VehicleVerdict

1997 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Hyundai Sonata sits mid-pack among Sonata years: 74 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 206, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (26% of the total).

74

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Sonata years?

Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted4,608 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 18 complaints1990: 25 complaints1991: 41 complaints1992: 43 complaints1993: 46 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 93 complaints1996: 37 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 187 complaints2000: 378 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 407 complaints2003: 249 complaints2004: 288 complaints2005: 217 complaints2006: 1,422 complaints2007: 906 complaints2008: 554 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 415 complaints2011: 4,608 complaints2012: 2,272 complaints2013: 2,635 complaints2014: 1,077 complaints2015: 1,636 complaints2016: 991 complaints2017: 991 complaints2018: 540 complaints2019: 205 complaints2020: 254 complaints2021: 169 complaints2022: 138 complaints2023: 136 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Hyundai Sonata problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1926%
Transmission1115%
Airbags912%
Engine912%
Visibility & Wipers57%
Electrical System57%
Speed Control34%
Other34%
Lighting34%
Suspension23%
Latches & Locks11%
Brakes11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V314001Fuel SystemOctober 2, 2000 · 66,086 units

Defect

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 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.

97V026000Visibility & WipersFebruary 26, 1997 · 74,965 units

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 28, 2003

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 28, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 1, 2001

“CONSUMER REAREND VEHICLE WITH A 25 MPH IMPACT WITH APPLYING BRAKES. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHOULDER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HEAD AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WILL CONTACTED DEALER TO DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

“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.*AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED FAULTY O2 SENSOR. FAULTY BATTERY CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRANK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 2000

1997 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 1997 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 74 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sonata year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (19 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.