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Hyundai

2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: first extended drive of new car, check engine light came on. took it to dealer for service, was told i had "bad fuel" that they tested a sample and found e85 (ethanol) in it, which is not covered by hyundai new car warranty for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. i paid $828 to have fuel drained and.

51

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

17 complaints
33%
  • • FIRST EXTENDED DRIVE OF NEW CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD I HAD "BAD FUEL" THAT THEY TESTED A SAMPLE AND FOUND E85 (ETHANOL) IN IT, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI NEW CAR WARRANTY FOR PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES. I PAID $828 TO HAVE FUEL DRAINED AND
  • • ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO
  • • 14 MARCH 2018 10:30 AM, 70 MPH ON US 101 TO SAN FRANCISCO, HEV MODE, RAINY WEATHER, 4 PASSENGERS FOR A BUSINESS MEETING. CAR STEERING SHUDDERED AS IF THE TIRES SLIPPED AND SPUN ON THE WET PAVEMENT. ESC, BRAKE, AND AUTO HOLD LIGHTS TURNED YELLOW. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY TO REACH DESTINATI
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“FIRST EXTENDED DRIVE OF NEW CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD I HAD "BAD FUEL" THAT THEY TESTED A SAMPLE AND FOUND E85 (ETHANOL) IN IT, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI NEW CAR WARRANTY FOR PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES. I PAID $828 TO HAVE FUEL DRAINED AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

11 complaints
22%
  • • ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ABOVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT SIDE COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVENS CREEK HYUNDAI (4425 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

7 complaints
14%
  • • 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG IN FEATURE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ON FRONT STICKER SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID IT ONLY WORKS ABOVE 25MPH AND IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WARNING SOON ENOUGH SO I THINK ITS CRASH ZONE AND SHOUDL BE ADJUSTABLE AND TESTABLE IT IS NOT NTSB I HOPE CAN HELP MANUFACTURE A STANDARD TERMINO
  • • THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA COVER CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THAT IT WAS GONE. THIS DEFINITELY CAN POSE A DRIVING HAZARD IF IT COMES OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THAT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE BASE MOUNTS APPEARED TO BE CRACKE
  • • THE TRUNK LATCH NOT LOCKING. OPENED TRUNK IN DRIVEWAY, TRIED TO CLOSE TRUNK AND IT WOULDN'T LOCK/CLOSE.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG IN FEATURE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ON FRONT STICKER SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID IT ONLY WORKS ABOVE 25MPH AND IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WARNING SOON ENOUGH SO I THINK ITS CRASH ZONE AND SHOUDL BE ADJUSTABLE AND TESTABLE IT IS NOT NTSB I HOPE CAN HELP MANUFACTURE A STANDARD TERMINO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

6 complaints
12%
  • • ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO
  • • On August 31st 2021, While driving my 2017 Hyundai Sonata PHEV on interstate 95 the check engine and hybrid system warning lights came on and the car simultaneously lost power for 3-4 seconds, which caused a decrease in speed from 65 to approximately 50 mph. There was a tractor trailer behind me bu
  • • Problem began Dec. 2021. Has occurred on 16 occasions since then. Warning light "Check Hybrid System; Turn off Engine" comes on while driving. The car then shuts off the engine and there is a 100% loss of motive power. Sometimes is associated with very rough braking with the car "knocking'." On 3
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints
8%
  • • 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG IN FEATURE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ON FRONT STICKER SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID IT ONLY WORKS ABOVE 25MPH AND IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WARNING SOON ENOUGH SO I THINK ITS CRASH ZONE AND SHOUDL BE ADJUSTABLE AND TESTABLE IT IS NOT NTSB I HOPE CAN HELP MANUFACTURE A STANDARD TERMINO
  • • I WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI 2017 SONATA PLUGIN HYBRID ON THE HIGH WAY IN HEV MODE AND SUDDENLY I FELT SEVERE VIBRATION IN MY CAR. THEN I CHANGED MY ENGINE TO EV MODE AND IT WAS FINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EVERY TIME THE GAS ENGINE CAME ON THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND NON RESPONSIVE TO GAS. I DROVE ABO
  • • While driving the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, the car will begin to stall, a rapid number of audible beeps will start, the "Check Hybrid System" notification will pop up on the dashboard, and the "Check Engine Light" appears.. The car therefore cannot be driven anymore, and I am forced to pu
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG IN FEATURE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ON FRONT STICKER SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID IT ONLY WORKS ABOVE 25MPH AND IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WARNING SOON ENOUGH SO I THINK ITS CRASH ZONE AND SHOUDL BE ADJUSTABLE AND TESTABLE IT IS NOT NTSB I HOPE CAN HELP MANUFACTURE A STANDARD TERMINO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: FIRST EXTENDED DRIVE OF NEW CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD I HAD "BAD FUEL" THAT THEY TESTED A SAMPLE AND FOUND E85 (ETHANOL) IN IT, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI NEW CAR WARRANTY FOR PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES. I PAID $828 TO HAVE FUEL DRAINED AND

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG IN FEATURE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ON FRONT STICKER SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID IT ONLY WORKS ABOVE 25MPH AND IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WARNING SOON ENOUGH SO I THINK ITS CRASH ZONE AND SHOUDL BE ADJUSTABLE AND TESTABLE IT IS NOT NTSB I HOPE CAN HELP MANUFACTURE A STANDARD TERMINO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: ON 3/15/2017 AROUND 8AM, I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE CAR SHOWED A WARNING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THE CORRESPONDING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE GASOLINE ENGINE ALSO STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EV BATTERY WAS FULL. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON THROUGHOUT MY COMMUTE TO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID — Year Comparison

How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2019
6Excellent Reliability
2017
51Average
2016
43Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID

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