2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid suffered a sudden and dangerous engine failure matching the exact conditions of the federal safety agency Safety Recall 209 (Hyundai Campaign 209) for premature connecting rod bearing wear. The vehicle entered Limp Mode due to diagnostic trouble code P1326. The mandatory Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update was successfully completed on this vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle is currently located at Hyundai of [XXX], where dealership technicians confirmed that the engine is completely failed and requires replacement. However, the dealership and manufacturer are actively refusing to perform the mandatory safety recall remedy, instructing me to pick up the un-repaired, hazardous vehicle. They are citing the vehicle's salvage title as the sole reason for denial. Under federal the federal safety agency regulations, a manufacturer cannot deny a safety recall remedy based on a salvage or branded title status unless the vehicle cannot be physically or safely repaired. This engine defect poses a documented fire and stalling hazard. I am filing this immediate complaint because Hyundai is violating federal recall mandates by attempting to discharge a vehicle with an open, dangerous safety hazard without completing the legally required remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption with an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and an oil consumption test was performed. The contact was informed that the vehicle passed the inspection. While driving later, the vehicle stalled and was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and several DTC including the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) were found. The contact stated that while driving or reversing at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered, made abnormal rattling sounds, entered HEV Lock Mode, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle occasionally came to a complete stop in the middle of the road and had to be pushed out of the roadway. On other occasions, the driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed after stalling. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before the vehicle entered HEV Lock Mode, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where several tests, including bearing clearance tests and unknown repairs, were performed; however, the failure persisted. During the final service visit, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine wear and tear and fractured pistons. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the service manager informed the contact that there was no guarantee that replacing the engine or catalytic converter would resolve the failure due to severe engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered loaner vehicle assistance on several occasions; however, coverage for the engine replacement was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

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 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 Sep 28, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 142,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and taking an exit, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power relay assembly and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle started but failed to move. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB Number: 20-01-003H. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

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 May 8, 2023 · Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact’s wife was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that he was then notified by his wife of the failure and arrived at the scene to move the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the assembly generator failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that three days later while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from under the hood and the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

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 Mar 10, 2022 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and lost motive power. The contact stated that her husband pulled off the highway safely. The driver then attempted to re-enter the highway, there was a loud bang from the engine that shook the vehicle. The vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed. The dealer service manager informed the contact that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V727000 (Engine) for which the VIN was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

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.