1997 Hyundai Sonata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, 10% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Since we have owned vehicle - 9/98-to present engine light has come on causing lack of power- smoke-vibration - taken to dealership on five occasions with no real fix to problem -two times we left dealership and within two miles light would come back on.”
NHTSA complaint #740542, filed 2001-02“Automatic transmission; when appling gear in reverse there is a hard banging noise coming from transmission. Transmission has been replaced three times. Dealership was aware of problem. Check engine light illuminated, dealer replaced faulty o2 sensor. Faulty battery causing vehicle to crank slow. Driver door window moves slow, dealer lubricated glass channel. Outer cv boot replaced, it was cracked. Solenoid valve faulty causing poor gas mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #895469, filed 2001-08Related service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 19 | 40% |
| 2023 | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 | 17 | 18% |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% |
| 2020 | 40 | 22% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 | 65 | 8% |
| 2016 | 89 | 12% |
| 2015 | 167 | 14% |
| 2014 | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 | 261 | 14% |
| 2012 | 235 | 15% |
| 2011 | 444 | 13% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 61 | 13% |
| 2008 | 32 | 8% |
| 2007 | 51 | 7% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 12% |
| 2004 | 17 | 8% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 37 | 13% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 7 | 27% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 17% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology