2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Engine · GA

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system in my 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited malfunctioned. On three separate occasions, the HEV warning light illuminated while I was driving on the highway, followed by a sudden loss of power. The vehicle stalled and stopped running, leaving it inoperable. The incidents occurred in approximately August 2022, November 2023, and February 2026. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Each incident occurred while driving on a highway. The vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled in moving traffic, creating a significant safety hazard. I was forced to attempt to move the vehicle out of active traffic lanes while other vehicles were traveling at highway speeds. The unexpected loss of propulsion increased the risk of a crash, serious injury, or death to myself, my passengers, and other motorists. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership after each incident. However, the dealership did not provide an explanation for the HEV warning light, loss of power, or stalling condition. To my knowledge, no permanent repair was identified, and the problem recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was inspected by a Hyundai dealership following each towing event. The vehicle was towed after each incident because it was not safe to drive. To my knowledge, Hyundai did not provide a definitive cause for the failures. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives in connection with

Filed Sep 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NY

While driving, car started to lose power. Warning lights started flashing to turn off vehicle to recharge battery. Car lost all power. Car was towed to dealership. Dealer started diagnostic testing, and first thing that was noted is that all oil had drained from car and that crank shaft may now be damaged. Prior to incident, no warning lights came on for service, engine or oil lamp. Dealer and internet searched confirm this has been happening to this model recently.

Filed Aug 31, 2024 · Engine · TN

This is the seventh occurrence of complete loss of power while driving on the interstate. The hybrid system warning activated, followed by the engine shutting down, and all dashboard lights illuminated with alerts indicating "Shut Off Engine/HEV." An 18 wheeler was pulling out from the shoulder as I was losing power and barely missed getting crushed. The former problems have all been at interstate speeds with similar accident avoided. The service history clearly demonstrates that Hyundai has repeatedly attempted to address this issue by replacing numerous critical components, including the engine, transmission, knock sensor, battery (three times), integrated brake actuation system, and smart cruise control, among others. Despite these extensive repairs, the problem persists. On this latest occasion, less than 4,000 miles and four months since the last major incident, the dealership has proposed replacing the intake manifold, EGR valve, HSG belt, and spark plugs. The belt was changed less than 20K miles ago. and I believe the spark plugs were as well. Each time my vehicle experiences this issue, it is out of commission for weeks or even months at a time, causing significant inconvenience and raising serious safety concerns. I no longer trust this vehicle and I don't believe the many recalls have successfully addressed the root cause of issues with the 2017 Hybrids.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Steering · NY

Total loss of power steering while driving, wheel locks up randomly. Hyundai dealer said the battery was old, I put a new hyundai battery in it and the steering locked up leaving the dealership. VERY DANGEROUS.

Filed May 24, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · KY

2017 Hyundai Hybrid Sonata lost power while in the middle lane of [XXX] . Following notice appeared: Check Hybrid system. Turn off engine !HEV. We were able to coast over to side of road (car was going 70mph at time of breakdown). Car towed to McDonough Hyundai dealership. Talked to Service Dept. We explained our situation to him (out of town, spending money on a hotel). They performed an engine electric Diag. which stated: Vehicle had multiple codes for low battery voltage. Test battery and got an instant failure. Cleared codes and test drove after new battery replacement. No codes came back. Approximately 1 hr. later in Jackson, GA we were on [XXX] , middle lane & engine stalled (70mph & coasted over to side of highway). Received same code: Check Hybrid Battery System, !HEV, turn off engine. Had car towed to Kennesaw, GA. Rented car to drive home & had car towed to Alexandria, KY our home town. After 2 wks. car was put on diagnostic machine. Said they test drove car multiple times. They said could not duplicate the issue. It was suggested the next time we get code on our dashboard to take a picture of it or video. Took car to Kerry Hyundai, Florence. Test driven car 40 miles & have gotten nothing. No codes. Told them it was imperative that your mechanics find the issue. I will not drive the car as it is now. It is unsafe as it stands now. Breaking down 2x in GA. The first time after driving it 6.5 hrs. and the 2nd time after putting brand new battery in & breaking down exactly 1 hr. after driving. We have been without our car since [XXX]. Hyundai advertises a great warranty on their cars, one reason we purchased it. We wanted a SAFE, RELIABLE car since we are both retired and going to travel. We are out of $1,827.08 & afraid to drive car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 4, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Engine Shut Off Without Warning problem of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid While driving the car on the freeway, it will jerk forward and then shortly after lose power. I pull over (luckily haven't been killed yet) on the side of the freeway. I've taken my car to a Hyundai dealership third times. All Three time I was stranded on a busy california highway. I have looked into this warning over a year and no one seems to know the problem. This should be a recall and all Hyundai dealers should be made aware of what this warning is. We as Hyundai owners need answers and help.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Engine · 80,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle started to lose power with the Hybrid and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled and was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced under TSB: 209. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Multiple Error codes popped up on Multiple occasions. Lost power and last code was "Check Hybrid System Shut off Engine" HEV System Error. Battery, Engine, Collison, and Maintenance Error Lights showing on Dashboard. 06/ 22 - Dealership inspected and worked on Safety Recalls only. Nothing else was found. 10/22 - Fix Finder report showed Error code P0455. Vehicles reset itself somehow over the weekend. No issues on Monday morning. 11/22 - Lost all power. Towed to Dealership. They reset codes P0455 and P0456. Test passed w/ no further issues. 07/09/2023 - Driving 65mph and loss power. Multiple Error codes. Slowed to 20mph and made into driveway. HEV Shut off Engine came on as I stopped.

