1997 Hyundai Sonata Problems
- Complaints
- 49filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. The part named most often is fuel system, with 17 complaints (35% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and air bags (8). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system17 35%
- Air bags8 16%
- Engine cooling7 14%
- Electrical system5 10%
- Vehicle speed control3 6.1%
- Exterior lighting2 4.1%
- Other or unknown2 4.1%
- Suspension2 4.1%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “After attempting to call Hyundai, I am absolutely fed up with everything they are doing. I have repaired my vehicle on numerous occasions to no avail. After at least 5, definitely more, trips to the mechanic I have repaired the alternator twice, the idle air control valve, brakes, motor mounts, done a transmission fluid change, and have had to repair 2 flywheels in the transmission. That list does not include the general maintenance of plugs, filters, and oil. I can't deal with this anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10404763, filed 2011-05, 108,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Experiencing problem with accelleration on highway. When vehicle reaches 40 MPH or more it appears to be shifting in neutral, and causes engine to stall. Vehicle been in dealer's shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill free toprovide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #866457, filed 2000-07Air bags: “On september 18, 1999 while driving on baltimore/washington prkwy, I approached an area of highway were work was being done. I was now traveling at approximately 3-5 MPH. At one point traffic came to a complete stop. As I glanced down at my instrumental panel the airbag indicator light appeared to be flickering, the light stayed on for a few seconds, then went out. While in a stopped position approximately (2) mins after airbag light came on, the airbags both the driver and passenger deployed. …”
NHTSA complaint #711907, filed 2003-10, 36,059 milesEngine cooling: “Check engine light stays on after dealerships tried to fix muliple times. I have spend about 3,000 dallors of my money to fix the car. The dealership has finally told me that they do not know what is wrong with the car. The car wants to stall at a stop and the idle jumps aroud while driving down the road. The car really acts up when you have the A/C on.”
NHTSA complaint #10037323, filed 2003-09, 57,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
23% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 56,529 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata · sedan | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Hyundai Sonata version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sonata FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sonata FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V314001Oct 2, 2000Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Hyundai Sonata 1997–1998, Accent 1998, Accent GT 1997
Vehicle description: accent gt model vehicles equipped with dohc engines manufactured from december 19, 1996 through june 30, 1997; 1998 accent model vehicles manufactured from may 6, 1997 through june 25, 1998; 1997 sonata vehicles manufactured from august…
- 97V026000Feb 26, 1997Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Hyundai Sonata 1996–1997, Accent 1996–1997, Elantra 1996–1997 +1 more
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Recall details for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
- 10196546May 21, 2021Transmission and drivetrain. Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability…
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021Engine cooling, Equipment. This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection…
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021Brakes, Equipment. This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021Engine cooling, Equipment. This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020Brakes. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10183960Nov 19, 2020Wheels, Tires. This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020Equipment, Exterior lighting. This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the…
- 10176182May 6, 2020Tires, Wheels. This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and customers to maximize tire life and performance.
- 10176178May 1, 2020Equipment. This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior surfaces using recommended safe chemical products.
Other model years of the Hyundai Sonata
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | 19,025 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 47 | 2,000 | 1 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 88 | 18,500 | 2 | 5 | 31 | 18 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 95 | 31,000 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 20 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 135 | 41,000 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 182 | 2,778 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 162 | 24,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 375 | 21,250 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 767 | 55,000 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 59 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 728 | 63,000 | 6 | 5 | 28 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 1,153 | 56,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 750 | 70,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 1,917 | 78,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 1,558 | 80,000 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 3,380 | 75,000 | 14 | 4–5 | 26 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 345 | 65,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 18 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 460 | 68,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 425 | 62,000 | 3 | — | 24 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 696 | 64,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,047 | 70,000 | 9 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 165 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 202 | 85,500 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 199 | 65,252 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 320 | 89,288 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 205 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 276 | 104,696 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 124 | 98,723 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 49 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 49 | 72,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 66 | 125,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 26 | — | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 22 | 94,600 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 29 | — | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 16 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 11 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Hyundai Sonata model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 17 complaints (35% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 1997 Hyundai Sonata been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Hyundai Sonata (Sonata, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Hyundai Sonata reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 56,529 and 110,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.