Complaints
74
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Avg mileage:83,441 mi
#27 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:72,000 mi
#35 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:36,059 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 15 | — | — | 83,441 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 72,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 4 | — | 36,059 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,441
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,000
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,059
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
1997 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Hyundai Sonata has 74 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly (15 complaints, avg 83,441 mi); Automatic Transmission (7 complaints, avg 72,000 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (5 complaints, avg 36,059 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,700 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata include 6 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Hyundai Sonata?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Hyundai Sonata
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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