2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 43. 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. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
51
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
17 complaints- • 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
“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
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
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.
Risk: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID Service Intervals
Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner
These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2017 SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
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
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
- ☐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.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 43
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID