1997 HYUNDAI SONATA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

74

Owner Complaints

6 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Death

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

14

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

The 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA has received a total of 74 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly (15 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (7 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (5 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA, potentially affecting up to 141,051 vehicles.

Recall 00V314001 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 66,086 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 97V026000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

| 74,965 vehicles affected

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

74 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 15
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 7
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 5 4 Crashes 2 Injuries 1 Death
Air Bags
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 2
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragetank Assemblypressure Relief Devices
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10586849 | VISIBILITY | | 64,000 miles
FAILURE/BREAKAGE OF PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR AS ADDRESSED IN HYUNDAI TSB 09-01-003 NHTSA ID:10028945 RESULTING IN VISOR BEING UNABLE TO STAY IN POSITION BLOCKING VISIBILITY. *TR
#10404763 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 108,000 miles
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. THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY MY VEHICLE, THIS IS MY MOTHERS VEHICLE, BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO'S VEHICLE IT IS, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT IT BASICALLY IS DOING IS WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN MILEAGE IT WILL BASICALLY "KICK/JERK/PUSH FORWARD" (FOR A LACK OF TERMS) WHEN IT REACHES 12 MPH AND 32 MPH AND I'M CERTAIN OF OTHERS BUT MY MOTHER VIRTUALLY NEVER DRIVES ABOVE 45 MPH SO ANYTHING ABOVE THAT I'M UNCERTAIN OF. IT ALSO HAS A VERY HARD TIME ACCELERATING TO 20 MPH. ONCE IT'S ABOVE 20 MPH IT'S EASY AND ACCELERATES VERY FAST. MY MOTHER HAS NEARLY BEEN HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS INABILITY TO ACCELERATE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TOO HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TOO NUMEROUS DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I AM GETTING 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SOMETHING IN THE FUEL/AIR LINE, ENGINE COMPUTER MODULE, AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THESE REPAIRS SO I HAVEN'T DONE ANY OF THEM, BUT I AM THINKING THAT THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REPORTED. THERE ARE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL ITEMS BEING REPORTED WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THIS. IF THIS IS AS NUMEROUS AS I'M SEEING ON HERE, YOU MAY WANT TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. ONCE IS A COINCIDENCE, 5 TIMES IS PHENOMENA, BUT OVER 20 TIMES IS AN EXPLICIT FAILURE BY THE COMPANY, NO MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS 30 DAYS OLD OR 30 YEARS OLD.
#10404763 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 108,000 miles
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. THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY MY VEHICLE, THIS IS MY MOTHERS VEHICLE, BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO'S VEHICLE IT IS, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT IT BASICALLY IS DOING IS WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN MILEAGE IT WILL BASICALLY "KICK/JERK/PUSH FORWARD" (FOR A LACK OF TERMS) WHEN IT REACHES 12 MPH AND 32 MPH AND I'M CERTAIN OF OTHERS BUT MY MOTHER VIRTUALLY NEVER DRIVES ABOVE 45 MPH SO ANYTHING ABOVE THAT I'M UNCERTAIN OF. IT ALSO HAS A VERY HARD TIME ACCELERATING TO 20 MPH. ONCE IT'S ABOVE 20 MPH IT'S EASY AND ACCELERATES VERY FAST. MY MOTHER HAS NEARLY BEEN HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS INABILITY TO ACCELERATE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TOO HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TOO NUMEROUS DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I AM GETTING 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SOMETHING IN THE FUEL/AIR LINE, ENGINE COMPUTER MODULE, AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THESE REPAIRS SO I HAVEN'T DONE ANY OF THEM, BUT I AM THINKING THAT THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REPORTED. THERE ARE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL ITEMS BEING REPORTED WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THIS. IF THIS IS AS NUMEROUS AS I'M SEEING ON HERE, YOU MAY WANT TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. ONCE IS A COINCIDENCE, 5 TIMES IS PHENOMENA, BUT OVER 20 TIMES IS AN EXPLICIT FAILURE BY THE COMPANY, NO MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS 30 DAYS OLD OR 30 YEARS OLD.
1997 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. LEAKING GAS FROM THE UPPER PART OF ON THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TANK IN THE YEAR 2001..AND MY CAR WAS FIXED, HOWEVER IT HAS REOCCURED (SAME PROBLEM). I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL, DUE TO THE FACT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. I ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTUROR AND THEY WOULD ALSO NOT HONOR. THERE IS ALSO A DEFECT IN THE DOOR LOCK, NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO EVEN OPEN.
#10124186 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | | 148,000 miles
RECALL # 00V314001 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA I HAD CALLED DEALER TO ASK OF RECALL THEY HAD INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES. AND THEY HAD SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. MY QUESTION IS ARE THEY STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. I AM LEAVING THE VIN # ALSO [XXX] PLEASE HELP THANKS. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

View all Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

Hyundai Motor America has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

0236030 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OBD-II READINESS TEST DRIVE CYCLE. *TT

9936004 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT PERTAINING TO ( ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL ) ETM CORRECTION FOR GROUND DISTRIBUTION . *TT

9836009 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

INFORMATION ON FUEL INJECTOR CONFIGURATION. *YC

9850002 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SPECIFICATION ON REAR BRAKE DISC MINIMUM THICKNESS. *YC

9880007 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES ON WOOD INTERIOR TRIM. *YC

97110160006 — STRUCTURE:BODY

SERVICE PROCEDURE AND INSTALLATION OF THE TRUNK MOUNTED SPOILER. *YC

97110120013 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION ON A NEW FRONT CASE. *YC

97100140032 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

INFORMATION REGARDING END CLUTCH RETAINER AND CLUTCH PLATE MODIFICATION. *YC

97090136003 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT PERTAINING TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATION. *YC

97090120009 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ON BLOCK HEATER. *YC

Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SONATA

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Other HYUNDAI Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report