1997 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
74 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 2/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Fuel system leads the reports.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1997 Hyundai Sonata has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1997 sits among all Sonata years
What owners report
Recalls (2)
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…
Fix: 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…
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
The 1997 Hyundai Sonata drew 74 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 2/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 1997 Hyundai Sonata problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata are fuel system (18 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (11), and airbags (9).
Does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.