling	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$900	Moderate
CVT failure	transmission	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$3,000–$8,500	Critical
Torque converter failure	transmission	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$1,100–$3,200	High
CV axle or driveshaft failure	drivetrain	1	1	—	20k	—	0.0	$450–$2,200	High
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$900–$4,200	High
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Backup camera failure	infotainment	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$1,200	Moderate
Audio or connectivity failure	infotainment	1	1	—	53k	—	0.0	$150–$900	Low
Instrument cluster or gauge failure	infotainment	1	1	—	25k	—	0.0	$350–$1,400	Moderate
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$2,200	High
Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin	emissions	1	1	—	134k	—	0.0	$250–$2,000	High
Wiper or washer failure	glass	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$120–$800	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	72	16	25k	43k	68k	1.1	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2017 Hyundai Sonata draws about 15 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 92nd percentile of complaint rates among 2017 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 67,053 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2017 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Recalls on the 2017 model year

NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2017 Hyundai Sonata, affecting an estimated 101,923 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover exterior lighting:turn signal, latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch and air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

21V749000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

469,377 vehicles 2021-09-24

Defect: 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.
Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
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.

21V619000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

348,158 vehicles 2021-08-06

Defect: 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.

16V956000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

110 vehicles 2016-12-30

Defect: 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 inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai 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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2017 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2017 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Better and worse years of the same car

Severe risk for a 2017 — 104th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.

Across the 30 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1996 comes out best at 58 and 2022 worst at 81, with 2017 itself at 75.

If the model year is negotiable, 1996, 1998, 2000, 1997, 1999, 2008, 2007, 2001, 2004, 2025, 2024, 2006, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2023 and 2014 score lower than 2017 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2011–2019 generation specifically, 2014 is the strongest year at 72 and 2015 the weakest at 79.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2011-2019 generation, 2014 Hyundai Sonata scores best at 72 and 2015 Hyundai Sonata worst at 79.

What to look at before buying one

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other brake problem from about 3k, fuel pump failure from about 3k, other electrical problem from about 8k and other steering problem from about 15k.

On a 2017 Hyundai Sonata with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other brake problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

The limits of complaint data

1,004 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 1,004 reports, 296 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 29% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Sonata?

The most-reported failures are other engine problem (176 reports, median 67,500 miles), excessive oil consumption (132 reports, median 75,000 miles) and other steering problem (114 reports, median 52,500 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Sonata problems start?

Fuel pump failure is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 54,000 miles.

Is the 2017 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

It scores 75 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 104th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2017 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Hyundai Sonata is best?

Within the 2011–2019 generation, 2014 scores best at 72 out of 100 and 2015 worst at 79. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed