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Engine coolingPart report

1997 Hyundai Sonata Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
14%of 49 total for the year
Median mileage
57,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, 14% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles.

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.

“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 miles

“My vehicles check engine light has been on for well over a year now. I believe this problem is dut to a manufacturer's defect and I should not have to come out of my pocket to pay for a company's mishap. I would like the problem to be corrected as soon as possible.”

NHTSA complaint #10036840, filed 2003-08

“Consumer states the vehicle would not start, dealer said timing belt broke and caused the crank sensor and timing sensor to break, however after repairs the vehicle still would not start, consumer was informed that the problem was not with the starter, but possibly with the head.”

NHTSA complaint #786004, filed 2002-06

“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 2001-08

“Fuel tank has developed cracks and a fuel smell is present. 1) in dec 2000 and mar 2001 fuel tank replaced because of cracks on top of fuel tank; 2) in april 2001 service for recall 00v314001 was performed; 3) in october 2001 fuel was leaking from a seal between fuel tank and a pipe, leading to engine, resulting in fuel tank being replaced for fourth time and 4) in november 2001 fuel smell was present again and dealership was diagnosing the problem. The fuel gauge operation stays on full then drops drastically due to fuel sender/pump failure. The dealer replaced the gas tank cap. …”

NHTSA complaint #898851, filed 2001-11

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202322%
202111%
201985%
2018144%
2017192%
2016172%
2015212%
2014213%
2013402%
2012111%
2011451%
200961%
200820%
200781%
2006303%
200553%
200452%
2003147%
2002165%
20012311%
20003111%
19992319%
199848%
1997714%
1996626%
1995914%
1993935%
1992418%
1991621%
1989545%

Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata

Fuel system
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Latches, 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 27, 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