Filed Nov 7, 2022 · Engine, Steering · 15,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an unknown recall repair, there were abnormal knocking, clicking, and flapping noises heard intermittently coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the vehicle had reduced power steering assist and was stalling while driving uphill. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on three different occasions; however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the wiper blades and key fob were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2022 · Engine, Steering · CA

My wife and I have been having an intermittent but constant problem with our steering mechanism which our dealer says they cannot replicate and therefore cannot resolve. This constant problem is one that MANY Sonata Hybrid owners have reported online. Our experience is having the steering wheel seize, flashing lights during which the red steering wheel icon with an exclamation point remains on. Our experiences have been in our mobile home park when we are turning left. The last two incidents were when we were blocking our street and vehicles could not pass. A prominent feel in the steering wheel of clicking, clunking, and play in the wheel accompanies these incidents. I had to, as others, to turn the car off and restart to carefully, amidst clicking and clunking, to return the car to our driveway where it will sit until we take frontage roads to our dealer. We recently received a notice from Hyundai that the steering wheel mechanisms' warranty has been extended 15 years from the ending date of the original warranty. The notice indicated that our Sonata Hybrid "may exhibit reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power driven steering (MOPS)." We believe this is suggesting that MANY complaints have been sent to various authorities regarding this same issue. We now have a much delayed (due to our dealership's backed up service appointments) appointment to again address this problem which they say is not happening because they cannot replicate it. Many online comments indicate that people are scared that themselves, loved ones or others will be involved in a fatality due to this "intermittent" problem. We could not find a Hyundai Regional Manager with whom to correspond. We feel abandoned by Hyundai but hopefully not by the We are scared and disappointed. Is Hyundai really "committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value" as its August, 2022, EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION said. Please help. Hyundai dealers won't.

Filed Apr 27, 2022 · Transmission · FL

Abrupt and total loss of acceleration at full throttle at or near high RPM shift points. This behavior can be reliably reproduced by "flooring it" (all the way, including kickdown) and not letting go - as if one is executing a passing maneuver. The power loss will occur at the next shift point after kick down, and will not be cleared until the accelerator pedal is released and re-applied - or after approximately 15 to 20 seconds after the occurrence if the driver does not release the pedal. In cases where the pedal is not released after the power loss, the vehicle will surge suddenly after the condition has cleared and repeat the behavior described above. This behavior can be reproduced in any drive program mode (eco, normal, sport, ) and in both automatic and manual shift selection modes. Has been occurring since purchase. Parks hyundai of gainesville, fl. States unable to reproduce, but a parks' employee confirmed occurrance.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 80,000 miles · WI

On 7/17/19 my car lost power while driving on city street. Unable to steer or control vehicle. Took to dealer who said there were no error codes shown and that it was the electric oil pump. On 8/12/19, the same thing happened while driving on expressway. Complete power failure while vehicle was in motion. Unable to steer or control car. Took back to dealer. Again, no error codes found. They later claimed that a relay had melted and that was the problem. On 12/28/19, again driving 70mph on busy expressway, vehicle lost all power and I was unable to steer car. Took to dealer on 12/29 after it happened a second time in two days. There were unable to look at vehicle that day and told me to bring back next day. It stalled again while I was leaving parking lot, I asked the maintenance tech to come and look to see what was happening, he refused. Dropped car off on 12/30. On 1/2/20, dealer called to say no error codes found, after driving 100 plus miles, were unable to determine cause of problem and I should pick up my vehicle. I explained this is unacceptable. They called me back later claiming it is the electric steering column portion of motor control power steering rack and want $1800 to fix. This is a major safety issue, loosing complete power and ability to steer while driving. Dealer has done nothing to reassure me that this is the actual problem.